I used to frequent this newsgroup quite a bit 5 years ago, back when
Nancy DeMarco & others were regular posters.
Back then I had 5 pig-wigs and my doctors (ENT & allergy) told me to
get rid of my guinea pigs because of my allergies - as in right away.
My answer was no, as they passed away due to natural causes I promised
not to replace them.
Well, the inevitable has happened. Taco passed away first due to a
broken heart in 4/2004 after my golden retriever died. Taco was 7,
the dog was 16. In 5/2005 Lola died, he was about 5 or 6 (a rescue,
I'm not sure). In 9/2007 Tamale died, she was 9. In 2/2008 Chico
died at 6 (strangely enough of a herniated disk in his spine causing
all kinds of other havoc - like GI stasis, but he also had arthritis,
a developing bladder stone, an enlarged heart, poor little guy). And
now, my favorite pig of all time, and the last, Bonnie died 10 days
ago at age 8 cuddled up next to my golden retriever (who as a puppy
slept with her when she was a baby) and I.
They are all gone and I will keep my promise and not get anymore. I
immediately cleaned the cage, threw away the various disposable
supplies, and collected the rest for donation for the Humane Society.
I had to do this right away to avoid the temptation to get another -
if I still had the fixings for a pig it would have been too easy.
I will really miss the little guys, they brought me so much joy and
comfort. I still look for produce, look for them in the morning (it's
too quiet), check the paper for sales on care fresh, all the old
habits die hard.
It gives me comfort to know that there are people like you out there
who care for these wonderful little animals and see the treasures they
hold if only we would pay attention.
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