SCAMPS: Senior Citizens Ageing Miracle Piggies Society

Agent Piggy Galore aka Yaya left us :'(

2011-02-06T17:39:00.001+01:00

Agent Piggy Galore (aka Yaya) went to the bridge on friday the 28th of January 2011.

Yaya a week before she went to the bridge,

still very lively and vocal (edited with instagram)

During her life, Yaya was both a LAPS and a SCAMPS pig, and she was very proud of that. As she became older, she became more vocal and she never hesitated to put a young boar in his place during one of the GPDD virtual events (her cane was feared by all boars, especially Igor).

Her agent name was Piggy Galore.

This little lady was a very charming pig, and especially in her later years she became very good at putting her spell on innocent male humans (which included the vet).

Yaya, we miss you very much!

Igor and J

Yaya

2010-10-20T23:33:00.001+02:00

My sister Janneke's piggy Yaya has turned 5 today!
Happy Birthday to you!
Thsi is a pigture of Yaya soon enjoying her favorite food: apple.
We are glad you made it to this grand old age,
eventhough you have OD.
I wish you many more painless years.

Gordon the GP

2010-08-13T23:26:00.003+02:00

Please welcome yet another SCAMP!
--

It's me, Gordon the GP, and I am a SCAMP. Could you please add me to the list? I don't have a photo handy, but if you have the photos from the 2007 calendar, I am on it sitting in my chair (I am January). I was 6 years old in June, and I feel very young. I have a lot of people who love me, so I am a happy little guy!

Best regards,
Gordon

Master to: Audrey
Born on: June 2004

Gingerbread

2010-08-13T21:58:00.003+02:00

Penny informed me that Dear Gingerbread has left us as well.
Unfortunately being a group for older piggies it also means we have a lot of Ageing SCAMPS leaving us. Below you can find Penny's memories of Gingerbread as posted on the GPDD 7 April 2010

-----

We are all very sad here at Piggyfriends as we have had to say farewell to our dear friend Gingerbread.

I was hoping against hope that she would be able to attend the forthcoming birthday party and also celebrate her own 7th. birthday soon on the 1st. May but it was not to be.

For the last week she has worried me in that she has slept more and more and eaten less and less. There was nothing physically wrong with her but the years finally caught up with her in the small hours of this morning and she drifted off peacefully to join her family at the Rainbow Bridge.

Some of you will know her story and it is in the archives somewhere but I will repeat a short version of it here for newer members and in tribute to a wonderful old lady. She was the senior Piggyfriend, this position now being taken by SCAMP Roscoe ( as far as I know ). Many Piggyfriends arrive here as adults and I never know their true age.

Gingerbread and her sister Mayflower were born here on May 1st. 2003. I collected them in utero with mother Ginger and her other baby daughters, Diamond and Peridot. This was a back to back pregnancy for a five year old sow who had lived wild in a garden and whose "owners" had not even known that she was pregnant either time. For a five year old to give birth for the first time unaided and alone outdoors in winter was a miracle in itself so when the new babes were born, I was not surprised to greet two tiny runts. They were so tiny and wobbly that I never expected them to survive, especially when poor Ginger had no milk for them. They took to being hand reared and thrived, Ginger caring for them in every other way, their older sisters mothering them too and the five of them lived together happily for many years.

Gingerbread was the last of the "Ginger Girls" so another Piggyfriends chapter has come to an end.

All of the family were lovely cuddle pigs, always willing to be held by a visitor.

After so many years it is hard to believe that Gingerbread has gone although I will see her every morning as her pigture is the wallpaper on my computer, chosen for her bright white coat over which the icons are readily visible. I won't change it.

I had started to compose a Disneyworld birthday story in which she reminisced about her long life along with Janet's Lily but when Lily passed away, I scrapped it. Maybe they will meet up at the Rainbow Bridge and have a chat there.

Right now, I don't feel up to writing a Birthday story but I cannot wallow in grief as there is a host of Piggyfriends here needing my attention. Grief is the price we pay for caring for these wonderful little treasures. Gingerbread is buried amongst the daffodils under the big old oak tree that gives them all shade when they go out on the lawn in the summer.

There are pigtures of Gingerbread and some of her family on the SCAMPS page. Scroll down about three quarters of the page.

Farewell lovely Gingerbread, gone to join your dear family at the Rainbow Bridge, where there will never be a shortage of grass and clover such as we had during the last long, dark winter.

Penny and the sad Piggyfriends.

Tumbleweed

2010-08-13T21:55:00.002+02:00

Cindy has informed me her dear Tumbleweed left us a while ago.
Here is her goodbye post about Tumbleweed, as posted on the GPDD on the 8th of June in 2010

-----

It is with a most sad heart that I write to tell everyone that
Tumbleweed recently passed away. I am most remiss in not posting
sooner, but after a day or two, we became very worried about his buddy,
Friday. Friday has been in serious mourning, and we are looking for a
new friend for him.

Tumbleweed was six years and two or three months old. He and Sunshine
(RIP) came to us as part of the Maryland piggie rescue, which
Metropolitan Guinea Pig Rescue coordinated (thanks, Judi and company).
Tumbleweed was a black and white (with a bit of "hidden" caramel)
Peruvian piggie, and his crazy bangs inspired my vet to suggest his
name. Like a snowflake, Tumbleweed's hair never looked the same twice.
His white was mostly at his waist, and I always thought of his lovely
long white hair as angel wings.

Tumbleweed was a good-natured, laid-back piggie who never met a
stranger. When we introduced him to Sunshine, it was friendship at
first sight. Then we introduced both piggies to our Joey (RIP), and the
reaction was the same. Later, we got Friday, and Friday decided
Tumbleweed was the best friend ever.

Our boy loved standing on the wooden tables in his cage to eat hay. He
also enjoyed laptime and falling asleep in his hay trough on the floor.
Seeing him trot across the floor was quite a treat, as his wings swept
behind him.

Behind Tumbleweed's gentle nature was a quiet bravery. Vet visits, nail
trims, X-rays, shots -- nothing ever phased him. Two years ago, we
almost lost him after he developed a tooth abscess that affected his
chin. He had to have a tooth removed, and for the whole summer we were
so afraid we would lose him. We cut his food into strips, syringed
pellets, water, and Critical Care to him, and cleaned his abscess
daily. Sometimes, in the intervening two years, he had gas, and my
husband made a vibrating massage pad for him. He never seemed to mind
resting on it, and it finally helped.

A few weeks ago, I noticed that his poops seemed to be getting smaller.
I took him to the vet, and we tried Reglan, but his poops didn't
improve. We then had an X-ray done and were shocked to discover that he
had a (probably) cancerous tumor pressing on his intestines. By then,
he was growing much weaker, despite our syringing a slurry of pellets to
him and tempting him with his favorite foods. Palliative care,
including a steroid shot and a shot of antibiotics, didn't help, and
when he sat in his "sofa" without moving and refused to eat, we knew it
was time to help him to the Bridge. Our vet gave him a sedative, and I
held him while my husband and I talked with him. I think the pain
gently began to leave his body. Our vet then took him to give him the
final shot and told us that his passing was peaceful.

Although surgery was not an option, due to its high probability of
failure, we had hoped so much that he might somehow perk up. As he grew
weaker, we reminded him of how he had come to live with us, of all the
piggies he had known, and of how very much we loved him and appreciated
each day with him. I also told him to use his "wings" to fly to the
Bridge when it was his time.

If you'd like to see a photo of him, there are a couple of places on the
Web to look. Among his adventures, Tumbleweed was very happy to be able
to become one of the SCAMPS and to be included on the SCAMPS site.
Thanks, Mieke.

He also was most pleased to be recruited by AgentF to be a Secret
Agent -- see April 27, 2010. Thanks, AgentF.

Tumbleweed, thank you for sharing your life with us. You will live on
always in our hearts. It was an honor to have known you.

Sadly,
Cindy and Friday

Sapphire and Barley Piggyfriend

2010-08-12T13:12:00.008+02:00

Here you can see Casanova, Sapphire and Lavender. Sapphire is the Dutch piggy in the middle.

Sapphire and Barley have both been Piggyfriends for most of their lives, having been rescued from a dark and dingy garage, where they were living with their three sons all in one dirty little hutch. Barley and Sapphire came home with me that day accompanied by one of their sons, Rye, who will soon be a SCAMP himself. The "owners" wanted to keep two of the family and I could not persuade them otherwise but luckily, after a few months I was asked if I could take them too. I was so pleased to be able to bring them home to be with the rest of their family.

This is Barley, he is also an undercover Agent.

Read more about agent Badger here

Welcome to Barley and Sapphire, you found yourselves a good forever home :D

Masters to: Penny
Born: around June 2005

Hans

2010-08-11T18:19:00.002+02:00

Our calendar model Hans is already 6 years old, so we thought he should be added to the list of SCAMPS as well!
Welcome, Hans

Isabel crossed over...

2010-08-11T18:13:00.003+02:00

Oh no, we had just posted our congrats to Isabel for making it to the grand age of 7 years old, and now we read that she has left us and has joined Lily and all our deceased friends...

Sorry to hear she left you, so soon after her birthday, Janet

Hugs, from all of us

---
here's the post from Janet to the GPDD:

I'm just devastated to report that we lost our precious Isabel on Monday evening, only one day after her 7th birthday.

Her liver readings were slightly elevated in mid-July. She had lost some weight and was slowing down a bit. We attributed the weight loss to her first ever molar trim last month.

Yesterday morning I took her in for an ultrasound to try to determine how badly the liver might be damaged or whether there was a tumor. The liver was damaged, but no mass was found, so we prepared for palliative care. Unfortunately, Isabel went into cardiac arrest late in the afternoon while at the vet. My husband and I were able to sit with her, but only pet her briefly and talk to her outside of her oxygen tent. About two hours later, Isabel stretched briefly, moved onto her side, and went to sleep for the final time very peacefully.

Isabel followed the same pattern as did Lily earlier this year. Celebrate the 7th B-day with Mommy and Dad and then cross the Bridge. Isabel was a fantastic little piggy and we grieve her loss. It was an honor to have raised and loved her since we first adopted her at the age of two months. She was the first guinea pig I ever had.

Rest well sweet Isabel, and happily munch the Rainbow Bridge grass with your sister Lily while you wait for us on the other side. In the meantime, Mommy and Dad will try to remember that it is better to have loved the ones we miss rather than to have missed loving them.

With great sorrow,
Janet, along with little Luke (Isabel and Lily always in our hearts)

Happy 7th birthday Isabel!

2010-08-11T17:08:00.005+02:00

We are very happy to announce that one of our Members turned 7 this month!!
Here's to many more, Miss Isabel

This was the announcement on the GPDD
----
Date: Sat, 07 Aug 2010 10:40:44 -0400

Subject: [Gpdd] Announce: Happy 7th Birthday Isabel!
Message-ID: <8CD0455A6A542AA-15CC-E6B3@webmail-d004.sysops.aol.com>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"

I very thrilled to announce that Isabel is celebrating her 7th birthday this wheekend. She had a party last night and we are continuing the festivities through her actual birthday on Sunday. She has seven helium balloons floating about in her honor and a big birthday hat on top of her habitat. She and her brother Luke are looking forward to the "Birthday Burrito"---a lettuce leaf wrapped around all their favorite veggies inside!

Janet, and Isabel's brother, Luke, (and we're certain that sister Lily is smiling down from the Rainbow Bridge)

-----

The introduction post of her and her late friend Lily can be seen here:
Lily and Isabel

Scampi, Mickey and Scrumpy

2010-03-24T17:59:00.004+01:00

On 18 August 2009, this was reported to the GPDD, sorry for the late update:

"It always seems to happen with people who keep large numbers of piggies, that all the piggies stay healthy for months and months and then suddenly several of them go to The Bridge, even though there is no connection between the passings. I have lost three Squeakers in the last few days. I'm glad they waited for me to get back from holiday, because my son did a grand job of looking after them whilst we were away, and I would hate it if he blamed himself in any way. In fact, the only thing to blame is old age.

The first to go was Scampi. She belonged to Peter Gurney and came to me, age unknown but definitely not young, over 3 years ago. She had huge brown eyes and golden hair and looked like a giant hamster. She was plagued with skin problems and had more baths than any other guinea pig I've ever owned, but she behaved impeccably and even enjoyed them. She was not ill and was probably still LAPS, but I found her lying in the pen with her head resting on a cabbage.

The second to go was Mickey, my only male. He came to me aged three and a half, having been a much loved, lone, indoor pet. His owners weren't allowed to put him on the plane when they emigrated to Australia, and so he was neutered and then instantly adapted to an outdoor life here amongst a harem of girls. He was a strong character and was very into feng shui. He would rearrange the food bowls and turn them upside down and taught the others in his pen to do likewise. He'd been here for nearly 4 years, so he was well over 7. He was very wobbly towards the end but enjoyed life right up to his last day.

The third to go was Scrumpy. Scrumpy was a satin piggy and was always so dainty that I called her my "size zero" piggy. She was the last of four satins that I took in 3 or 4 years ago. They were supposed to be aged 3 or 4 then, so perhaps this is some sort of record for a satin. (None of them developed OD, thankfully). Scrumpy's hair looked so beautiful glistening in the sunshine.

Meet up over the bridge little ones. Mickey will take charge, I'm sure. I also hope Scampi tells Peter Gurney all about her later life.

Stefanie and the sad remaining 18 Surrey Squeakers"

Dear Lily has left us after 7 years

2010-03-24T17:55:00.001+01:00

This was posted on the GPDD on 19 march 2010:

"My heart breaks as I write to tell you that my dear Lily has crossed the Rainbow Bridge, just one week after celebrating her 7th birthday. It's almost as if she waited to make the grand 7 years before going into severe bloat and GI stasis. Despite valiant efforts in the intensive care unit at the piggie hospital last night, I had to help her cross the Bridge this morning.

I am crying my eyes out but realize that Isabel and Luke need my love and care.

I will try to write a tribute to the beautiful Lily in the future but it hurts too much right now. At least I know that she is pain free. I am honored to have been her mom all these years. Run free at the Bridge, my little sweetie!

Janet"

Our hearts go out to you on this loss.

Debbie's last piggies joined her

2010-03-24T17:09:00.002+01:00

We received this message on the GPDD:
"Dear Friends:
Our Debbie's husband, Pete, has asked the send along an email to let everyone know that the last of Debbie's SCAMPS, Ambree, passed away last night.? She was turning 7 next month and as we all believe, Debbie welcomed her at the bridge.? Pete has no more piggies which?was another link to his beloved Debbie, so it makes him quite sad.? Please keep them all in your thoughts and prayers.
"Rest in Peace, Ambree".
Joanne
Spicy, Merri, Macie, Teddy, Baci, Sweetie"

I also heard that her other piggy Gisele has passed away not so long ago :(

Our thoughts go out to Debbie's husband!

Guiny joined her friends Lotje, Suus and Tea

2009-12-22T20:32:00.004+01:00

Below you will find my (Mieke's) memories of Guiny and Suus.
Eventhough Suus was not a SCAMPS yet i would like to remember her as well,
she did become a LAPS piggie though!

"Hi fellow guinea pig lovers,

It is with a very sad heart that i have to let you know, my oldy Guiny and my sister Janneke's Suus went over the bridge.

I am currently pig sitting Janneke's piggies. We noticed that Suus was a bit quiet and did not eat her chicory very well. On saturday evening the 24th of october, I was going to clean the cages, and we noticed Suus was weak.
She was breathing heavily and did not respond very much to her surroundings.

We thought it might be gas so gave her some medicine for that and we tried to syringe feed her some Critical care. She might have swallowed some of the first CC, but did not do that for the
second feeding. So all signs went red for us, having experienced this with Toby. Though she
did not seem in such a bad condition, as when Toby died.
I called the vet (they have an evening an weekend emergency phone number),
and had to convince the vet to let us come over. The vet said I did a good thing by bringing Suus to her. She took her in and Suus stayed overnight.
The vet heard fluids on her lungs, which according to her could be either lung troubles or heart problems. They gave Suus some antibiotics and something to get rid of the fluids, Suus was having trouble breathing and was put in an oxygen pen. Unfortunately she did not make it to the next morning. I felt very bad, but was told by vet this was the best I could have done for Suus.

I have known Suus since she was a little girl, she has lived together with my girls Lotje and Guiny. So it felt and still feels like losing one of my own.

Then 2 days later, on the 27th of October, Guiny left us for the bridge. I have to say she was already 5,5 years old, and she was slowly loosing weight. But until half an hour before she died she was still eating and active and seemed happy. My boyfriend Erwin went to give all the piggies, I had 6 then: My Guiny, Dunya, Woopy and Chico, and Janneke's Igor and Yaya, their evening veggies.He noticed at once though Guiny came to get her carrot, that something was
wrong. She had taken 2 bites and then left the carrot. She was breathing heavily, and Erwin picked her up from the cage. We knew at once it was bad, having seen Suus get worse on saturday.
I held her in my arms and told her it was okay to go. We told her we loved her, and I told her about the rainbow bridge. I told her to say hi to Lotje, and tell Suus that we and Janneke miss her. and to say hi to all the other piggies. I also told her she would hear perfectly again when she was there (she was hard hearing). And told her Peter and Debbie would be there to take care of her if she needed it. I also told her to teach the other piggies over the bridge her smart tricks, she was the one who knew how to open a door, when it was slightly open. She once sat next to Lotje who was eating a carrot and started gnawing the carrot, right next to where Lotje was gnawing. She eventually ran away with the biggest piece of the carrot she had munched
her way through. She was gone within half an hour...
I still feel sad about my precious lady Guinyvere leaving us, but she had a good and pretty long life with me and later with me and Erwin. Since she was gradually loosing weight this did not come totally unexpected. And I feel, eventhough i did not like loosing her, this was the best way to part with my precious girl. She knew she was loved, and we had a chance to tell her that and tried to comfort her and tell her it was okay...

We have buried them in my mom's garden last sunday. They are buried together, and near to where Lotje was buried.

I'm sure the girls, will be partners in crime over the bridge. I remember the one time when i was going to eat a sandwich in the living room. The girls were having floortime, and I had to get something, so i put my sandwiches on the mattress that was on the floor. When I did that I even thought 'I should not do this, but hey I'll be back really fast'. When I came back Suus and Guiny had stolen my sandwich, and were hiding under a chair, munching on my sandwich...
I will miss you girls!!

Mikey,
and the remaining Winky girls: Dunya and Woopy
my valentine: Chico
And Janneke's piggies currently staying over: Yaya and Igor."

And my sister Janneke's memories of Guiny and Suus:
"Hi Gpdders,

My sister wrote a beautiful tribute yesterday, so I guess I finally have to face the music and write my tribute to 2 of my favorite pigs ever. They do deserve that.. I've been putting it off because not writing it down makes it feel less real (I'm sort of on a holiday and Yaya and Igor are still at mieke's house, so there's no empty space in a cage..)

Guiny..
When mieke decided to go to the czech republic, I agreed to look after Guiny and Lotje for 6 months. I never had a guinea pig addiction before, but oh boy, did these 2 girls get me addicted. I soon noticed guiny was quite clever and I really enjoyed (as did she) ' inventing' new puzzles and games for her (many of the games in Igor's PLAY's were invented for guiny; http://www.guinygirlz.nl and yes.. that adress wat named after her; just like my own gmailadress). Guiny also really enjoyed it when I was belly dancing (she would put up her paws against the edge of the cage and watch me with a smile), I think she thought that it was my way of popcorning and running in circles. The funny thing was that she liked shakira's music the best. I never knew pigs had musical preferences until then. What I loved most about her was the big smile she could give me when she saw me (even when mieke and the pigs moved to erwin's house she still remembered me). I know she was not my pig but she sure felt like it.

Suus..
When guiny and lotje went back to mieke after her stay in the czech republic (she returned shortly afterwards with her pigs) I felt really lonely without guiny and lotje. I was going through a rough time back then, having broken up with a rather abusive boyfriend a few months before and I was sometimes so scared out of my brains when I heard sounds or whatever (before that I just thought, aaw.. that's just guiny or lotje). Then one day a girl I knew through my ex (and had become a friend) phoned me and told me she had a pig for me. The little pig had siblings, but according to my friend, this pig was so sweet, that she really wanted me to have her because she thought were were meant to be together (suss = german for sweet; the friend was german; i'm dutch).

I think she was right. Suus was my girl all the way. More than any of my pigs ever were. In the beginning we were both so scared that we bonded very strongly. Suus wasnt a cuddle pig, but when I felt bad she would wheek until I would pick her up and she would put her nose firmly in my neck and lick the tears away. Suus was always a very active, lively, vocal pig and lots of fun. Maybe not cuddly, but she did enjoy human interaction a lot. She was never sick. I would always call her 'hollands glory' which is an expression in dutch to say that someone's very wholesome/healthy. I never expected her to leave so soon, although i know she is 4 years old. She was just always so healthy. I still cannot believe that she is gone, and to be honest, I dont feel like that either (which is weird because when Jan the Boar died I cried my eyes out) I guess that blow will come when I have Yaya and Igor back with me... I don't know... I lost a little, yet significant part of me, she would always comfort me, but she is not there anymore..

Janneke"

Tumbleweed

2009-08-30T20:28:00.004+02:00

We were most pleased to welcome Tumbleweed -- and his friend, Sunshine (RIP) -- into our home in August of 2004. Tumbleweed was a rescue piggie, so his exact age wasn't known, but we estimated that he was about six months old. He was a bit underweight but otherwise in good health.

Tumbleweed's name came from his wild hair, which never looks the same twice. He can shake his head or come out of his cozy with his hair slicked back and look like an entirely different pig! He is a sweetheart, always good-natured. He was a wonderful friend to Sunshine and, now, to Friday.
In 2008, Tumbleweed had many health issues, including a hard-to-treat abscess under his chin and a tooth that had to be removed, but with lots of care, he made it through the hard times. A tech at our vet's called him a brave guy, and she was right. His courage has been an inspiration to us. He has also continued to reveal more layers of his personality through the years. In the past few months he has become more adventurous, exploring a wider range of the house when he gets floortime each day.

Tumbleweed could easily have left us in the summer of 2008, and we are so thankful he didn't. Each day we spend with him is an honor.
Master to: Cindy
Born on: beginning 2004

Roscoe Piggyfriend

2009-07-18T23:40:00.002+02:00

Roscoe Piggyfriend celebrated his fifth birthday in June 2009. He came to live at Piggyfriends in August of 2004 as a tiny piglet along with his litter sister, the late Daisy, whom many of you will remember as the LAPS President. Unlike Daisy, he has never attained LAPS status but is just as cuddly.

Here is a pigture of him enjoying some time in the garden and another of him with his best friend Shadow, who is helping him celebrate his birthday with a plate of favourite nibbles.

The Lady Bug is reunited with Duke

2009-07-18T20:03:00.002+02:00

The Lady bug, A well known piggy to the GPDD (guinea pig daily digest) has left us and is now reunited with the love of her life Duke (Glynis' boy).

The Lady Bug has made it to the age of 7 years and one month old!
She is an example to us all, and will be missed by many.

Thank you Joan and Lady bug to bring us joy with you many adventures, and keeping the young piggies in line with your cane.
We send our sincerest condolences!

Slave Mikey and the rest of the SCAMPS society

The rainbow bridge poem

2009-06-30T23:54:00.003+02:00

"Just this side of heaven is a place called Rainbow Bridge.

When an animal dies that has been especially close to someone here, that pet goes to Rainbow Bridge. There are meadows and hills for all of our special friends so they can run and play together. There is plenty of food, water and sunshine, and our friends are warm and comfortable.
All the animals who had been ill and old are restored to health and vigor. Those who were hurt or maimed are made whole and strong again, just as we remember them in our dreams of days and times gone by. The animals are happy and content, except for one small thing; they each miss someone very special to them, who had to be left behind.

They all run and play together, but the day comes when one suddenly stops and looks into the distance. His bright eyes are intent. His eager body quivers. Suddenly he begins to run from the group, flying over the green grass, his legs carrying him faster and faster.

You have been spotted, and when you and your special friend finally meet, you cling together in joyous reunion, never to be parted again. The happy kisses rain upon your face; your hands again caress the beloved head, and you look once more into the trusting eyes of your pet, so long gone from your life but never absent from your heart.

Then you cross Rainbow Bridge together...."

Poem by unknown aythor, (possibly Paul C. Dahm)

The words of the rainbow bridge poem set to music:
http://www.indigo.org/rainbowbridge_ver2.html

I watched it Yesterday after the passing of my almost 2 year old (so not SCAMPS yet) boar Toby, and it made me and boyfriend cry...

Debbie, inventor of SCAMPS, has died ;(

2009-06-30T23:37:00.005+02:00

With the consent of Lynn, I was allowed to post her tribute to Debbie on the SCAMPS site:

Hello fellow list members,

I was very saddened to hear of Debbie's passing but I am grateful for her and her family's sake that the pain is over now. I wrote this when I first realized that we would probably lose Debbie to this horrible illness. Please read it with the knowledge that it was written with many tears on my cheeks and comes deep from within my heart.

Lynn

A TRIBUTE TO DEBBIE JONES

Listen, you will hear the sound of gently lapping waves, slapping the sides of the large ship as it softly rolls to and fro in the quiet night. It is dark all around, save the moonlight that shimmers and trails across the ocean top and the stars as they shine down so brightly from the vast heavens above.

Other than the gentle waves, we hear no sound. It is very hushed. We see now that the deck of the ship is completely covered by tiny little creatures, our much beloved guinea pigs, each one unique in it's own way. There is much whispering and shuffling as they stand side by side and toe to toe.

Their heads uplifted, they gaze into the heavens, each one's eyes sparkling more wetly than usual . . . are those possibly tears in the eyes of these little furry creatures? Yes, we see a few as they slowly trickle down soft, whiskered cheeks

As they all gaze up into the stars, we suddenly see the ruffling of the fur of the pigs at the very back of the group. As a breeze softly rolls forward over their backs and tickles their ears, someone cries out "There she goes! Look!!" The sudden gust of wind streams over and beyond them and up into the dark skies. As they watch, they all see a beautiful new star appear.

There . . . listen to the soft sighs and oohs and ahhs as the new star begins to glow and sparkle so much more brightly than the others. Suddenly, dozens of other smaller stars gather and seem to cluster around it. Beautiful white light that is filled with warmth and love bathes the deck of the ship and all of the little creatures that are watching with awe.

From somewhere in the middle of the group we hear a small voice whisper. "Good bye Debbie. We love you." The words are repeated over and over dozens of times. Games and fun are forgotten for now. Now they only show respect and honor to a human who had so much love and care for their kind.
They know that she has gone to the bridge now to be free from pain and join all the little ones and other humans who have gone before her. As we draw away, tears now in our own eyes, we hear small sniffles and watch as all the little pigs wander slowly back to their rooms, saddened by such a devastating loss to not only them but to Debbie's family and friends who all love her so much.

Be free Debbie. Run and play at the bridge with all of the fur babies and creatures that have anxiously awaited your arrival.

Authors Note: This tribute was written in honor of Debbie Jones. I hope she, all of you and her family and friends will know that I wrote it with sincere love, respect and sadness. I am trying to imagine what our babies would do if they could, and this is how I feel it would be.

In memoriam: Pumpkin

2009-06-18T23:22:00.001+02:00

Please find below Dee memories of Pumpkin:

"I was working at the library in September, 2005. Everyone knew my husband and I had guinea pigs for pets. One day the animal control officer came to me and asked if I could find a home for a male guinea pig. Seems the owner was going off to college and had no one to care for him. Of course I said yes – then called my husband and he said yes, too. Pumpkin was delivered to me the next day with his cage, wooden house, water bottle and food. I was told he was four years old.

At the time I had two female piggies, Juliet and Peaches. We made room for Pumpkin in the very large cage my husband had built, separating him from the girls with a wire fence. He was rumblestruting at them in no time! My husband has a soft spot for boars and he took to Pumpkin right away. We kept saying we were going to find a home for him, and we did – our home!

Pumpkin was a little guy and a gentle boar. He was in love with Peaches, but she rebuffed him all the time. He took it well and never gave up trying to woo her. At first he wasn’t very good at being a lap pig, always on the go. As he got older and settled down he became a great lap pig. He would settle in through a whole movie and never pee on me. He never got heavy enough to join the LAPS group but was a SCAMP in his later years. He went on a few virtual trips and joined the Jolly Rodents in doing the Rumblestrut Blues to wow the sows any chance he got. Juliet passed in 2007 and we had Pumpkin and Peaches until he passed in April, 2009. He was dearly loved and gave us much love in return. Rest in Peace my little one and wait for us at the Bridge."

Diamond left us.. :'(

2009-06-06T14:52:00.003+02:00

Please find below Penny's account on another of our members going to the bridge: Diamond! Our heart goes out to her and other members we have recently lost

"It is with great sadness that we have lowered the Piggyfriend flag to half mast in honour of our dear Diamond, who has left us for the Rainbow Bridge. She was the eldest of the Piggyfriends.

She came to us in 2003 as a tiny piglet along with her litter sister, Peridot and her mother Ginger, carrying Gingerbread and Mayflower in utero.

Diamond was a wonderful little piggy, who celebrated her sixth birthday in February and I am glad that she stayed with us long enough for her younger sister, Gingerbread's, sixth on the 1st. May this year.

She enjoyed a long and happy life as a Piggyfriend, never suffering from any illness except for developing slight arthritis during the last year. This was kept under control by Potter's Tabritis tablets, which she adored and which enabled her to continue to do a little pirouette every time the veggies came around. She never had a proper "wheek" but sang a little "hoo,hoo" song when the food was in sight and also when I came down in the morning. I would hear her before I could see her as the "Ginger Girls" pen is round the corner from the others.

On her last morning, she was very quiet and just wanted to sleep, cuddled up to her fluffy sister, Gingerbread. I knew that her time was near and gave her some painkiller, just in case, but I do not think that she needed it. I picked her some of her favourite sow thistles from the garden. She nibbled a few and seemed to say that she was packing up to leave and wanted to rest. I was watching her sleep when she just stopped breathing and left us. Gingerbread nuzzled her as if to say her goodbyes.

I wish that all departures could be so peaceful. I miss her dreadfully, as I do all of the Piggyfriends past. With all the love and joy that piggies give us, it is impossibly sad when they leave.

There are some pigtures of her on the SCAMPS page, about half way down.

http://scamps-gpdd.blogspot.com/search/label/Piggyfriends

Gingerbread is now the last of the Ginger Girls. I have always had groups of sows, into which a bereaved one could be introduced but so many of the recent additions to the Piggyfriends herd have been boars that Gingerbread is still on her own. She is eating up well but has been with her family since the day that she was born and must be lonely. She is too old to move in with either of my two boisterous "sow plus one neutered boar" groups and that leaves Toffee and Crystal, who could eat for England and I am afraid that they would out compete Gingerbread for the veggies. At her age, she sleeps a lot and would miss out.

So I have moved her into a smaller pen, right next to Toffee and Crystal, so that she has their company without the competition. Buttons and Floyd have moved from there into the large Ginger Girls pen. At first the boys were unsure about the large open space and hid in their pigloo but it did not take long for greed to get the better of these two large fellows and they are now rushing out for food just as they did in their old pen. The exercise will do them good.

Farewell dear little Diamond, gone to meet up with your family at the Rainbow Bridge and to find friend Chester, the Jolly Rodent, who escorted her to the Piggy Olympics. She will finally get to hear his soliloquy from the Cavy Cavaret.

I still see her every morning as I have her pigture as the start icon on my laptop.

Penny and the Piggyfriends."

Guiny is now officially a SCAMPS!

2009-04-16T22:35:00.008+02:00

Part of the reason for me to start this website (blog) is that my Guiny would hopefully turn five in not to long a time.
Well, she made it there, healthy as she is :D

My account on Guiny reaching SCAMPS age was posted to the GPDD on 26 March 2009:
I'm very happy to announce that Guiny has reached the respectable age of 5 years old!!
I remember getting her years ago in April 2004, My mother bought her for me, to join my other little girl (who I had from my mothers boyfriend after my boar Winky died on the 5th of March that year) Lotje. She had bought her, because they thought she was so pretty, and because she suspected i'd wanted a companion for Lotje. And they were right, eventhough Guiny was 'just' a smoothhaired piggie (I got a weak spot for rexes and teddies), she was and still is gorgeous.
And that lovely smile of hers makes her even more amiable. (see her as Pet of the day: http://petoftheday.com/archive/2008/October/12.html )

At first she was the little one, being overpowered by Lotje. Lotje even once stuck her nose under Guiny's tummy and threw her of my bed...
But they soon got attached to each other, and when one was not around the other would go looking for her. Guiny soon become boss, and with that she became the heaviest. But eventhough Lotje was not boss, she would make sure nothing would happen to her (lotje) that she did not like.

Whereas Lotje seemed to be a simple soul, and would just about do anything to get food. Guiny turned out to be smart piggie. We first noticed that when we gave the girls one carrot. Lotje started eating it on one end, and Guiny sat next to her as close as possible, and gnawed through the carrot, and ran away with that big piece!! She would also come for a piece of cucumber, run to her house, and come back again for another piece!
She understands how a door works, She seems to look at a door evaluating what to do, and they will take the appropriate action to open a door that is open a bit.

Guiny likes special foods, she likes sandwiches and toast (the other eat it because she does), and all kinds of toast. I currently have an improved kind of pellets for the girls and Science selective. All piggies love science, but Guiny apparently prefers the improved pellets. Eventhough all the piggies at the shelter are not huge fans and the guy at the pet shop told me the retailer said it was not liked by most piggies!

Later on when I lived with my sister Janneke, Suus was added. Guiny and Suus needed some time to get adjusted to each other, whereas Lotje turned out to be a natural mother (even more for Janneke's second addition Yaya).
Guiny and Suus, would roam the living room together and stole my sandwich from the matress in the living room once.
She also did that once when she was on the table with my sandwich, she looked so proud of herself.
Suus and Guiny once got in a real fight, from which Guiny ended up with a big scar on her nose (which healed perfectly)...
Since they have not been living together for such a long time, they cannot have floortime together anymore, but still like to chat through the bars when together.
Jan the boar, loved Guiny. Guiny would actually treat him like crap, but for some reason he stil adored her!
I guess Igor never really got anything to do with Guiny, i don't think we could put them together without them having a fight...
Getting Guiny and Dunya to get along was also pretty hard. I remember Dunya wanting to be with the girls, but whenever I put them in the run together, Guiny would 'attack', chattering and having puffs of white Dunya hair in her mouth! Luckily they got along after a while.
When Lotje died (almost a year ago now), Guiny was very upset and Guiny and Dunya get more attached to each other, though real hierarchy/roles was/were hard to determine...
When we added Woopy that changed the group dynamics for the better. Woopy had little trouble getting accepted. Guiny did chatter at Woopy and tried to bite her once, so we put Guiny in a separate cage (from which she could see Dunya and Woopy) for one night. After that she never been unkind to Woopy again. To me that proves, Guiny understood why I put her in the cage alone... She is a smart piggy!
Here's a link of them all playing in our kitchen: http://picasaweb.google.com/pandameisje/PettingZooGuinyDunyaWoopyChicoTobySuusYayaIgor?feat=directlink

Guiny used to be a very scared piggy, from that she turned into this independant bossy piggy who did not like to be cuddled.
It seems that with the years she has gotten softer/sweeter and even loves to cuddle now! She has also lost some weight, and we expect she is not the alpha piggy anymore. But she still seem to be a healthy piggy, her biggest problems were ovarian cysts and a few months ago the discovery of some lumps on her tummy.
Luckily the Ovarian cysts ceased to bother her, and the lumps were just fatty lumps!

I will add Guiny to the SCAMPS site when I have the time, If anyone else likes to add their SCAMPS piggies of 5 years and older (living or deceased) to the site, let me know.
Please send me an email about your piggy and if you have it attach a pigture! See the site at: http://scamps-gpdd.blogspot.com/
(so if you'd like to have Midnight added let me know! I could post a pigture of him as well)

Well I guess this is long enough. Guiny is my first piggy to have reached the magical age of five. I hope she will stay around a lot longer...
and of course I hope my other piggies reach this age as well!

Best wishes to you all, and have an extra carrot, all the piggies over the world!
Slave Mikey
the Winky girls:
the birthday girl: Guiny
Dunya and Woopy
and my valentines: Chico (nearing LAPS weight!) and Toby

Master to: Mikey
Born on: March 2004

Sam Piggy Friend went to the bridge

2009-04-16T22:30:00.003+02:00

Yet another of our SCAMPS has left us.

Please find below Penny's memories:
I am very sad to announce that my dear old Sam Pig has left us for the Rainbow Bridge.

I had resolved not to announce any more departures as, with such a large herd of piggies, these happen all too frequently here at Piggyfriends and I know that some members may find their stories as sad to read as I am to type them but Sam was a SCAMP and, as his story is on the SCAMPs blog, I feel that, this time, I should complete it.

You can see the story of how he became a Piggyfriend here http://scamps-gpdd.blogspot.com/search/label/Piggyfriends It is the last but one on the page.

We used to celebrate his birthday on May 1st. along with the Ginger Girls but I never really knew his age as he arrived as an adult in 2004 and he could well have been older than "almost 6".

Sam never got on with any other piggies, not even the group of sows with whom I first tried to introduce him although he loved to chat to the neighbours in the pens on either side of his. He was a real people pig and loved to have a cuddle.

He loved the finer things in life like cucumbers, tomatoes and dandelions. He had been failing for the last couple of weeks and I knew that time was catching up with him. He was not ill but just wanted to sleep more and more. I supplemented his diet with syringe feeding, which he was happy to take but always fell asleep in the Middle of it and I was not surprised to find one morning that he had passed away peacefully in the night.

There is another pigture of him on the LAPS site, although he never quite made it to LAPS weight. Here is the link http://www.flickr.com/photos/guineapigfancy/525763500/

Sam, you were a wondeful Piggyfriend and I will always love you. R.I.P. dear little man.

Gone to find the very many Piggyfriends past waiting at the Bridge. Maybe now you will get on with them all and be their friend.

Penny and the Piggyfriends.

Caramel has left us :(

2009-04-09T20:50:00.003+02:00

Yet again we found another SCAMPS leaving us for the rainbow bridge.
Please find below Debbie account on Caramel leaving:

"It is with a heavy heart I must announce to my friends here that SCAMP Dolly Mixture, Caramel, went to The Rainbow Bridge last Friday. You may remember I posted about her having the dreaded bumblefoot a few months ago. A very kind member did point me in the direction of some special ointment which I could order online, but somehow I got confused and didn't realise I had to send a cheque for it up front, so there was a delay in it arriving, during which time the foot condition got a lot
worse. However, I don't think bumblefoot was her only problem. She became almost paralysed in her back legs, and liquid calcium, which had worked miraculously for my dear departed Cherry, didn't have any effect (although Caramel adored the taste), plus she had a hard lump at the base of her left front leg, which to me looked and felt like a tumour. During her last couple of weeks she could hardly walk, and some mornings I would find her stuck on her side, unable to right herself, which was very
distressing for her and for me. If I could have trusted my vet, I would have taken her for euthanasia then, but I cannot after the experience with Scrabble, so I put her on "hospice care" and kept her home until she slipped away. She was, happily, able to enjoy several sunny afternoons out on the lawn with her friends during her last week, where she chomped the grass with enthusiasm.

I would put her on her back to administer the ointment to her front paws, then keep her paws in the air whilst I fed her, so she didn't rub off the ointment straight away. I do think the ointment was working, more than anything I used on Scrabble. She ate and drank very well right until the end, and still wheeked for her food when anyone went near, as all the girls do. She loved dandelion flowers, and munched her way through quite a few in her final week. Sadly, I was in hospital myself the day she went to The Bridge, but her cagemate, Soulage, was with her, and Caramel was
never really a "people pig", she preferred the company of other pigs - although that did change towards the end, when she became dependent on me for food and for uprighting her, and she did seem to relate to humans a lot more. There are photos and a description of Caramel on the SCAMPS website. I got her on 8th May 2003, and she was probably about a month old then, so she would have been almost 6 years old.

It is strange having so few piggies, but as my health has been fragile it is probably not such a bad thing, and I have many happy memories and photographs of the time when there were more. Caramel will have been reunited with many Dolly Mixture friends at The Rainbow Bridge, and she is now free from discomfort and able to stay upright on her own. Run free, our little girl!

Debbie and the 7 Dolly Mixtures"

Introducing SCAMPS: Caramel, Ambrée and Gisele

2009-01-29T20:50:00.011+01:00

Caramel, Gisele and Ambrée were 3 of the 5 Dolly Mixtures given to their slave, Debbie, when 5 of her beloved piggies were massacred by dogs in May 2003. The other two were Nuage and Scrabble, who also lived to be SCAMPS piggies and are featured elsewhere. Debbie feels she never really forgave them for NOT being the original 5 she had lost, and never got to know them as well as she did her other piggies. She relied on them to gain their love and companionship from one another rather than from a human, and they have always been her least "tame" piggies. They were fully weaned piggies then, so their birthday is estimated to be around mid-April - maybe they were Easter pigs?!

Caramel was the smallest, and has always seemed a bit on the edge of the group. When she was younger, she could pick their ceramic food bowl up in her teeth and lift it onto the top of a wooden nestbox without spilling any, then eat the contents in peace, undisturbed by the others! When Scarecrow went to The Bridge, she became Soulage's winter quarters companion (though they all share the same summer quarters). Caramel has had what we think is "fatty eye" since Autumn 2008, but it doesn't seem to bother her, and she seems to enjoy Soulage's company.

Ambrée is possibly the most beautiful of the three, with longer hair and symmetrical face markings, and she is the one of the three who is most sociable towards humans. In 2007 she developed a worrying white speck in her eye, which looked a bit like a hay seed, but it never seemed to bother her or grow, so has been left well alone.

Gisele is always described by her slave as being her "worst scaredy pig", because she is always the hardest to catch, but in fact when she was examined once by visiting rodentologists from Cavies Castle, they said she actually seemed fairly relaxed when being handled and the nervousness was just an act! In the summer, she does sometimes refuse to go in at bedtime, and her slave has to spend hours dismantling the run to access her and put her into the hutch! Luckily, she does have a very sweet little puppydog face, with a tiny little white star on her forehead, and this makes her so endearing that her slave can never get too cross with her!

About the pigtures:
One of the photos is a fairly old one of Ambrée, but I like it! One, as you can see, is Gisele and Caramel, and the other one shows Ambrée, Gisele, Sable, Caramel in the background and, actually, Nuage, who as you know is already at The Bridge, but does belong on the SCAMPS site as she was a SCAMP!

Born on: April 2003
Masters to: Debbie

Two SCAMPS members turned 6!!!

2009-01-08T21:19:00.002+01:00

It was exactly 6 years ago today that I rescued the 27 guinea pigs from the Crocodile Woman who was selling surplus and freezing piggies to be fed to crocodiles here in Northwest France. That 27 eventually became 45, as 5 were pregnant sows, but most were rehomed and those who returned to me have mostly gone to The Rainbow Bridge. However, I am delighted to announce that Soulage and Sable, who were both unweaned babies when they arrived here with their mothers that day, are miraculously still with us, and seem to be doing fine, although Soulage has lost quite a bit of
weight since her 5th birthday, going down from 1033g to 821g, which is a big worry for me. Both continue to eat well and exercise, although they don't live together in the winter as they have never really got on;
Soulage lives with SCAMP Caramel and Sable lives with SCAMPS Ambree and Gisele. They do, however, all share a big outdoor hutch and run in the summer. I went out today to hunt for fresh grass for their celebratory birthday meal, and will be shopping for special veggies, as the frost has killed everything in the veg plot. I never thought I would be lucky enough to have these piggies' company for as long as 6 years - I was dreading the year they turned 5! So a big "thank you" to them both for
resisting the temptations of The Rainbow Meadow for a further year - and to all of you who have advised me when they have had health problems!!
They are both featured on the SCAMPS website if you want to see how beautiful they are. I'm ashamed to admit I still haven't got round to putting Caramel, Gisele and Ambree on there - I will try to do so before the month is out!

Debbie (and the 8 Dolly Mixtures)

Sailor Willie

2008-12-08T13:51:00.002+01:00

Sadly another one of our SCAMPS has left us.
Following his 5 months old cage mate Squeakers, Sailor Willie has left us.

Please find below Alicia's announcement:

"It is with great sadness that I announce that my dearest Sailor Willie crossed over to the bridge while I was holding him tonight around 9:45 pm. My poor Sailor Willie was just over 6 1/2 years old and his health had begun to go down hill the past month. I knew that it was gonna be sometime in the future. However, I didn't think that it would be within a weeks time of losing one piggie that my other precious piggie would depart for the bridge. I am sure that Squeakers was waiting for Sailor Willie on the other side.

In Mourning,
Alicia VanMaanen
(In loving memory of Sailor Willie & Squeakers forever in my heart)"

Pumpkin

2008-11-29T00:19:00.005+01:00

My husband and I adopted Pumpkin in September 2004. We were told he was four years old. If that is correct it would make him eight years old! I doubt that he is that old but don't know for sure. He has always been healthy and a great piggie. He has gotten thinner lately, and is stiff in his back legs from arthritis. Otherwise he is doing great.

Born on: ?, max. 8 years old
Master to: Dee and Joe

Munchee Barnee is an angel piggy...

2008-11-14T15:38:00.001+01:00

Unfortunately we have another angel over the rainbow bridge...

Barnee, master to Kacee, has reached the respectable age of 7 1/2 to 8 years old.

Please read below Kacees memories of Barnee:
"It's with great sadness that I report that Barnee has gone to the Bridge. Unfortunately, I had to help him on is way. He took a turn for the worse yesterday morning and was coughing and trying to breath. I took him to the vet and he said there really wasn't anything he could do for the little guy. After discussing his situation (he couldn't eat because he couldn't breathe properly), we decided not to let him go on having trouble breathing. Although I wondered all day if I had made the right decision, I realized when I got to the vet's at 5 p.m. that it was the right one. He had deteriorated since the morning and having a lot of trouble breathing. Barnee was 7 1/2 or 8. In addition to the congestive heart failure, he had some small bladder stones and a very large one which was also acting up yesterday as there was blood in his urine.

He was one of two Munchees that I got from an actual rescue and I was told he was about 2 at that time. His buddy, Jake, went to the Bridge about a year and a half after I got from them from the rescue. Eventually, I put him in with Kadee and they got along fine often cuddling together in one of their hideaways. Barnee was a sweet and gentle Munchee and I will miss him terribly.

Run free Barnee Boo and go find Jake and Kadee to play with along with all of the other Munchees who have gone to the Bridge. I love you little man!

Kacee and the now Munchees 15"

Nuage, also one of our SCAMPS has left us...

2008-11-05T18:40:00.003+01:00

Unfortunately another one of Debbie's SCAMPS has left us for the rainbow bridge.
Debbie we would like to let you know how upset we are another one of our SCAMPS has left us. Please except our condolences.

Please find below Debbie's memories of Nuage:

"You all know that Nuage had a huge swelling around her side/abdomen, and I thank those of you who wrote suggesting what it might be. Your consensus of opinion seemed to be that whatever it was, it was incurable, so I put her on "hospice" care. Gradually her mobility became reduced by the swelling, and her eating and drinking reduced, although she was always there wheeking with her cagemates at foodtimes and getting excited. She would just sniff round the greens but not actually eat them. The last couple of days, all she would eat was cucumber and banana, so I got her out and gave her as much as those as she could eat. She had been drinking and urinating a lot, and had a brown "tide mark" around her rear end, plus her butt area had become dried and scabby and uncomfortable looking. So Monday morning, my 52nd birthday, I asked someone to help me bath just that butt area. Nuage didn't like it, though we were as gentle as we could be and I have bathed many piggies before. When I started blow-drying her, she suddenly gasped 4 or 5 times, opening her mouth
incredibly wide, and I was very alarmed as I have never seen that. Then she went limp in my arms and my quickly sent for stethoscope confirmed the worst - she had gone to The Rainbow Bridge. I don't think I killed her. I think she was on her way out anyway, and I just hastened her departure. If anything, the lack of adequate vet care where I live killed her. But I am very sad that she went like that, as she was obviously frightened and uncomfortable. I would rather just have found her dead in
the hutch one morning. But I think she did realise that she was loved and that I was trying to help her and make her more comfortable. Nuage was one of the 5 piggies bought for me after 5 of my original rescues were killed by dogs on 6th May 2003 - so she was definitely a SCAMP, though I don't know her exact age - probably about 5 and a half. I have never got round to putting her on the SCAMPS website, but will do, in conjunction with her fellow SCAMPS Gisele, Ambree and Caramel. Her name means "Cloud" in French, and I named her that because she was white and grey, like a
cloud. She was always a "piggies' pig" rather than a slave's pig, although, as has been mentioned here before, when she became ill she was much more willing to accept contact with her slave and let me cuddle her. She had started making that puppy wimpering noise - am I the only slave to hear this, or do other people's piggies make that sound when they are really poorly? She had an extra toe on one of her back feet, and when I first got her this had a huge ball of pooh wrapped round it, which I had to gradually remove, which wasn't easy, but I think she felt better for
it afterwards. Like all the Dolly Mixtures, Nuage loved to be outside in the summer, and had her own special place in the run where she'd nibble grass and sunbathe. I am sure she has found herself a similar special place there in that Rainbow Meadow, where she has been reunited with previous hutch mates Cannelle, Poivre, Muscade, Pirouette, Scruff, Chestnut, Cherry and Scarecrow. She was the 3rd Dolly Mixture to leave for The Rainbow Bridge within the past month - Zebra went on 3rd October,
and of course poor Scrabble 21st October. I was always dreading the year the Dolly Mixtures turned 5, and it seems I was right to do so, as Fidget, Cherry and Scarecrow have also left this year. There are only 8 Dolly Mixtures left now. Luckily, Nuage had always lived with the other 3 "Young 'Uns", as we called those that were bought for me after the massacre, so she hasn't left anyone alone, although 3 piggies do rattle about a bit in their great big indoor hutch!

Debbie"

Scrabble is a rainbow pig

2008-10-25T11:10:00.005+02:00

Unfortunately another one of our beloved SCAMPS has left us for the bridge.

Scrabble will now be running around the green meadows and enjoy the parsley and play with friends old and new.

Here's one last pigture of Scrabble enjoying the sunshine!

Please find below Debbie memories of Scrabble:
"It is with a very heavy heart that I must inform everyone in this wonderful gpdd community that I had to help my dear, brave old SCAMP, Scrabble, to start his journey to The Rainbow Bridge last Tuesday morning, 21st October. I so wish I could tell you that he slipped away peacefully from my loving arms, but sadly that is not how it was. All my worst fears about getting the local vet to help a piggie on its way were confirmed, and I think in future I will stick to my tradition of allowing the piggie to depart naturally, in its own time.
Scrabble was one of 5 piggies given to me after 5 of my original rescues were massacred by dogs on 6th May 2003. They were supposed to be 5 females, but it soon transpired that he, "Pecan" as I had named him then, was a male, and so I gave him away to Jack, to whom my partner had mistakenly given Fidget, Cherub's twin brother, as a female some weeks previously. Jack named him Scrabble, and he and Fidget became inseparable. When Jack had to move into an apartment a couple of years later, he insisted that he wouldn't part with his beloved piggies unless they returned to me, and so I got Fidget and Scrabble back. Scrabble was always my heaviest pig, and a member of LAPS - he will need a Rainbow Bridge sign over his name on that site now. Eating was the main love of his life, though he also loved sunbathing, and if he could be out eating lush green grass in the sunshine in his summer run, that was his idea of a perfect occupation! He and Fidget were always very close, and when Fidget went to The Bridge on 19th March 2008 I feel Scrabble sank into a depression, even though he still had Scoot and Zebra in separate cages next door to him. I think he became less active, and maybe comfort ate. At the beginning of summer, I tried putting Scrabble out in the same run as Scoot, and they seemed to get on OK, but after a while I noticed Scoot would sometimes mount Scrabble and try to dominate him. Scrabble didn't seem to object, and never showed any aggression, but I felt he deserved better, so tried putting Zebra in with him. This partnership seemed to work fine, with them snuggling in their house together as Scrabble had done with Fidget. But then on 3rd October, as you know, Zebra went very unexpectedly to The Bridge after a short bout of diarrhoea, and Scrabble was once again left alone. Throughout his treatment, Scrabble was always patient and courageous. He continued eating really well, and taking his medicines. He reached a point where he really couldn't walk, but he just "scrabbled" along somehow to get to and from his food and bed. I started to find him sometimes on his side, stranded and unable to right himself, and he would just call weakly to me, knowing I would sort him out. He was also suffering from anal impaction, which was exacerbated by his reduced mobility, I think. It was a beautifully warm, sunny day here last Sunday, 19th October, so although Scrabble had been living indoors since 29th September, I decided to let him make the most of the remains of summer and put him out in the run. He immediately started chomping the grass in the sunshine, though of course I had to stay beside him for when he fell over. I took photos and video of him - in some he looked so well, but I also took video of when he fell over. The next morning he developed diarrhoea - and no, the run was not on the same grass as it had been on when Zebra had developed the diarrhoea, it had been moved, and the girls had been out in it the day before, with no ill effects. But Scrabble also started making that wimpering noise, like a tiny puppy, which was made by my Bafreur, Scruff and Muscade when they were about to leave for The Bridge. Have other slaves heard this? So I knew his time had come. My usual vet wasn't there, so I made an appointment for the next morning, and to be honest I hoped that he would slip away by himself overnight.
But he didn't, and next morning he was chomping away at his food with his usual enthusiasm. But he still had the diarrhoea, in spite of a dose of liquid Imodium, and he started the whining again. I sang him my special song as I drove him to the vet's, about how it was his time to go to the Rainbow Bridge and he would see all his old friends again, especially Fidget and Zebra. He chomped away on all the food I'd put in the box for him. I hoped I was doing the right thing. Scrabble's body is buried in our piggie graveyard, beside Fidget and Zebra. But his spirit is popcorning around that Rainbow Meadow in the sunshine with his friends, and he is free from pain at last. I can't believe how bravely he tolerated that long three months during which his feet just got steadily worse, and I was bathing them and dosing him up twice a day. I am about to undergo some medical intervention myself, and if I can be even half as brave as Scrabble was, I shall feel very proud of myself. Scrabble is featured on the SCAMPS website, including one of the photos I took a week ago of him in the sunshine - many thanks to Mieke for that. Of course I
will always wonder whether that last little sortie caused the diarrhoea somehow, but actually, even if it did, I think it was worth it, as Scrabs so loved the sun, and I think he was ready to go. Sorry this is so long - but he was a BIG pig, he deserves a BIG sendoff. One very heavy-hearted Debbie, with only 9 Dolly Mixtures left now"

Duke

2008-10-15T10:52:00.002+02:00

Unfortunately one of our dear SCAMPS Duke has left us for the bridge...
Below you can find the obituary Glynis wrote:

"February 1st 2002 - October 12th 2008 aged 6 years, 8 months and 11 days

My darling Duke (aka Chubster, Legend, Dukester and many other names his little friends gave him) has travelled to the bridge at 10am on the 12th October OZ time.
In April 2002 Duke and his brother Sully came to live with us, he was such a darling little character he loved to run and play and boy could he climb.
He climbed so much that we had to build him a house with straight sides no wire as he would've managed to scale that. He lived with his brother Sully for quite awhile until we had to separate them cause they fought and Duke just loved to hump Sully which he was not impressed about. We divided their house in two with a wire divider which they just loved to sit beside and chat non stop all day. And when i came home from work i'd take out the divider and they'd love to run to each others areas, Sully loved to find Duke's left over food and Duke loved to go sniff where Sully had been......yes Duke loved to sniff, he sniffed everything.
When Sully went to the bridge, Duke was very very sad and lonely but i wasn't allowed to get him a friend. He also was sick and i struggled so hard to help him thru it, he was a trooper and a fighter and managed to pull thru so many operations for abscesses which threatened his life on more than a few occasions.
Each time he rallied because of his attitude and strong heart and will to live, my brave boy.
The last 7-8 weeks he has been gravely ill with pneumonia as many of you know, i was sure he was going a few weeks ago but once again he rallied. Yesterday was big clean out day for him, i'd completely strip out his house, whilst he'd patiently sit on a towel under his hidey box and wait for me, but yesterday for the first time in a long long time he poked his head out and i went over he stretched out his nose and body which meant, pick me up granny. I did this and he gave me a lovely big cuddle.
I then popped him into his cleaned out house and dashed up stairs to do his washing and make his new food. When i came back down he stretched out and took a piece of canteloupe but as his toofies were still short from when he broke them off i helped him by putting the cante in my hand and this made it easier for him to eat.
This morning at 2am feed i gave him his critical care but then he just wasn't interested in his leafies i told him it was ok i'd make it up thru the day. So off to bed i went and he too went back to bed. At 7am i got up and went and cleaned him out and made him comfortable and gave him his veggies and leafies........at 8.15am i went down again to feed him his critical care he was struggling to swallow it down so i told him i'd help him thru the day and it was ok. He then coughed and
started to breathe very quickly and i rushed up stairs to let the kids say their good byes as i just knew it was his time...........but once again he seemed to rally.
I went back down stairs with him and popped him gently down to make him more comfortable in the towel and cuddle him again, he collapsed onto his side and struggled to get up........he then again had trouble breathing, as per his usual gutsy self he battled right to the end, he even managed to climb up onto my shoulder with help and he snuggled into my neck i then quietly put him on his side and made him comfortable whilst he was travelling to the bridge.........he looked at me just
before he took his last breath he said goodbye to me. I had already told him not to worry as it was ok to go safely and be with Sully my Mum and his other little friends, and i'd promised to be there for him and I'm so glad I was.
Thankyou darling boy for letting me be your granny, I feel honoured.
Granny is devastated please wait for me, so one day I can be with you once again and cuddle you again, I will miss you so much...........it is hurting so much at the moment I can't bear to be without you.
Love you darling sweetheart xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx"

Satin has left us for the bridge :'(

2008-10-14T23:59:00.002+02:00

One of our SCAMPS has sadly left us for the bridge.
Please find below, Penny's memories of Satin:

"I am very sad to have to tell you all that our dear Satin Piggyfriend has left us. She was our oldest Piggyfriend, at six years plus.

She actually passed away just before we were due to go away on holiday but I was too upset to compose her obituary at the time. Now I feel that I can write objectively and give her the tribute that she so richly deserves.

She came to be a Piggyfriend in 2005 along with her friends, Ping and Truffle when they were left at Cavies' Castle, our Rodentologists, to be rehomed when their original Slave had too many health and domestic problems to be able to keep her piggies. There were three others, who had already been reserved on the day that I visited so Satin, Ping and Truffle came home with me.

Satin was a kind and gentle piggy, whose pigture can be seen on the lovely SCAMPS site http://scamps-gpdd.blogspot.com/ She is the first piggy on the site, in the "Older posts" section and, therefore, the final piggy on the Blog. Clicking on her name on the list of members gives the error message 404 File Not Found. I expect that this bit is still under construction.

When she sadly lost her best friend, Ping, to bone cancer, she was very lonely but very soon Hope and Halloween needed rescuing so Hope came to live with her. Hope was very hungry and scared, only ever having been housed with a huge rabbit and found security hiding behind plump and cuddly Satin. She sooned learned from Satin that she was in a safe place and became a very friendly piggy too. She is missing her friend and sits up close to the wire separating her pen from the neighbouring pens so that she can talk to the occupants. I have considered moving her into one of these pens. On one side live Lilac and Casanova. They are quiet gentle little piggies, whereas Hope is big and bouncy. On the other side are Minstrel, Lavender and Sapphire, who lost a lot of weight when she had to be syringe fed during a nasty throat infection. Hope could win a gold medal in an eating contest so it would not be fair to Sapphire to introduce too much competition at the moment but maybe later. Sapphire is doing well but I don't want to jeopardise her chances by introducing a piggy who could eat for England.

I have always had several pens of sows, into which a bereaved piggy could be introduced but so many of my recent rescues have been boars.

I am also going to have some piggies from the big Cavies' Castle rescue, when they are ready to be rehomed, so maybe a friend or two for Hope will be amongst them.

When I first took Satin home, my Rodentologists warned me about the possibility of her succumbing to Osteodystrophy, the scourge of the satin breed of piggy. I already knew of this disease but read up all about it at the time. As the years passed, I seriously began to believe that she could be the only satin in Europe that was free of this insidious illness.

Most satins are diagnosed with OD at around 12-18 months, some even earlier, so when she reached her sixth birthday it did seem possible that she was one of the lucky ones. Sadly, in June this year, she started to walk very stiffly, a symptom of OD. Hoping against hope that this was arthritis, I took her for a checkup only to have my worst fears confirmed. She had OD. She carried on as usual for the next three months. I gave her painkillers just in case she needed them but she continued to eat up really well. OD affects the jaw and makes eating difficult.

Then she began to find eating harder. She could eat strips of veggies and I was syringe feeding her ( which she loved ) until we were due to go away. I arranged for her to board at Cavies' Castle along with Sapphire, so that they could both be syringe fed without my son, the pigsitter, having to cope with this as well as looking after the rest of the Piggyfriends.

Then one morning, Sapphire decided that she could eat for herself, albeit slowly but Satin didn't want to eat at all, not even the syringe mix. She just wanted to sleep and I could see that her time had sadly come. She passed away very peacefully in her sleep.

I am so happy that she made it to a good old age and managed to stave off the OD for so long. She was a lovely, cuddly pig and is sadly missed by us all, as are all the departed Piggyfriends.

I have buried her in the garden next to her beloved Ping and Truffle, who came along with her but was an intact boar and had his own home. I have planted pink cyclamen over them all.

I was going to write a bit more about OD for anyone who might be interested or who might have a satin piggy and be unaware of the consequences. I don't know how widespread this disease is on other continents but there are very few piggies in England who are not affected by it. Our Rodentologists have many piggy patients who are sufferers but different strains of satins in other countries might be less susceptible to OD. As I have written too much already I am going to suggest that you look at this link
http://www.oginet.com/Cavies/satin.htm This is written by Desiree, a friend of our Janneke. She has studied OD extensively and is involved with research into the problem. Janneke's piggy, Yaya, also has OD so I fervently hope that future research is fruitful.

Goodbye lovely Satin. Such an adorable, kind and cuddly piggy. Reunited with Ping and Truffle again at the Rainbow Bridge.

Penny and the sad Piggyfriends."

Fidget

2008-10-14T11:53:00.003+02:00

Dolly Mixture Fidget was born on 3rd February 2003 and adopted by Jack, the boy who also adopted Scarecrow, Chestnut, Scruff, Cherry and Scrabble. He was the twin brother of my beloved Cherub, who was paraplegic and went to The Bridge on her 5 week birthday, breaking my heart, and of my daughter's pig, Red Dandy, who later crossed the English Channel three times before slipping to The Bridge before his third birthday. Fidget was actually adopted on the day his twin sister went to The Bridge, and my partner, who was supervising the adoption, was in such a state that he forgot we had already identified Fidget as male. So he was adopted as a cagemate for girlies Scarecrow, Chestnut, Cherry and Scruff. When I returned from my trip abroad I alerted Jack's mother to the mistake, and Fidget was kept "in solitary" until I was bought 5 females in May 2003 and discovered one of them to be in fact male, whereupon he was introduced to his beloved cagemate, Scrabble.

Fidget, like Scrabble, was always a very friendly pig to humans. He loved to be cuddled and was very vocal, more so than Scrabble, who let him get on with it. He also liked to chat with neighbouring male piggies through the bars of his cage or the wire of his run. Like Scrabble, he enjoyed being an outdoor piggie in the summer, and loved to sunbathe and munch the grass and dandelions. He did have a couple of problems with his eyes, including at one point a hay seed which actually germinated and had started growing inside his eye by the time I found it, but thankfully he always recovered with the aid of eye drops and ointments, and he was always very patient when receiving such treaments.

He loved to eat and always had a good appetite, but in the autumn of 2007, he started rapidly losing weight, in spite of eating as much as ever. I wormed him and he seemed to rally for a while, but then started shedding the weight again. He never seemed ill, still as talkative and lively as ever. But on the morning of 19th March 2008, I found he had left for The Rainbow Bridge during the night - he was aged 5 years and just over a month. His poor cagemate Scrabble was devastated, as were we all, but at least he had gone to be reunited at The Bridge with his mother, Poivre, his sister, Cherub and his brother, Red Dandy, none of whom made it to the grand old age of 5.

Master to: Debbie
Born on: 3 February 2003

Cherry and Scarecrow

2008-10-13T21:00:00.005+02:00

Scarecrow (aka "Skiggy") was a teenage pig I rescued from the Crocodile Lady on 8th January 2003. She was already weaned, so I liked to celebrate her birthday on Christmas day, as she was probably born around then. Scarecrow was just a nickname I gave her, because as a tiny pig with loads more hair than body she looked a terrible scruff, and when she was chosen by Jack, the same little boy that took SCAMPs Fidget and Scrabble, he liked the name so kept it. I had talked his mum into letting him adopt piggies by assuring her they NEVER bit, only to hear several days later that she had, indeed, bitten Jack - but only in protest at being given her first bath! He wore gloves to bath her after that. Cherry was one of 6 babies (one stillborn) delivered by Cannelle, one of 5 pregnant ladies I rescued at the same time as Scarecrow, and she was born on 4th February 2003. Jack was so delighted with Scarecrow (and Chestnut, who never made it to SCAMP age) that he returned to adopt Fidget, Scruff, Scrabble and Cherry a few weeks later, but then after a year or two he had to move to an apartment on Jersey, and he wouldn't part with his piggies unless I adopted them - so they rejoined the Dolly Mixtures.

Scarecrow was always my tiniest piggie, never weighing more than 800g, but she was also one of the feistiest, along with Soulage, with whom she became great friends. She was one of those piggies with a "hoarse" wheek, but always one of the first to emit it when a slave wandered near who might have access to food. With her colouring and silky hair, she reminded me very much of a friend's tiny Yorkshire Terrier dog, Chelsea. I loved to bath and comb her to make it more beautiful, but as you can see in one of the photos, like Soulage she would always shake it back into its untidy but preferred style as soon as I'd finished messing! As you can also see in the photos, she liked sitting on top of things, be it wooden houses or pigloos - she wanted to be Queen of the Castle!

Cherry was a much more gentle pig, very placid and easy going. She loved to eat and was quite tubby. She also enjoyed being cuddled more than her friend Scarecrow, who would get restless after half an hour or so of lap time. Cherry always seemed a happy pig, and enjoyed the company of the others. In the winter of 2007, she and Scarecrow shared their cage with Soulage. All three of them loved to sunbathe. Cherry had beautiful hair, all one colour and less unkempt than Scarecrow or Soulage, and it did stay wonderful for quite a while after being washed and combed, though sadly I can't find a photo of it like that!

I never really worried about Cherry's health. Soulage and Scarecrow had both had nasty abscesses in their time - Scarecrow's as big as her head - and whilst Soulage had had a urinary infection, Scarecrow's slimness was always a concern. But Cherry was always a good, steady weight and never showed any sign of illness, so it was a terrible shock to find she had gone to The Bridge on the evening of 28th March 2008 - only hours after she had been tucking into some food as usual. She was 5 years and nearly 2 months old, so only just made it into SCAMPS. Scarecrow got to enjoy one last Spring outdoors in the warm sunshine, dining on her beloved lush grass, but she also went to The Bridge very unexpectedly from her hutch during the night of 1st/2nd August 2008, aged 5 years and about 7 months. I was comforted only by the fact that they had both gone quickly and without pain, and were reunited with Cherry's sister Scruff and cagemate Chestnut as well as each other.

Masters to: Debbie
Born on: Cherry ?, 5 years and almost 2 months old.
Scarecrow ?, 5 years and 7 months old

Sable

2008-10-13T13:00:00.004+02:00

My name means "sand" in French, so I am called that because I am a French piggie with a lot of hair the colour of golden sand! I was one of many piggies rescued with my mum, siblings and other relations on 8th January 2003 from a nasty breeder who was letting us freeze to death or selling us to be fed to crocodiles - yes, I am another Dolly Mixture! Our slave rescued me and my unweaned siblings in a cat carrier along with two mothers and all their babies, 11 babies in all, and when we got too big for the cat carrier, she divided us up, putting the babies with whichever mother we most ressembled. She put me with a mother who was almost identical to me, in colour and hair length, and was called Marianne. But later, when some pregnant piggies she had also rescued started having babies, she realised that colouring was not necessarily an indication of parenthood, as a grey and white mother had three beautiful dark nutbrown babies! So she never really knew whether she had put me with my birth mother or not, but I survived, and soon I was chosen, along with Soulage, Boulotte and Argentee, to go and live with some other people who adopted me. Marianne was adopted by another slave. Our original slave still minded us when the new slaves went on holiday, and one day, as Soulage has already told you, 5 piggies were massacred by dogs, so our new slaves let us return permanently to our original slave to comfort her.

Soulage quite quickly became the slave's favourite, and I was quite relieved, because I preferred the company of other piggies to humans. In one of these photos you can see me with my SCAMP friends Cherry and Scarecrow, plus Boulotte who sadly never quite made it to 5 years old. Cherry and Scarecrow are also waiting for me at the Rainbow Bridge. I do miss them, but I am a very sociable pig and have made good friends with the other SCAMPs Caramel, Nuage, Ambree and Gisele. even though they are a bit younger than me. The only piggie I don't get on with all that well is Soulage, who doesn't seem to like me. I think she is jealous because I am the only other Dolly Mixture left now with long hair like hers - she would like to be the only one! We tolerate one another when we are outdoors in our summer quarters, all 6 of us together, but in the winter she shares her own cage with Caramel and I am left in peace with Nuage, Ambree and Gisele. She likes to be a chief wheeker, but in the winter, she wheeks for her own cage and I wheek on behalf of the four of us in the hutch below, as the others are quite shy. My slave doesn't know my exact birth date, but like Soulage, I celebrate my birthday on 6th January, and in 2009 I will be 6 years old."

Master to: Debbie
Born on: ? 6th of January, 2003

Sailor Willie

2008-10-13T09:42:00.004+02:00

Alicia:
I would love to include Willie otherwise know as "Sailor Willie." I got Sailor Willie in April of 2003, and we would say that he was at least 1 at that time if not older. So to date Sailor Willie is turning around 7 next year. He is quite the character and even at his old age and failing health he still gets around.

Sailor Willie:
My favorite things to do are eat, sleep and cause trouble. I have begun to turn into a turtle as I love to hid in my pigloo now that I can't get around as much, however, in the later days I loved to run around like crazy and occasionally chase a cat or two. I have attached a few photos of me for the website.

Master to: Alicia V.
Born on: ?, 7 years old

The idea for SCAMPS was born

2008-10-12T23:04:00.004+02:00

Please find below the first post on the GPDD about SCAMPS:

Date: Tue, 13 Nov 2007 01:42:46 EST
From: DebJonSara@aol.com
Subject: [Gpdd] [CARE]: Anyone for SCAMPS?
To: gpdd@gpdd.org
Message-ID:
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"

There are only 12 Dolly Mixtures left now, and Fidget has been losing weight steadily for weeks, in spite of a healthy appetite and regular worming. He would be 5 on 3rd February next year, but somehow I doubt he'll make it. Scarecrow and Soulage were rescued as teenagers on 8th January 2003, so I think could be deemed as sharing their birthday with Jesus - I am so hoping they'll make it to 5. Sable was rescued unweaned with her mother the same day, so could maybe celebrate her 5th birthday on 7th January.
I was wondering whether we could have a "virtual club" for piggies aged over 5 years? I thought SCAMPS might be a suitable title - Senior Citizens Ageing Miracle Piggies Society. None of the Dolly Mixtures could belong yet, but I know from replies to my previous posting that there are already a lot of SCAMPS out there - what do they and their slaves think? We could share tips for Care of the Elderly, and anecdotes etc.

A still grieving Debbie and her dozen Dolly Mixtures

Charlie

2008-10-12T22:52:00.007+02:00

My name is Charlie. I came to live with my mom and dad from the Metropolitan Guinea Pig Rescue. Orignally, mom was only going to foster me, but less than a week after I came to her home, she lost a dear piggy, Sam. I knew mom and dad were sad so I put on my happy piggy face and showed them my antics to make them laugh. I was hoping they'd want to keep me because they still had another piggy, a girl named Rosie. She was purrrrty! Finally, I was officially introduced to Rosie. Since she decided I wasn't all that bad, mom and dad adopted me and I got to stay!

Today I have a new girlfriend named Kaylee. She sees me as her protector and I have to say, I like it! I'm not really tough, but I like that she thinks I am. I'm a Peruvian and she likes to hide under my hair! Silly girl!

I'm a smart piggy too. I know what time it is. If mom is late with snacks I start making a lot of noise to let her know I'm VERY displeased with the lack of service. Additionally, if I want anything else, all I have to do is stand as still as a statue and STARE at her until she does what I want. It's sooo easy! I always have to be in the middle of what mom is doing. When I'm on the floor and she joins me, I love to walk on her toes. They feel funny!

I'm loveable when I want to be and demanding quite often, but I figure, I deserve it! I'm a hearty pig who doesn't go to the vet except for checkups. I'm going to be around a lot longer yet!

Love to all you girl piggies out there.. brrrrrrr.
Charlie

Master to: Maren
Born on: ?, at least 5 years old...

Ernie

2008-10-12T22:32:00.007+02:00

Ernie is the first SCAMPS piggie to be added to this site, who has sadly left us for to rainbow bridge.
Below you will find the text Luita has written for him to inform all GPDD-people that he had left us for the rainbow bridge...

"Hello, GPDD friends,
I am very, very sad to report that my piggie companion Ernie has died. He was an elderly pig, six years old, but full of vim up until the very last. He was fully grown when we adopted him in May 2003 from the Berlin Animal Shelter, where he had been taken after being found abandoned in a park on a very cold morning in February, so his age is a guess. We think that Ernie had been abused, because while he was a very good cuddler, and often fell asleep on my lap, he remained distrustful of humans throughout his life. He was not a real "biter", because he was careful never to break flesh, but he would snap if he felt at all threatened. He was quite frightened of children, and we came to believe that he was perhaps bought as a "pocket pet", was mishandled by a child, defended himself, and then was left to freeze, starve or be eaten. Nevertheless, he came to largely trust both me and my partner, and especially loved napping in the lap of my purple bathrobe while I worked on the computer. He greatly enjoyed floortime, and was an expert at finding hidden treats. His favorite game in the world was to toss away a small plastic bowl to find the piece of cucumber hidden underneath.

He began to fail after suffering a split tooth earlier this month, despite the very best efforts of our excellent vet (who, when we both had to be away one weekend, actually took him home with her). This same vet gave him the gentle release he needed when it was clear that there was no hope, and he died in the arms of my grieving partner.

Luita
and Bert"

Ernie reached the respectable age of 6 years old.

Bert and Cinja

2008-10-12T22:21:00.004+02:00

Our latest editions to the SCAMPS are Bert and Cinja.

They are owned by Slave Luita.

Bert was born on March 23, 2003, and the newly adopted Cinja, a rescue pig whose
birthday is estimated to be born in the year 2003. Cinja formerly lived in a
garage with many other piggies, and was used for breeding purposes. She is
now a Pampered Elderly Piggie and will live the rest of her life in her
Forever home with her elder and neutered friend, Bert.

Added pigtures are of Cinja..
Masters to: Luita
Born on: Bert March 23, 2003
Cinja 2003

Scrabble

2008-10-12T14:30:00.006+02:00

My name is Scrabble, and I was bought for my slave here in France after 5 of her beloved piggies were massacred by dogs in May 2003. She wanted 5 females, but when she discovered I was male she gave me away to a little boy called Jack, who had already adopted 5 of the 25 she had rescued from "The Crocodile Lady" in January 2003. My slave had been away when they were chosen, and her partner had given them a male thinking it was a female, so Fidget was living alone at the time. He was over the moon to have a cagemate, and although I missed the 4 girlies for a little while, Fidget and I soon became inseparable. Jack gave me back to my slave when he had to go and live in an apartment on Jersey, and I have been one of the Dolly Mixtures ever since.

I have always loved my food, in fact I think I'd have to say my favourite pastime is eating! I was a member of LAPS (Large Ample Pigs Society) for several years, weighing about 1400g at my peak. But when my beloved cagemate, Fidget, who had just become a SCAMP, passed away in March 2008, I became depressed, and although I did continue eating, I started to lose weight. Because I didn't feel like moving around much either, I started to get sore feet, standing around in my own pee, and since July my poor slave has had me to and from the vet many times trying to find a cure for my bumblefoot. I have to be very patient, as sometimes she makes me stand in warm liquid, sometimes she makes me lie on my back whilst she applies lotions and creams, but as long as she plies me with my favourite foods to nibble whilst these activities are going on, I am as good as gold. She also syringes Vitamin C and antibiotics into my mouth - I love the Vitamin C, but I am not so keen on the antib iotics, and so far they don't seem to be helping my feet, but I humour her as I know she is trying her best. I am always on my best behaviour when we visit the vet, and the receptionists are getting to know me and admire me.

In July 2008 my slave allowed one of my neighbours, Zebra, to move in with me. He was over a year younger than me, but we had chatted a lot through the bars and were already good friends. When he was younger, Zebra was a bit of a juvenile delinquent and used to pull our hay rick off our cage, or open the door and come storming in then sit on one of our boxes claiming to be "king of the castle", but he calmed down a lot after his brother, Cannelletto, went to The Bridge. Zebra used to clean my eyes for me and snuggle with me at night, and although he wasn't my dear Fidget, I grew to love him. We spent the summer, which unknown to any of us was to be his last, sunning ourselves and nibbling the grass in our outdoor run. Then on 3rd October 2008 he went to The Bridge himself, after a short and sudden illness, so I was left alone again. That hit me hard.

My front feet are so swollen now I can hardly walk on them, but I do manage to wobble to my food bowls or water bottle. My slave keeps me on soft fleeces which she changes twice a day, and she keeps me clean and comfortable. I do have other piggies living next door to my cage, so I don't get too lonely. They are a lot younger than me, but very interested in what I have to say. Fidget always used to be the chief wheeker in our room, but now he has gone I have taken on that role, as the youngsters don't seem to know that's what you have to do every time a slave enters the room who may have access to food!
I wish scientists would hurry up and find a cure for this bumblefoot, as I gather it is quite common in us elderly gents. If I find anything that helps, I will let you all know. In the meantime, can I just issue a warning, particularly to tubby gentlemen who are LAPS members and getting on in years: make sure you keep up your Vitamin C intake and keep mobile, and ask your slaves to keep a special eye on your front feet. I wouldn't want any of you to suffer as I have done.

Master to: Debbie
Born on: ?

Soulage

2008-10-11T21:18:00.007+02:00

My name is Soulage, which means "soothe" or "relieve" in French. My slave named me that because I was a survivor of a terrible massacre, by dogs, in May 2003 of 5 of her masters, three of whom were excellent wheekers, and also longhaired like me. I was only boarding with her at the time, although she had rescued me with my mother, siblings and many aunts and uncles in January 2003 as a suckling piggie, from a terrible breeder who was letting us freeze to death in temperatures of minus 10 degrees, and even selling some of us to be fed to crocodiles. I know I should be grateful to her, but I wasn't really impressed at the time, because she nicknamed me "Big Ears" because she said my ears looked enormous in comparison with my tiny body!! She only gave us all nicknames, because the plan was to rehome us, and that is what she did. But she was minding me when her 5 masters were massacred, and my adoptive slaves took pity on her when they returned and said she could keep me - wasn't she lucky?!

I am the Top Pig of the Dolly Mixtures, and must be treated with great respect at all times. I am always entitled to my own private pigloo or box, and when we used to be free range in the porch, in my younger days, I used to push my box around the tiled floor whilst hiding underneath it, using it as a little tank to protect me from anything or anyone sneaking up on me - I am a very intelligent pig! Even now, when I am given food, I move my pigloo so it covers the food, then I can eat in peace. However, I wouldn't want you to think I am an anti-social pig, as I do sometimes allow my slave to take me out to comb me. I quite like the fuss and attention, and of course she has to reward me afterwards for my patience or she would never here the last of it - a slice of orange or some very fresh grass suffices, though I am not averse to a tiny corner of toast if she is eating some at the time. I always wait until she thinks she has corrected my wild hair into a style which she thinks is beautiful and put the comb away, then I give myself the biggest shake I can possibly manage to get that bad hair day look I love so much!

If she is very lucky, and it is a chilly day, I sometimes let her keep me on her lap next to the fire whilst she is watching TV. I stretch out my little legs behind and in front of me and enjoy the warmth. Sometimes cats come and join me on the slave's lap, but I am not scared of them - everyone knows I am the Top Pig and not to be messed with! Once I even had to bite my slave, because the stupid woman tried to interfere when I was giving Sable, a cagemate, a piece of my mind (and teeth!) for invading my pigloo. I know she was mortified, but it served her right - she should stick to things she understands! She never held it against me, though, because I happen to know I am her absolute favourite piggie, and she totally and utterly adores me - so I can get away with anything!! She has nursed me through a nasty abscess once, and a urinary infection another time, and sometimes she even baths me to keep me looking beautiful. I will do my best to keep healthy for her and remain a SCAMP for many years, as I know she will be bereft when I finally decide to make my way to The Rainbow Bridge. Although she doesn't know exactly when I was born, she knows it was before 8th January, 2003, when she rescued me, so celebrates my birthday on 6th January; hopefully I will celebrate my 6th birthday on 6th January 2009.

Master to: Debbie
Born on: 6th January, 2003

The Lady Bug

2008-10-01T11:55:00.006+02:00

Hello. This is Lady Bug and I'm including two pictures of myself for
the SCAMPS photo album. I'm 6 years old and definitely, Queen of The
World. My slave says I'm a Guinea Pig but I know better. I am a 4
footed human badly in need of a shave.

My two pictures show what I like to do best, eat and sleep. Comfort
is a big priority with me.
Master to: Joan
Born on: June 15, 2002: 6 years old

Lily and Isabel

2008-09-29T13:12:00.004+02:00

Hi there! Our names are Lily (mostly grey) and Isabel (mostly white). Lily is 5 1/2 years old and Isabel is 5 years old. We live in Virginia, USA. We love getting dressed up in hats and looking beautiful. We also love to eat our veggies--Lily prefers green bell peppers and Isabel is a romaine lettuce fan. One of our favorite past-times is free-ranging about the house, which we get to do daily. Once we see Mommy Slave start to pull our toys from the shelves, we know it's almost playtime and we start wheeking for her to hurry up. We play together and get to explore different rooms (piggy-proofed, of course), so it's always an adventure. Once playtime is over, we settle into our cuddle cups and wait for lunch or dinner to be served. Lap time with Mommy and Daddy Slaves follows soon after. As you can see, we are very active and busy piggies who are very much loved by our Mommy and Daddy Slaves!
Masters to:Janet (Dukejan)
Born on:Lily ? 5 1/2 years old
Isabel ? 5 years old

Mickey

2008-09-24T10:55:00.006+02:00

Mickey joined the Surrey Squeakers when his original slaves emigrated from England to Australia. (They took their cat with them but apparently a cat is the smallest animal you can take on that long flight). Mickey didn't mind - he loves it here! He's always known that he was rather special. The second pen was built especially for his arrival and so he is responsible for the existence of the second herd. He was three and a half years old when came here and his owners asked if they could visit him when they returned to England for a holiday in 18 months time. I assured them that they could, but had a little panic when I realised that he would be five by then. I needn't have worried. He is now six and a half and is still very youthful in his ways, and still LAPS too!
Master to: Stephanie
Born on:?

Diamond and Gingerbread Piggyfriends

2008-08-22T00:16:00.003+02:00

Hello piggy people,

We are Diamond and Gingerbread Piggyfriend. This is Diamond writing the story because I am the eldest and Gingerbread cannot type.

I came to live at Piggyfriends with my mother, Ginger and my sister, Peridot in April 2003. We were tiny piglets, who had been born out in a garden in the cold winter weather and our mother was pregnant again. On May 1st. she gave birth to our little sisters, Gingerbread and Mayflower and we all lived together. Our Slave always called us her Ginger Girls, although we were all sorts of colours and had different hairstyles.

I am the Peruvian piggy on the lawn and Gingerbread is the fluffy white one in these pigtures.

There is also a pigture of us with Mayflower on the day that we celebrated our 5th. birthday. I am really two months older but we always did everything together. Sadly Mayflower has passed on to the Rainbow Bridge but she did get to be a SCAMP along with us.

We have all had lots of adventures on the GPDD and have made piggy friends all over the world.

We love eating grass and are particularly fond of the weeds that Slave brings in from work. We just love sow thistles and are both cuddle pigs.

Masters to:Penny of the Piggyfriends
Born on:Diamond ?, Gingerbread ?

Sam Piggy Friend

2008-08-21T14:32:00.003+02:00

Hello, My name is Sam and I celebrated my fifth birthday with my friends the Ginger Girls on May 1st. 2008.

In 2004, our Slave received a call from a lady who had 11 month old two piggies who, she said, were fighting. She had us both neutered ( ouch ) but we were still fighting ( what did she expect would happen? ) so she asked if our Slave could give a home to one of us. The other piggy stayed with her and she brought me here to Piggyfriends. I'm glad that she did because there are lots of wonderful piggies here, not to mention an enormous amount of food.

I used to be called Will but our Slave didn't like that and changed it to Sam after a character from her favourite book, Lord of the Rings.

My favourite foods are grass, cucumbers and tomatoes and I love to chat to my friends, Roscoe and Gulliver, who live in the next door pen.
Master to:Penny of the Piggyfriends
Born on:1rst of May, 2003?

Satin Piggy friend

2008-08-21T14:30:00.002+02:00

Hello, My name is Satin, which is also my breed. My previous slave didn't have much imagination when it came to names but I don't mind.

I don't know exactly how old I am but in 2005, she could no longer look after her piggies and asked the kind Rodentologists at Cavies' Castle if they could find us all new forever homes. From their records, they knew that I was three then so I am certainly eligible to join this elite group.

Our Slave was visiting Cavies' Castle that day and brought three of us home to Piggyfriends, which is where I live with my best friend, Hope.

Our favourite pastime is, of course, eating but I do love a cuddle. Hope prefers to carry on eating.
Master to:Penny of the Piggyfriends
Born on:?

SCAMPS: Senior Citizen Amazing Miracle Piggie Society

2008-08-19T10:59:00.001+02:00

This is the page of the GPDD SCAMPS!
Here you can find anything about our SCAMP piggies. Piggies of 5 years and over!