From piggyfriends at tesco.net Wed Oct 1 05:16:31 2008 From: piggyfriends at tesco.net (Penny Charlesworth) Date: Wed, 1 Oct 2008 10:16:31 +0100 Subject: [Gpdd] MISC Condolences for Ernie Message-ID: <89FC05F87BAE425797418705633EB162@inspiron1150> Luita, I am so sorry that your dear Ernie has left for the Rainbow Bridge. He was so lucky to have been found in that park all those years ago and to have enjoyed such a long life in your loving care. I know how much you are going to miss him but you have wonderful memories of your time together, especially of him knocking over his bowl to find the cucumber slice. What a lovely vet you have, that was willing to take your boy home with her. R.I.P. lovely Ernie. With all our love and hugs, Penny and the Piggyfriends. From gapeachge at yahoo.com Wed Oct 1 12:06:24 2008 From: gapeachge at yahoo.com (Glenda English) Date: Wed, 1 Oct 2008 09:06:24 -0700 (PDT) Subject: [Gpdd] Rainbow Bridge: Ernie Message-ID: <409833.55830.qm@web58008.mail.re3.yahoo.com> Luita and Bert: I'm so sorry to hear about Ernie's passing. We just lost Callie, and our hearts are still aching. Sending many hugs to you. Remember all the good times and look at pics of him often. I'm finding that it helps. Glenda, Meghan and Cookie From mfug at live.co.uk Wed Oct 1 12:22:16 2008 From: mfug at live.co.uk (M Fug) Date: Wed, 1 Oct 2008 16:22:16 +0000 Subject: [Gpdd] Rainbow Bridge; Ernie Message-ID: Luita and Bert we are so sorry that SCAMP's piggy Ernie has gone to the bridge, what a wonderful life he must have had with you guys after his terrible start in life. Run free at the bridge little Ernie Love M and Fugly _________________________________________________________________ Get all your favourite content with the slick new MSN Toolbar - FREE http://clk.atdmt.com/UKM/go/111354027/direct/01/ From dogcatpiggymom at yahoo.com Wed Oct 1 13:45:08 2008 From: dogcatpiggymom at yahoo.com (dogcatpiggymom at yahoo.com) Date: Wed, 1 Oct 2008 10:45:08 -0700 (PDT) Subject: [Gpdd] Rainbow Bridge: Ernie Message-ID: <598697.83915.qm@web33104.mail.mud.yahoo.com> We are thinking of you, Luita, and sad that you have lost your precious Ernie.? Keep him in your heart forever and he'll never be very far away. Rest in Peace, Ernie. Joanne Spicy, Merri, Macie, Teddy, Baci, Sweetie "When an unloved creature suffers and dies, Heaven rages and Angels cry." ???????????????????????????????????????????????????? -Nan Sea Love From jaaladog at bellsouth.net Wed Oct 1 13:50:39 2008 From: jaaladog at bellsouth.net (jaaladog) Date: Wed, 1 Oct 2008 13:50:39 -0400 Subject: [Gpdd] MISC: Hello and updates from Lynn, Samantha and Tabitha Message-ID: <008701c923ee$37ffa820$6501a8c0@usertnivpjein4> Hello to all of our wonderful friends and piggies on the list. We have been gone for a while and now that things are finally getting better, I decided I had better get busy and get back on here. Samantha and Tabitha have been really giving me what for about it because they seem to have so much to tell you all about, that it just can't wait another moment. They are over there now, both of them chattering away, trying to tell me what to say and to make sure and give shout outs to all of their piggy peeps. Sigh. Following a catastrophic hospital stay after my surgery, I spent an additional couple of weeks in hospital in order to recover from congestive heart failure and a broken foot. A long story but not related to GP's, so I will let that go. Besides, I think Algernon kept you all updated on my progress, for which I am very grateful. I also what to thank Janneke for the lovely card she and her piggies sent to us. It was so adorable and I love the fact that I can feel the guinea pig. Cute little fuzzy thing! I have it hanging on the door of my desk cabinet, much to the discontent of Samantha and Tabitha. Speaking of the girls, they are both doing quite well. Tabitha has become more and more of a drama queen and has me totally wrapped around her . . . uhm, . . . toe? She wheeks, I come running. LOL. When I first got home after about a 3 week absence, Earl wehnt and got her while I sat down on the couch to get my breath. When he came towards me, he was standing about a two foot distance from me , with her aginst his chest, when Tabitha turned her head and saw me sitting there. She immediately scrambled around, lept from his hands and onto my chest... "Mommy!! You're finally home!! Wait til I tell you how mean Samantha has been to me!!" It made me feel so good that she missed me so much. Samantha is still stomping around like the pig that ate Atlanta but is getting more and more attached to me, finally. In fact, when I am holding both of them, they constantly vie for who can get the closest to me. I usually have one pig completely under my chin, against my throat and one shoved up against that one, as far as they can get. I look like I have a guinea pig beard. :) Samantha was doing her rumble strut routine the other day and basically giving Tabitha a really hard time. Finally, Tabitha was sitting there, minding her own business and munching on some of her dried treats when here comes Sammy, rumbling and swaying and approaching her from the back. Tab totally ignored her until Sam kind of sidled up beside her and nudged her. Tabitha, without missing a bite, kicked out with her back left leg and sent Sammy off in a squealing protest. LOL. This happened over and over. You go, Kung Fu Piggy! Finally, Sam gave up. I think she is back to normal now. Well, much more to tell you all about but I will try to do so in a few posts, so I don't completely bog down the list. Thank you for all the prayers, concern and e-mails from all of you. I truly appreciate it and we are so glad to be back here with all of you again. Hugs, wheeks and whisker kisses, Lynn, Samantha & Tabitha From Kacee.Conklin at HCAHealthcare.com Wed Oct 1 15:29:54 2008 From: Kacee.Conklin at HCAHealthcare.com (Conklin Kacee) Date: Wed, 1 Oct 2008 14:29:54 -0500 Subject: [Gpdd] HEALTH: Update on Barnee In-Reply-To: References: Message-ID: Since there has been so much sad news lately, I thought I would provide an update on Barnee. Hopefully, this won't jinx him. I had really thought I would lose him a couple of weeks ago but we have him back on an antibiotic, Vitamin C, Metacam and Shilintong and he seems to be doing really well. For a piggy that was having trouble walking, he is doing quite well and has even gained about 100 grams in weight. He's a tough old man, that Barnee. My condolences go out to everyone who has lost a fur baby lately and healing wheeks go out to those masters not feeling very well these days. Kacee and the Munchees 17 From calliope at geeksnet.com Wed Oct 1 20:30:12 2008 From: calliope at geeksnet.com (Cindy) Date: Wed, 01 Oct 2008 20:30:12 -0400 Subject: [Gpdd] ANNOUNCEMENT: adoption day, Princess Snowflake Message-ID: <48E41614.8080802@geeksnet.com> We would like to wish Princess Snowflake a very Happy 1st Adoption Day! Cindy, Tumbleweed, and Friday From calliope at geeksnet.com Wed Oct 1 20:46:33 2008 From: calliope at geeksnet.com (Cindy) Date: Wed, 01 Oct 2008 20:46:33 -0400 Subject: [Gpdd] RAINBOW BRIDGE: belated condolences, Little Pig and Snuggles Message-ID: <48E419E9.7010500@geeksnet.com> Dave and Yvonne, it was with much sadness that we read of the passings of Little Pig and Snuggles. We are so very sorry that you lost them within a three-week period. Losing one piggie is hard enough, so we can only imagine what a difficult time you are going through. Please accept our condolences on Little Pig's passing. Because our Tumbleweed has had teeth problems, we definitely understand how hard it is to deal with them. It is sad that your vet told you not to worry that he had stopped eating after his molars were worked on. Please know that you did your best to get food and Metacam into him; we are sure he knew you were trying to get him well. Although we are so sorry that he left, we are glad that he was in your arms as he made his final journey. How touching to read of how you comforted him by doing one of his favorite things, stroking his ear. Thank you for sharing some of your memories of him, such as what a good husband-pig and friend he was to Katty. Little Pig was lucky to be part of your family. We also send our condolences on Snuggles' passing. We know it was such a shock that he passed away shortly after his neutering operation and that he was only three months old. Please don't blame yourself. We've always taken in food for our piggies to eat after surgery. It's hard to know exactly what happened, but it seems that the people at the vet's should have known when the proper time was to allow him food. What happened was not your fault, and we know that Snuggles knows this. We hope you will find comfort in remembering his happy times with you and in realizing that yours was the perfect home for him. He was settling in well and understood how much he was loved. Snuggles took memories of your love to the Bridge with him, we are sure. Our thoughts and prayers are with all sick piggies and their families. Sadly, Cindy, Tumbleweed, and Friday From calliope at geeksnet.com Wed Oct 1 21:02:42 2008 From: calliope at geeksnet.com (Cindy) Date: Wed, 01 Oct 2008 21:02:42 -0400 Subject: [Gpdd] RAINBOW BRIDGE: belated condolences, Archie and Persephone Message-ID: <48E41DB2.6020904@geeksnet.com> Julia, Emily, Bearlette and Autumn, we are very sorry that Archie and Persephone passed away within three days of one another. It must be so hard to be dealing with one loss and then have another right after it. Having had Tumbleweed go through so many troubles with his teeth, we understand what you were going through with Archie. It is so difficult to try to keep the teeth in good shape and the piggie's appetite up. Please know that Archie appreciated your trimming his teeth, syringe feeding him, and taking him with you when you went places so you could keep an eye on him. He certainly understood all of your concern and knew how much you loved him. We are so sorry that he passed away as your vet was trying to help him. Although Archie was only with you a year, we know he enjoyed being such a special member of your family and living with four girls. He was so lucky that you rescued him. Please accept our condolences on his passing. Persephone was also very lucky to be rescued. It is good that a girl realized that her friend was not doing a proper job of taking care of Persephone and that the girl was able to rehome her. How sad that Persephone was being kept in a filthy cat basket and had no room to move. We know how relieved she was when she discovered your home. How touching that she turned from a bully into a sweet girl; obviously she understood how much you loved her and how much she meant to you. Although piggies are never with us long enough, we are so glad that she lived to be five and a half, a good lifespan for a piggie. It sounds as though she really missed Archie and wanted to make sure he had company at the Bridge. She was a very compassionate girl. We send our condolences. Our thoughts and prayers are with all sick piggies and their families. Sadly, Cindy, Tumbleweed, and Friday From Algernon07 at aol.com Thu Oct 2 00:58:16 2008 From: Algernon07 at aol.com (Algernon07 at aol.com) Date: Thu, 2 Oct 2008 00:58:16 EDT Subject: [Gpdd] BRIDGE: Callie RIP little one Message-ID: Know that your little piggy is at peace and free from pain and discomfort, but I am so sorry for both you and your daughter. Few (except for most of us here) understand how great the sense of loss when you lose one of this little ones. So, little Callie, be free at the Bridge. Accept my condolences, Alge & Co. ************** Looking for simple solutions to your real-life financial challenges? Check out WalletPop for the latest news and information, tips and calculators. (http://www.walletpop.com/?NCID=emlcntuswall00000001) From Algernon07 at aol.com Thu Oct 2 01:26:59 2008 From: Algernon07 at aol.com (Algernon07 at aol.com) Date: Thu, 2 Oct 2008 01:26:59 EDT Subject: [Gpdd] Rainbow Bridge: RIP Ernie Message-ID: I was so sorry to read about the passing of your little Ernie. He was so fortunate though that you found and rescued him and gave him a good life. That simple little thing means so very much. Your story of Ernie was touching. Think of him as running free at the Bridge, popcorning and feasting and having wonderfuly time with piggy friends. With heartfelt condolences, Alge ************** Looking for simple solutions to your real-life financial challenges? Check out WalletPop for the latest news and information, tips and calculators. (http://www.walletpop.com/?NCID=emlcntuswall00000001) From Algernon07 at aol.com Thu Oct 2 01:32:19 2008 From: Algernon07 at aol.com (Algernon07 at aol.com) Date: Thu, 2 Oct 2008 01:32:19 EDT Subject: [Gpdd] Announcements: Happy Birthday Princecess Snowflake Message-ID: Leah, No, it doesn't seem like its been a whole year since you adopted your sweetie and now she has that cute brother, not to mention a handsome hubby. The "Jolly Pirates" ;) wish them all a great day! Alge and Co. ************** Looking for simple solutions to your real-life financial challenges? Check out WalletPop for the latest news and information, tips and calculators. (http://www.walletpop.com/?NCID=emlcntuswall00000001) From Algernon07 at aol.com Thu Oct 2 01:49:51 2008 From: Algernon07 at aol.com (Algernon07 at aol.com) Date: Thu, 2 Oct 2008 01:49:51 EDT Subject: [Gpdd] MISC: Igor's Plays Message-ID: Dear Igor, I am so glad to see important facts and ideas about guinea pigs from the GP's point of view, on the GPDD. It's been a long time (I think) since such things as the right age for female GPs to be bred -- not that we recommend breeding! But some of our newer members may not know about the importance of not letting a sow who has never had a litter have a first litter when she's a year old or older because of the way the pelvic bones fuse. Keep those acts coming. You're great, Professor! Your Friend, Captain Jack and the little guy ************** Looking for simple solutions to your real-life financial challenges? Check out WalletPop for the latest news and information, tips and calculators. (http://www.walletpop.com/?NCID=emlcntuswall00000001) From piggyfriends at tesco.net Thu Oct 2 11:46:44 2008 From: piggyfriends at tesco.net (Penny Charlesworth) Date: Thu, 2 Oct 2008 16:46:44 +0100 Subject: [Gpdd] MISC A message from Gulliver Message-ID: <9F3CC24C85DE4FD49892DA16B20879AF@inspiron1150> Hello everyone and everypig, Our Slave has the temerity to go away on a holiday! We will be very well taken care of as her son, Sean, is coming to pigsit. He used to help take care of us all when he lived here so he knows what he is doing plus he can phone our wonderful Rodentologists for help if he needs them. Also, we can pretend that we are starving and wheek for extra nibbles. We always get extra lap time when he is home. As our Slave is packing, I have a few messages to send. First of all, we all want to send a Big Piggy Welcome Back to Lynn, not to mention Tabitha and Samantha. It is so good to have you all back with us. We are so pleased that Barnee Munchee is doing so much better. Go Barnee!! Then we want to send Happy Adoption Day Wishes to Princess Snowflake. Slave can't believe that it is a year since you arrived. We loved Igor's latest PLAY and look forward to many more. We are also delighted that more SCAMPS pigtures and stories are appearing on the website and hope that many more Slaves will send in details of their masters. We also like the little pigtures of the GPDD calendar pigs in the corner. Well done Mikey!! Our Sapphire has been poorly with a nasty throat infection and Slave had to syringe feed her and give her lots of nasty meds but she is recovering now and is able to eat her veggies again. She was going to board with our Rodentologists during Slave's holiday but now that she is able to eat again, she will stay with us. Sean is going to take extra care of her. I'm glad that she is staying as our Rodentologists have just taken in 16 very poorly piggies as part of a rescue and they will be so busy. These piggies all have bad skin problems, some very young ones are pregnant and they are all in need of a lot of TLC. They were all starving and are very frightened. They couldn't be in a better place than Cavies' Castle, where they will receive the best care anywhere. I know this all too well as they saved me when I was badly injured by a rabbit and Chris nursed me back to health. When these little piggies are ready to be rehomed, some of them will be coming here to be Piggyfriends. More news on that later as I will not be able to use the laptop while Slave is away. I think that Slave would like to stay home and help out with these little ones but John, her husband, needs a holiday as he works very long hours. He doesn't think that he is a Slave because he doesn't actually look after us but he carries big bales of hay and feed around, takes all of our rubbish to the tip, collects newspapers for our pens and sometimes he even cuts a box of grass so, in our eyes, that makes him a Slave anyway. We would all like to wish everypig and every Slave happiness, good health and lots of grass and veggies. See you again soon, Take care everyone and hugs all round, Gulliver, spokespig for the Piggyfriends and Slave Penny. From gapeachge at yahoo.com Thu Oct 2 13:25:44 2008 From: gapeachge at yahoo.com (Glenda English) Date: Thu, 2 Oct 2008 10:25:44 -0700 (PDT) Subject: [Gpdd] ANNOUNCEMENT: Cookie has a new friend! wheek, wheek Message-ID: <550893.10141.qm@web58003.mail.re3.yahoo.com> Hey ya'll. Just a quick note to let you know Cookie has a new friend. She's still missing Callie, as are we, but she and the new baby are getting to know each other through their separate cages. She's six weeks old and her name is Ruby. She fits just perfectly in my cupped hand, and is just too cute. There has been lots of scampering around, wheeking, chittering and climbing up on the edge to see each other. I've also let them touch noses through the "bars" a few times. I hold Cookie up to Ruby's cage and they talk, and then I put Cookie back in hers and hold Ruby up to Cookie's cage. They're are extremely interested. When Ruby starts running around, wheeking for Cookie, Cookie runs to the corner nearest Ruby's cage and climbs up, trying to see her. She chews on the bars trying to get out so she can play too. Cookie and Ruby come from the same breeder so are probably kin in some way. They both have the dark blue eyes and the "split down the middle two-tone tummy of black and white." Ruby doesn't seem to be quite as jet black as Cookie, though. It may just be because she's so young. Cookie was 10 weeks old when we got her, and she was already heavier and longer than Ruby is right now. Ruby's "paint job" on top is very unique though. We've been taking photos and hopefully, I can get a flicker account started so I can let ya'll see my babies. I'll put some of Callie there too. Getting Ruby has been good for all of us. I still get a little weepy thinking of Callie, but having a little one to tend to and introduce to Cookie is helping. Ruby loves her hay, crunchy guinea pig food, romaine, spinach, green curly leaf lettuce, apple and cantaloupe. She didn't really care much for honey dew, which is what I gave her the first night. She and Cookie have similar tastes, but Ruby is eating fresh veg better at this early stage than Cookie did. I'm very please with her progress so far. She's just so tiny. I'd never seen one this small before. She's hilarious when she get the full twisting popcorn thing going. Cookie and Ruby will be great friends. I just know it. They'll have their first floor time together tommorow night. So far, they're both great cuddlers and love lap time. We'll put Ruby in the play pen with Cookie on the outside of it. They can talk and get acquainted with no one getting hurt. Wish us luck. Wheeks and hugs to everyone. Glenda, Meghan, Cookie, Ruby (and Callie) From davedave121 at aol.com Thu Oct 2 15:39:15 2008 From: davedave121 at aol.com (davedave121 at aol.com) Date: Thu, 02 Oct 2008 15:39:15 -0400 Subject: [Gpdd] Health; Barnne Message-ID: <8CAF2DDAFF761A6-4A4-113@WEBMAIL-MC10.sysops.aol.com> Hi Kacee I?ve just red your post and I am thrilled that Barnee is on the mend , I have been thinking about him ever since you posted , as we had not heard from you in over two weeks I feared the worse. We have a few old men , one of them , Gizzy has had really bad sloppy poos on and off for over a year, once he lost nearly half his body weight , but this tough old guy keeps on bouncing back, and he has a very good quality of life, and like I said in my first post to you , as long as Barnee is a happy pig , then hang on in there . Your right there has been a lot of pain lately on GPDD , ours included , so it is a real boost to hear about your Barnee , it wont jinx him , nothing lives for ever ,its just great you are helping him make the most of what he has got. Yours in Piggy?s Dave of PP ________________________________________________________________________ AOL Email goes Mobile! You can now read your AOL Emails whilst on the move. Sign up for a free AOL Email account with unlimited storage today. From pandameisje at gmail.com Thu Oct 2 17:11:10 2008 From: pandameisje at gmail.com (Mieke Staaks) Date: Thu, 2 Oct 2008 23:11:10 +0200 Subject: [Gpdd] Misc: Welcome Back Lynn, Sam and Tabby! Message-ID: Hi Lynn, Samantha and Tabitha, Me and the girls are happy to hear you are back home again, and maybe more importantly (for us GPDD people) that you and your girls are back on the Digest! I have to say I kind of missed your entertaining stories, which are always very descriptive, so I feel like I was there with you and your girls. My girls are wheeking their heads off and tell me to say hi to Samantha and Tabitha! I think Fugly might do a little leap in the Air that his Samantha is back... I guess you needs lots of computer time to read up on all the posts you probably missed. My girls want you to know we have been working together with Janneke girls and especially her Igor to make a great site. You can find Professor Igor's PLAYs (PLAY stands for Piggies Like Activities and Yummies) here: The first PLAY about Hammocks: http://home.casema.nl/mulder74/Igor%27s%20PLAY/Play-Hammocks.html The second one about houses: http://home.casema.nl/mulder74/Igor%27s%20PLAY/Play-Houses.HTML The third one about Vegetable Hide-and-Seek (featuring an interview with our Guiny): http://home.casema.nl/mulder74/Igor%27s%20PLAY/Play-VegetableHideAndSeek.HTML And the most recent one about Guinea pigs: http://home.casema.nl/mulder74/Igor%27s%20PLAY/Play-Guinea%20Pigs.HTML We hope you enjoy them, eventhough you can only be described the cute accompanying pigtures (don't we all think our piggies are super cute?). The girls think taht the PLAY's uncle Igor writes are very funny and informative at the same time. Just want to tell you all we are working on the next PLAY, which will be about playing 'Foodball'. Glad to hear your back! Mikey and the Winky girls: Guiny, Dunya and Woopy (our newest addition since Lotje had left us for the Bridge) -- pandameisje at gmail.com pandameisje at hotmail.com m.staaks at pecoma.nl Blog: http://pandameisje.hyves.nl kleding: http://mist-clothing.blogspot.com/ From dogcatpiggymom at yahoo.com Thu Oct 2 19:41:57 2008 From: dogcatpiggymom at yahoo.com (dogcatpiggymom at yahoo.com) Date: Thu, 2 Oct 2008 16:41:57 -0700 (PDT) Subject: [Gpdd] Announcement: Another Piggy Blog is online Message-ID: <12639.53892.qm@web33107.mail.mud.yahoo.com> Hi all: I wanted to give you the link to my latest gp blog. Happy Reading, Joanne Spicy, Merri, Macie, Teddy, Baci, and Sweetie, too! http://www.smallanimalchannel.com/critter-blog/guinea-pig-interaction-blog/colangelo-default.aspx "When an unloved creature suffers and dies, Heaven rages and Angels cry." ???????????????????????????????????????????????????? -Nan Sea Love From Glynis at garnay.com.au Fri Oct 3 00:51:47 2008 From: Glynis at garnay.com.au (Glynis Robson) Date: Fri, 3 Oct 2008 14:51:47 +1000 Subject: [Gpdd] [ANNOUNCE] Barnee's health Message-ID: <1E79BEF045F13847938D188011CBF923092073@GARNAYSBS.garnayindustries.local> Hi Kacee, we were thrilled to see that Barnee is slightly better, all our love is being sent for the little trooper xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx Huge hugs for you too love i know how worried you are, and how vigilant you are with his care xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx Love Glynis and Duke (in mem Sully) xxxx From Glynis at garnay.com.au Fri Oct 3 00:53:44 2008 From: Glynis at garnay.com.au (Glynis Robson) Date: Fri, 3 Oct 2008 14:53:44 +1000 Subject: [Gpdd] [ANNOUNCE] Welcome Back Lynn Message-ID: <1E79BEF045F13847938D188011CBF923092074@GARNAYSBS.garnayindustries.local> WELCOME BACK LYNN, TABITHA AND SAMANTHA Woooooooooo Hoooooooooooooooooooo it's great to have you back we've missed you and the girl's and Earl of course terribly xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx Very sorry to hear about how you went thru so much, gentle HUGS and wheeeeeeeeks of healing from us both xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx Really looking forward to hearing about the little girls once again. Love Glynis and Duke (in mem Sully) xxxx From MFug at live.co.uk Fri Oct 3 02:52:15 2008 From: MFug at live.co.uk (M) Date: Fri, 3 Oct 2008 07:52:15 +0100 Subject: [Gpdd] announcement; welcome back Lynn Message-ID: Hey Lynn its great to have you back, we sure are happy that you have recovered enough from surgery to join us again, we are looking forward to you hilarious stories about the girls. Fugly wants to send a message to Samantha he says wheeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeek wheeeeeeeeek wheeeeeeek wink wink Whatever that means Welcome back M From agbmcmd at yahoo.com Fri Oct 3 17:19:41 2008 From: agbmcmd at yahoo.com (Audrey Binder) Date: Fri, 3 Oct 2008 14:19:41 -0700 (PDT) Subject: [Gpdd] [Announcement]Happy 2nd Adoption Day Chelito Message-ID: <990666.64800.qm@web34404.mail.mud.yahoo.com> Weeee wish a Very Happy 2nd Adoption Day to new member Chelito, piggie to new GPDD member Ricki, in Maryland!? Chelito is a beautiful big piggie and may even qualify as a LAPS piggie!? We think Chelito is about 4 years old. ? Your friend Gordon, the GP From jaggs4 at sbcglobal.net Fri Oct 3 16:56:02 2008 From: jaggs4 at sbcglobal.net (ANDREW SILL) Date: Fri, 3 Oct 2008 13:56:02 -0700 (PDT) Subject: [Gpdd] misc: Welcome little Ruby Message-ID: <575575.28577.qm@web80203.mail.mud.yahoo.com> ?Dearest Glenda, Meghan, and Cookie, A great big welcome to your new little Ruby:) Little Cookie sounds like she will have a great friend in Ruby indeed:) Looking forward to hearing how they get along and all the great stories they will have.?? Such?a fun thing to have a baby to enjoy:) Our little boys (?Ringer and Trigger) will be 3 weeks this coming thursday already. Such a joy to see all the energry they have:)? Welcome again little Ruby:)? Andy & Jean and the 14 misfits ? From KSkosich at msn.com Fri Oct 3 12:54:39 2008 From: KSkosich at msn.com (J D) Date: Fri, 3 Oct 2008 10:54:39 -0600 Subject: [Gpdd] rainbow bridge: sympathy to Luita Message-ID: Luita, I was very sorry to read about your dear Ernie. But, it is wonderful that he was saved from being abandoned in a park. It sounds like he had a great time at your home and you gave him lots of attention and treats. I hope all the nice memories will be a comfort to you. Sincerely, Kathy S From stefanieduffy at hotmail.com Fri Oct 3 17:06:47 2008 From: stefanieduffy at hotmail.com (Stefanie Duffy) Date: Fri, 3 Oct 2008 22:06:47 +0100 Subject: [Gpdd] CARE: Abandonment by slaves who go on holiday Message-ID: Hello Gulliver and the Piggyfriends! It's Orinoco here from the Surrey Squeakers. I like the term "spokespig" and I have decided to become the voice for our herds. I hope your slave has a lovely holiday. It has suddenly become cold here and so I hope she's going somewhere sunny! I'm sure you will be spoiled by Sean and will soon have him wrapped round your paws. Our senior slave, the father of our slave, fell off a ladder in May whilst painting an upstairs window (as you do, at 83) and he hasn't really been himself since. He still gets our daily grass, thank goodness, but when our slave went to France in August we had to be fed by our neighbour and cleaned out by our Sean equivalent, Martin. We survived very well and have gained a fan club in the process! Our slave's husband does not really count himself as a slave either, but every day when he phones from the office his first question is "How are the pigs?", he buys giant corn cobs (with leaves on) from the greengrocer near his work, and has a "pig box" for newspapers, magazines and paper in the back of the office. We think that's enough to qualify him as a slave. Martin has a van and drives out to buy bales of hay and takes our rubbish to the tip and so I suppose he's a slave too. It's good to have all these people working for you isn't it?! Orinoco and the Surrey Squeakers _________________________________________________________________ Make a mini you and download it into Windows Live Messenger http://clk.atdmt.com/UKM/go/111354029/direct/01/ From MFug at live.co.uk Sat Oct 4 05:46:16 2008 From: MFug at live.co.uk (M) Date: Sat, 4 Oct 2008 10:46:16 +0100 Subject: [Gpdd] Announcements; Scamps Page Message-ID: Have just visited the updated SCAMP's page, I love Lady Bugs interview and the world clocks are a fantastic idea now we know what time it is for our digest buddies Way to go Mieke M From MFug at live.co.uk Sat Oct 4 09:26:02 2008 From: MFug at live.co.uk (M) Date: Sat, 4 Oct 2008 14:26:02 +0100 Subject: [Gpdd] announcement: Welcome Ruby Message-ID: Hey Ruby, welcome to the digest, we are sure you will be a very good friend for Cookie and we look forward to hearing all about you. With all the new additions I think it must be time for another virtual meet up so we can all get to know each other. Any ideas, anypig??? Fugly the Fantabulous ohh and welcome from mummy as well From MFug at live.co.uk Sat Oct 4 09:28:26 2008 From: MFug at live.co.uk (M) Date: Sat, 4 Oct 2008 14:28:26 +0100 Subject: [Gpdd] health; Barnee Message-ID: We are soo glad little Barnee is on the mend, thank you for sharing such happy news with us. We are sending big hugs (manly ones from Fugly of course) to Barnee M + Fugly From pals4pets at cheerful.com Sat Oct 4 03:56:41 2008 From: pals4pets at cheerful.com (Debbie Jones) Date: Sat, 4 Oct 2008 02:56:41 -0500 Subject: [Gpdd] [RAINBOW BRIDGE] Farewell to Dolly Mixture Zebra Message-ID: <20081004075641.940791642A6@ws1-4.us4.outblaze.com> I cannot believe I am having to write this. Zebra was the only Dolly Mixture I had (after his brother, Cannelletto, went to The Bridge almost exactly two years ago) who was born here and had lived here all his life. His mum was Cannelle and his dad dear Claude, before he was castrated. Zebra was only four years old on 3rd July just gone, and was always my most healthy, friendly, vocal piggie. It was for him I procured Scoot last summer, but Scoot ended up bullying him when they were moved indoors. After Fidget, Scrabble's lifelong cagemate, went to the Bridge in Spring this year, Zebra moved in with him and they became best buddies - they had always been neighbours and chatted a lot through the bars. Zebra would lick Scrabble's eyes, snuggle up with him ... he seemed to realise Scrabble wasn't well because of his bumblefoot and was extra kind to him. About a fortnight ago I noticed Zebra's hair was getting a bit thin, so last weekend I bathed him, and dosed him with two drops of Ivomec, as there were signs of parasites. I swear to you I blew his hair completely dry and he was fine after his bath, just his normal self. I went away petsitting, leaving the piggies in the capable hands of a helper from Chicago, and Tuesday evening got a call to say he had diarrhoea with blood in it. None of my piggies had ever had this, though I had read about it on here. I knew my local vet would be clueless. I suggested liquid Imodium (given to me by Penny's rodentologists for just such an emergency) if the diarrhoea persisted, but it didn't. I came over next day and he was eating and quite lively and hadn't had more diarrhoea, so I assumed it had been something he'd eaten and the crisis was past. But when I got home Thursday night I could see he was extremely ill. Actually, as soon as I went into the room, Scrabble wheeked and wheeked at me. Scrabble has never been a wheeker - that was always Fidget's job, then Zebra's. I am certain Scrabble was saying, "my mate's very poorly, you've got to do something for him!". Zebra's eyes were all tiny and shrunken into his skull - I have nursed many a sick piggie but never seen their eyes like that. I immediately rang Cavies Castle, and Chris confirmed that if his eyes were like that he was a very ill piggie indeed. She suggested the liquid Imodium, banana, liquid Neurofen for the pain and no grass or salad leaves. He did tuck into his cucumber, and I gave him some stuff for rehydrating humans with diarrhoea (Chris said this was also a good idea). But when I rose Friday morning I could see he was certainly no better. Unfortunately, I had an appointment with a friend two and a half hour's drive away. This friend has recently moved to France and has no telephone, so I had no way to contact him to say I couldn't go, and I knew he was relying on me to help him open a bank account (as he doesn't speak much French), so I had to leave. I so wanted to stay with him, sing him my special song about going to The Bridge. But I didn't. And just over an hour after I had left, I go t a text message from my partner to say Zebra had gone to The Bridge. When I had composed myself, I texted back that he could bury him before I got back, and his body has joined the many in our "piggie graveyard" under the hedge beside which they spend their happy summer days. I wish I could have been there with him as he left. I would so have liked to hold him and cuddle him as he went. But I am sure Scrabble would have done his best to make his passing as comfortable as possible, and he is now free from pain and reunited with his mum, dad, brother and stepsisters Scruff and Cherry. I will miss him terribly. I always just assumed he would become my oldest SCAMP, but he never even made it to five. Scrabble will miss him as well. He and Zebra were already indoors, but I will bring the others all in today, so Scrabble will at least have other piggies around him. I may try him with Scoot again. I did put Scoot with him for a short while when they first moved outside, and Scrabble was fine with it, but I had the feeling Scoot was being a bit domineering, and of course now Scrabble has the bumblefoot to contend with as well. I am so very sad. I don't know what killed Zebra, and wish I had access to a decent vet, but possibly no vet would have been able to save him. I feel terribly sorry for Scrabble, losing two partners in a year. I intend to post separately to thank everyone who advised about Scrabble's bumblefoot, and to offer our condolences to those who have also recently had departures for The Bridge. I didn't have access to the Internet whilst I was petsitting. I hate it taking me away from home, but it does pay the vet bills, and I always train someone up to care for the animals in my absence. I must go feed everyone now. I just had to get this out to you, as I know you are the only people who truly understand. I only have ten Dolly Mixtures left now. Thanks for being there. Debbie (and ten very sad Dolly Mixtures) "We patronize them for their incompleteness, for their tragic fate of having taken a form so far below ourselves. And therein we err, and greatly err. For the animal shall not be measured by man. In a world older and more complete than ours they move finished and complete, gifted with extensions of the senses we have lost or never attained, living by voices we shall never hear. They are not brethren, they are not underlings; they are other nations, caught with ourselves in the net of life and time, fellow prisoners of the splendour and travail of the earth". Henry Beston -- Be Yourself @ mail.com! Choose From 200+ Email Addresses Get a Free Account at www.mail.com From pals4pets at cheerful.com Sat Oct 4 15:52:30 2008 From: pals4pets at cheerful.com (Debbie Jones) Date: Sat, 4 Oct 2008 14:52:30 -0500 Subject: [Gpdd] [RAINBOW BRIDGE] Condolences for Callie Message-ID: <20081004195230.C76A91BF28D@ws1-10.us4.outblaze.com> Glenda We were so very sorry to hear of the passing to The Rainbow Bridge of your precious piggie Callie. We know only too well what agony it is to see a beloved piggie become frail and eat less then slip away, and we know you, Meg and Cookie will be missing her dreadfully. It is good that Meg was able to be with her at her moment of departure, and how sweet that Cookie had been standing watch over her during her illness. We hope you are able to find a new cagemate for Cookie soon - no piggie can EVER be replaced, but a cage can be a lonely place for a piggie that is used to a companion, and in our experience, young female piggies accept new female friends quite readily - much more easily that the males. Please be comforted by the knowledge that there are members of the piggie community all over the world who are thinking of you at this very sad time and share your sorrow. Debbie and the Dolly Mixtures "We patronize them for their incompleteness, for their tragic fate of having taken a form so far below ourselves. And therein we err, and greatly err. For the animal shall not be measured by man. In a world older and more complete than ours they move finished and complete, gifted with extensions of the senses we have lost or never attained, living by voices we shall never hear. They are not brethren, they are not underlings; they are other nations, caught with ourselves in the net of life and time, fellow prisoners of the splendour and travail of the earth". Henry Beston -- Be Yourself @ mail.com! Choose From 200+ Email Addresses Get a Free Account at www.mail.com From mshill0207 at yahoo.com Sat Oct 4 17:44:28 2008 From: mshill0207 at yahoo.com (Jamie Hill) Date: Sat, 4 Oct 2008 14:44:28 -0700 (PDT) Subject: [Gpdd] Health: Squishy lump on my boar Message-ID: <644559.32026.qm@web58102.mail.re3.yahoo.com> I have a 5 1/2 year old neutered boar named Conan. He has always been very healthy. Today I noticed that he has a squishy lump on his left bottom side near his bum. It appears to be right where his testicle would be. When I pressed on it, it sounded like it was partly filled with fluid and squished. It didn't seem to cause him any pain, just discomfort, when I pressed on it. I also noticed that he is walking with his butt up in the air slightly. I also heard him let out a small squeak when he pooed. Other than this, he acts completely normal and is eating and drinking. We won't be able to get into the vet until Monday. Does anyone have any idea what this could be or recommendations in the meantime? The only thing I can think of is a cyst or internal infection. Thanks. From rzm.2 at juno.com Sun Oct 5 00:26:43 2008 From: rzm.2 at juno.com (Jaime) Date: Sun, 5 Oct 2008 04:26:43 GMT Subject: [Gpdd] MISC- welcomes Message-ID: <20081004.212643.576.0@webmail17.dca.untd.com> We welcome Ruby to the digest! I like the name (like the character on Supernatural!) We hope she & Callie become good friends. ~Jaime, Mimi & Daisy~ ~Molly, Radar & Albert always in our hearts~ http://piggiepages001.blogspot.com/ ____________________________________________________________ All is not lost! Click now for professional data recovery. http://thirdpartyoffers.juno.com/TGL2141/fc/Ioyw6i3ni7f5KV6Nnumrs7gmhaqVyfBpvrJhrgA0xgQKKUepX1MYui/ From jocelyn.anderson at gmail.com Sun Oct 5 10:49:02 2008 From: jocelyn.anderson at gmail.com (Jocelyn Anderson) Date: Sun, 5 Oct 2008 10:49:02 -0400 Subject: [Gpdd] [HEALTH] Fireball Squeaking Message-ID: <77e986730810050749v68b5ebfchd8224ce02b9b395d@mail.gmail.com> Hello People and Piggies, I'm concerned over Fireball's squeaking, which has been getting louder and more frequent. It's the not the squeaking that I hear when a piggy is puttering around, but the same squeaking I would hear when Flashbang would squeeze himself into the same pigloo Fireball was in (a rather tight squeeze!) So it's more of a distressed squeak than a happy one. It started a few weeks ago when I put Fireball's sliced veggies in front of his pigloo and he would squeak for a bit and then eat. Last week he went to the vet to get his top teeth trimmed (he has no bottom teeth) and got a checkup. The vet said his molars looked fine and so did everything else, although his gut sounded a little slow. This could've been because he was having problems eating before his teeth were trimmed. This morning he started squeaking when I picked up his igloo and he was going for about three minutes. I get the feeling he's trying to tell me something. Any ideas what this could be? Should I take him back to the vet? Any suggestions would be great! Thanks, Jocelyn, Little John, Fireball the Fat, and Flashbang Fatbottom From pals4pets at cheerful.com Sun Oct 5 04:44:53 2008 From: pals4pets at cheerful.com (Debbie Jones) Date: Sun, 5 Oct 2008 03:44:53 -0500 Subject: [Gpdd] [RAINBOW BRIDGE] Condolences for Ernie Message-ID: <20081005084454.1DB0411581F@ws1-7.us4.outblaze.com> Luita and Bert We wish to express our sincere condolences on the departure to The Rainbow Bridge of your beloved SCAMP, Ernie. It is dreadful to think of him being abandoned as an unwanted pocket pet in the freezing cold month of February, and being adopted by you must have seemed like a dream come true to him. It is no wonder he was mistrustful of humans apart from yourself and your partner. He sounds a real character, and we are especially impressed by the report of his ability to find hidden treats - it is a game we have never tried, but will now. What a credit it is to your excellent care that a piggie from such a deprived background should have lived to such a ripe old age - and full marks to your vet for taking him home with her, it shows what a special pig he must have been. We are sure Ernie will have appreciated your final act of love when the time for departure came, and the fact that he had such a comfortable position from which to begin his final journey. Even SCAMP piggies do not live long enough. May it bring you some comfort to know that members of our special gpdd community all over the world understand and share the sorrow you are feeling, and wish you well. Debbie and the 10 Dolly Mixtures "We patronize them for their incompleteness, for their tragic fate of having taken a form so far below ourselves. And therein we err, and greatly err. For the animal shall not be measured by man. In a world older and more complete than ours they move finished and complete, gifted with extensions of the senses we have lost or never attained, living by voices we shall never hear. They are not brethren, they are not underlings; they are other nations, caught with ourselves in the net of life and time, fellow prisoners of the splendour and travail of the earth". Henry Beston -- Be Yourself @ mail.com! Choose From 200+ Email Addresses Get a Free Account at www.mail.com From pals4pets at cheerful.com Sun Oct 5 08:30:29 2008 From: pals4pets at cheerful.com (Debbie Jones) Date: Sun, 5 Oct 2008 07:30:29 -0500 Subject: [Gpdd] [HEALTH] Scrabble's bumblefoot Message-ID: <20081005123029.4328A1059C@ws1-3.us4.outblaze.com> First and foremost, a thousand thank yous to the many of you who responded so very kindly to my appeal for advice about SCAMP Scrabble's pododermititis, or bumblefoot. I have been overwhelmed by your kindness and helpfulness. Please forgive me if I don't acknowledge all your emails and postings separately, but I have just got back from petsitting without access to the Internet, so have a backlog to attend to, and just can't find the time. To the person who suggested contacting Vedra at the CCT, I am a paid-up BAR student and do have her contact details, but I know the rodentologists at Cavies Castle work very closely with her, helping her run her workshops and so on, so I don't think she would have anything to add to their advice, and I find them much more accessible. They even came here to do health checks a few years ago on all the Dolly Mixtures plus visitors, and I trust them completely. Sadly they say there's not really a cure, but that it won't kill him unless he bleeds to death. My local vet prescribed another course of Marbocyl, plus an antibiotic ointment, Panolog, to be applied twice daily after cleansing with Vetadine. I thank those of you who suggested bandages, especially the person (Sarah maybe?) who described in great detail how to apply these. I spent 45 minutes this morning bandaging both feet, but by the time I had changed the bedding in his cage one was already off - I would never make a vet nurse! I find the feet/ankles are so swollen there isn't really anything to wind the bandage around, if you can imagine that. But I will persevere, because I can see the bandages are needed to keep the ointment in contact with the wounds, otherwise as soon as I put him down the ointment is rubbed off onto the fleece. Keeping him immobilised is not the answer, as then he just sits in his own wee and that goes all over his feet. This vet didn't prescribe Metacam, but the previous one did, so I have put him back on it, as he has been whimpering a little. I am continuing to give him 0.5ml liquid Vitamin C every day. I worry terribly about quality of life. Poor Scrabble has lost two much loved cagemates this year. I'm pretty sure the problem first became acute when he went into a depression after the departure to the Rainbow Bridge of Fidget. They had been together almost 5 years. Now he is depressed again because he has just lost Zebra - he had known Zebra as a neighbour all Zebra's life. I have Scoot's and Soturi and Minstrel's cages up against Scrabble's, so he can see/hear/smell them, even touch noses, but so far he hasn't shown interest in them, although Scoot is desperate to get into his cage. Scoot was with Scrabble for a while in early summer, whilst I tried to bond Zebra with Soturi, and Scrabble seemed happier than he was alone, but I felt Scoot was dominating him - sometimes he would mount Scrabble or push him. I never saw fighting or violence, but I just felt Scrabble deserved better at his time of life. The feet remain very swollen. There are no scabs as such, and the wounds look clean. They are just raw patches of flesh with no skin on, if you can imagine that. It's how I'd imagine a foot would look if a blister had just been removed. They are constantly damp, and often bleed - there are little patches of blood all over his vet bed, which I change morning and evening. Scrabble is still very keen on his food. He wheeks when I go in at salad times, eats all the salad he is given and a good deal of his dry mix. He is also eating hay, which I try to keep away from his feet but rarely succeed because he pulls it all out onto the vet bed. But that is his life now really - eating, resting and having me treat him and dose him twice a day. That does, of course, include big cuddles and kisses - he is such a brave, patient boy. I also have to empty his anal sac once or twice a day. But of course, floor time is out as he can't really run around and has no one to run around with. When he was outdoors in the hutch and run, with Fidget and then with Zebra, he loved to wander around the run eating grass and sunbathing, but autumn has come so they are now all indoors. His room is heated (the only one in the house which is at present!), so he is comfortable - but is that enough? I worry about the impact of combined loneliness and pain on the quality of his life. It's still early days with this Panolog ointment - maybe it'll work, especially if I can master the knack of bandaging. I'm willing to stick with it a month, and the Marbocyl (this will be the second month of that, but there was a break since the first). Corine has suggested an ear treatment from the US which sounds promising, though extortionately expensive and possibly beyond my means as I am on benefits at present (2 job interviews tomorrow). But am I right to continue to try to find a cure when I've been advised that there isn't really one? How can I tell whether I am doing it for him or for me? Has anyone used Metacam really long term? I have heard it can cause colitis - I can't bear to think I'd be causing him more pain. Sorry, this is far too long again. Many thanks again for all your advice - I am encouraged that some of you have achieved promising results. I will keep you posted if there is any change. Debbie "We patronize them for their incompleteness, for their tragic fate of having taken a form so far below ourselves. And therein we err, and greatly err. For the animal shall not be measured by man. In a world older and more complete than ours they move finished and complete, gifted with extensions of the senses we have lost or never attained, living by voices we shall never hear. They are not brethren, they are not underlings; they are other nations, caught with ourselves in the net of life and time, fellow prisoners of the splendour and travail of the earth". Henry Beston -- Be Yourself @ mail.com! Choose From 200+ Email Addresses Get a Free Account at www.mail.com From DL1Bossfan at aol.com Sun Oct 5 13:40:43 2008 From: DL1Bossfan at aol.com (DL1Bossfan at aol.com) Date: Sun, 5 Oct 2008 13:40:43 EDT Subject: [Gpdd] [MISC] Blessing of the Animals Message-ID: Hi Friends: My priest says that we do not bless animals to make them holy. We bless them because they are holy and worthy of being blessed. Yesterday (October 4th) was St. Francis of Assisi's feast day. I took four of my six to be blessed. Aunt Polly and Houdini stayed home. Aunt Polly was blessed two years ago, and Houdini - well, his turn will be next year. He is still upset easily when he is around a lot of people. Thatcher, Big Jim, Zion, and Huck went with me. Zion - my *calm* piggy with a great disposition - was just the opposite. He wanted NO part of Thatcher and Big Jim being close to him. I ended up holding he and Huck. Huck was the main reason we went. Huck, as a lot of you know was part of the BIG 2004 MGPR. For those who were not members then, and to make a long story short - a *NUT* advertised dogs for sale in a paper. Another person went to see the dogs/puppies and found over 230+ guinea pigs in this NUT'S garage. Several of the GPDD members (led by Judi) quickly went into action. Judi and others spent many hours showing love, concern, and attention to the piggies in order to save as many lives as they could and to give them a second chance. A *piggy train* was formed, and in August of that year many of the piggies were transported all down the southeast border to different rescues. I met the train in Spartanburg and drove 12 of the piggies to Asheville where Janet met me and took 10 to her rescue in Knoxville. I kept 2 of the 12. Tom and Huck. Tom died a year ago May. Huck is still left. He is a guestimated 7 years old. He has really bad days and then some good days. He is almost always on an antibiotic for some reason or another. His toenails look bad (even though we try to keep them looking good), he is skin and bones, has a knot on his head, and droopy eyes. His habits are now strange -- will eat his breakfast in the late afternoon and his supper in the wee morning hours. In between - I try to give him Critical Care - which some days he loves and others he could care less about. With all of that said -- the little guy is a fighter and rarely acts as if he is in any pain or discomfort. He is just the ultimate Sweet Old Pig! He is my baby -- and I know how each has their own personality and it is impossible to pick a *favorite* - but, Huck really has a very special place in my heart. We have been through a lot together. So - it was very important to me that he be blessed -- and as selfish as it may sound, I will feel better when the time comes that I have to say good-bye. St. Francis loved all creatures great and small -- just as we do our own pets. This has been long -- but, I have one more thing: If any of you out there still have a piggy from the 2004 rescue, please e-mail me. I would love to know how many found forever homes and are still living. Love - Donna and the SC piggies Huck, Thatcher, Big Jim, Zion, Houdini, and Aunt Polly **************New MapQuest Local shows what's happening at your destination. Dining, Movies, Events, News & more. Try it out! (http://local.mapquest.com/?ncid=emlcntnew00000001) From eyoresnorz at hotmail.com Sun Oct 5 13:53:32 2008 From: eyoresnorz at hotmail.com (=?Windows-1252?Q?L._Ch=E1vez?=) Date: Sun, 5 Oct 2008 12:53:32 -0500 Subject: [Gpdd] I need some advice... In-Reply-To: References: <1523604176.1222971994277.JavaMail.SYSTEM@rc-v3conta009> Message-ID: I used to be an active poster when I had a herd of eleven. I have been down to one piggie for the last few years, so I have retreated to lurking. I am now faced with making a decision about my little Josephine... She is six years old, and over the last few months has dropped a lot of weight. She's still very active, eat and drinks normally. She's been checked out, and other than her slenderness has been healthy. Over the last month, she has slowed down quite a bit in her movement around her cage. She lives in a two story condo that is 2'x2' on both levels. She now only used about half the space of the first floor unless I entice her to the other areas of the cage. In the last week, she is opting to move around even less. I was down with a migraine for a couple of days, and in that time did not spend quality time with her. Now that I am better, I go to spend one on one time with her, and one of her eyes has crusted over and she has been sitting in her waste. I have cleaned her and her cage up, she squeaking, and moving around normally. She seems normal and happy and healthy, but I'm wondering about her quality of life. She is not moving around her cage without outside stimulation. I have food on one side, and water on the other. She will go back and forth between them when she wants one or the other, but otherwise sits in one spot. I'm at a loss. I want to ask other piggie folks for their opinions. My trusted vet is 2 hours away from me. The one I have been seeing locally I don't have a lot of faith in at the moment. Your thoughts and opinions are appreciated. _________________________________________________________________ See how Windows Mobile brings your life together?at home, work, or on the go. http://clk.atdmt.com/MRT/go/msnnkwxp1020093182mrt/direct/01/ From MFug at live.co.uk Sun Oct 5 14:36:37 2008 From: MFug at live.co.uk (M) Date: Sun, 5 Oct 2008 19:36:37 +0100 Subject: [Gpdd] Rainbow Bridge; Zebra Message-ID: Debbie my heart goes out to you losing so many precious babies in such a short time. Little Zebra was very lucky to spend his entire life with you as a slave, and I know how much you will miss the little guy, at least he was with his new friend Scrabble who I am sure looked out for him to the very end, and even if you couldnt be there yourself I am sure your other half made a good stand in slave. I hope you find comfort in your remaining piggies and that you know you are in the thoughts of all your digest friends at this sad time M From calliope at geeksnet.com Sun Oct 5 12:34:31 2008 From: calliope at geeksnet.com (Cindy) Date: Sun, 05 Oct 2008 12:34:31 -0400 Subject: [Gpdd] ANNOUNCEMENT: adoption day wishes, Chelito Message-ID: <48E8EC97.9050709@geeksnet.com> We would like to wish a very Happy 2nd Adoption Day to Chelito! Cindy, Tumbleweed, and Friday From matildalucet at earthlink.net Sun Oct 5 19:13:36 2008 From: matildalucet at earthlink.net (Ginger Fitzsimmons) Date: Sun, 5 Oct 2008 19:13:36 -0400 Subject: [Gpdd] [RAINBOW BRIDGE] Farewell to Dolly Mixture Zebra In-Reply-To: References: Message-ID: We are so sorry to hear of Zebra's unexpected departure. We're sure he lived a good life as a Dolly Mixture. Sending healing wheeks to you, Scrabble, and all who knew Zebra, Ginger and Steve slaves to Mr. Mike T. Pig From dawndastricklen at yahoo.com Sun Oct 5 19:48:38 2008 From: dawndastricklen at yahoo.com (Dawnda Stricklen) Date: Sun, 5 Oct 2008 16:48:38 -0700 (PDT) Subject: [Gpdd] [RAINBOW BRIDGE] Farewell to Dolly Mixture Zebra Message-ID: <663080.39394.qm@web52309.mail.re2.yahoo.com> Hello Debbie I am so sorry to hear that Zebra got so sick so quickly. I have never had a guinea pig with those symptoms either. I am sorry you could not stay to be with him, but it sounds like he was so sick that he may not have even noticed. He knows how much he was loved. He had a great life being born at your place and spending all his life with you. I send my deepest condolences. Dawnda http://dawndasticklen.tripod.com/ http://www.pigs9.blinkz.com From Algernon07 at aol.com Mon Oct 6 22:19:18 2008 From: Algernon07 at aol.com (Algernon07 at aol.com) Date: Mon, 6 Oct 2008 22:19:18 EDT Subject: [Gpdd] Gpdd Digest, Vol 7, Issue 299 Message-ID: Debbie, I'm so sorry for the loss of Zebra. You have been under seige lately, haven't you? It never gets easier to lose one of these litle guys but I trust that you're holding up. And if I didn't post my condolances for the loss of Callie, I apologize. I think that we all hurt for the loss of each and every pig that goes on to the Bridge. Alge and Company ************** New MapQuest Local shows what's happening at your destination. Dining, Movies, Events, News & more. Try it out! (http://local.mapquest.com/?ncid=emlcntnew00000001) From Glynis at garnay.com.au Tue Oct 7 00:16:58 2008 From: Glynis at garnay.com.au (Glynis Robson) Date: Tue, 7 Oct 2008 15:16:58 +1100 Subject: [Gpdd] [ANNOUNCE] Welcome Ruby Message-ID: <1E79BEF045F13847938D188011CBF923092080@GARNAYSBS.garnayindustries.local> Glenda, Megan and Cookie we are thrilled to hear there's a new piggie in town, RUBY xxxxxx Welcome Ruby to the gpdd we are looking forward to hearing all about you and and Cookie's antics. Love Glynis and Duke (in mem Sully) xxxx From Glynis at garnay.com.au Tue Oct 7 00:20:56 2008 From: Glynis at garnay.com.au (Glynis Robson) Date: Tue, 7 Oct 2008 15:20:56 +1100 Subject: [Gpdd] [ANNOUNCE] Condolences for Zebra Message-ID: <1E79BEF045F13847938D188011CBF923092082@GARNAYSBS.garnayindustries.local> Dear Debbie and the very sad Dolly Mixtures we're so so sorry to hear of the passing of little Zebra :o( RIP Zebra run free at the bridge, popcorn in the green meadows and enjoy munching the grass and dandelions with all the other piggies at the bridge xxxxxxxxxxxx ((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((HUGS)))))))))))))))))))))))) )))))))))))))) and lots of special piggie kisses from us both for you all xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx I'm so sorry you weren't there Debbie, i'm sure little Zebra knew how much she was loved and cared for her in years at the wonderful DM household xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx Love Glynis and Duke (in mem Sully) xxxx From Glynis at garnay.com.au Tue Oct 7 00:17:53 2008 From: Glynis at garnay.com.au (Glynis Robson) Date: Tue, 7 Oct 2008 15:17:53 +1100 Subject: [Gpdd] [ANNOUNCE] Adoption Day Chelito Message-ID: <1E79BEF045F13847938D188011CBF923092081@GARNAYSBS.garnayindustries.local> Happy 2nd Adoption Day Chelito xxxxxxxxxxxx We hope you have many many more with your lovely slave Ricky. Love Glynis and Duke (in mem Sully) xxxx From Glynis at garnay.com.au Tue Oct 7 00:40:22 2008 From: Glynis at garnay.com.au (Glynis Robson) Date: Tue, 7 Oct 2008 15:40:22 +1100 Subject: [Gpdd] [HEALTH] Older Piggies Health Message-ID: <1E79BEF045F13847938D188011CBF923092083@GARNAYSBS.garnayindustries.local> I've noticed recently that a few of us have been talking about our SCAMPS and their health and quality of life. I too have a boy who's the grand age of 6 years 8 months and a few days, my little darling boy has pneumonia, a crust eye, bumblefoot and a cauliflower penis and he too doesn't move around as his back legs are stiff and wobbly and he's managed to rub off the hair on his nose from over cleaning with his arthritic tootsies. He is also now being totally fed by me, 5 critical care feeds a day plus many hours of handfeeding him any leaves or veggie i can get him to eat. His eagerness to reach out still for his leaves and even corn sometimes is heartening. I also have to clean his little bottom for him as he's impacted most days. Another thing i do is cream up his feet every feed as well, he lays quite patiently on his back in my arms and lets me do the tootsies but if i rub too hard, i get a little wheek from him. BUT he still has the attitude, some days not as much, i feel that he still wants to be here with me and our world here. I can't make the decision to let him travel as yet, i'm hoping he will make that decision quietly one day. I am hoping that if somebody else reads this and is unsure about their little piggie and their quality of life, that you can see that even tho Duke goes thru this each day, he so loves his cuddles and our time together and at this stage i could not take this away from him. One day he'll travel to be with his beloved brother Sully, but till that day i'll do his tendering and love every single moment of it. Love Glynis and Duke (in mem Sully) xxxx From cazza177 at ntlworld.com Tue Oct 7 10:14:07 2008 From: cazza177 at ntlworld.com (Cazza177) Date: Tue, 07 Oct 2008 15:14:07 +0100 Subject: [Gpdd] [GPDD] [MISCELLANEOUS] Licking the radiator Message-ID: Dear all This is an odd one. While the weather here in the UK is so wet and rotten, I let my two boars BG and Artie have lots of floor time in my bedroom. While cleaning out their run just now, I watched Artie walk up to the radiator (which is turned off) and begin licking it. I recalled that he did this last year as well. We all have our little habits, but this one strikes me as quite odd! ;o) He never tries to bite the radiator, just lick, and I have always thought he does it simply because it's a pleasant sensation on his tongue, but it suddenly occured to me that maybe it is a sign he needs something -- perhaps in guinea pig behaviour/habits there is something similar to the licking of a smooth surface that I haven't come across before, that indicates a craving for something, or a requirement for something? Perhaps some of you may recognise similar behaviour in your own guinea pigs that might explain what Artie is trying to do? I'd love to hear your thoughts. Many thanks Carole BG and Artie From mfug at live.co.uk Tue Oct 7 11:23:26 2008 From: mfug at live.co.uk (M Fug) Date: Tue, 7 Oct 2008 15:23:26 +0000 Subject: [Gpdd] silly; Message to Igor Message-ID: Hey Igor buddy, you been keeping secrets from me! I was out for floortime last night and saw an advert for a film called "IGOR" man you never told me they were making a film about you. How did you manage to keep that a secret? I know you been having puter problems but that is no excuse for not telling your buddy such exciting news. Does this mean you are now more famous than me and my romaine hat?? I guess it must do. Dont forget your friends now you are a Hollywood darling. Fugly the not quite as famous as Igor _________________________________________________________________ Get all your favourite content with the slick new MSN Toolbar - FREE http://clk.atdmt.com/UKM/go/111354027/direct/01/ From ebak at ca.inter.net Tue Oct 7 18:25:48 2008 From: ebak at ca.inter.net (Evelyn Baker) Date: Tue, 7 Oct 2008 18:25:48 -0400 Subject: [Gpdd] [Older Piggies Health] Message-ID: <5BC4A063-7AC5-4BA2-9EC0-5F5ECDB9FDC0@ca.inter.net> Deciding whether your guinea pig is ready to be helped over the bridge is an incredibly tough decision but generally, I think the guinea pig will let you know. They stop eating, they face a corner etc. Then there are others who fight until the end. I think it's the quality of life, and whether they are in pain or suffering. Sometimes you don't want to wait too long because it's a fine line between care and suffering. A few guinea pigs, I feel I should have taken them to the vet sooner so that they wouldn't have suffered. On the other hand, Phoebe, was trying right to the end. On the way to vet she was trying to nibble on grass, even though she was weak and her temperature was so low the themometer couldn't measure it. But for her it was a matter of hours and she wasn't going to get better or even stable. I think it was that strength that helped her to survive all those years even with less than the best health. She had made a few miraculous recoveries before that. It's been almost a year since little Ms Phoebe has been gone, and I still miss her. Evelyn From jaggs4 at sbcglobal.net Tue Oct 7 16:03:34 2008 From: jaggs4 at sbcglobal.net (ANDREW SILL) Date: Tue, 7 Oct 2008 13:03:34 -0700 (PDT) Subject: [Gpdd] announcent: little Zebra Message-ID: <269351.40814.qm@web80207.mail.mud.yahoo.com> Dear Debbie, Our deepest sympathies to you for you loss of little Zebra. May little Zebra run free and enjoy all the bridge has to offer to all our loved little fur babies that have crossed. Andy and Jean and our misfits 14 From jaggs4 at sbcglobal.net Tue Oct 7 16:08:02 2008 From: jaggs4 at sbcglobal.net (ANDREW SILL) Date: Tue, 7 Oct 2008 13:08:02 -0700 (PDT) Subject: [Gpdd] misc: Duke Message-ID: <829578.48573.qm@web80206.mail.mud.yahoo.com> Dearest Glynis, Such a "love story" to read about your fine fellow Duke:)? I know in time he will decide to cross the bridge, but? until then you are such a loving caring slave indeed..... made me tear up just imagining you two together during you daily routines of his care.? Just had to write and tell you how much that touched me. A pig gives us such joy no matter what stage of the game of life he/she is in.? Thanks for sharing with us all. Jean & Andy and the misfits 14 From rzm.2 at juno.com Tue Oct 7 12:49:26 2008 From: rzm.2 at juno.com (Jaime) Date: Tue, 7 Oct 2008 16:49:26 GMT Subject: [Gpdd] MISC- Lynn Message-ID: <20081007.094926.15931.0@webmail11.dca.untd.com> A big welcome back to Lynn, Samantha & Tabitha! We are so glad to hear you are feeling a little better & are back with us again. Hope to hear more from you soon! ~Jaime, Mimi & Daisy~ ~Molly, Radar & Albert always in our hearts~ http://piggiepages001.blogspot.com/ ____________________________________________________________ Click here for free info on Graduate Degrees. http://thirdpartyoffers.juno.com/TGL2141/fc/Ioyw6i3nNPP7emEc0Wp9WqiEEs7k0Ya8VoOJUAJcdDOEXu6riZ31Tw/ From rzm.2 at juno.com Tue Oct 7 12:52:02 2008 From: rzm.2 at juno.com (Jaime) Date: Tue, 7 Oct 2008 16:52:02 GMT Subject: [Gpdd] MISC- Princess Snowflake Message-ID: <20081007.095202.15931.1@webmail11.dca.untd.com> We want to wish a happy belated adoption day to the Princess! Sorry it's a little late. As usual I am behind on my digests. We hope you had a purrrrfect day! ~Jaime, Mimi & Daisy~ ~Molly, Radar & Albert always in our hearts~ http://piggiepages001.blogspot.com/ ____________________________________________________________ Click here for free information on nursing degrees, up to $150/hour http://thirdpartyoffers.juno.com/TGL2141/fc/Ioyw6i3nEnkyTmYRFKzAwx9sJw0e69Be7mb3J1PKqe3lWerAnxJvgS/ From rzm.2 at juno.com Tue Oct 7 12:59:51 2008 From: rzm.2 at juno.com (Jaime) Date: Tue, 7 Oct 2008 16:59:51 GMT Subject: [Gpdd] MISC- condolences Message-ID: <20081007.095951.15931.2@webmail11.dca.untd.com> Debbie- I'm so sorry to hear Zebra passed away. My thoughts & prayers are with you & your family during this hard time. ~Jaime, Mimi & Daisy~ ~Molly, Radar & Albert always in our hearts~ http://piggiepages001.blogspot.com/ ____________________________________________________________ Get an Unsecured Loan - Fast and Low Cost. Click here! http://thirdpartyoffers.juno.com/TGL2141/fc/Ioyw6i3m3iTtau7JLOxtznXypYj249xxAIKQCdPmAJ8m7vTIoQdr4i/ From rzm.2 at juno.com Tue Oct 7 13:06:28 2008 From: rzm.2 at juno.com (Jaime) Date: Tue, 7 Oct 2008 17:06:28 GMT Subject: [Gpdd] HEALTH- squeaking piggie Message-ID: <20081007.100628.15931.3@webmail11.dca.untd.com> Jocelyn- Sounds like he may have pain. How are his poos? Make sure he is indeed pooing & they are normal, not dried out or clumped together. Is he peeing? Check to make sure there is no sludge in his pee. You can do that by having him pee on a hard surface & sticking your finger in the pee. Rub your thumb & finger together & see if you feel anything gritty. I know it sounds gross, but he could be forming, or already have a bladder stone. If it keeps up, I wouldn't wait too long to get him to a vet. Hope this helps some. Let us know what happens. ~Jaime, Mimi & Daisy~ ~Molly, Radar & Albert always in our hearts~ http://piggiepages001.blogspot.com/ ____________________________________________________________ Click for free info on online degrees and make up to $150K/ year. http://thirdpartyoffers.juno.com/TGL2141/fc/Ioyw6i3nlXGExEnElYHZXXETgLqBdskbPjLvDKuPdTGAIqQrKDVYz0/ From jannekestaaks at hotmail.com Wed Oct 8 11:03:55 2008 From: jannekestaaks at hotmail.com (Janneke Staaks) Date: Wed, 8 Oct 2008 17:03:55 +0200 Subject: [Gpdd] [SILLY] In-Reply-To: References: Message-ID: Hey Fugly buddy, How I managed to keep that a secret? Well that crazy slave wont grant me internet acess!!!! You know me, I love to brag about wonderfull me. Not shy whatsoever about that sort of thing. But..actually.. are they really making a movie about me? What is it about? My life story? Nobody ever told me. Who is gonna play me? And who is gonna play suus (the crazy hedgehog..hehehe..) Ow and you must have a big part in it too!! Best friend and partner in crime.. No doubt the pigs in the movietheater will roll of their chairs laughing when the romaine hat scene shows up. Hmm.. maybe they did email me, but my emailbox is still a big mess, we have internet, but slave is not happy so we still get very limited acess (dont ask.. girls are too complicated). There are so many digests that I want to catch up on (slightly scared.. usually they are a rollarcoasterride of emotions, with all the rainbowbridgepigs and new editions). But anyways.. dont worry about me, the move went well, i still get chicory twice a day and more cuddles since slave spends less time on the puter. Lots of loud wheeks! (hope you can hear them across the canal) Your buddy Igor the famous (ghegheghe) From: mfug at live.co.ukTo: gpdd at gpdd.orgCC: jannekestaaks at hotmail.comSubject: silly; Message to IgorDate: Tue, 7 Oct 2008 15:23:26 +0000 Hey Igor buddy, you been keeping secrets from me! I was out for floortime last night and saw an advert for a film called "IGOR" man you never told me they were making a film about you. How did you manage to keep that a secret? I know you been having puter problems but that is no excuse for not telling your buddy such exciting news. Does this mean you are now more famous than me and my romaine hat?? I guess it must do. Dont forget your friends now you are a Hollywood darling. Fugly the not quite as famous as Igor Try Facebook in Windows Live Messenger! Try it Now! _________________________________________________________________ Uniek: Onbeperkt chatten op je mobiel voor maar ? 2,95 per maand! http://www.overaljevriendenbijje.nl/#superdeal From juwles at bigpond.com Wed Oct 8 07:53:02 2008 From: juwles at bigpond.com (Julie Juwles Johnson) Date: Wed, 8 Oct 2008 21:53:02 +1000 Subject: [Gpdd] [HEALTH] Older Piggies Health In-Reply-To: <1E79BEF045F13847938D188011CBF923092083@GARNAYSBS.garnayindustries.local> References: <1E79BEF045F13847938D188011CBF923092083@GARNAYSBS.garnayindustries.local> Message-ID: <95094AF251A0427BBA08FD77D47F99C6@JuliePC> Dear Glynis What a wonderful piggy mummy you are! I totally agree with your feelings about Duke and his not yet being ready to leave you. I also believe it is true! I sincerely believe that piggies love us just as much as we love them, and they do their best to stay where they're cosseted and cuddled and loved for as long as their little bodies can manage. I don't think they would ever leave us if it was left to their hearts or minds - it's just the body that gives up. Good luck with your feeding, I too have personal experience how exhausting and demanding that can be, but also how rewarding it is and how it makes the bond between the two of you so much stronger. God Bless you all, Julie, Donald, Wheeky (& two new boys called Joey (after Joey in Friends) and Kimba (his hair sticks up like a lion's mane!) Loving and always missing Muppet, Teddy, Dougall, Archie & Brandy ----- Original Message ----- From: Glynis Robson To: gpdd at gpdd.org Sent: Tuesday, October 07, 2008 2:40 PM Subject: [Gpdd] [HEALTH] Older Piggies Health I've noticed recently that a few of us have been talking about our SCAMPS and their health and quality of life. I too have a boy who's the grand age of 6 years 8 months and a few days, my little darling boy has pneumonia, a crust eye, bumblefoot and a cauliflower penis and he too doesn't move around as his back legs are stiff and wobbly and he's managed to rub off the hair on his nose from over cleaning with his arthritic tootsies. He is also now being totally fed by me, 5 critical care feeds a day plus many hours of handfeeding him any leaves or veggie i can get him to eat. His eagerness to reach out still for his leaves and even corn sometimes is heartening. I also have to clean his little bottom for him as he's impacted most days. Another thing i do is cream up his feet every feed as well, he lays quite patiently on his back in my arms and lets me do the tootsies but if i rub too hard, i get a little wheek from him. BUT he still has the attitude, some days not as much, i feel that he still wants to be here with me and our world here. I can't make the decision to let him travel as yet, i'm hoping he will make that decision quietly one day. I am hoping that if somebody else reads this and is unsure about their little piggie and their quality of life, that you can see that even tho Duke goes thru this each day, he so loves his cuddles and our time together and at this stage i could not take this away from him. One day he'll travel to be with his beloved brother Sully, but till that day i'll do his tendering and love every single moment of it. Love Glynis and Duke (in mem Sully) xxxx From dogcatpiggymom at yahoo.com Wed Oct 8 16:37:09 2008 From: dogcatpiggymom at yahoo.com (dogcatpiggymom at yahoo.com) Date: Wed, 8 Oct 2008 13:37:09 -0700 (PDT) Subject: [Gpdd] Announcement: My Guinea Pig Blog is now online Message-ID: <331777.14686.qm@web33106.mail.mud.yahoo.com> Hi Friends: The picture is of my dog BECKY, kitty BILLY, and piggy MACIE. http://www.smallanimalchannel.com/critter-blog/guinea-pig-interaction-blog/guinea-pigs-and-dogs.aspx I hope all is well... Joanne and her 6 precious pigs "The Fingerprint of God is often a paw print." -Susan McElroy From pals4pets at cheerful.com Wed Oct 8 16:37:28 2008 From: pals4pets at cheerful.com (Debbie Jones) Date: Wed, 8 Oct 2008 15:37:28 -0500 Subject: [Gpdd] [HEALTH] Huge swelling round shoulder/abdomen Message-ID: <20081008203728.D2AC4BE4078@ws1-9.us4.outblaze.com> I feel a bit as though the Dolly Mixtures are monopolising the digest at present, but my fears are proving grounded as yet another Dolly Mixture SCAMP presents alarming symptoms. Nuage has developed a huge, hard swelling around her left shoulder and right round underneath to her abdomen. I noticed it when I brought her in for the winter, but I weigh her every week and I am sure I would have noticed if it had been this large last time I weighed her - so I feel it has come up quite quickly. My immediate thought was an abscess, as I have seen these come up quickly, both in piggies and in other animals. But I can't see any wound which might have caused an abscess, and she shows no sign of pain. I know, they are prey animals, they will not show pain. But we have all seen piggies in pain, how they hunch in a corner and are reluctant to eat. She is running around normally, and eating well. I have noticed that she is one of those piggies that drinks a lot, and I realise this could indicate diabetes. As you know, I have no access to a piggie-savvy vet. I am thinking this is probably a tumour, and absolutely no way would I allow my vet to attempt surgery. And to be honest, Nuage is a piggies' pig rather than human orientated, so I feel I would do her a disservice to drive her hundreds of miles to either Paris or the UK for treatment - unless there was a very strong probability that it would completely cure her. Has any slave here experienced a similar swelling in their piggy? If so, what was it and was there a successful treatment? My dilemma is that at present Nuage seems a perfectly happy pig, pleased to be indoors for the winter and quite comfortable with her friends and the service provided by her slave. Any intervention is likely to prove traumatic. She is 5 and a half years old. I have read on here of surgery on older SCAMPs. But I don't have access to a decent vet. I don't fancy taking her to the vet to be given just the usual Marbocyl to see if it does any good - just the fact that I was syringing the stuff into her once a day would be traumatic to her and increase her stress, plus of course the vet visit itself would be stressful. Might it be better to leave well alone unless/until she shows signs of distress? Or of course until she slips away to the Bridge of her own volition? All suggestions gratefully received. Debbie "We patronize them for their incompleteness, for their tragic fate of having taken a form so far below ourselves. And therein we err, and greatly err. For the animal shall not be measured by man. In a world older and more complete than ours they move finished and complete, gifted with extensions of the senses we have lost or never attained, living by voices we shall never hear. They are not brethren, they are not underlings; they are other nations, caught with ourselves in the net of life and time, fellow prisoners of the splendour and travail of the earth". Henry Beston -- Be Yourself @ mail.com! Choose From 200+ Email Addresses Get a Free Account at www.mail.com From aliciavanmaanen at hotmail.com Wed Oct 8 18:01:29 2008 From: aliciavanmaanen at hotmail.com (Alicia VanMaanen) Date: Wed, 8 Oct 2008 18:01:29 -0400 Subject: [Gpdd] Annoucement: Secret Santa Coming SOON!! Message-ID: It's coming SOON, so don't miss out on all the fun! Join in now to regret not joining in later. I know it's only October but before we know it the time will be upon us once again. I am willing to once again head up the Annual Guinea Pig Gift Exchange/Card Exchange. For those of you new to the digest this is something we plan every year. It's a secret Santa thing and it's tons of fun for everyone involved. So if you would like to participate this year please email me the following information at aliciavanmaanen at hotmail.com Slave name: Slave mailing address: Piggies Names: Slaves email address to contact you if questions and with your secret Santa piggie later! *very important to have (If you have many piggies and wish to group them up let me know and I will pair them up with another group of piggies. You can do this as one pig or more than one pig just let me know if you wish to mail to have your multiple piggies pairs up individual or as a group.) I will start compiling the list and in the first week of November I will send your secret Santa info to you then. That way you will have about a month to get your stuff together and mailed to your secret Santa piggie in time for Christmas. Also, if you wish to just be paired up with someone to mail Christmas cards to instead of gifts than send me the above information and let me know that you just wish to exchange cards which is fine too. Thanks and have an awesome week, Alica slave to Sailor Willie and Squeakers _________________________________________________________________ See how Windows Mobile brings your life together?at home, work, or on the go. http://clk.atdmt.com/MRT/go/msnnkwxp1020093182mrt/direct/01/ From dogcatpiggymom at yahoo.com Wed Oct 8 20:35:31 2008 From: dogcatpiggymom at yahoo.com (dogcatpiggymom at yahoo.com) Date: Wed, 8 Oct 2008 17:35:31 -0700 (PDT) Subject: [Gpdd] Rainbow Bridge: Zebra Message-ID: <189424.69976.qm@web33101.mail.mud.yahoo.com> Hi Debbie... I just read the digest that you lost Zebra.? I am so sorry! Oh, it's so sad to lose these precious babies of ours.? Every time one of my digest friends lose a piggy, I am reminded of my sweet girls at the bridge.? I miss them so much as I know you miss your babies at the bridge. I'm thinking of you and hope you're doing okay. "Rest in Peace, Zebra." :( With sympathy Joanne Spicy, Merri, Macie, Teddy, Baci, Sweetie "The Fingerprint of God is often a paw print." -Susan McElroy From blaaco at yahoo.com Thu Oct 9 13:25:42 2008 From: blaaco at yahoo.com (blaaco at yahoo.com) Date: Thu, 9 Oct 2008 10:25:42 -0700 (PDT) Subject: [Gpdd] Adoption/G.Pigs NEED homes/Please Help! Message-ID: <17268.36329.qm@web83819.mail.sp1.yahoo.com> I have (F)Guinea Pigs looking for and needing their forever homes.I will only adopt them out in Pairs or Trios.If anyone can give a wonderful home to TWO OR THREE girls please contact me private at blaaco at yahoo.com I do have some photos.I am located in Conklin,NY 13748 near Binghamton,NY Thanks, Beth Guinea Pig Rescue 607-217-4843 From bunzella at yahoo.ca Thu Oct 9 14:55:53 2008 From: bunzella at yahoo.ca (pat schuett) Date: Thu, 9 Oct 2008 11:55:53 -0700 (PDT) Subject: [Gpdd] HEALTH: Doris' Slave at Wit's End Message-ID: <745943.84271.qm@web31501.mail.mud.yahoo.com> Hi all, I'm the of Doris, the piggie who has been having recurring bladder infections for some months now (maybe all her life, really, but definitely more frequently in the last year). My vet's latest thinking, several months back now, was that it was the same infection never quite getting eliminated and she wanted to try Doris on the same antibiotic we have been using (Sulfatrim), but for six weeks instead of two. Doris and I did survive that (actually, I ran out of the drugs after a bit more than five weeks, but the vet thought that was close enough). As usual after antibiotics, Doris was good for two or three weeks afterwards, then I began to see signs of her being wet and uncomfortable when she peed yet again. As luck would have it, my regular vet had cut her hand quite badly and was off work for a month, and the other vet at the practice who also sees pigs was away on holiday, so I decided for the short term to try Peter Gurney's cystitis remedy (also recommended to me by Penny and some other experienced GPDD people) of barley water, honey and unsweetened cranberry juice. This regimen did seem to keep Doris comfortable for the two weeks until the second vet came back from holidays, but unfortunately, it didn't really improve things any. The second vet x-rayed Doris and reported that, thankfully, there was no sign of a stone or even bad sludge in her bladder. She decided to try a different antibiotic, Chloramphenicol, which she felt was more effective at eliminating bladder infections (it has occurred to me as well that Doris' UTI bacteria might have gotten resistent to the Sulfatrim since we have used it so many times). So we are now about ten days into the two week course of the Chloramphenicol. Doris has not had any bad effects from it, thank goodness, but I am not honestly sure whether it's working on the infection or not. She is definitely dry most of the time now, but I am still hearing the odd squeak that sounds to me like pain when she is peeing, even after ten days on the drugs. (To hedge my bets, I have also been continuing with the barley water and honey --- it also provides some extra fluid which is always good for bladder infections...) I guess there is no real decision to be made until we are done the drugs and see what the final effects are; I'm just getting on with the fretting ahead of time! (As an extra complication, I had a tear in my left retina two weeks ago and at the moment have virtually NO vision in that eye; I am definitely in absolute admiration of you piggie slaves with vision impairments who do so well with your little masters nonetheless!!!) SOOO, if anyone has any thoughts or wisdom to share, PLEASE DO!!! I do worry about little Doris who has so patient and tolerant of all this... Pat __________________________________________________________________ Instant Messaging, free SMS, sharing photos and more... Try the new Yahoo! Canada Messenger at http://ca.beta.messenger.yahoo.com/ From bcolijn at wideopenwest.com Thu Oct 9 15:39:50 2008 From: bcolijn at wideopenwest.com (Brenda Colijn) Date: Thu, 9 Oct 2008 14:39:50 -0500 Subject: [Gpdd] HEALTH: huge swelling Message-ID: <20081009192927.M26728@wideopenwest.com> Debbie, I read the Digest regularly, although I don't post much. I have had experience with one of my guinea pigs developing a large swelling. His was under his chin and in his chest area. In his case, the swelling was due to kidney failure. He was also drinking a lot of water, and his hair got thinner. The vet did a urinalysis and found protein in the urine, which meant that the kidneys weren't processing it effectively. My guinea pig continued to enjoy life and food and socializing until his last day (a couple of months later, in his case), when I knew it was the end. I don't think he was in discomfort until perhaps that last day. I hope Nuage has something less serious. There isn't much that can be done for kidney failure in guinea pigs, although the vet said that subcutaneous fluids can make them more comfortable. Again, I hope Nuage doesn't have anything serious, but I thought I should share my experience. Best wishes to you and all the Dolly Mixtures. Brenda (in Ohio, USA) Max, William, and Rusty From aliciavanmaanen at hotmail.com Thu Oct 9 18:46:54 2008 From: aliciavanmaanen at hotmail.com (Alicia VanMaanen) Date: Thu, 9 Oct 2008 18:46:54 -0400 Subject: [Gpdd] RESCUE: Many guinea pigs Message-ID: Hey everyone, I had a friend call me today that runs Heartland Small Animal Rescue in Bristol (Elkhart), Indiana area. She says they have a lady with 25-30 guinea pigs that she needs some help with finding a new home. The lady has too many and is taking care of them but there are so many that working 12 hour days makes it hard to give them the attention that they deserve. They range in age from days old to 1-2 years old. They seem to be abbys with a cross of pearl possibly. She says that they are very healthy and loving animals. If anyone knows of anyone that wants to adopt another guinea pig in that area or knows of anyone please feel free to contact Laurie at critterlove2003 at yahoo.com. also, please feel free to email her with questions in regards to this too. You can also email me at aliciavanmaanen at hotmail.com and I can put you in contact with her if you can help out too. THanks, Alicia with many wheeks from Sailor WIllie & Sqeakers _________________________________________________________________ See how Windows connects the people, information, and fun that are part of your life. http://clk.atdmt.com/MRT/go/msnnkwxp1020093175mrt/direct/01/ From kayfacavies at hotmail.com Fri Oct 10 00:13:53 2008 From: kayfacavies at hotmail.com (Kris Wright) Date: Fri, 10 Oct 2008 04:13:53 +0000 Subject: [Gpdd] health In-Reply-To: References: Message-ID: I have a piggie that I think has this condition. The vet tried two types of antibiotics and a cream, neither made much of a difference. The foot had a scab which would sometimes bleed and then not heal. Finally I triad bettadine. It is drying - not sure if it is toxic but the scab dried and while my girl still has a lump on her foot there is no bleeding, not evan a scab and this has been stable for some months. I try to keep her cage extra clean and I only used the bettadine for about a week.Best of luck with Scrabblekris _________________________________________________________________ From mfug at live.co.uk Fri Oct 10 07:53:52 2008 From: mfug at live.co.uk (M Fug) Date: Fri, 10 Oct 2008 11:53:52 +0000 Subject: [Gpdd] Silly; message to Igor Message-ID: Igor buddy, I found a link to your film and boy are you gonna be mad they have got so much wrong, here have a look http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0465502/ See they knew you lived with a scientist, but yours is mad not evil, and they think you are the slave not the scientist, how wrong can they get. You are played by a hunchback human not a handsome dreadlocked guinea pig............ Somehow they have found out about our plans to take over the world but they have definetely got our methods wrong........ I dont know, these Hollywood people get a couple of facts and twist them all to their own ends, I think you should put in a complaint. Fugly the furious _________________________________________________________________ Make a mini you and download it into Windows Live Messenger http://clk.atdmt.com/UKM/go/111354029/direct/01/ From bunsnpigs at aol.com Fri Oct 10 12:12:22 2008 From: bunsnpigs at aol.com (bunsnpigs at aol.com) Date: Fri, 10 Oct 2008 12:12:22 -0400 Subject: [Gpdd] RESCUE: Many guinea pigs In-Reply-To: References: Message-ID: <8CAF90A1CA1EC6A-E3C-B57@WEBMAIL-DF06.sysops.aol.com> Alicia, is this woman BREEDING them? For goodness' sake, she needs some major education in addition to getting guinea pigs out of her home! I hope someone will be able to help. Judi Lainer Metropolitan Guinea Pig Rescue http://www.mgpr.org Fosterer/Educator House Rabbit Society MD/DC/NoVA Chapter http://www.rabbitsinthehouse.org http://www.rabbit.org -------------------------------- Hey everyone, I had a friend call me today that runs Heartland Small Animal Rescue in Bristol (Elkhart), Indiana area. She says they have a lady with 25-30 guinea pigs that she needs some help with finding a new home. The lady has too many and is taking care of them but there are so many that working 12 hour days makes it hard to give them the attention that they deserve. They range in age from days old to 1-2 years old. They seem to be abbys with a cross of pearl possibly. She says that they are very healthy and loving animals. If anyone knows of anyone that wants to adopt another guinea pig in that area or knows of anyone please feel free to contact Laurie at critterlove2003 at yahoo.com. also, please feel free to email her with questions in regards to this too. You can also email me at aliciavanmaanen at hotmail.com and I can put you in contact with her if you can help out too. THanks, Alicia with many wheeks from Sailor WIllie & Sqeakers From lfolly at sbcglobal.net Fri Oct 10 16:56:51 2008 From: lfolly at sbcglobal.net ( Folly Farm) Date: Fri, 10 Oct 2008 13:56:51 -0700 Subject: [Gpdd] Doris's bladder infection Message-ID: <004201c92b1a$b944d5d0$0101a8c0@mattsgl95f36tu> Hi Pat, I've had great success with shilintong from the Far East Ginseng company. Lisa Stanley & the San Diego 15 From pandameisje at gmail.com Fri Oct 10 17:40:43 2008 From: pandameisje at gmail.com (Mieke Staaks) Date: Fri, 10 Oct 2008 23:40:43 +0200 Subject: [Gpdd] health: V-shaped baldness Message-ID: Hi all, Since half of August I volunteer at a local rodent shelter in the Hague. We used to have little Guinea pigs, but lately we seem to get more and more piggies. I think we've got around 15! which is a lot, because we only had 3 when i first came.. It's nothing compared to the rabbits though, we used to have around 60, we might be down to 40 now... (including 4 gorgeous baby rabbits..) We have a couple of two boars which I am totally in Love with... But i've got 3 girls, the boys are not neutered and my boyfriend is allergic to guinea pigs.. 3 is okay, but I know 6 is two much, so I guess 5 will be too much... But I will take them if they don't get a family in half a year to a year, I must find a way to convince my boyfriend though.. The boars are a silver agouti smooth-haired named Toby, who so very inquisitive and sweet and a tricolored Teddy (brown, white and orange/brownish) we is mostly just scared... but a darling anyways named Chico. Chico has a sort of V-shaped baldness on his back... He's not completely bald there but his hair is really short... It does not seem to bother him, and Toby seems unaffected... The V is on his back like this Head > But.. I seem to recall Lotje having the same patterns like this on her back once an remember us treating this succesfully But I am not sure how we treated it, I think we treated her for mites... Chico skin looks calm, he does not seem to be bothered by it... his skin does look a bit flaky, but not very much... Also it has not changed since the last wheek, did not become worse but also not better. Anyone any ideas what this is? And how to treat it? Which would be most convenient for an understaffed shelter? (i'm kind of hoping that I have to (voluntarily of course) take them home to give Chico some baths with special anti-fungus shampoo. Which will give me the chance to introduce them to my boyfriend and see if it's not a problem for him, having 5 guineas... Hopefully I will not have to bring them back then... Am I displaying Guinea pig slave symptoms yet..?) Many Wheeks and greetings, Mikey and the Winky girls: Guiny, Dunya and Woopy -- pandameisje at gmail.com pandameisje at hotmail.com m.staaks at pecoma.nl Blog: http://pandameisje.hyves.nl kleding: http://mist-clothing.blogspot.com/ From rsilhan at tampabay.rr.com Fri Oct 10 15:47:55 2008 From: rsilhan at tampabay.rr.com (rsilhan at tampabay.rr.com) Date: Fri, 10 Oct 2008 19:47:55 +0000 Subject: [Gpdd] ANNOUNCEMENT: Critter Corral Open House - Chicago Area Message-ID: <20081010194755.OLEK9.10157.root@hrndva-web18-z01> The 9th Annual Critter Corral Open House will be held on Sunday, November 2nd, 2008, from 1:00 to 4:00 pm at the Willard Wood Park Center, 515 1st Street, Crete, IL. There will be lots of fun for piggies and owners alike: contests, piggie items for sale and adorable, adoptable piggies looking for forever homes. A popular highlight will be the piggy costume contest. Ribbons will be awarded in several categories, so start planning those costumes today! Please join us for an afternoon of food, fun and piggies galore! Hope to see you there! For more information, please contact us at info at crittercorral.org. From rzm.2 at juno.com Fri Oct 10 19:15:22 2008 From: rzm.2 at juno.com (Jaime) Date: Fri, 10 Oct 2008 23:15:22 GMT Subject: [Gpdd] ANNOUCEMENT- Oxbow e-mail Message-ID: <20081010.161522.14844.1@webmail17.dca.untd.com> I just wanted to show everyone who uses Oxbow products the e-mail I got from them: Dear Valued Customer, Thank you for choosing products from Oxbow Animal Health! You are part of a growing community of small animal lovers who value the nutritional and enrichment benefits of our products, and who trust Oxbow to provide high quality products, education and support. I am grateful for your business and for your dedication to the health of small animals. I am writing to tell you about an exciting change at Oxbow Animal Health. Our product distribution network is stronger than ever??and it continues to grow. Oxbow products are available in an increasing number of stores throughout the world?? both ??brick-and-mortar?? and online. For this reason, we??ve decided to discontinue selling products from our own web site, www.oxbowanimalhealth.com, so that we can focus even more of our attention and resources on the development of new products and new educational resources. Starting November 1, Oxbow's??s web site will sport an exciting, new look. You???ll be able to conveniently access several online stores where Oxbow products are sold, or you can locate a pet store near your home that carries our products. For help finding the best source for you, feel free to e-mail us at oxbow at oxbowanimalhealth.com or call our Customer Care specialists at 800-249-0366. Visit Oxbow???s web site often over the next few months. You???ll see new product information, educational resources, company insights, and exciting features that support our community of small animal lovers. At Oxbow Animal Health, we appreciate your loyalty and trust, and we???re proud of the growing network of capable retailers, veterinarians and others who promote our products and share our commitment to small animal health and nutrition. We look forward to sharpening our focus on the things we do best: developing innovative, all-natural products that improve the health and well-being of animals and the people who care for them. If you have questions about these changes, please don???t hesitate to e-mail or call us. All of us at Oxbow Animal Health thank you for your continued support. Sincerely, John Miller Founder and CEO It's a pretty big change so I thought I'd forward it to show everyone. ~Jaime, Mimi & Daisy~ ~Molly, Radar & Albert always in our hearts~ http://piggiepages001.blogspot.com/ ____________________________________________________________ Get a life insurance quote online. Click to compare rates and save. http://thirdpartyoffers.juno.com/TGL2141/fc/Ioyw6i3oib28FONL4TlwgGjee1oaOxcDXuMEEhwFRRrCzx0QJBewVg/ From Algernon07 at aol.com Sat Oct 11 03:20:51 2008 From: Algernon07 at aol.com (Algernon07 at aol.com) Date: Sat, 11 Oct 2008 03:20:51 EDT Subject: [Gpdd] Silly: Fugly Message-ID: "Fugly the furious" Wow, Fugly, we realy like the way you names changes indicate your moods. You and Igor are cool! > Captain Jack and the little guy <----- who really needs a name. Jake > maybe? Pirate? Maybe just plain "Sailor"? Gots to keep up this Pirate thing. > "Shipwreck Sam"? :) > ************** New MapQuest Local shows what's happening at your destination. Dining, Movies, Events, News & more. Try it out (http://local.mapquest.com/?ncid=emlcntnew00000002) From lconsuela at yahoo.com Sat Oct 11 17:27:15 2008 From: lconsuela at yahoo.com (Leah McNeil) Date: Sat, 11 Oct 2008 14:27:15 -0700 (PDT) Subject: [Gpdd] Misc: Chillin' with my Pigs Message-ID: <680343.75408.qm@web53101.mail.re2.yahoo.com> Hey Piggies & Slaves! I hope all is well with everyone/pig. Sorry I've been a bit of a stranger. I've been so busy at work and those crazy pigs really keep me on my toes. Princess has been a little bossy with her new friend and I keep telling her that this is Bertie Pig's home too now and that she should be nice to him. He loves her, but he does occassionally try to challenge her authority (with no luck, of course). Anyways, so wheee had a piggie shoot earlier today. It was just Fabulous. I got some Great shots and will be working on their Halloween 2008 website this wheeeekend. Bertie Pig is quite photogenic, I must admit, but it took me a while to figure out how to get the boy in focus. He's not used to being handled so much, but I'm slowly working with him. It's hard for him to settle down cuz he wants to be with PS, like all of the time. They're so Cute together, even when they bicker (as siblings do). Well, I'm going to go jogging now. Also, I am keeping all sick and grieving Piggies and Slaves in my thoughts and Prayers... Love 'n Wheeeeeeeeeps, Leah...Slave to Princess Snowflake & Bertie Pig :-) From pandameisje at gmail.com Sat Oct 11 15:53:09 2008 From: pandameisje at gmail.com (Mieke Staaks) Date: Sat, 11 Oct 2008 21:53:09 +0200 Subject: [Gpdd] Silly: SCAMPS site Message-ID: Hi All, I've updated the scamps site with more SCAMPS piggies! http://scamps-gpdd.blogspot.com/ If you have a piggie of 5 years old or over, please send me an email with a little story about them and if you have it their (approximated) birthdate. Also if you have a nice pigture of them please send them too and I will add them to the list. Debbie send me an email with the story of Soulage, and she asked me if we could possible enrich the site with info about taking care of elderly pigs... I love that idea, but Guiny is the oldest piggy i've ever had and she's not a SCAMPS pig yet, though already 4 and a half years old... So I am not that very knowledgeable about piggies of 5 and over. If anyone has any information about taking care of elderly piggies please let me know and I will add it to the site! Also I just would like everyone to know that you can also send me the information about your SCAMPS piggies at the rainbow bridge... If you would like to add them that is possible of course... I'll try to make a special part devoted to our departed SCAMPS... Also if there are any SCAMPS in training, who would like to be added let me know their details, and I can probably make a special part for the training SCAMPS piggies as well. Many wheeks, Mikey and the Winky girls: Guiny (nearly SCAMPS), Dunya and Woopy -- pandameisje at gmail.com pandameisje at hotmail.com m.staaks at pecoma.nl Blog: http://pandameisje.hyves.nl kleding: http://mist-clothing.blogspot.com/ From kaplans at peoplepc.com Sat Oct 11 18:40:24 2008 From: kaplans at peoplepc.com (kaplans at peoplepc.com) Date: Sat, 11 Oct 2008 15:40:24 -0700 Subject: [Gpdd] health: V shaped baldness References: Message-ID: <006b01c92bf3$3ccf36b0$641ff304@stephensucks> Hi, One of my boys gets something like this and it seems to be nothing at all. It goes away in a few weeks. It never bothers him and it isn't mites. I really don't know what it is but it doesn't seem to be a problem. Sarah and the piggy gang ----- Original Message ----- From: To: Sent: Saturday, October 11, 2008 9:00 AM Subject: Gpdd Digest, Vol 7, Issue 305 > Send Gpdd mailing list submissions to > gpdd at gpdd.org > > To subscribe or unsubscribe via the World Wide Web, visit > http://gpdd.org/mailman/listinfo/gpdd_gpdd.org > or, via email, send a message with subject or body 'help' to > gpdd-request at gpdd.org > > You can reach the person managing the list at > gpdd-owner at gpdd.org > > When replying, please edit your Subject line so it is more specific > than "Re: Contents of Gpdd digest..." > ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- ---- > ---------------------------------------------------------------------- > The GPDD moderators frequently reject messages that do not follow > these guidelines: > A lack of a Topic label is the most common reason for message rejection. Please use a Topic Label (HEALTH, CARE, ANNOUNCEMENT, RAINBOW BRIDGE, BEHAVIOR,PETER GURNEY, RESCUE, BREEDING, SILLY, PIGLETS, MISC. or VIRTUAL) and DESCRIPTIVE SUBJECT. More information on Topic use, post restrictions and permissions can be found at http://www.gpdd.org/topics.html > > Postings to the digest must conform to the rules stated at > http://www.gpdd.org/guidelines.html > > Please consult the GPDD FAQ at http://www.gpdd.org/faq.html for > a list of commonly asked questions. > ---------------------------------------------------------------------- > Other GPDD-affiliated sites: > > The Guinea Pigs' Rainbow Bridge, dedicated to the memories of piggies past http://www.guineapigsrainbow.org > --------------------------------------- > Piggie bladderstone informational resources and mailing list: > http://www.gpigs-database.org > --------------------------------------- > All material posted and archived is copyright The Guinea Pigs' Daily Digest, and may not be reproduced in whole or in part in any media - printed or electronic - without written permission of the administrators. > ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- ---- > Today's Topics: > > 1. Re: RESCUE: Many guinea pigs (bunsnpigs at aol.com) > 2. Doris's bladder infection ( Folly Farm) > 3. health: V-shaped baldness (Mieke Staaks) > 4. ANNOUNCEMENT: Critter Corral Open House - Chicago Area > (rsilhan at tampabay.rr.com) > 5. ANNOUCEMENT- Oxbow e-mail (Jaime) > 6. Silly: Fugly (Algernon07 at aol.com) > ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- ---- > _______________________________________________ > Gpdd mailing list > Gpdd at gpdd.org > http://gpdd.org/mailman/listinfo/gpdd_gpdd.org > From dogcatpiggymom at yahoo.com Sat Oct 11 19:17:34 2008 From: dogcatpiggymom at yahoo.com (dogcatpiggymom at yahoo.com) Date: Sat, 11 Oct 2008 16:17:34 -0700 (PDT) Subject: [Gpdd] Misc: guinea pig shoes for slaves Message-ID: <126290.29463.qm@web33102.mail.mud.yahoo.com> Hi Friends! Take a look at the gp shoes! http://www.zazzle.com/shoes?cg=103607418219351135&pg=3 Joanne and her crew of 6 "The Fingerprint of God is often a paw print." -Susan McElroy From cmartinez36 at comcast.net Sat Oct 11 23:01:00 2008 From: cmartinez36 at comcast.net (cmartinez36 at comcast.net) Date: Sun, 12 Oct 2008 03:01:00 +0000 Subject: [Gpdd] misc: a name for Alge's little guy? Message-ID: <101220080301.4662.48F1686C000A895D000012362215575474C0CC960A02079B9D0E030C@comcast.net> So you want a pirate name......Maybe someone who knows the Pirates of the Caribbean can suggest a good character name from the movie! I saw the first movie but don't remember any of the names. So on Wikipedia they have a list of all the characters. There's Will Turner and Hector Barbosa and Pintel and Ragatelli......I just don't know who is who. Then there are pirates like Jean LaFitte (who founded Galveston, Texas), Bluebeard, Blackbeard....just do a search for pirates on the internet! Wheeks! Carla, Apache and Remy (the Piggie Poos) From jannekestaaks at hotmail.com Sun Oct 12 08:57:55 2008 From: jannekestaaks at hotmail.com (Janneke Staaks) Date: Sun, 12 Oct 2008 14:57:55 +0200 Subject: [Gpdd] [SILLY] Message-ID: Message: 6Date: Fri, 10 Oct 2008 11:53:52 +0000From: M Fug Subject: [Gpdd] Silly; message to IgorTo: Cc: Janneke Message-ID: Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1" Fugly Buddy! I've finally caught up with my digests pfew.. I do intend to keep up now, if that slave of ours decides once more to move again this year...*mumblemumble* Ahem.. but anyways.. Are you sure my slave is not evil? You havent seen her during bath time.. or when she gets a hold of those scissors (my bum is almost bald again...and i was so close to having my locks greasy enough for more dreadlocks for captain Jack..) I must say i'm slightly disappointed, here i was hoping for antonio banderas, or Sayed from lost (in furry costumes ofcourse).. and then i get this computerised ugly thing..uneven eyes and everything.. how is he ever to play a convincing casanova, conquering the hearts of lovely mavis and edna??? But we should talk about our world domination plans.. I only remember the carrot beer hangover i had the morning after we made them.... *blush* Igor the not-so-Ignorant-anymore.. _________________________________________________________________ Jouw nieuws en entertainment, vind je op MSN.nl! http://nl.msn.com/ From rmalsberg at comcast.net Sun Oct 12 12:52:26 2008 From: rmalsberg at comcast.net (rmalsberg at comcast.net) Date: Sun, 12 Oct 2008 16:52:26 +0000 Subject: [Gpdd] MISC: Congratulations to Guiny, POTD Message-ID: <101220081652.13667.48F22B4A000E0134000035632216538496099D0A0D9C040E039D@comcast.net> Congratultions to Guiny, POTD, and her family of humans and piglets. What a cute piggy, and what a royal looking pigture of her on the site. Also, thanks for the link to Guinea Pig shoes for humans. They are adorable. Hope all are well.................loving thoughts to everyone and everypig. -- Wheeks, Rayna, Carmen and teenager Shakira Taffy, Sundae and Tosca in mem From pandameisje at gmail.com Sun Oct 12 16:20:36 2008 From: pandameisje at gmail.com (Mieke Staaks) Date: Sun, 12 Oct 2008 22:20:36 +0200 Subject: [Gpdd] health: V-shaped baldness: Chico is coming to stay with me! Message-ID: Hi all, I just asked the owner of our local rodent shelter If I was allowed to treat Chico at my place for his mites. And she said it's okay. So then I had to convince my boyfriend and he said it was okay, but only to stay with us to treat the mites... This will mean I will pick Chico and his friend Toby up tomorrow, and will start treatment. All keep your fingers crossed that my BF can cope with 5 guineas in the house and that the boys manage to enchant him just as much as they enchanted me... Any tips on how to treat him are still welcome, and should I treat Toby? He seems just fine and I do not see any signs of mites on him... One happy slave named Mikey and the Winky girls: Guiny, Dunya and Woopy -- pandameisje at gmail.com pandameisje at hotmail.com m.staaks at pecoma.nl Blog: http://pandameisje.hyves.nl kleding: http://mist-clothing.blogspot.com/ From labbatesms at comcast.net Sun Oct 12 18:59:44 2008 From: labbatesms at comcast.net (labbatesms at comcast.net) Date: Sun, 12 Oct 2008 22:59:44 +0000 Subject: [Gpdd] [SILLY] Guinea pig shoes Message-ID: <101220082259.10391.48F281600009F5A90000289722165486869C039C0A9B0E0D0D0E04@comcast.net> Mocha, Lily, and Felix's Auntie (honorary piggie slave) sent me this link for Keds guinea pig shoes for kids: http://www.zazzle.com/guinea_pig_keds_shoe_kedsshoe-167096567284619596 I can't believe someone (outside our guinea pig world, of course) came up with the idea to put a guinea pig on shoes!! Me and the 3 Little Pigs wheeked and shrieked with delight when we saw these shoes! -- Steph www.filmdvdreleases.com From labbatesms at comcast.net Sun Oct 12 19:43:02 2008 From: labbatesms at comcast.net (labbatesms at comcast.net) Date: Sun, 12 Oct 2008 23:43:02 +0000 Subject: [Gpdd] [SILLY] Who Wears the Pants: A Piggy Story Message-ID: <101220082343.28108.48F28B86000B469400006DCC22165258569C039C0A9B0E0D0D0E04@comcast.net> Hi all! I've haven't contributed to the Digest in SUCH a long time....I feel like I'm a newbie again. I do have 3 different piggies since the last time I wrote. I wanted to write about my Mocha -- she's an Abyssinian about 1 1/2 yrs old. A few times, I've put an old pair of my husbands walking shorts in Mocha's cage because she likes to lay down on them. Well, yesterday, I couldn't find her in the cage -- and the cage door was locked. So I carefully felt around UNDER the shorts and I didn't feel her. Then, I felt around IN the shorts -- there she was -- sleeping IN the shorts. She went in thru the waist and laid IN the shorts almost ALL afternoon. Later, she poked her head out of the one of the legs and was looking at her human daddy and me. She is the JUST the funniest!!!! -- Steph Mocha, Lily (the girls), and Felix (the studmuffin) From pandameisje at gmail.com Sun Oct 12 18:41:13 2008 From: pandameisje at gmail.com (Mieke Staaks) Date: Mon, 13 Oct 2008 00:41:13 +0200 Subject: [Gpdd] Silly: Guiny was Pet of the day!! (12th of October) Message-ID: Hi all, I just heard from Vanessa that Guiny is Pet of the day!! http://petoftheday.com/archive/2008/October/12.html That means extra veggies to to girls (and foster boys which I am picking up on monday!!) Thank you Vanessa for letting me know, of course I still remember you... Grtz Mikey, the double happy slave: 2 extra boys to care for (untill the mites go away) and a Pet of the day! -- pandameisje at gmail.com pandameisje at hotmail.com m.staaks at pecoma.nl Blog: http://pandameisje.hyves.nl kleding: http://mist-clothing.blogspot.com/ From Glynis at garnay.com.au Sun Oct 12 22:03:51 2008 From: Glynis at garnay.com.au (Glynis Robson) Date: Mon, 13 Oct 2008 13:03:51 +1100 Subject: [Gpdd] [ANNOUNCE] Rainbow Bridge - my darling Duke Message-ID: <1E79BEF045F13847938D188011CBF9230920A6@GARNAYSBS.garnayindustries.local> 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 p.s sorry for this being so long xx From Glynis at garnay.com.au Sun Oct 12 22:05:39 2008 From: Glynis at garnay.com.au (Glynis Robson) Date: Mon, 13 Oct 2008 13:05:39 +1100 Subject: [Gpdd] [ANNOUNCE] Congratulations Guiny Message-ID: <1E79BEF045F13847938D188011CBF9230920A7@GARNAYSBS.garnayindustries.local> PET OF THE DAY xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx Mikey i'm just thrilled for you and Guiny and the rest of the Winky Team xxxxxxxxxxxxx Love Glynis the devastated granny slave (in mem Sully and Duke) xxxx From aliciavanmaanen at hotmail.com Sun Oct 12 22:52:52 2008 From: aliciavanmaanen at hotmail.com (Alicia VanMaanen) Date: Sun, 12 Oct 2008 22:52:52 -0400 Subject: [Gpdd] Announcement: Secret Santa Coming Soon! Message-ID: I know it's only October but before we know it the time will be upon us once again. I am willing to once again head up the Annual Guinea Pig Gift Exchange/Card Exchange. For those of you new to the digest this is something we plan every year. It's a secret Santa thing and it's tons of fun for everyone involved. So if you would like to participate this year please email me the following information at aliciavanmaanen at hotmail.com Slave name: Slave mailing address: Piggies Names: Slaves email address to contact you if questions and with your secret Santa piggie later! *very important to have (If you have many piggies and wish to group them up let me know and I will pair them up with another group of piggies. You can do this as one pig or more than one pig just let me know if you wish to mail to have your multiple piggies pairs up individual or as a group.) I will start compiling the list and in the first week of November I will send your secret Santa info to you then. That way you will have about a month to get your stuff together and mailed to your secret Santa piggie in time for Christmas. Also, if you wish to just be paired up with someone to mail Christmas cards to instead of gifts than send me the above information and let me know that you just wish to exchange cards which is fine too. Thanks and have an awesome week, Alica slave to Sailor Willie and Squeakers _________________________________________________________________ See how Windows Mobile brings your life together?at home, work, or on the go. http://clk.atdmt.com/MRT/go/msnnkwxp1020093182mrt/direct/01/ From momcat1000 at yahoo.com Sun Oct 12 23:59:27 2008 From: momcat1000 at yahoo.com (joan fagalde) Date: Sun, 12 Oct 2008 20:59:27 -0700 (PDT) Subject: [Gpdd] [ANNOUNCE] Rainbow Bridge darling Duke In-Reply-To: <1E79BEF045F13847938D188011CBF9230920A6@GARNAYSBS.garnayindustries.local> Message-ID: <295271.72011.qm@web39505.mail.mud.yahoo.com> I'm so sorry Glynis.? I haven't posted to the Digest in a long time but felt I just had to about your news.? Duke was just such a special piggy and I felt as though I knew him from your writings and stories.? It was very strange this morning when I was giving Lady Bug her meds.? I gave her her first one then took a few moments break before her next one and told her that Duke had passed.? Right after I said that she buried her head in the towel I had her wrapped in.? I'm sure it was coincidence but the timing was perfect enough to make me wonder if she remembered his name and all the times I'd read to her about the Olympigs and Pignicks and what they were "doing" while together. ? I'm sure many of us will miss Duke and your stories.? He was such a darling brave little man.? I hope he and Sully are chasing each other and swapping stories about what a great piggy momma you are.? Do you think he's finally learned to like corn husks? : ) ? Joan/Lady Bug From jocelynm at umich.edu Mon Oct 13 08:52:43 2008 From: jocelynm at umich.edu (Anderson, Jocelyn M) Date: Mon, 13 Oct 2008 08:52:43 -0400 Subject: [Gpdd] [HEALTH] Fireball Losing Weight Message-ID: Hello All, I recently posted about Fireball's mystery squeaking - thanks for all the advice! I bought a plush white towel for Fireball and saw he's pooing fine and peeing without any blood. A few days later I took him in to the vet for his teeth trimming and decided to have him weighted. He was down to 927 grams from 940 a few weeks ago! Luckily the vet had a cancelation and Fireball was able to get in right away. She didn't find anything wrong. She did bring up cancer because he's slowing losing weight over the last few months (he was 1140 in May when his teeth problems were bad), but she couldn't find any lumps (whew.) She suggested if Fireball goes down to the 800s that we should do bloodwork, and if that doesn't show anything, x-rays. Is there anything I can do to plump him back up? He's eating fine, he's just not putting on the ounces. In happier news, yesterday Fireball posed for a Halloween picture: http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3012/2936598430_b84d27c9bc_o.jpg . He's a mariachi band member! Jocelyn, Little John, Fireball the Fat, and Flashbang Fatbottom From mfug at live.co.uk Mon Oct 13 07:51:07 2008 From: mfug at live.co.uk (M Fug) Date: Mon, 13 Oct 2008 11:51:07 +0000 Subject: [Gpdd] announcement: Guiny Message-ID: Congratulations to Guiny on being Pet of the Day, that is a very lovely pigture of a piggy who knows how to keep her slaves under control. M Fugly sends special wheeks of celebration _________________________________________________________________ Get all your favourite content with the slick new MSN Toolbar - FREE http://clk.atdmt.com/UKM/go/111354027/direct/01/ From pals4pets at cheerful.com Mon Oct 13 06:05:32 2008 From: pals4pets at cheerful.com (Debbie Jones) Date: Mon, 13 Oct 2008 05:05:32 -0500 Subject: [Gpdd] [HEALTH] V-shaped bald patch Message-ID: <20081013100532.E74691059C@ws1-3.us4.outblaze.com> I remember my lop-eared rabbit developing exactly the same V shaped baldness around her shoulders/back. Several rabbit-savvy people (on the Internet, of course!) suggested to me that this was a classic sign of a parasitical infestation, though I cannot for the life of me remember whether it was mites or lice. The V is caused by the limit of reach of the animal's claws when it is scratching itself. In Bisou's case, the solution was to use "Spot-On" on the back of her neck, but I don't think this can be used with guinea pigs (I stand to be corrected)? I think you would need to treat with Ivermectin; the rodentologists from Cavies Castle gave me enough of this to treat all my piggies regularly, just 2 drops at a time by mouth. But I have no idea of the strength of the solution used, so you would have to ask your vet's advice. There is also VetSect shampoo, but I don't know whether you can get this in mainland Europe - I bring mine over from the UK! I think you are going to adopt these two boys - take it from someone who has been slave to 22 piggies at one time - there is really very little difference between 3 and 5, particularly if the new boys share just one cage ...!! Good luck Debbie (slave to 10 Dolly Mixtures) "We patronize them for their incompleteness, for their tragic fate of having taken a form so far below ourselves. And therein we err, and greatly err. For the animal shall not be measured by man. In a world older and more complete than ours they move finished and complete, gifted with extensions of the senses we have lost or never attained, living by voices we shall never hear. They are not brethren, they are not underlings; they are other nations, caught with ourselves in the net of life and time, fellow prisoners of the splendour and travail of the earth". Henry Beston -- Be Yourself @ mail.com! Choose From 200+ Email Addresses Get a Free Account at www.mail.com From piggyfriends at tesco.net Mon Oct 13 08:45:43 2008 From: piggyfriends at tesco.net (Penny Charlesworth) Date: Mon, 13 Oct 2008 13:45:43 +0100 Subject: [Gpdd] HEALTH V-shaped baldness Message-ID: <95C230FFDC674D02A2D988E581163525@inspiron1150> Hello Mikey, I've just returned home from our holiday and have an overflowing Inbox to deal with so I'll start with your post. Got to start somewhere. Your boars, Chico and Toby sound adorable and I do hope that your boyfriend will let you keep them. I didn't know that he was allergic to piggies as he seems to cope with the Winky Girls OK. The V-shaped pattern in the coat is caused by the piggy trying to scratch at an irritation, either by reaching behind with his teeth or using his little back legs. The place where the V forms is as far as he can reach either way so the coat is worn away on both sides equally. The problem could be mites or any other parasite in the coat. You will not see any mites because they burrow in the skin but with good eyesight or a magnifying lens you might see tiny bugs in the coat. I would treat them both for mites anyway but first check that the rescue has not done this already as you need to wait 14 days between doses of Ivomec, which will clear these up. Also give them both a bath in an anti parasite/fungus shampoo. I use Vet-Sect for this but I don't know what you have available in the Netherlands, apart from Gorgeous Guineas. If you can buy Vet-Sect, this is good for clearing up all kinds of skin problems and is very safe for piggies. Congratulations to Guiny for being Pet of the Day. From Kacee.Conklin at HCAHealthcare.com Mon Oct 13 13:21:57 2008 From: Kacee.Conklin at HCAHealthcare.com (Conklin Kacee) Date: Mon, 13 Oct 2008 12:21:57 -0500 Subject: [Gpdd] BRIDGE: Kacee In-Reply-To: References: Message-ID: My sweet Kadee went to the Bridge today. Kadee was a brown and white teddy (rex) that I adopted from a rescue when she was about 6 months old. She has had trouble keeping on weight in spite of feeding her baby food carrots and Critical Care in addition to her regular food. Although she had lost weight, she was an active piggy. She ate well yesterday morning but seemed a little "funky" last night. This morning she was facing the corner of her cage instead of being out begging for breakfast. I didn't think I'd be able to even get her to the vet in time for him to even try to do something for her but she did make it there. In spite of his efforts, she went to the Bridge. Run free at the Bridge. I will miss that sweet little face of yours. Kacee From piggyfriends at tesco.net Mon Oct 13 13:27:42 2008 From: piggyfriends at tesco.net (Penny Charlesworth) Date: Mon, 13 Oct 2008 18:27:42 +0100 Subject: [Gpdd] HEALTH I need some advice Message-ID: <18EC4BC9E7BF4CEA91F0F614B596FDA7@inspiron1150> Trying to catch up on some Digest posts whilst cooking the dinner, I have just read the one about Josephine Piggy, who is 6 years old. I'm sure that there have been lots of replies to this but thought I would add mine even though I'm a bit late. I have found that some elderly piggies do sit around in one spot whereas others still run around. A bit like people really. Some do tend to lose weight as they age and become quite bony, even though they are eating well. My Diamond was sitting around a lot and my Rodentologists found that she had arthritis, for which I am giving her Potter's Tabritis tablets ( unlikely to be available outside the UK ). After the first dose ( half a tablet, dissolved in a little water ), she returned to her usual activities and now runs laps around her pen. Maybe Josephine's joints are a bit stiff with age? It comes to us all. She may need some painkiller, just as we would. With elderly ones that don't move much, I always give them some VetBed to sit on so that they don't become wet underneath or get urine scald. It is warm and cosy too. Some elderly piggies develop a runny eye. The water forms crystals under the eye and this may be what is happening to Josephine. Some cocoa butter applied to the crusty places will dissolve the crystals, which can cause the skin underneath to burn and become uncomfortable. I have some from Gorgeous Guineas but the regular kind from the pharmacy will do the job. Don't get it in the eye. As long as an elderly piggy is still enjoying their food and cuddles, I believe that there is enough quality of life for them to be happy. Hope that this is of some help, Penny and the Piggyfriends. From suzy at dunser.com Mon Oct 13 13:57:57 2008 From: suzy at dunser.com (=?ISO-8859-1?Q?Suzy_D=FCnser?=) Date: Tue, 14 Oct 2008 06:57:57 +1300 Subject: [Gpdd] Rainbow Bridge - Duke Message-ID: <21D1AA20-A65D-448F-AB4C-F101B3C532A0@dunser.com> Hi Glynis, I haven't posted much lately (crazy life at the moment), but I do read the digests when I can, and I've been following little Duke's latest battle. I did wonder how long he was going to hold out... I was so sorry to read that he's gone to the Bridge. At least you had a perfect last day with him, and if there was ever a piggie who knew he was loved and was cared for perfectly, it was Duke. Now at the Bridge he will have perfect teeth, and run and munch all the grass his heart desires - with Sully, who he's missed so much. Glynis, you always wrote the most supportive e-mails to me, and everyone who needed a boost, either worrying about an ailing piggie or grieving after one went to the bridge. I also loved it that there was at least one other person on the Digest Down Under! I don't know from what you wrote if there will be another piggie in your future, but in any case I hope your happy memories of Duke help you get through this tough time. ((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((HUGE HUGS)))))))))))))))))))))))))))) from me and Rocky. Suzy, with Rocky, and Cocoa in our hearts From Kacee.Conklin at HCAHealthcare.com Mon Oct 13 14:00:22 2008 From: Kacee.Conklin at HCAHealthcare.com (Conklin Kacee) Date: Mon, 13 Oct 2008 13:00:22 -0500 Subject: [Gpdd] BRIDGE: Kadee In-Reply-To: References: Message-ID: Can you correct the heading on my email. It should say Kadee not Kacee. Kacee From dukejan1 at aol.com Mon Oct 13 14:57:10 2008 From: dukejan1 at aol.com (dukejan1 at aol.com) Date: Mon, 13 Oct 2008 14:57:10 -0400 Subject: [Gpdd] Rainbow Bridge: Condolences on Duke's Crossing Message-ID: <8CAFB7CA17C8A29-264-142A@WEBMAIL-DY32.sysops.aol.com> Glynis, I was so sorry to learn that Duke had crossed the Bridge.? I so enjoyed his many adventures and will miss reading about him on the Digest.? Run free dear Duke--no more teeth problems or pneumonia.? I'm sure Duke is having a grand time?playing with Sully as I write this, but the Digest won't be the same.... Janet From dukejan1 at aol.com Mon Oct 13 14:58:31 2008 From: dukejan1 at aol.com (dukejan1 at aol.com) Date: Mon, 13 Oct 2008 14:58:31 -0400 Subject: [Gpdd] Misc: Congrats to Guiny Message-ID: <8CAFB7CD1F89C65-264-1442@WEBMAIL-DY32.sysops.aol.com> Congratulations on being POTD, Guiny.? You are one beautiful piggie, that's for sure. Lily, Isabel, Luke, and slave Janet From dukejan1 at aol.com Mon Oct 13 15:04:52 2008 From: dukejan1 at aol.com (dukejan1 at aol.com) Date: Mon, 13 Oct 2008 15:04:52 -0400 Subject: [Gpdd] Misc: Fireball's Photo Message-ID: <8CAFB7DB5345C2B-264-14DD@WEBMAIL-DY32.sysops.aol.com> Fireball,? Whee hope you are feeling better and that your weight loss is simply because you are getting older.? Seems weight loss is part of aging for us piggies.? Our slave doesn't have any other ideas why you should be losing weight with no other symptoms.? But whee wanted to tell you that we think your photo is fantastic and that you look great! Isabel, Lily, Luke and slave Janet From piggyfriends at tesco.net Mon Oct 13 15:10:06 2008 From: piggyfriends at tesco.net (Penny Charlesworth) Date: Mon, 13 Oct 2008 20:10:06 +0100 Subject: [Gpdd] MISC Condolences for Zebra Dolly Mixture Message-ID: <7FAF9DE377E54866B5F9C0D984887145@inspiron1150> Dear Debbie, I have only just read your very sad post about Zebra's sudden departure for the Bridge. I am so sorry that another of the Dolly Mixtures has left you. >From your description of Zebra, with his sunken eyes, I do not believe that he could have been saved, even with the best vet in the world. I'm sorry that you had to be away when it happened but he will have known how much you loved and cared for him. It is good to have Chris's advice on the phone or by text, even if visiting Cavies' Castle is so difficult for you. Poor Scrabble, to have lost another friend. I hope that he might be able to pair up with Scoot. All piggies need a friend or two. With our most sincere condolences on yet another sad loss. R.I.P. little Zebra. Penny and the Piggyfriends. From lsdmg at hotmail.com Mon Oct 13 15:37:20 2008 From: lsdmg at hotmail.com (Donna Grant) Date: Mon, 13 Oct 2008 20:37:20 +0100 Subject: [Gpdd] [BEHAVIOUR] Marmite is aggressive Message-ID: Hi all, I've been trying hard with the introductions of Marmite and Jessica (both 10 months and fully grown) to Abby (4 1/2 years) which hasn't been going well. Marmite keeps chasing and ripping out chunks of Abby's hair out, she tried to do it to Jessica too but can't get hold as Jessica is smooth haired whereas Abby is an Abby! I even tried bathing Abby and Marmite together but as soon as they had completely dried off the fighting starting again. Abby and Jessica get on well but Abby and Marmite are a disaster. I tried putting them in enclosure with a divider in the middle so they could see each other but as soon as Marmite realised Abby was around she started to chase and bite Jessica! So basically Marmite gets aggressive when she knows there is another guinea pig besides Jessica around. I find it strange as Marmite will happily get along with Jessica if they are the only 2 around. At the moment Abby and Jessica are playing together and Marmite is on her own. Everytime Abby gets near the divider Marmite goes wild. This could get difficult because I bought the C&C materials in the hope that they would eventually get on and if not they could live divided. The only problem is will Jessica suffer if Marmite gets over aggressive over Abby being around? How can I help them work it out? Thanks, Donna, Abby, Marmite and Jessica _________________________________________________________________ Get all your favourite content with the slick new MSN Toolbar - FREE http://clk.atdmt.com/UKM/go/111354027/direct/01/ From jannekestaaks at hotmail.com Mon Oct 13 16:53:21 2008 From: jannekestaaks at hotmail.com (Janneke Staaks) Date: Mon, 13 Oct 2008 22:53:21 +0200 Subject: [Gpdd] [MISC] Message-ID: Dear Friends, We are gathered here today (online..) to remember our buddy Duke. Duke was a fine pig, he was very charming, always wearing his tuxedo, always offering good advise to us young boars and trying to keep us out of trouble. Duke had an awsome rumblestrut. I'll never forget when he got on stage with us in the grand finale of the cavaret. He sure impressed the girls, lady bug most of all ofcourse. When duke spoke about his granny he'd always have this special sparkle in his eyes. He was so proud of her, she took such good care of him, getting up in the middle of the night and driving through Oz to get his toofies trimmed. When we all visited for his birthday she worked really hard at keeping us all comfortable and whenever we told him how impressed we were, he would just smile and say "that's my Granny". Duke Buddy, say hello to all of our friends at the bridge. I'm happy that you now will always have perfect toofies and are able to eat whatever you like and run around like a young pig again. I'm sure sully will be there waiting for you. Say hi to Jan the Boar from us. I will remember all the wise lessons you taught me and try (really!!) to be a better behaved pig. We'll miss you... Igor _________________________________________________________________ Probeer Live Search: de zoekmachine van de makers van MSN! http://www.live.com/?searchOnly=true From autumnocean at myway.com Mon Oct 13 16:02:46 2008 From: autumnocean at myway.com (Patty Neubauer) Date: Mon, 13 Oct 2008 16:02:46 -0400 Subject: [Gpdd] Rainbow Bridge - Duke Message-ID: <20081013160246.6855@web002.roc2.bluetie.com> I havn't posted in quite a while as all my piggies are over the bridge, but I had to post to let Glynis know how sad I was to hear that little Duke has gone to the bridge.? You were the best Granny a guinea pig could have ever asked for and I know Duke loved you so much.? I cried when I read how he cuddled with you in the end and said his last goodbye.Run free Little Duke!? Find your mate Sully and tell him all about how Granny took such good care of you right to the end!Glynis a big hug to you!? I know how hard it is to lose a little furbaby.? Remember all the good times with him and know that he will be waiting for you at the bridge.HugsPatty (Stripe, Pixie, Nibbles and Mandee all waiting for me at the bridge) ------------------------------------------------------------ Spy Camera Get the shot you need with a discreet new spy camera. Click now! http://216.21.215.31/fc/JkJQPThR77CXk058cDXc5YIrxen7CKaT3pQlKRJqgCajr9zNN7oRTx/ From piggyfriends at tesco.net Mon Oct 13 17:48:40 2008 From: piggyfriends at tesco.net (Penny Charlesworth) Date: Mon, 13 Oct 2008 22:48:40 +0100 Subject: [Gpdd] HEALTH Doris Message-ID: <8B81B99662CC41119F3A5DE9A9F25AF6@inspiron1150> Pat, Poor Doris, still suffering with cystitis after all this time and poor you, damaging your eye. I hope that you are recovering. It is a shame that the barley water has not helped clear up Doris's problem. I've been searching through my old mail to see what else I might have suggested for her but to no avail. I must have had a clear out. Have I mentioned trying the ladies' cystitis remedy that can be bought at the pharmacy ( at least here in England )? There are lots of different products but the one that I have used is called Cymalon. They are all based on Sodium Citrate. It comes in a 6 sachet pack, which is one complete treatment for a human. For a piggy, you need to dilute 1/4 sachet in an eggcup of water and syringe it in over the course of 2 days. You could try this when the antibiotics are over. If I've told you this before, kindly disregard all of the above. I know that I have posted about these remedies before but can't remember if it was in connection with Doris. Give Doris a hug from us all, Penny and the Piggyfriends. From Algernon07 at aol.com Mon Oct 13 20:22:38 2008 From: Algernon07 at aol.com (Algernon07 at aol.com) Date: Mon, 13 Oct 2008 20:22:38 EDT Subject: [Gpdd] Announce: Guiny/Pet of he Day Message-ID: Hey there Guiny, Congratulations on being the Pet of the Day. That sure is a good pigture of you. What a darling little face, milady; every little whisker shows. I can even tell that you've had a recent pedicure. Exciting, with a bow to you, Captain Jack ************** New MapQuest Local shows what's happening at your destination. Dining, Movies, Events, News & more. Try it out (http://local.mapquest.com/?ncid=emlcntnew00000002) From Algernon07 at aol.com Mon Oct 13 20:39:07 2008 From: Algernon07 at aol.com (Algernon07 at aol.com) Date: Mon, 13 Oct 2008 20:39:07 EDT Subject: [Gpdd] Announce: Guiny -- mistake in closing Message-ID: My Dearest Guiny, I'm certain that you are most exciting to be around, but I really meant to say, "exiting, with a bow to you." :) I wanted to create in your mind an image of me bowing low and sweeping my hat in front of me, all very gallantly in a gesture of homage to you. Even Pirates have good manners. Oh, and did you know about the loss of my dreadlocks? Igor was growing them for me and Yaya was going to make them up on a pirate scarf head so I'd have a proper Captain Jack look. I guess they're gone now. How sad. Igor even said that they were near to being right for me. And poor Igor after seeing trailers of the movie. That's some other Igor, not ours!! Capt'n Jack ************** New MapQuest Local shows what's happening at your destination. Dining, Movies, Events, News & more. Try it out (http://local.mapquest.com/?ncid=emlcntnew00000002) From Algernon07 at aol.com Mon Oct 13 21:49:05 2008 From: Algernon07 at aol.com (Algernon07 at aol.com) Date: Mon, 13 Oct 2008 21:49:05 EDT Subject: [Gpdd] BRIDGE: Duke / RIP dear little prince Message-ID: Dear Dear Glynis, Although I already knew that you had finally lost Duke to the Bridge, I cried as I read your post and am sniffling still. From one of your last posts I didn't see how the little guy could pull out of this one. But he had such spirit. And your devotion was so complete. Ah, the two of you have been through so much over recent years. I remember when Sully went to the Bridge. I didn't realize that you already had Duke and that they were brothers. I thought that Duke was a new piggy then. Too bad that you couldn't get him a new friend then but the two of you certainly bonded. Your tribute to Duke was so touching. How will the Lady Bug handle this? I so well remember how he escorted her to the various virtual events, ever and always so attentive to her. He was definitely a personality that none will forget. I still haven't recovered from the loss of Chester then Charlie, not to mention the others, so I know how empty your heart and arms feel, Glynis. I'm so very sorry that little Duke had to be plagued with so many health problems. It is a tribute to his spirit, your love and commitment to his health that allowed him to reach the age of six. Do you think maybe the RV swung by OZ and picked him up? He is where he will be healthy, whole and with no suffering now, running through never-ending filed as grasses and clover and all kinds of greens, plus an unending of the best of fruit and veggie treats. Bye bye little Duke, all of us will miss you. And may you feel some comfort, even while you're grieving, Glynis. Deepest sympathy, Alge and the Pirates ************** New MapQuest Local shows what's happening at your destination. Dining, Movies, Events, News & more. Try it out (http://local.mapquest.com/?ncid=emlcntnew00000002) From Algernon07 at aol.com Mon Oct 13 22:09:06 2008 From: Algernon07 at aol.com (Algernon07 at aol.com) Date: Mon, 13 Oct 2008 22:09:06 EDT Subject: [Gpdd] Health: Fireball Message-ID: Jocelyn, Love the pigture. Fireball is just about the same color as Captain Jack and has what looks like the same slight coarseness of fur. The picture really is great! Mariachi band member, huh? I'm convinced. As for weight loss, I don't think you want to hear my experience. A vitamin C deficiency is always a possibility unless he's taking extra C. Some piggies seem to need more than others. As for my experience, Little Wilson slowly lost weight and no matter what I did there was no turning it around. Do you have him on critical care? Then there's always the PLAIN canned pumpkin into which you can mix with other things. Not much help, am I? Maybe someone else can offer some other ideas. Good luck to the both of you. Alge and the Pirate Crew ************** New MapQuest Local shows what's happening at your destination. Dining, Movies, Events, News & more. Try it out (http://local.mapquest.com/?ncid=emlcntnew00000002) From momcat1000 at yahoo.com Mon Oct 13 23:01:12 2008 From: momcat1000 at yahoo.com (joan fagalde) Date: Mon, 13 Oct 2008 20:01:12 -0700 (PDT) Subject: [Gpdd] Rainbow Bridge:'Till we meet again my Duke Message-ID: <454086.50657.qm@web39501.mail.mud.yahoo.com> My Darling Duke.? My momma told me yesterday morning that you had listened to the siren sounds from the Bridge and decided to follow them.? I hid my head in my towel to give myself a chance to recover my composure. ? I want you to know that I understand completely why you left.? At the camping trip to the Piggyfriends I could hear the tiredness in your voice and sense it in the way you moved.? We talked about how tired you were and tired of all the pain also.? I selfishly asked you to stay, you said you would, and kept your promise.? Sadly, there were no other opportunities to actually?be with?you again. ? You talked so much about your Granny and how much you loved her and how she was always there during the bad times.? You didn't think she would understand if you left but I told you I was sure she would.? She loved you far too much to see you suffer again and again.? My momma tells me you left us all like the gentleman you were.? Quietly and softly. ? That is how I will always remember you-a perfect gentleman.? I will miss your gentleness when with me, our cuddles.? I never had to worry you were laughing at me because of my blindness or playing tricks on me that I didn't know about.? The younger kids will also miss your influence in our get togethers.? I'm not ready to leave yet but when I am, I hope you will remember me and greet me.? It will be good to see you and Duke and the Piggyfriends who are with you now as well as all the others when it is time. ? Good by my Dearest until later. ? Your Lady Bug From Glynis at garnay.com.au Mon Oct 13 22:34:20 2008 From: Glynis at garnay.com.au (Glynis Robson) Date: Tue, 14 Oct 2008 13:34:20 +1100 Subject: [Gpdd] BRIDGE: Kacee Message-ID: <1E79BEF045F13847938D188011CBF9230920AD@GARNAYSBS.garnayindustries.local> Oh nooooooooooooo :o( Kacee you did say she was struggling in the email you sent me........ All my love for you and the greiving Munchees xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx Xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx I'm sure our two little darlings will have held paws when they crossed to the bridge, as Dukey knew all the Munchees and loved them dearly xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx I know how hard you tried.........you always give it your absolute best love, I'm sitting here sobbing my heart out for you all, Love Glynis (in mem Sully and Duke) xxxx -----Original Message----- From: Conklin Kacee [mailto:Kacee.Conklin at HCAHealthcare.com] Sent: Tuesday, 14 October 2008 4:22 AM To: gpdd at gpdd.org Cc: Glynis Robson Subject: BRIDGE: Kacee My sweet Kadee went to the Bridge today. Kadee was a brown and white teddy (rex) that I adopted from a rescue when she was about 6 months old. She has had trouble keeping on weight in spite of feeding her baby food carrots and Critical Care in addition to her regular food. Although she had lost weight, she was an active piggy. She ate well yesterday morning but seemed a little "funky" last night. This morning she was facing the corner of her cage instead of being out begging for breakfast. I didn't think I'd be able to even get her to the vet in time for him to even try to do something for her but she did make it there. In spite of his efforts, she went to the Bridge. Run free at the Bridge. I will miss that sweet little face of yours. Kacee From Algernon07 at aol.com Tue Oct 14 00:30:22 2008 From: Algernon07 at aol.com (Algernon07 at aol.com) Date: Tue, 14 Oct 2008 00:30:22 EDT Subject: [Gpdd] Bridge: Kadee Message-ID: Kacee, I felt so bad when I read about your little Kadee. How old was she? She sounds adorable. I have a special spot for rex piggies. Did the vet have to help her to the Bridge or did she go on her own? Losing one of these little one is so heart breaking though she will indeed live forever in your heart. Again, I'm so sorry for your loss. With deepest sympathy, Alge and the Pirate Crew ************** New MapQuest Local shows what's happening at your destination. Dining, Movies, Events, News & more. Try it out (http://local.mapquest.com/?ncid=emlcntnew00000002) From ebak at ca.inter.net Tue Oct 14 01:16:55 2008 From: ebak at ca.inter.net (Evelyn Baker) Date: Tue, 14 Oct 2008 01:16:55 -0400 Subject: [Gpdd] [Health] Fireball Loosing Weight Message-ID: <21294B2E-0107-49F1-BA31-060658971F73@ca.inter.net> Certain foods are richer and more fattening than others. However, the ones high in sugar content can also not be good for guinea pigs, like corn. When Phoebe's weight went down I used to make balls of Critical Care and feed that to her and it helped and she loved it, being healthy. Mix up Critical Care with water into a thick paste, roll it into a ball. If it's too thin, let it sit. It will thicken up. I always added a touch more water so that it would be moist and let it sit until it was thickened and roll. My guinea pigs loved it as a treat and it's good for them. Evelyn From mfug at live.co.uk Tue Oct 14 05:42:33 2008 From: mfug at live.co.uk (M Fug) Date: Tue, 14 Oct 2008 09:42:33 +0000 Subject: [Gpdd] Rainbow Bridge; Duke Message-ID: Duke I think Igor put it beautifully we are all here on the digest remembering our great buddy and the fantastic times we had together, who could forget partying in Oz, the Cavaret and camp Piggyfriends, all made that much better coz our friend Duke was with us. You will always have a place in our memories and like you asked we promise to keep an eye on your Granny and make sure she doesnt get too sad, and if she is lonely we will be her virtual piggies. Mummy says look for Bubbles when you get there coz he would love a new friend and of course you are now with your brother Sully. Enjoy your playing and remember when the time is right Granny will come and find you. Granny Glynis here are some nose rubs and a big leg stretched out cuddle for you, Duke always said you were the best Granny a piggy could have. Fugly the folorn _________________________________________________________________ Discover Bird's Eye View now with Multimap from Live Search http://clk.atdmt.com/UKM/go/111354026/direct/01/ From piggyfriends at tesco.net Tue Oct 14 11:25:56 2008 From: piggyfriends at tesco.net (Penny Charlesworth) Date: Tue, 14 Oct 2008 16:25:56 +0100 Subject: [Gpdd] RAINBOW BRIDGE Satin Piggyfriend Message-ID: <597BFA36014A4C28BF0EB36A39326221@inspiron1150> 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. From piggyfriends at tesco.net Tue Oct 14 11:26:54 2008 From: piggyfriends at tesco.net (Penny Charlesworth) Date: Tue, 14 Oct 2008 16:26:54 +0100 Subject: [Gpdd] MISC Goodbye Duke Message-ID: <1F79059B68BF4189A7B3EC25ADC8AE89@inspiron1150> On behalf of all the Piggyfriends, it falls to me, Gulliver, to send a fond farewell to our dear friend and best buddy, Duke. We will always remember the fun we had at the PigOlympigs, when you escorted our friend, Lady Bug. We all had a wonderful time in Oz, when your slave made us all so welcome and we were so glad that you were able to come to Camp Piggyfriends this summer. We wish that it could happen all over again. We know that your Granny slave will be so very sad without you so we will do our piggy best to cheer her up. We are sure that by now you have met up with dear Sully and all the Piggyfriends past will be there to greet you. You may not know that we lost our friend Satin recently so please look out for her and tell her that we miss her too. We promise to be extra kind to Lady Bug, as she is going to miss you so much. Thank you dear Duke for being our friend. Enjoy the grass and clover at the Rainbow Bridge without having toofie problems any more. Until we all meet up again. Hugs from us all to Glynis, World's Best Slave. We salute you and award you the Piggyfriend Medal of Honour for your amazing care of our dearest Duke. No piggy could have been tended with more selfless devotion. Gulliver, very sadly, on behalf of all the Piggyfriends. xxxxxxxx((((HUGS)))) ( and slave Penny ) From mfug at live.co.uk Tue Oct 14 12:22:20 2008 From: mfug at live.co.uk (M Fug) Date: Tue, 14 Oct 2008 16:22:20 +0000 Subject: [Gpdd] Rainbow Bridge; Kadee Message-ID: Kacee and the remaining Munchies we are so sorry that precious little Kadee has gone to the bridge, I am sure Kadee is watching over you glad to have shared her time with you all. My heart goes out to you all Love M _________________________________________________________________ Discover Bird's Eye View now with Multimap from Live Search http://clk.atdmt.com/UKM/go/111354026/direct/01/ From mfug at live.co.uk Tue Oct 14 12:25:12 2008 From: mfug at live.co.uk (M Fug) Date: Tue, 14 Oct 2008 16:25:12 +0000 Subject: [Gpdd] Rainbow Bridge; Satin Message-ID: Penny and the ever increasing Piggyfriends, I am so sorry that Satin has crossed the bridge, but wow she made it to 6 with no signs of OD which is fantastic. She sounds like a wonderful cuddle pig and I know she will be much missed. Run free at the rainbow bridge Satin, where there is no such thing as OD. Love M _________________________________________________________________ Make a mini you and download it into Windows Live Messenger http://clk.atdmt.com/UKM/go/111354029/direct/01/ From piggyfriends at tesco.net Tue Oct 14 13:38:54 2008 From: piggyfriends at tesco.net (Penny Charlesworth) Date: Tue, 14 Oct 2008 18:38:54 +0100 Subject: [Gpdd] MISC Condolences for Kadee Message-ID: Kacee, I am so very sorry that Kadee has left you for the Bridge. She was very lucky to have been one of the much-loved Munchees and I know how much you will grieve for her. With our most sincere condolences and hugs all round, Penny and the Piggyfriends. From KSkosich at msn.com Tue Oct 14 15:47:35 2008 From: KSkosich at msn.com (J D) Date: Tue, 14 Oct 2008 13:47:35 -0600 Subject: [Gpdd] rainbow bridge: to Glynis re: Duke Message-ID: Glynis, I am so sorry to read about your loss of Duke. He certainly had a wonderful life with you, with his custom-built house, a buddy to hang out with and lots of attention and treats. I am sure everyone on the Digest is sharing your sadness. Let's hope that all the nice memories will comfort you until you see your little guy at the Rainbow Bridge one day. In sympathy, Kathy From dawndastricklen at yahoo.com Tue Oct 14 19:54:41 2008 From: dawndastricklen at yahoo.com (Dawnda Stricklen) Date: Tue, 14 Oct 2008 16:54:41 -0700 (PDT) Subject: [Gpdd] Rainbow bridge Message-ID: <205448.16245.qm@web52302.mail.re2.yahoo.com> Hello everyone I would like to send my condolences for the loss of Duke, Kadee, and Satin Piggyfriend. They all leave too soon even if they are old age for a guinea pig. The slaves are all in my prayers. Dawnda Stricklen http://dawndasticklen.tripod.com/ http://www.pigs9.blinkz.com From rzm.2 at juno.com Tue Oct 14 19:44:01 2008 From: rzm.2 at juno.com (Jaime) Date: Tue, 14 Oct 2008 23:44:01 GMT Subject: [Gpdd] MISC- condolences Message-ID: <20081014.164401.6275.0@webmail19.dca.untd.com> Kacee I'm sorry to hear Kadee went to the bridge. My thoughts & prayers are with you & your family. ~Jaime, Mimi & Daisy~ ~Molly, Radar & Albert always in our hearts~ http://piggiepages001.blogspot.com/ ____________________________________________________________ Click to become a master chef, own a restaurant and make millions. http://thirdpartyoffers.juno.com/TGL2141/fc/Ioyw6i3m4pCggcP47fFzTR3yNDnGQ0yF2Vm5ObHMqpxiK22K4VWgFg/ From rzm.2 at juno.com Tue Oct 14 20:25:47 2008 From: rzm.2 at juno.com (Jaime) Date: Wed, 15 Oct 2008 00:25:47 GMT Subject: [Gpdd] MISC- condolences Message-ID: <20081014.172547.6275.2@webmail19.dca.untd.com> Penny- I'm very sorry to hear about Satin. She was very beautiful. My thoughts & prayers are with you & your family. ~Jaime, Mimi & Daisy~ ~Molly, Radar & Albert always in our hearts~ http://piggiepages001.blogspot.com/ ____________________________________________________________ Click to book your dream cruise. http://thirdpartyoffers.juno.com/TGL2141/fc/Ioyw6i3nL6YACLKC7QsVsSoyFsPWocfaaHRnXSxcKqXXEDsatGk1pU/ From Glynis at garnay.com.au Tue Oct 14 22:11:32 2008 From: Glynis at garnay.com.au (Glynis Robson) Date: Wed, 15 Oct 2008 13:11:32 +1100 Subject: [Gpdd] [ANNOUNCE] Condolences for Satin Message-ID: <1E79BEF045F13847938D188011CBF9230920C2@GARNAYSBS.garnayindustries.local> Oh Penny i'm so sorry to hear about little Satin, dear sweet girl :o( RIP Satin run free at the bridge, you'll be sadly missed by your slave and the PiggyFriends, but NEVER forgotten xxxxx ((((((((((((((((((HUGS)))))))))))))))))))))))) and lots of cuddles from me xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx Too many of our precious bundles have travelled just recently, i'm sure that Satin is playing with Ping and Truffle, Sully, Kadee and our other little treasures, have fun piggies. Love Glynis (in mem Sully and Duke) xxxx From dogcatpiggymom at yahoo.com Wed Oct 15 12:58:39 2008 From: dogcatpiggymom at yahoo.com (dogcatpiggymom at yahoo.com) Date: Wed, 15 Oct 2008 09:58:39 -0700 (PDT) Subject: [Gpdd] Rainbow Bridge: Too many piggies! Message-ID: <163794.39865.qm@web33105.mail.mud.yahoo.com> Dear Friends: I haven't been reading the digest regularly and was shocked to open this one up and find out how many sweet souls have departed for the bridge. I am so sorry! I will email the piggy slaves directly. My heart goes out to you all.? Their lives are way too short, but our love for them will live on. With sadness, Joanne and her 6 pigs Happiness has always been a warm coat & a beating heart trusted to my care. ~ Alison Stormwolf ~ From gracetheface at yahoo.com Wed Oct 15 12:19:06 2008 From: gracetheface at yahoo.com (grace ramp) Date: Wed, 15 Oct 2008 09:19:06 -0700 (PDT) Subject: [Gpdd] Rainbow Bridge In-Reply-To: Message-ID: <778439.2942.qm@web36906.mail.mud.yahoo.com> I don't often post, but there have been so many crossings to the Bridge lately that I just had to say how very sorry I am to all of you who have lost a beloved piggie. One of my girls, Pork Chop, is over 5 now and just the thought of her going to the Bridge makes we well up with tears. I lost Oreo last year and I still miss her. Even though I got three other pigs after she went to the Bridge. There is just no replacing one of our babies once they are gone. You are all in my thoughts.Grace, Pork Chop, Gus, Rusty and BabeBrooklyn From jaggs4 at sbcglobal.net Wed Oct 15 13:17:44 2008 From: jaggs4 at sbcglobal.net (ANDREW SILL) Date: Wed, 15 Oct 2008 10:17:44 -0700 (PDT) Subject: [Gpdd] care: Fall leaves? Message-ID: <503627.52809.qm@web80206.mail.mud.yahoo.com> Hello Everyone, this may be a silly question, but here it goes anyway. I was wondering if it was ok to give piggies fall leaves that fall from the trees??There are oak, maple trees. And if there is any certain tree leaves we shouldnt give? ?We adopted our first piggies last Jan so this is the first fall we have expienced with piggies:)? We live in IL, USA? and the fall trees are wonderfully beautiful this time of year here. We give our piggies fresh grass from a certain area of our yard that we know is safe. Any info on the leaves would be great. Thanks :) Jean & Andy and our misfits 14 From a1.mills at portset.net Wed Oct 15 14:59:19 2008 From: a1.mills at portset.net (Andrew) Date: Wed, 15 Oct 2008 19:59:19 +0100 Subject: [Gpdd] ANNOUNCE - new addition Message-ID: <200810151853.m9FIr5OP023867@post.portset.net> Hello, with all the sad news lately I thought people might like to hear some happy news instead. Last week somebody at work asked me if I had room for another guinea pig. She'd had two female guinea pigs and one had died suddenly. She didn't want to get any more and felt that her remaining piggy needed some company, so knowing I had guinea pigs she asked if I could take her. Apparently she didn't eat much for a couple of ays and then became very noisy, when she was with her friend she'#d hardly made any noise at all so she was obviously missing her. I had to ask mum if it was o.k. to have her and she said it was. So, today Ethel came to live with us. She's a little ginger abby with red eyes, quite small and a little on the nervous side. I've got two girls who I'm hoping she'll be able to live with, they're both quite easy going so I think they'll get on fine. Although she's a bit nervous and doesn't like being picked up very much, once you've got her in your arms sh! e soon settles down and seems to quite enjoy it. Obviously I've only had her for a few hours so haven't got to know her yet but I think she's going to settle pretty quick and be glad of the company. She was obviously missing her cage mate who she'd been with all her life so hopefully a couple of new piggy friends will make her feel more herself. I'm not sure of her age, I've forgotten whether she was 2.5 or 3.5, I'll have to ask again. Her previous owner did tell me last week but I can't remember now which it was. Luckily she was being fed the same food as I already feed my guinea pigs so there won't be any change of diet needed for her which will make things easier. Apparently she likes most fresh foods but her favourites are tomato and carrot. I hope she'll be happy here. From dogcatpiggymom at yahoo.com Wed Oct 15 16:43:20 2008 From: dogcatpiggymom at yahoo.com (dogcatpiggymom at yahoo.com) Date: Wed, 15 Oct 2008 13:43:20 -0700 (PDT) Subject: [Gpdd] Misc: The Lady Bug's Tribute to Duke Message-ID: <582689.62379.qm@web33108.mail.mud.yahoo.com> I'm in tears reading Lady Bug's amazing tribute to the wonderful Duke. How touching...I have the biggest lump in my throat. That was so beautiful.? Thank you. Joanne Spicy, Merri, Macie, Teddy, Baci, Sweetie In heaven:? My heart pig, Annie with Abbie and Monkee Happiness has always been a warm coat & a beating heart trusted to my care. ~ Alison Stormwolf ~ From birdlonglegs at yahoo.com Wed Oct 15 16:54:58 2008 From: birdlonglegs at yahoo.com (Birdie Horn) Date: Wed, 15 Oct 2008 13:54:58 -0700 (PDT) Subject: [Gpdd] Misc: Roll Call Message-ID: <572605.85198.qm@web50503.mail.re2.yahoo.com> ?Hi all, Once again I would like to make my plea for members to join our roll call. As on now I only have less than 200 masters so I know that there has to be more out there. It's just a fun thing for me to do, although some call it work lol. It doesn't cost anything just a little time is all. Wheek can use the list to check on our members incase of bad weather or whatever. All that is needed to join is as follows: (I will use myself as an example) Slave(s) and birthdays ?Birdie? 6/8/59 ??????????????????????????????????Steve? 3/17/59 (you don't have to give the year if you dont' want too) Master(s) names: Spunky, ???????????????????????????Miss Perky, ???????????????????????????Miss Pooky Location: Country, State, City ??????????????USA, Nebraska, LaVista If anyone wants a copy please let me know. Thanks ??? ? Birdie From birdlonglegs at yahoo.com Wed Oct 15 16:57:45 2008 From: birdlonglegs at yahoo.com (Birdie Horn) Date: Wed, 15 Oct 2008 13:57:45 -0700 (PDT) Subject: [Gpdd] care: Fall leaves Message-ID: <89917.85336.qm@web50508.mail.re2.yahoo.com> When I have put my piggies on the porch when the weather was nice they always eat the leaves from the tress. It hasn't hurt them yet but I don't know if that is for all types of trees or not. Birdie From dogcatpiggymom at yahoo.com Wed Oct 15 18:04:36 2008 From: dogcatpiggymom at yahoo.com (dogcatpiggymom at yahoo.com) Date: Wed, 15 Oct 2008 15:04:36 -0700 (PDT) Subject: [Gpdd] Announcement: My Blog is online today Message-ID: <552553.31035.qm@web33108.mail.mud.yahoo.com> Hi Everyone...Here's the blog in case you'd like to read it. Joanne http://www.smallanimalchannel.com/critter-blog/guinea-pig-interaction-blog/guinea-pigs-and-other-critters.aspx Happiness has always been a warm coat & a beating heart trusted to my care. ~ Alison Stormwolf ~ From ebak at ca.inter.net Wed Oct 15 20:09:11 2008 From: ebak at ca.inter.net (Evelyn Baker) Date: Wed, 15 Oct 2008 20:09:11 -0400 Subject: [Gpdd] [Announcement] Help Guinea Pig Shelter Win $25,000 Message-ID: <0C95F07B-137F-4F91-B5DA-9AF9E66F815E@ca.inter.net> I don't know if this is allowed or not and if it is would it go under Announcement or Rescue. I tried to get pre-approval but all the e- mail contacts addresses on gpdd.org website returned the mail to me. The Guinea Pigs R Us Rescue are lovely people who have helped a lot of guinea pigs and other small animals. It turns out they are only a couple of blocks from me. I donated Phoebe's things to them .As far as I know they are the only guinea pig rescue in the area. They sent me this. Help Guinea Pigs R Us win a $25,000 grant! Vote for us every day at www.theanimalrescuesite.com and we could win $25,000 to help guinea pigs and other small critters in need. The Animal Rescue Site is hosting a special challenge for eligible Petfinder.com member shelter and rescue groups (that's us!!). The grand prize is a $25,000 grant, and they will be awarding many other grants to rescue groups with the most votes ? a total of $100,000 in grants for animal welfare organizations. Think how many guinea pigs we could help for $25,000! Help us win! All you have to do is click to help rescued animals, and then vote in The Animal Rescue Site $100,000 Shelter+ Challenge. Both of these actions are absolutely free! You can vote once a day, every day, from September 29 through December 14, 2008. Every time you vote, or tell a friend to vote, you are making a huge difference for us. Vote today! Visit: www.theanimalrescuesite.com When voting, enter Guinea Pigs R Us as the shelter info (must be exact spelling/capitlization), click CAN and ON, no city info is required. Let me know if you have any problems! The Guinea Pig R Us site: http://www.guineapigsrusrescue.com/ Thanks for your help. Evelyn (In memory of guinea pigs everywhere). From piggyfriends at tesco.net Thu Oct 16 04:28:25 2008 From: piggyfriends at tesco.net (Penny Charlesworth) Date: Thu, 16 Oct 2008 09:28:25 +0100 Subject: [Gpdd] ANNOUNCEMENT Guinea Pigs R Us Message-ID: <304D6439A4444C788335B56AF9EB5CC1@inspiron1150> Hi Evelyn, I look at the Animal Rescue Site every morning and had seen this promotion. I was wondering how an overseas person could vote in this and now I know! Thank you. The Piggyfriends will be voting every morning. Penny. From pandameisje at gmail.com Thu Oct 16 14:49:35 2008 From: pandameisje at gmail.com (Mieke Staaks) Date: Thu, 16 Oct 2008 20:49:35 +0200 Subject: [Gpdd] Misc: fall leaves Message-ID: Hi Jean and Andy, I have no idea if piggies can have fall leaves. My siter Janneke and me, once thought it was a good idea to make a pigture of our girls in an autumn setting, for which we collected autumn leaves in the park... Some of the girls were very scared of the leaves, others didn't mind and we did get some nice pigtures. BUT after the photoshoot they turned out to be having mites, which they very likely got from the leaves.. we think. So that's something you might want to take in mind... I know you can probably put them in a freezer to kill any bugs, but have no idea if this does anything to the taste... Okay, just my two cents... Wheeks from that Winky girls: Guiny, Dunya and Woopy And the shelter boys (my fosters): Chico and Toby, who are really starting to feel at home. and slave Mikey if anyone's interested I put some pigtures online: http://picasaweb.google.com/pandameisje/GuineaPics# -- pandameisje at gmail.com pandameisje at hotmail.com m.staaks at pecoma.nl Blog: http://pandameisje.hyves.nl kleding: http://mist-clothing.blogspot.com/ From piggyfriends at tesco.net Thu Oct 16 17:07:55 2008 From: piggyfriends at tesco.net (Penny Charlesworth) Date: Thu, 16 Oct 2008 22:07:55 +0100 Subject: [Gpdd] HEALTH Fireball losing weight Message-ID: <44403023B5FA4166BB6C7DD8C4FFEB12@inspiron1150> Jocelyn, I am sorry to read that Fireball is unaccountably losing weight. You know that I have a special affinity with the little orange boy as he is the image of my dear, departed Rolo and I just love his Halloween photo. I hope that you don't mind that I have printed it and put it on the wall where the Piggyfriends can see it. I don't know how old Fireball is. Some elderly piggies lose muscle tone as they age and become lighter even though they are eating well. This has happened to my Diamond. My Sapphire lost a lot of weight when she had a throat infection and couldn't feed herself but she is putting it all back on just by munching on her usual food. Give him a big hug from us all, Penny and the Piggyfriends. From piggyfriends at tesco.net Thu Oct 16 17:17:52 2008 From: piggyfriends at tesco.net (Penny Charlesworth) Date: Thu, 16 Oct 2008 22:17:52 +0100 Subject: [Gpdd] BEHAVIOUR Aggressive Marmite. Message-ID: <17853D89A2894EA39D884FE129FB169F@inspiron1150> Donna, It is such a shame that your three girls are not getting on. You took such care over their introductions and deserve a better outcome than this. Marmite is obviously a very Alpha pig and it is not fair that Abby should suffer as a result. Personally, I would probably give the trio idea up as a bad job, house Marmite and Jessica together in one pen/cage and find a couple of babes to move in with Abby as little ones rarely cause any trouble. Of course, this is not going to work for everyone as most people do not want infinite cages cluttering up their house. Have you enough C&C materials to make two separate houses rather than one big divided one? Then you could pair up Abby with Jessica and have Marmite far away enough not to cause any upset. Or have Abby on her own again and the new girls together if Marmite is not aggressive towards Jessica. I hope that maybe the trio will work out given time. Penny and the Piggyfriends. From suzy at dunser.com Thu Oct 16 14:46:18 2008 From: suzy at dunser.com (=?ISO-8859-1?Q?Suzy_D=FCnser?=) Date: Fri, 17 Oct 2008 07:46:18 +1300 Subject: [Gpdd] ANNOUNCE - Guinea Pigs R Us In-Reply-To: References: Message-ID: <91889C68-7279-4644-9424-1EB8C6621379@dunser.com> Hi Evelyn, Let me echo Penny's thanks for a shelter to vote for! I also click every day to donate, but didn't know a shelter before this. For anybody just reading this for the first time now, here is the info again: Visit: www.theanimalrescuesite.com When voting, enter Guinea Pigs R Us as the shelter info (must be exact spelling/capitlization), click CAN and ON, no city info is required. The Guinea Pig R Us site: http://www.guineapigsrusrescue.com/ Cheers and wheeks from Suzy and Rocky and Cocoa in our hearts From suzy at dunser.com Thu Oct 16 14:50:45 2008 From: suzy at dunser.com (=?ISO-8859-1?Q?Suzy_D=FCnser?=) Date: Fri, 17 Oct 2008 07:50:45 +1300 Subject: [Gpdd] Rainbow Bridge - Satin Message-ID: Hi Penny, I was so sorry to read that Satin had gone to the bridge. It is too bad that she succumbed to OD in the end, but she had a long and wonderful life before that, and even at the end had every care taken to ensure she was as comfortable as possible (thanks to her amazing slave). I'm glad to hear there's a new wave of Piggyfriends coming along. (-: Of course they don't replace the ones who go, but I think of how lucky they will be to live with you. And I hope knowing you're giving new piggies forever homes helps heal the sadness of missing the ones who have gone on to the bridge. Hugs and wheeks from Suzy and Rocky and Cocoa in our hearts From suzy at dunser.com Thu Oct 16 14:57:37 2008 From: suzy at dunser.com (=?ISO-8859-1?Q?Suzy_D=FCnser?=) Date: Fri, 17 Oct 2008 07:57:37 +1300 Subject: [Gpdd] Rainbow Bridge - Kadee In-Reply-To: References: Message-ID: <7D53947D-27A1-4C59-AEE3-FD8995BF94CD@dunser.com> Hi Kacee, I was so sorry to read that Kadee had gone to the Bridge. It sounds like whatever was going on with her, she just decided it was time to go. At least despite whatever was causing her to lose weight she seemed happy and was enjoying her food (the main piggie criteria for happiness!) till the end. I hope you're feeling better soon. Hugs and wheeks from Suzy and Rocky, and Katie (who still misses Cocoa), and Cocoa in our hearts From piggyfriends at tesco.net Thu Oct 16 18:54:06 2008 From: piggyfriends at tesco.net (Penny Charlesworth) Date: Thu, 16 Oct 2008 23:54:06 +0100 Subject: [Gpdd] CARE Fall leaves Message-ID: Jean and Andy, Not a silly question at all. Piggies don't always know what is safe to eat. I expect that the leaves falling in your area are vastly different from mine in England. After yet another wet and soggy summer, I have been clearing up mouldy, mildewed and pest-ridden leaves which are only fit for the leaf mould bin to ultimately grow next year's veggies. When the Piggyfriends were out on the lawn ( when we used to have summer ) there was always a stampede for a fallen oak leaf. Maybe they knew something that I didn't. Fresh leaves that are good for piggies to munch include apple and pear. Bramble leaves are a great treatment for diarrhoea. Raspberry leaves help in the last trimester of pregnancy, being considered to lead to an easier birth. Willow leaves are like aspirin and can help during post surgery recovery. There are lots of poisonous plants. Amongst trees, laburnum and yew are toxic to us so presumably also to piggies. I'd better leave ( no pun intended ) this to slaves in your country. Penny and the Piggyfriends. From dogcatpiggymom at yahoo.com Thu Oct 16 19:02:41 2008 From: dogcatpiggymom at yahoo.com (dogcatpiggymom at yahoo.com) Date: Thu, 16 Oct 2008 16:02:41 -0700 (PDT) Subject: [Gpdd] Silly: Fugly the Fabulous Message-ID: <531214.5263.qm@web33106.mail.mud.yahoo.com> What fun pigtures! YOU are SOOOOOOOOO handsome!!! Joanne Spicy, Merri, Macie, Teddy, Baci, Sweetie Happiness has always been a warm coat & a beating heart trusted to my care. ~ Alison Stormwolf ~ From dogcatpiggymom at yahoo.com Thu Oct 16 19:06:03 2008 From: dogcatpiggymom at yahoo.com (dogcatpiggymom at yahoo.com) Date: Thu, 16 Oct 2008 16:06:03 -0700 (PDT) Subject: [Gpdd] Silly: Fugly Part 2 Message-ID: <505350.67287.qm@web33105.mail.mud.yahoo.com> I just realized that Fugly's pictures were from Sept. 22nd!? Better late than never. Joanne The Piggies 6 Happiness has always been a warm coat & a beating heart trusted to my care. ~ Alison Stormwolf ~ From piggyfriends at tesco.net Thu Oct 16 19:17:55 2008 From: piggyfriends at tesco.net (Penny Charlesworth) Date: Fri, 17 Oct 2008 00:17:55 +0100 Subject: [Gpdd] MISC Welcome Ethel Message-ID: <8E4A8FCA0E924B748BB3BC9A60B41A9E@inspiron1150> A big piggy welcome to Ethel. There's a name that I haven't heard in a long time. It is always good news to hear of another piggy finding a loving slave and finding new friends. Well done Andrew. Hugs for Ethel, Penny and the Piggyfriends. From KSkosich at msn.com Thu Oct 16 20:10:58 2008 From: KSkosich at msn.com (J D) Date: Thu, 16 Oct 2008 18:10:58 -0600 Subject: [Gpdd] rainbow bridge: to Kacee re Kadee Message-ID: Kacee, I was so sorry to read about your dear Kadee. It must have been a shock to lose her so quickly. It sounds like she was really darling. In sympathy, Kathy S From Glynis at garnay.com.au Fri Oct 17 00:36:33 2008 From: Glynis at garnay.com.au (Glynis Robson) Date: Fri, 17 Oct 2008 15:36:33 +1100 Subject: [Gpdd] [ANNOUNCE] Welcome Ethel Message-ID: <1E79BEF045F13847938D188011CBF9230920E1@GARNAYSBS.garnayindustries.local> WELCOME ETHEL to the gpdd xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx So pleased to hear Andrew that you're her new slave, i'm sure she'll learn to trust you once being with you for awhile. Good luck with the intro's with the girls, let us know i'd be interested to hear. Love Glynis (in mem Sully and Duke) xxxx From Glynis at garnay.com.au Fri Oct 17 00:35:12 2008 From: Glynis at garnay.com.au (Glynis Robson) Date: Fri, 17 Oct 2008 15:35:12 +1100 Subject: [Gpdd] [ANNOUNCE] Fall / Autumn Leaves Message-ID: <1E79BEF045F13847938D188011CBF9230920E0@GARNAYSBS.garnayindustries.local> Hi Andy and Jean and the cute Misfits, Both Sully and Duke loved to munch on the leaves that had dropped in our back yard, the only thing i did was make sure it had no 'funny looking' spots (thought it could be a small spider or bug or something hatching) and not too green. When Duke was ill from an abscess operation a couple of years back he would not eat hay so i'd take him outside to eat grass and leaves, he'd immediately bury his nose in the grass hunting for that yummy leaf and then munch on it. Even up to a week ago i'd take him out onto the grass and dig around for leaves for him to munch on, he happily tasted his last gum tree leaf about a week before travelling to the bridge, even tho it was only a nibble i could tell he loved it. So i'm sure as long as it's not listed as a poisonous tree i'd let them. You could however go onto a gardening site and find out the trees origins and see if it's listed as safe or harmful. Love Glynis (in mem Sully and Duke) xxxx From mfug at live.co.uk Fri Oct 17 07:58:53 2008 From: mfug at live.co.uk (M Fug) Date: Fri, 17 Oct 2008 11:58:53 +0000 Subject: [Gpdd] silly; Taking over the World Message-ID: hmmmmm plans to take over the world, I seem to remember Captain Jack had a good idea, something to do with parachutes and famous landmarks, but its all a blur try as hard as I can I cant remember what we were going to do. Maybe we should listen to the slaves and go easy on the carrot wine ................. just kidding. We need to get together again and come up with a new plan or at least try and remember the old one and this time write it down so we dont forget. Fugly the Fabulous _________________________________________________________________ X Factor: latest video, features and more. Click here! http://clk.atdmt.com/GBL/go/115454063/direct/01/ From dogcatpiggymom at yahoo.com Fri Oct 17 21:25:39 2008 From: dogcatpiggymom at yahoo.com (dogcatpiggymom at yahoo.com) Date: Fri, 17 Oct 2008 18:25:39 -0700 (PDT) Subject: [Gpdd] Misc: I must be an overprotective slave Message-ID: <712907.75293.qm@web33103.mail.mud.yahoo.com> I'm reading about whether or not to give fall leaves to our piggies. I would never. Then again, I am overprotective!? My mom has apple trees on her property and I use only the branches (making sure there are no sharp edges), but I don't give them the leaves. Due to ticks and fleas, plus lots of wildlife, I don't put my pigs on the grass, either.? I'm sure they would love it, but I just can't risk them eating anything they shouldn't (like deer poop), etc. I'd rather be safe than sorry so I stick with fruit and veggies. Just my 2 cents. Joanne Spicy, Merri, Macie, Teddy, Baci, Sweetie Happiness has always been a warm coat & a beating heart trusted to my care. ~ Alison Stormwolf ~ __________________________________________________ Do You Yahoo!? Tired of spam? Yahoo! Mail has the best spam protection around http://mail.yahoo.com From Algernon07 at aol.com Sat Oct 18 02:05:41 2008 From: Algernon07 at aol.com (Algernon07 at aol.com) Date: Sat, 18 Oct 2008 02:05:41 EDT Subject: [Gpdd] Bridge; Satin Message-ID: Dear Penny, I was so sorry to read of the loss of Piggyfriend, Satin. You have such a charming little herd there and I always love hearing about them as well as reading your always relevant posts to others. My condolences, Alge ************** New MapQuest Local shows what's happening at your destination. Dining, Movies, Events, News & more. Try it out (http://local.mapquest.com/?ncid=emlcntnew00000002) From piggyfriends at tesco.net Sat Oct 18 04:57:01 2008 From: piggyfriends at tesco.net (Penny Charlesworth) Date: Sat, 18 Oct 2008 09:57:01 +0100 Subject: [Gpdd] MISC I must be an overprotective slave Message-ID: <502533AF2859407ABF30366FEB15579B@inspiron1150> I am not unlucky enough to have deer ravaging my garden but other wildlife can pass by so, as the Piggyfriends love to go outside to graze if we get a dry day, they are all wormed regularly as a preventative. Every three months, they all have a dose of Panacur or Valbazan wormer. Peter Gurney advocated this, as do the CCT ( Cambridge Cavy Trust ) and Cavies' Castle ( my Rodentologists ) but I wonder if any overseas piggies have this treatment. Maybe this will just confirm that we are all nuts in England!! I'm sure that we all worm our dogs and cats but what about other pets? Here are some wise words. http://www.oginet.com/pgurney/worming.htm I give mine 0.4ml for an adult pig, half as much for a small one and for youngsters when they reach 6 months or thereabouts. Penny and the Piggyfriends. From jannekestaaks at hotmail.com Sat Oct 18 07:54:54 2008 From: jannekestaaks at hotmail.com (Janneke Staaks) Date: Sat, 18 Oct 2008 13:54:54 +0200 Subject: [Gpdd] [SILLY] In-Reply-To: References: Message-ID: Yeah!!! I got an excellent stash of cherry beer from belgium!!Which one of you brings the cucumber wine and the notebook?? _________________________________________________________________ De leukste online filmpjes vind je op MSN Video! http://video.msn.com/video.aspx?mkt=nl-nl From Dukejan1 at aol.com Sat Oct 18 11:18:27 2008 From: Dukejan1 at aol.com (Dukejan1 at aol.com) Date: Sat, 18 Oct 2008 11:18:27 EDT Subject: [Gpdd] Rainbow Bridge: Satin Message-ID: Penny, We were saddened to hear of Satin's crossing. Rest assured that Satin knew she was very much loved and now can run free without any illness. Janet, Lily, Isabel and Luke **************New MapQuest Local shows what's happening at your destination. Dining, Movies, Events, News & more. Try it out (http://local.mapquest.com/?ncid=emlcntnew00000002) From Dukejan1 at aol.com Sat Oct 18 11:27:08 2008 From: Dukejan1 at aol.com (Dukejan1 at aol.com) Date: Sat, 18 Oct 2008 11:27:08 EDT Subject: [Gpdd] Behavior: Marmite Message-ID: I'm wondering if Marmite's aggressiveness isn't caused by the differences in ages. Isabel and Lily (over 5 yrs old) still haven't accepted Luke (nearly 1 yr old), so Marmite and the other two piggies are pretty near those same ages. My girls won't talk to Luke and barely look at him while he scream and yells his little lungs out. None of the piggies are neutered, so I'm keeping the sows separate. Even if I did neuter him, I'm not sure he'd be accepted. It just seems cruel to him to keep him very near the girls, so I keep him across the room to keep stress levels down but allow him to have some piggie communication. Floortime is done on separate floors, as Luke has demonstrated some escape artistry. Any thoughts? Janet, Isabel, Lily, and Luke **************New MapQuest Local shows what's happening at your destination. Dining, Movies, Events, News & more. Try it out (http://local.mapquest.com/?ncid=emlcntnew00000002) From ckrtsqrl2000 at yahoo.com Sat Oct 18 14:07:09 2008 From: ckrtsqrl2000 at yahoo.com (Stacy Harvey) Date: Sat, 18 Oct 2008 11:07:09 -0700 (PDT) Subject: [Gpdd] (Health) Re: Feeding Fall leaves Message-ID: <180223.77097.qm@web53001.mail.re2.yahoo.com> Fresh leaves from fruit trees are probably safe (provided there are no?pesticides on them), but I would avoid other leaves. I know that eating wilted Red Maple leaves causes a fatal type of hemorrhagic cystitis in horses and I'm assuming it would kill piggies as well. There's a toxin that is produced as the leaves wilt. I'd have to do more research on other leaves. ? -Stacy and the Squee Squad __________________________________________________ Do You Yahoo!? Tired of spam? Yahoo! Mail has the best spam protection around http://mail.yahoo.com From guineapig97 at yahoo.com Sat Oct 18 16:53:37 2008 From: guineapig97 at yahoo.com (katelyn newcomb) Date: Sat, 18 Oct 2008 13:53:37 -0700 (PDT) Subject: [Gpdd] MISC:Lizzy Message-ID: <374036.86904.qm@web46406.mail.sp1.yahoo.com> hello sorry i haven't been updating you on lizzy lately i've been busy with school and i was in a car accident and in the hospital for a while but tg (thank goodness) lizzy wasn't in the car or she would be dead.anyway lizzy is doing fine happier than ever here's a pic of lizzy. __________________________________________________ Do You Yahoo!? Tired of spam? Yahoo! Mail has the best spam protection around http://mail.yahoo.com From calliope at geeksnet.com Sun Oct 19 10:11:30 2008 From: calliope at geeksnet.com (Cindy) Date: Sun, 19 Oct 2008 10:11:30 -0400 Subject: [Gpdd] RAINBOW BRIDGE: very belated condolences, Callie Message-ID: <48FB4012.7010707@geeksnet.com> Glenda and Meg. please accept our very belated condolences on Callie's passing. We are so very sorry that she became frail and possibly had a stroke just before her passing. However, we are glad that you both were able to be with her and that Meg was cuddling her as she made her final journey. We know that having you with her was a great comfort to her. Yes, we understand exactly what you mean about going through the motions in your daily routine after Callie left. The world is so different when one of these special little beings leaves it. Please know that she was so lucky to be part of your loving home. How sweet, too, that Cookie stood watch over her in her final days. It is also good to hear that Cookie now has a new friend to help her though her mourning. We send a big welcome to Ruby. Our thoughts and prayers are with all sick piggies and their families. Sadly, Cindy, Tumbleweed, and Friday From calliope at geeksnet.com Sun Oct 19 10:24:33 2008 From: calliope at geeksnet.com (Cindy) Date: Sun, 19 Oct 2008 10:24:33 -0400 Subject: [Gpdd] RAINBOW BRIDGE: very belated condolences, Ernie Message-ID: <48FB4321.5070103@geeksnet.com> Luita and Bert, we remember when Bert and Ernie came to live with you, and we are so very saddened to hear that Ernie has passed away. Thank you for rescuing him and giving him such a wonderful home for the past three and a half years; how awful that he had possibly been abused and then was abandoned in a park on a cold February morning. He must have thought he was in heaven on earth when he joined your family. It was so sweet to hear that he enjoyed cuddling, falling asleep in the lap of your bathrobe, and finding hidden cucumber treats. We are very sorry that he went downhill after suffering a split tooth, but how wonderful that you have such a great vet. Please know that you did all of your best to get him well and that he knew how much he was loved. We are glad your partner was holding him as he left this world; you did the right thing in easing his suffering when it became clear nothing else could be done. Although piggies are never with us long enough, Ernie had a great lifespan of six years and obviously enjoyed all of his days with you. Please accept our very belated condolences. (P.S. We send our best wishes to Bert.) Our thoughts and prayers are with all sick piggies and their families. Sadly, Cindy, Tumbleweed, and Friday From guineapig97 at yahoo.com Sun Oct 19 18:38:07 2008 From: guineapig97 at yahoo.com (katelyn newcomb) Date: Sun, 19 Oct 2008 15:38:07 -0700 (PDT) Subject: [Gpdd] MISC this is cool Message-ID: <231456.32953.qm@web46404.mail.sp1.yahoo.com> i every one i just wanted to tell you something theres this cool website that you can put your piggies on its www.smallanimalchannel.com it's where you meet other people who have piggies and it's awsome you have to have a look at it. thanks kate and lizzy __________________________________________________ Do You Yahoo!? Tired of spam? Yahoo! Mail has the best spam protection around http://mail.yahoo.com From Glynis at garnay.com.au Sun Oct 19 20:35:33 2008 From: Glynis at garnay.com.au (Glynis Robson) Date: Mon, 20 Oct 2008 11:35:33 +1100 Subject: [Gpdd] [HEALTH] Lizzy and Katelyn Message-ID: <1E79BEF045F13847938D188011CBF9230920E6@GARNAYSBS.garnayindustries.local> Gosh love i'm so sorry to hear about you having a car accident :o( Gentle hugs and loves xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx You know i have always worried about having piggies in the car for the same reason, i strap in the box........but how do you protect them?? You've posed a question i'm hoping others will advise on.................. Again i'm sorry to hear about your accident, but pleased to hear little Lizzy is doing well. Love Glynis (in mem Sully and Duke) xxxx From calliope at geeksnet.com Sun Oct 19 16:13:38 2008 From: calliope at geeksnet.com (Cindy) Date: Sun, 19 Oct 2008 16:13:38 -0400 Subject: [Gpdd] RAINBOW BRIDGE: very belated condolences, Zebra Message-ID: <48FB94F2.6020302@geeksnet.com> Debbie and the sad Dolly Mixtures, it was quite a shock to read about Zebra's passing, and we know what a difficult time this is for you. We are so very sorry that he developed diarrhea and passed away at the age of four. It certainly is the end of an era, since he was the last surviving Dolly Mixture to have been born there. Please don't blame yourself in any way. Diarrhea can be very tricky in guinea pigs and very hard to treat. We don't think it had anything at all to do with his bath. We hope you will find comfort in knowing what a happy life he had with you. You did all your best to try to get him well, and we are sure that he felt all of your love and concern. It is great that he and Scrabble became such good friends and took great care of one another; how touching that Scrabble even wheeked to you to come check on Zebra. We have no doubt that Scrabble also comforted Zebra as he went to the Bridge. Zebra was a very lucky piggie to be a member of your family. Please accept our very belated condolences on his passing. (P.S. We send best wishes to Scrabble.) Our thoughts and prayers are with all sick piggies and their families. Sadly, Cindy, Tumbleweed, and Friday From Algernon07 at aol.com Mon Oct 20 04:28:17 2008 From: Algernon07 at aol.com (Algernon07 at aol.com) Date: Mon, 20 Oct 2008 04:28:17 EDT Subject: [Gpdd] Silly: How about if I bring... Message-ID: Captain Jack here speaking on behalf of Barnacle Bill (da little brudder) and myself. We will bring a note book and I even have some contraband rum. What are you going to bring Fugly the famous?? Captain Jack and Barnacle Bill <----2 very merry pirates are wheee! ************** New MapQuest Local shows what's happening at your destination. Dining, Movies, Events, News & more. Try it out (http://local.mapquest.com/?ncid=emlcntnew00000002) From pals4pets at cheerful.com Mon Oct 20 04:12:18 2008 From: pals4pets at cheerful.com (Debbie Jones) Date: Mon, 20 Oct 2008 03:12:18 -0500 Subject: [Gpdd] [RAINBOW BRIDGE] Belated condolences for Kadee Message-ID: <20081020081218.E41901059D@ws1-3.us4.outblaze.com> We were so sorry to hear of the departure of your precious Kadee for the Rainbow Bridge. We are sure she knew how dearly she was loved - she sounds a real live wire! We have never met a rex piggie but think they look and sound wonderful! We know words are always hopelessly inadequate at these times, but hope you will find some small comfort in the fact that piggie slaves all over the world understand what you're going through and wish you well. Debbie and the 10 Dolly Mixtures "We patronize them for their incompleteness, for their tragic fate of having taken a form so far below ourselves. And therein we err, and greatly err. For the animal shall not be measured by man. In a world older and more complete than ours they move finished and complete, gifted with extensions of the senses we have lost or never attained, living by voices we shall never hear. They are not brethren, they are not underlings; they are other nations, caught with ourselves in the net of life and time, fellow prisoners of the splendour and travail of the earth". Henry Beston -- See Exclusive Video: Hollywood Life's 5th Annual Style Awards http://www.hollywoodlife.net/Awards.aspx?AwardsID=style2008 From pals4pets at cheerful.com Mon Oct 20 04:29:02 2008 From: pals4pets at cheerful.com (Debbie Jones) Date: Mon, 20 Oct 2008 03:29:02 -0500 Subject: [Gpdd] [RAINBOW BRIDGE] Condolences for Satin Piggyfriend Message-ID: <20081020082902.0272411581F@ws1-7.us4.outblaze.com> Penny and the Piggyfriends We were so very sorry to hear of the departure for the Rainbow Bridge of your oldest and highly respected SCAMP, Satin Piggyfriend. We had read about this terrible OD that affects these pedigree pigs, and are so grateful that we are all "just" mongrels, or Dolly Mixtures as we prefer to regard it, although as you know we are no more immune to nasty diseases and illnesses than the next pig.We have to say that Satin was indeed a very beautiful, aristocratic-looking piggie, and it sounds as though her personality was equally special.We are glad she was able to slip away peacefully in her sleep, and positive she knew how very dearly she was loved. We hope you are able to find a suitable new companion for Hope, who must feel bereft at the departure of such a cherished friend. All the female Dolly Mixtures have been kept in groups, and in fact this summer we were so few we were all in the the one double hutch and run, so hopefully it will only be the very last who will have to live alone,and she will hopefully have the boys for neighbours ... although one never knows, things don't always go as expected. At least Satin is now free from pain and disability, and popcorning with joy at being reunited with Ping and Truffle, plus all the other Piggyfriends and perhaps piggies from her previous home who are there waiting to be reunited with her. Words are always inadequate, but hopefully you will find some scrap of comfort in the fact that piggie slaves from across the globe share in your sad sense of loss and wish you well. Debbie and the 10 Dolly Mixtures "We patronize them for their incompleteness, for their tragic fate of having taken a form so far below ourselves. And therein we err, and greatly err. For the animal shall not be measured by man. In a world older and more complete than ours they move finished and complete, gifted with extensions of the senses we have lost or never attained, living by voices we shall never hear. They are not brethren, they are not underlings; they are other nations, caught with ourselves in the net of life and time, fellow prisoners of the splendour and travail of the earth". Henry Beston -- See Exclusive Video: Hollywood Life's 5th Annual Style Awards http://www.hollywoodlife.net/Awards.aspx?AwardsID=style2008 From faststats at faststatschecks.com Mon Oct 20 13:49:45 2008 From: faststats at faststatschecks.com (Mary Fran McCluskey) Date: Mon, 20 Oct 2008 10:49:45 -0700 Subject: [Gpdd] Silly: Piggyrates of the Carribean Message-ID: <006601c932dc$3d2d4260$0200000a@MaryFran> Hi Cap'n Jack and Barnacle Bill, Our slave told us about you guys. Wheee want to know if we can have a "Piggyrates of the Carribean" sail after the hurricane season down in the islands. --Gingerpuff and Miss Muffet with slave Mary Fran From ebayagents at yahoo.com Mon Oct 20 21:06:13 2008 From: ebayagents at yahoo.com (Karen) Date: Mon, 20 Oct 2008 18:06:13 -0700 (PDT) Subject: [Gpdd] health: neutering Message-ID: <638242.36723.qm@web33702.mail.mud.yahoo.com> I've been lurking since my beloved Cindy died last January.? Since then I adopted two females.? The other day I was in a pet store just watching?the female guinea pigs and noticed one guinea pig acting like a boy.? I called the manager over and sure enough he was a boy.? She immediately put him in the boy's side but the others started attacking him.? The scene was horrible to watch.? She took him out and he?calmly sat?in her arms.? I just couldn't let him be put back in there so I bought him.? Since I have girls at home, I thought he'd make a good class room guinea pig.? (I teach 1st grade.)? He loves the students and comes out to see them.? I couldn't stand the thought of leaving him alone on the weekend though?so I brought him home along with his big cage this past weekend.? He met "the girls" under close supervision and they all seemed to get along.? The girls ignored him for the most part.? I would love to bring him home on most evenings and especially every weekend but the cage is cumbersome.? My idea is to have him neutered so he can live with the girls on the weekends.? I could just bring him home in an easy to carry box.? Has anyone done anything like this before?? How old do they have to be before they can be neutered?? Do you see any potential problems? Thank you. Karen __________________________________________________ Do You Yahoo!? Tired of spam? Yahoo! Mail has the best spam protection around http://mail.yahoo.com From Algernon07 at aol.com Mon Oct 20 23:26:40 2008 From: Algernon07 at aol.com (Algernon07 at aol.com) Date: Mon, 20 Oct 2008 23:26:40 EDT Subject: [Gpdd] Announcement: Kate and Lizzy Message-ID: Hi, My Captain Jack might know your Lizzie. Was she the critter of the Day recently? Princess Snowflake has a blog page thre, too. Alge and the Jolly Pirates ************** New MapQuest Local shows what's happening at your destination. Dining, Movies, Events, News & more. Try it out (http://local.mapquest.com/?ncid=emlcntnew00000002) From Glynis at garnay.com.au Tue Oct 21 00:48:19 2008 From: Glynis at garnay.com.au (Glynis Robson) Date: Tue, 21 Oct 2008 15:48:19 +1100 Subject: [Gpdd] [ANNOUNCE] Barnacle Bill Message-ID: <1E79BEF045F13847938D188011CBF9230920F9@GARNAYSBS.garnayindustries.local> wooooooooooo hoooooooooooooooo Captn. Jack's little brudda has a name, i just LOVE it xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx Well done Alge Love Glynis (in mem Sully and Duke) xxxx From birdlonglegs at yahoo.com Tue Oct 21 14:42:19 2008 From: birdlonglegs at yahoo.com (Birdie Horn) Date: Tue, 21 Oct 2008 11:42:19 -0700 (PDT) Subject: [Gpdd] Misc: Pet of the Day Message-ID: <544068.72321.qm@web50501.mail.re2.yahoo.com> Is this one of our beautiful masters, or is it just the name that is? http://petoftheday.com/ Birdie __________________________________________________ Do You Yahoo!? Tired of spam? Yahoo! Mail has the best spam protection around http://mail.yahoo.com From jannekestaaks at hotmail.com Tue Oct 21 14:43:46 2008 From: jannekestaaks at hotmail.com (Janneke Staaks) Date: Tue, 21 Oct 2008 20:43:46 +0200 Subject: [Gpdd] [HEALTH] Message-ID: Hi Karen, Yes, I have experience with neutering boars. I had my boar Jan neutered after he charmed his way into me and my girls life. When he died, i decided to get a neutered boar out of a rescue (which was Igor). Mostly because I really hated going through the surgery. I was so scared he would die, because it would be my fault since he was healthy when he went into surgery. (hmm.. Jan is probably telling his rainbowbridge buddies "she had a hard time??...I lost my family jewels..") But to be honest, I didnt regret it. Jan lived very happily with his girls and the surgery wasn't that bad (although Jan did develop an abcess, which soon healed after treating it) But anyway, this is how I went about it. I did have a vet, but i didnt have a good feeling about him. So I called every vet in the neighbourhood and asked them a couple of questions: - Do you have experience with neutering guinea pigs? (if yes, how many a month..) - What type of sedation do you use (gas is safer than an injection) - what are the costs? (they range immensely, and i was just a poor phd student back then) - do i need to do anything before surgery? (if they tell you no eating before the surgery, hang up the phone really fast) - how old does my guinea pig need to be (in the netherlands; around 9 months and at least 700 grams (1 lbs, 8oz.) In the end, I didnt choose the cheapest vet, but a really nice women who patiently explained the whole process to me and seemed to be able to handle my overprotective mommy syndrome/(wanna)know-it-all disorder (in other words, I trusted her). I also asked someone from a local rabbit shelter for references. After Jan's surgery, they called me and I could pick him up. He was already awake, but he deed sleep a lot after he came home. At home I had a clean cage waiting for him. I covered the cage with clean towels and a warm water bottle covered with a towel (not hot!!! really important since he might not be very mobile just yet). Every day I would remove the top layer of towels and put in a clean one. I had lots of hay for him and veggies (parsley makes them hungry), a water bottle and i the beginning a water bowl. Jan's stitches dissolved, so that wasnt a problem. He did develop an abcess, which is not uncommon in castrations (if you want to know more about how to treat them, let me know). Jan spent 6 weeks on his own, next to the girls cage. When I finally introduced him, everything went effortless. The girls accepted him right away. I do have some reservations though.. Take into account that guinea pigs do not have such a great memory (although they vary..). They might not recognize eachother after being a week apart. And they might end up settling ranks every week. If this happens, you might have to consider taking in another pig who travels and lives with him all the time. I guess that also depends on his and your girls nature. It could also be the case that they miss eachother and you boy will get lonely during weekdays. My suus is very attached to her cagemates and when Jan died she lost a lot of wheight until Igor came and threaten to eat everything in the food bowl. You can also opt to take an extra pig right away, this way you dont have to put him through surgery at all. Dont take this the wrong way ;-) In the end, it's your decision and we'll support and advise you whatever you do. Grtz&wkz! Janneke Lots of wheeks! _________________________________________________________________ Jouw nieuws en entertainment, vind je op MSN.nl! http://nl.msn.com/ From dogcatpiggymom at yahoo.com Wed Oct 22 08:21:54 2008 From: dogcatpiggymom at yahoo.com (dogcatpiggymom at yahoo.com) Date: Wed, 22 Oct 2008 05:21:54 -0700 (PDT) Subject: [Gpdd] Announcement: My Piggy Blog is Online Message-ID: <825698.60706.qm@web33107.mail.mud.yahoo.com> Hi Friends! Our very own LISA from California is featured in my blog this week.? She shared a wonderful story so please read the blog this week and see the picture of her sweet dog Heidi and special piggy pal!!!? Hope all is well at your piggy places! Joanne and her 6 lovebugs http://www.smallanimalchannel.com/critter-blog/guinea-pig-interaction-blog/blog-oct2208.aspx Happiness has always been a warm coat & a beating heart trusted to my care. ~ Alison Stormwolf ~ From guineapig97 at yahoo.com Wed Oct 22 08:10:31 2008 From: guineapig97 at yahoo.com (katelyn newcomb) Date: Wed, 22 Oct 2008 05:10:31 -0700 (PDT) Subject: [Gpdd] MISC Halloween???? Message-ID: <945395.41697.qm@web46411.mail.sp1.yahoo.com> hello lizzy and kate here i have a question i know guinea pigs can't go out side during? halloween but is it safe putting a costume on it because i have doll clothes that will perfectly fit lizzy i want lizzy to be as safe as possible so that's why im on here. happy halloween to all of you piggies and slaves kate and lizzy From leah.mcneil at wachovia.com Wed Oct 22 09:59:47 2008 From: leah.mcneil at wachovia.com (leah.mcneil at wachovia.com) Date: Wed, 22 Oct 2008 09:59:47 -0400 Subject: [Gpdd] Misc: CONGRATs to Guinness for making Pet of the Day!!! Message-ID: Hey Beth! Sorry this is late, like a month late, ooops! But, I just wanted to say to your Cutie Pie boy, Guinness... CONGRATS for making Pet of the Day!!! If anyone missed it, you can see his pigture and story at: http://petoftheday.com/archive/2008/September/22.html Love 'n Wheeeeeeeeps, Leah...Slave to Princess Snowflake and Bertie Pig :-) From lsdmg at hotmail.com Wed Oct 22 04:52:30 2008 From: lsdmg at hotmail.com (Donna) Date: Wed, 22 Oct 2008 09:52:30 +0100 Subject: [Gpdd] [Behaviour] Change Message-ID: Hi, Does anyone find their pigs get funny about changes you make to their cage? A few weeks ago I bought Abby a guinea pig bed as they are doing the Christmas ones in Pets at Home. When I put it in her cage she was head butting it all over the place and when I opened up her tent for her to go for a run she threw the bed out of the tent and all over the room. I had to laugh last night cause after all the protests, there she was all cosy lying in her new bed and she was there most of the evening making the most of it! She's a stroppy little thing when she wants to be. Love Donna, Abby, naughty Marmite and Jessica x From lsdmg at hotmail.com Wed Oct 22 04:58:17 2008 From: lsdmg at hotmail.com (Donna) Date: Wed, 22 Oct 2008 09:58:17 +0100 Subject: [Gpdd] [behaviour] Marmite Message-ID: Hi Janet, It could be a difference in age although in my case it?s the 10 month old bullying the 4 ? year old! I?ve tried a different tactic in buying a toy from the pet shop and rubbing it all over Abby and placing it in Marmite?s cage. I?m hoping she will get used to Abby?s smell. So far the toy has remained in tact so I take it as a good sign. I?m going to try and bond them again tonight although I will keep them separated until I?m 100% certain Marmite can play nicely ? I don?t want any more chunks of fur taken out of poor old Abby. Do you think Luke is trying to get to the girls cause he quite fancies them? Love Donna, Abby, Marmite and Jessica x ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- ------------- I'm wondering if Marmite's aggressiveness isn't caused by the differences in ages. Isabel and Lily (over 5 yrs old) still haven't accepted Luke (nearly 1 yr old), so Marmite and the other two piggies are pretty near those same ages. My girls won't talk to Luke and barely look at him while he scream and yells his little lungs out. None of the piggies are neutered, so I'm keeping the sows separate. Even if I did neuter him, I'm not sure he'd be accepted. It just seems cruel to him to keep him very near the girls, so I keep him across the room to keep stress levels down but allow him to have some piggie communication. Floortime is done on separate floors, as Luke has demonstrated some escape artistry. Any thoughts? Janet, Isabel, Lily, and Luke From pals4pets at cheerful.com Wed Oct 22 06:07:28 2008 From: pals4pets at cheerful.com (Debbie Jones) Date: Wed, 22 Oct 2008 05:07:28 -0500 Subject: [Gpdd] [CARE] Oak leaves Message-ID: <20081022100728.31EE51CE8FB@ws1-6.us4.outblaze.com> I felt sure I had seen oak leaves in a list of plants toxic to guinea pigs, as it is something I am always very careful to remove from any area the piggies may go. Sure enough, I did find it on this site: http://www.namemyguineapig.co.uk/food.html . However, it is not listed as toxic on the guinealynx list, and that site always seems pretty authoritive, whereas I had never seen this other site until just now when I googled to try to find out where that wisp of information in my brain had come from! But I think I also read in a book somewhere that oak leaves were toxic to piggies - I am not home at present so cannot check! I would avoid them just in case, I think. I did also read somewhere that decaying leaves of any kind can contain harmful toxins. However, on a rabbit site I remember once a lady describing how she slow-roasted fallen hazel tree leaves in her oven until they were literally "done to a crisp", then fed them to her rabbits as a special treat - indeed, as one would give potato crisps to a child! In my garden I am lucky enough to have hazel, willow, pear, apple and cherry trees, and feed leafy twigs of all these from time to time to the piggies, much to their great excitement. I do have to say though, that when the willow and hazel had to be severely pruned this summer (they were blocking light from the porch , where the girl piggies like to sunbathe in the winter!), the piggies became satiated before all the branches were eaten!! I am about to post separately about my poor dear Scrabble's departure for the Bridge yesterday - but can say that, on his last day out in the sunshine, he did indeed make a beeline for a fallen willow leaf, and knowing he wasn't to have long with us, I let him enjoy it. Debbie ----- Original Message ----- From: gpdd-request at gpdd.org To: gpdd at gpdd.org Subject: Gpdd Digest, Vol 7, Issue 311 Date: Thu, 16 Oct 2008 12:00:03 -0400 Send Gpdd mailing list submissions to gpdd at gpdd.org To subscribe or unsubscribe via the World Wide Web, visit http://gpdd.org/mailman/listinfo/gpdd_gpdd.org or, via email, send a message with subject or body 'help' to gpdd-request at gpdd.org You can reach the person managing the list at gpdd-owner at gpdd.org When replying, please edit your Subject line so it is more specific than "Re: Contents of Gpdd digest..." ---------------------------------------------------------------------- The GPDD moderators frequently reject messages that do not follow these guidelines: A lack of a Topic label is the most common reason for message rejection. Please use a Topic Label (HEALTH, CARE, ANNOUNCEMENT, RAINBOW BRIDGE, BEHAVIOR,PETER GURNEY, RESCUE, BREEDING, SILLY, PIGLETS, MISC. or VIRTUAL) and DESCRIPTIVE SUBJECT. More information on Topic use, post restrictions and permissions can be found at http://www.gpdd.org/topics.html Postings to the digest must conform to the rules stated at http://www.gpdd.org/guidelines.html Please consult the GPDD FAQ at http://www.gpdd.org/faq.html for a list of commonly asked questions. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Other GPDD-affiliated sites: The Guinea Pigs' Rainbow Bridge, dedicated to the memories of piggies past http://www.guineapigsrainbow.org --------------------------------------- Piggie bladderstone informational resources and mailing list: http://www.gpigs-database.org --------------------------------------- All material posted and archived is copyright The Guinea Pigs' Daily Digest, and may not be reproduced in whole or in part in any media - printed or electronic - without written permission of the administrators. Today's Topics: 1. Rainbow Bridge: Too many piggies! (dogcatpiggymom at yahoo.com) 2. Re: Rainbow Bridge (grace ramp) 3. care: Fall leaves? (ANDREW SILL) 4. ANNOUNCE - new addition (Andrew) 5. Misc: The Lady Bug's Tribute to Duke (dogcatpiggymom at yahoo.com) 6. Misc: Roll Call (Birdie Horn) 7. care: Fall leaves (Birdie Horn) 8. Announcement: My Blog is online today (dogcatpiggymom at yahoo.com) 9. [Announcement] Help Guinea Pig Shelter Win $25,000 (Evelyn Baker) 10. ANNOUNCEMENT Guinea Pigs R Us (Penny Charlesworth) ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Message: 1 Date: Wed, 15 Oct 2008 09:58:39 -0700 (PDT) From: dogcatpiggymom at yahoo.com Subject: [Gpdd] Rainbow Bridge: Too many piggies! To: gpdd at gpdd.org Message-ID: <163794.39865.qm at web33105.mail.mud.yahoo.com> Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1" Dear Friends: I haven't been reading the digest regularly and was shocked to open this one up and find out how many sweet souls have departed for the bridge. I am so sorry! I will email the piggy slaves directly. My heart goes out to you all.? Their lives are way too short, but our love for them will live on. With sadness, Joanne and her 6 pigs Happiness has always been a warm coat & a beating heart trusted to my care. ~ Alison Stormwolf ~ ------------------------------ Message: 2 Date: Wed, 15 Oct 2008 09:19:06 -0700 (PDT) From: grace ramp Subject: Re: [Gpdd] Rainbow Bridge To: gpdd at gpdd.org Message-ID: <778439.2942.qm at web36906.mail.mud.yahoo.com> Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii" I don't often post, but there have been so many crossings to the Bridge lately that I just had to say how very sorry I am to all of you who have lost a beloved piggie. One of my girls, Pork Chop, is over 5 now and just the thought of her going to the Bridge makes we well up with tears. I lost Oreo last year and I still miss her. Even though I got three other pigs after she went to the Bridge. There is just no replacing one of our babies once they are gone. You are all in my thoughts.Grace, Pork Chop, Gus, Rusty and BabeBrooklyn ------------------------------ Message: 3 Date: Wed, 15 Oct 2008 10:17:44 -0700 (PDT) From: ANDREW SILL Subject: [Gpdd] care: Fall leaves? To: gpdd at gpdd.org Message-ID: <503627.52809.qm at web80206.mail.mud.yahoo.com> Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1" Hello Everyone, this may be a silly question, but here it goes anyway. I was wondering if it was ok to give piggies fall leaves that fall from the trees??There are oak, maple trees. And if there is any certain tree leaves we shouldnt give? ?We adopted our first piggies last Jan so this is the first fall we have expienced with piggies:)? We live in IL, USA? and the fall trees are wonderfully beautiful this time of year here. We give our piggies fresh grass from a certain area of our yard that we know is safe. Any info on the leaves would be great. Thanks :) Jean & Andy and our misfits 14 ------------------------------ Message: 4 Date: Wed, 15 Oct 2008 19:59:19 +0100 From: Andrew Subject: [Gpdd] ANNOUNCE - new addition To: gpdd at gpdd.org Message-ID: <200810151853.m9FIr5OP023867 at post.portset.net> Content-Type: text/plain; charset=US-ASCII Hello, with all the sad news lately I thought people might like to hear some happy news instead. Last week somebody at work asked me if I had room for another guinea pig. She'd had two female guinea pigs and one had died suddenly. She didn't want to get any more and felt that her remaining piggy needed some company, so knowing I had guinea pigs she asked if I could take her. Apparently she didn't eat much for a couple of ays and then became very noisy, when she was with her friend she'#d hardly made any noise at all so she was obviously missing her. I had to ask mum if it was o.k. to have her and she said it was. So, today Ethel came to live with us. She's a little ginger abby with red eyes, quite small and a little on the nervous side. I've got two girls who I'm hoping she'll be able to live with, they're both quite easy going so I think they'll get on fine. Although she's a bit nervous and doesn't like being picked up very much, once you've got her in your arms sh! e soon settles down and seems to quite enjoy it. Obviously I've only had her for a few hours so haven't got to know her yet but I think she's going to settle pretty quick and be glad of the company. She was obviously missing her cage mate who she'd been with all her life so hopefully a couple of new piggy friends will make her feel more herself. I'm not sure of her age, I've forgotten whether she was 2.5 or 3.5, I'll have to ask again. Her previous owner did tell me last week but I can't remember now which it was. Luckily she was being fed the same food as I already feed my guinea pigs so there won't be any change of diet needed for her which will make things easier. Apparently she likes most fresh foods but her favourites are tomato and carrot. I hope she'll be happy here. ------------------------------ Message: 5 Date: Wed, 15 Oct 2008 13:43:20 -0700 (PDT) From: dogcatpiggymom at yahoo.com Subject: [Gpdd] Misc: The Lady Bug's Tribute to Duke To: gpdd at gpdd.org Message-ID: <582689.62379.qm at web33108.mail.mud.yahoo.com> Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1" I'm in tears reading Lady Bug's amazing tribute to the wonderful Duke. How touching...I have the biggest lump in my throat. That was so beautiful.? Thank you. Joanne Spicy, Merri, Macie, Teddy, Baci, Sweetie In heaven:? My heart pig, Annie with Abbie and Monkee Happiness has always been a warm coat & a beating heart trusted to my care. ~ Alison Stormwolf ~ ------------------------------ Message: 6 Date: Wed, 15 Oct 2008 13:54:58 -0700 (PDT) From: Birdie Horn Subject: [Gpdd] Misc: Roll Call To: gpdd at gpdd.org Message-ID: <572605.85198.qm at web50503.mail.re2.yahoo.com> Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1" ?Hi all, Once again I would like to make my plea for members to join our roll call. As on now I only have less than 200 masters so I know that there has to be more out there. It's just a fun thing for me to do, although some call it work lol. It doesn't cost anything just a little time is all. Wheek can use the list to check on our members incase of bad weather or whatever. All that is needed to join is as follows: (I will use myself as an example) Slave(s) and birthdays ?Birdie? 6/8/59 ??????????????????????????????????Steve? 3/17/59 (you don't have to give the year if you dont' want too) Master(s) names: Spunky, ???????????????????????????Miss Perky, ???????????????????????????Miss Pooky Location: Country, State, City ??????????????USA, Nebraska, LaVista If anyone wants a copy please let me know. Thanks ??? ? Birdie ------------------------------ Message: 7 Date: Wed, 15 Oct 2008 13:57:45 -0700 (PDT) From: Birdie Horn Subject: [Gpdd] care: Fall leaves To: gpdd at gpdd.org Message-ID: <89917.85336.qm at web50508.mail.re2.yahoo.com> Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii" When I have put my piggies on the porch when the weather was nice they always eat the leaves from the tress. It hasn't hurt them yet but I don't know if that is for all types of trees or not. Birdie ------------------------------ Message: 8 Date: Wed, 15 Oct 2008 15:04:36 -0700 (PDT) From: dogcatpiggymom at yahoo.com Subject: [Gpdd] Announcement: My Blog is online today To: guinea pig digest Message-ID: <552553.31035.qm at web33108.mail.mud.yahoo.com> Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii" Hi Everyone...Here's the blog in case you'd like to read it. Joanne http://www.smallanimalchannel.com/critter-blog/guinea-pig-interaction-blog/guinea-pigs-and-other-critters.aspx Happiness has always been a warm coat & a beating heart trusted to my care. ~ Alison Stormwolf ~ ------------------------------ Message: 9 Date: Wed, 15 Oct 2008 20:09:11 -0400 From: Evelyn Baker Subject: [Gpdd] [Announcement] Help Guinea Pig Shelter Win $25,000 To: gpdd at gpdd.org Message-ID: <0C95F07B-137F-4F91-B5DA-9AF9E66F815E at ca.inter.net> Content-Type: text/plain; charset="windows-1252"; Format="flowed"; DelSp="yes" I don't know if this is allowed or not and if it is would it go under Announcement or Rescue. I tried to get pre-approval but all the e- mail contacts addresses on gpdd.org website returned the mail to me. The Guinea Pigs R Us Rescue are lovely people who have helped a lot of guinea pigs and other small animals. It turns out they are only a couple of blocks from me. I donated Phoebe's things to them .As far as I know they are the only guinea pig rescue in the area. They sent me this. Help Guinea Pigs R Us win a $25,000 grant! Vote for us every day at www.theanimalrescuesite.com and we could win $25,000 to help guinea pigs and other small critters in need. The Animal Rescue Site is hosting a special challenge for eligible Petfinder.com member shelter and rescue groups (that's us!!). The grand prize is a $25,000 grant, and they will be awarding many other grants to rescue groups with the most votes ? a total of $100,000 in grants for animal welfare organizations. Think how many guinea pigs we could help for $25,000! Help us win! All you have to do is click to help rescued animals, and then vote in The Animal Rescue Site $100,000 Shelter+ Challenge. Both of these actions are absolutely free! You can vote once a day, every day, from September 29 through December 14, 2008. Every time you vote, or tell a friend to vote, you are making a huge difference for us. Vote today! Visit: www.theanimalrescuesite.com When voting, enter Guinea Pigs R Us as the shelter info (must be exact spelling/capitlization), click CAN and ON, no city info is required. Let me know if you have any problems! The Guinea Pig R Us site: http://www.guineapigsrusrescue.com/ Thanks for your help. Evelyn (In memory of guinea pigs everywhere). ------------------------------ Message: 10 Date: Thu, 16 Oct 2008 09:28:25 +0100 From: "Penny Charlesworth" Subject: [Gpdd] ANNOUNCEMENT Guinea Pigs R Us To: Message-ID: <304D6439A4444C788335B56AF9EB5CC1 at inspiron1150> Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1" Hi Evelyn, I look at the Animal Rescue Site every morning and had seen this promotion. I was wondering how an overseas person could vote in this and now I know! Thank you. The Piggyfriends will be voting every morning. Penny. ------------------------------ _______________________________________________ Gpdd mailing list Gpdd at gpdd.org http://gpdd.org/mailman/listinfo/gpdd_gpdd.org End of Gpdd Digest, Vol 7, Issue 311 ************************************ "We patronize them for their incompleteness, for their tragic fate of having taken a form so far below ourselves. And therein we err, and greatly err. For the animal shall not be measured by man. In a world older and more complete than ours they move finished and complete, gifted with extensions of the senses we have lost or never attained, living by voices we shall never hear. They are not brethren, they are not underlings; they are other nations, caught with ourselves in the net of life and time, fellow prisoners of the splendour and travail of the earth". Henry Beston -- See Exclusive Video: Hollywood Life's 5th Annual Style Awards http://www.hollywoodlife.net/Awards.aspx?AwardsID=style2008 From aliciavanmaanen at hotmail.com Wed Oct 22 11:59:02 2008 From: aliciavanmaanen at hotmail.com (Alicia VanMaanen) Date: Wed, 22 Oct 2008 11:59:02 -0400 Subject: [Gpdd] Announcement: Secret Santa Message-ID: HEY EVERYONE, Last call for the Secret Santa exchange or Holiday Card Exchange. I will be taking info until Friday, October 25th as I am leaving the next day for vacation and was hoping to send our emails of secret santas when I returned from vacation that following week. So, if you wanna join in the fun and have not emailed me your info do so ASAP. Have a wonderful week! I am willing to once again head up the Annual Guinea Pig Gift Exchange/Card Exchange. For those of you new to the digest this is something we plan every year. It's a secret Santa thing and it's tons of fun for everyone involved. So if you would like to participate this year please email me the following information at aliciavanmaanen at hotmail.com Slave name: Slave mailing address: Piggies Names: Slaves email address to contact you if questions and with your secret Santa piggie later! *very important to have (If you have many piggies and wish to group them up let me know and I will pair them up with another group of piggies. You can do this as one pig or more than one pig just let me know if you wish to mail to have your multiple piggies pairs up individual or as a group.) I will start compiling the list and in the first week of November I will send your secret Santa info to you then. That way you will have about a month to get your stuff together and mailed to your secret Santa piggie in time for Christmas. Also, if you wish to just be paired up with someone to mail Christmas cards to instead of gifts than send me the above information and let me know that you just wish to exchange cards which is fine too. Thanks and have an awesome week, Alica slave to Sailor Willie and Squeakers _________________________________________________________________ Stay up to date on your PC, the Web, and your mobile phone with Windows Live. http://clk.atdmt.com/MRT/go/msnnkwxp1020093185mrt/direct/01/ From birdlonglegs at yahoo.com Wed Oct 22 12:23:00 2008 From: birdlonglegs at yahoo.com (Birdie Horn) Date: Wed, 22 Oct 2008 09:23:00 -0700 (PDT) Subject: [Gpdd] Misc: Roll Call Message-ID: <52886.41186.qm@web50501.mail.re2.yahoo.com> Hi fellow slaves. Just?an update? on the list for the roll call: So far these are some of the stats. 51 responces, 63?slaves, 194?mastes. Contry repsented Australia ?Victoria Canada ?Alberta ?Ontario ?Sastchewan Europe ?England? ?Germany ?France? ?Netherlands ?United?Kingdom? NewZealand USA ? Arizona ?Cafornia ?Colorado ?Ilinois ?Indiana ?Massachusetts???????? ?Michigan ?Nebraska ?North?Carolina ?New?York ?Ohio ?Pennsylvania ?Tennessee ?Texas ?Virgina ?West?Virgina ?Wyoming Birdie Birdie From faststats at faststatschecks.com Wed Oct 22 14:40:38 2008 From: faststats at faststatschecks.com (Mary Fran McCluskey) Date: Wed, 22 Oct 2008 11:40:38 -0700 Subject: [Gpdd] mISC: Responding to Roll Call Message-ID: <00be01c93475$ada528b0$0200000a@MaryFran> Hi Birdy... Here's me and my piggies... Slave: Mary Fran 4/22/nevermind Mistresses: Miss Muffet and Gingerpuff Adoption Day: 8/26/08 San Rafael, California, USA From jaggs4 at sbcglobal.net Wed Oct 22 13:33:36 2008 From: jaggs4 at sbcglobal.net (ANDREW SILL) Date: Wed, 22 Oct 2008 10:33:36 -0700 (PDT) Subject: [Gpdd] Health: leaves Message-ID: <79877.65110.qm@web80205.mail.mud.yahoo.com> ?A big "Thank You" everyone that looked up info on fall leaves..? With all the info given I am just going to play it safe and stay away from them, not worth the risks. The weather is changeing so best to just enjoy the leaves by "looking" at them:)? Happy Fall to you all. ?many cute? little weeeeeksss to all you! Jean and Andy and the 14 misfits:) From Algernon07 at aol.com Thu Oct 23 00:44:33 2008 From: Algernon07 at aol.com (Algernon07 at aol.com) Date: Thu, 23 Oct 2008 00:44:33 EDT Subject: [Gpdd] CARE: Halloween and dolls clothing Message-ID: Hi Katie: Going out Halloween is stressful for piggies and if its really cool or cold their body temperature can drop and they can get pneumonia or some other upper respiratory infection. Sometimes they don't make it. Guinea Pigs are fragile little animals and are not the kind of animals that you should be dressing in doll clothes. Most of the people who use clothing props here put little hats (or bunny ears, or antlers for Christmas) (and most people here don't use any clothing) on them to take pictures, but they should not be kept in clothes or costumes. Also, don't break any legs trying to put them into a sleeve. Their little bones are like wood match sticks. Very fragile. It's true that you can buy guinea pig costumes -- but again, they're not for log term wear. I have discovered that there are 2 different styles and one is easier on the piggy than the other. If you ever see any of Princess Snowflake and Teddy's "wedding" pigtures, you'll see that her lace wedding gown is really just white lace made to look like a gown. These clothes are photo props more or less. Do you have a link to Princess Snowflake's site. If not either I or the Princess's Mommy, Leah, can give you a link. You'll see that in one she just has a little straw hat on her head for the photo. And Leah does excellent piggy costume pigtures. But she's very careful of her piggies and keeps everything to a minimum. Honestly, Katie (or do you go by Kate)?, guinea pigs are not meant to play dress up or to go out trick or treating! They neeed to be handled gently. They get scared very easily becasue they small and defenseless, and in the wild other larger animals try to grab them up and eat them. So we try to give our piggies the best possible lives. And all of us don't always agree -- someone else may write to you with a different point of view. Your friend, Alge, Mommy to the Jolly Pirates: Captain Jack and Barnacle Bill. ************** Play online games for FREE at Games.com! All of your favorites, no registration required and great graphics ? check it out! (http://pr.atwola.com/promoclk/100000075x1211202682x1200689022/aol?redir= http://www.games.com?ncid=emlcntusgame00000001) From elmga at hotmail.com Thu Oct 23 04:04:43 2008 From: elmga at hotmail.com (ellen garrison) Date: Wed, 22 Oct 2008 22:04:43 -1000 Subject: [Gpdd] [HEALTH/CARE] In-Reply-To: References: Message-ID: From: elmga at hotmail.comTo: elmga at hotmail.comSubject: [HEALTH/CARE] Date: Wed, 22 Oct 2008 22:00:39 -1000 Thank you hope this one works.Ellen From: elmga at hotmail.comTo: gpdd at gpdd.orgSubject: RE: Gpdd Digest, Vol 7, Issue 307Date: Mon, 13 Oct 2008 20:22:12 -1000 Hi I haven't been on here before but have been getting the daily for a while. Someone wanted to know about caring for elderly guineas. I had a male guinea who was about 6 when he went to Guinea Pig Heaven. He was a lot of work, but I loved him very very much. I cared for him as best as I could. His name was Antonio but I called him Li'l Guy. I basically rescued him from the pet store where he had been getting attacked by other males. He loved the bunnies I had. I had ended up getting a little girl guinea for his friend. She was also the sweetest but she had heart disease, I had to have her put to sleep when she developed pneumonia. She was Ginger aka Gin Gin. I know they are now with each other in heaven at Rainbow Bridge.Li'l Guy had impactions which I had to assist him with almost every day during the last days of his time here on planet earth, and it wasn't that bad...I just briefly will wrap this up by saying they were great and just remember they are actually moving towards life not away from it, even if they do go to Guinea Pig Heaven. Just think good thoughts around them and expect them to be healthy, and they will be. I still have Rufie, and new additions, Cheyenie and Kaloey.Thanks,Ellen and the gp gang You live life beyond your PC. So now Windows goes beyond your PC. See how _________________________________________________________________ Stay organized with simple drag and drop from Windows Live Hotmail. http://windowslive.com/Explore/hotmail?ocid=TXT_TAGLM_WL_hotmail_102008 From piggyfriends at tesco.net Thu Oct 23 10:08:59 2008 From: piggyfriends at tesco.net (Penny Charlesworth) Date: Thu, 23 Oct 2008 15:08:59 +0100 Subject: [Gpdd] ANNOUNCE Hope has two new friends ( a bit long ) Message-ID: <42A193F77E37445AA0385BA89853DA95@inspiron1150> In September, the RSPCA rescued 78 piggies from appalling conditions. These piggies had all been kept together and had not been cleaned out in months. They called the animal shelter where my son, Kevin, works to see if they could take some of these piggies. He was in Reception when the call came in and heard the answer that they could take 20 boars. As many of the sows were likely to be pregnant they did not have the room for any of those. He was there when these poor little boys arrived but was not involved with their care as he is currently working in the Equine section. ( Everyone has to do 6 months in each section and he can't wait for the next one ). I said to him that if any sows turned up, I had room for some but the rest of the rescued piggies went to the GBH rescue in Kent, who often help out the RSPCA with Guineas, Buns and Hammies, which is what the acronym stands for. Of these piggies, the 18 most poorly ones travelled on to Cavies' Castle, my Rodentologists, for treatment. They were half starved, all skin and bones, infested with mites, covered in sores, some pregnant..........too sad to recount. I said that I could take some sows, when they had recovered, as Hope and Satin shared a huge pen, of which they only used the front half. Then I lost my dear Satin and, as I have previously posted, Hope was left alone. I had a call to say that two young sows were ready for rehoming so yesterday I went to collect them. I also got to meet the other rescued piggies. One, a tiny sow, had given birth to one baby boar, who was nearly as big as she was but both were - doing well. Another sow is definitely pregnant. They had all arrived with poor or non-existent coats. One poor little poppet was in the ITU - the Cavies' Castle sofa - where she can be constantly monitored. She had hardly any coat, loads of scabs where her sores were healing up, a damaged leg and bumblefoot but she was eating up well and munched away at melon cubes and sow thistle leaves whilst I was there. She may never be rehomeable but has a home for life at Cavies' Castle, where she will receive the best possible care. So I ended up with two sows from this big rescue after all. There will be no prosecution for the neglect of these little ones as the person responsible is deemed to be mentally unfit, according to the rescue grapevine. Nobody knows how old any of these piggies are. My two look about the size of just weaned piggies but they have to be older. I was told that they had doubled in size in the time that they had been at Cavies' Castle, due, no doubt, to the good food and lots of TLC. They could have been pregnant but it seems not, for which I am grateful as they are much too young to be mums themselves. One of them is coffee coloured with white patches, as are many of the rescued piggies. There must have been a lot of inbreeding as they were all housed together, which could presage future health problems but at least all these little treasures are safe. Perish the thought that they all originated from one initial pair. I have put my two in my hospital cage, which is one of those plastic bases with a wire top, rather like a flat birdcage. It was too late for introductions last night so I have put this cage into Hope's pen, where they can all see each other. They peek out at Hope from under their hay and Hope has her paws up the side of the cage to see what is going on. I do not have to work this weekend so I have decided to leave proper introductions until then. I don't envisage any problems as Hope came to me as a half starved little piggy herself and she may remember how kind and gentle Satin was with her. They are eating everything that I put in for them, with the exception of cucumber. This should work out well as this is Hope's absolute favourite so no squabbles are expected there. It would have been obvious to have named these two Charity and Faith, to go with Hope but I am not a religious person and have gone back to my usual horticultural names. The coffee and white one is Peony and the other one, who is a dark ginger and white is Petunia. They don't wheek yet but just make little peeping noises rather like baby birds. They are the dearest little piggies, nervous when I go to pick them up but happy to sit quietly in my hand once I have caught them So, please welcome Petunia and Peony to the Piggyfriends herd. Thank you to everyone who wrote to me when I lost Satin. I hope that I have managed to reply to each of you individually. Each message has been saved to be reread in the future, when there are more memories than grief. Birdie, could you add these two little girls to our list. Penny and the Piggyfriends. From jaggs4 at sbcglobal.net Thu Oct 23 15:00:10 2008 From: jaggs4 at sbcglobal.net (ANDREW SILL) Date: Thu, 23 Oct 2008 12:00:10 -0700 (PDT) Subject: [Gpdd] misc: Welcome Petunia and Peony Message-ID: <110978.35124.qm@web80203.mail.mud.yahoo.com> Dearest Penny and Piggyfriends, Welcome to your forever home little Petunia and little Peony. Such fine names indeed. I am sure you will get along great with Hope. She will enjoy the company for sure. Welcome? from all 14 of our little (and some large) misfit piggies. Our little Alexandrea was a starved piggie.. just bones and skin.. her little eyes were so sunken in.. that our vet didnt think we could keep her alive.. Its amazing what a lot of love can do. So little Petunia and little Peony? we send alot of love to you both. Welcome:) Jean & Andy and the 14 misfits From rzm.2 at juno.com Thu Oct 23 13:17:30 2008 From: rzm.2 at juno.com (Jaime) Date: Thu, 23 Oct 2008 17:17:30 GMT Subject: [Gpdd] MISC- welcomes Message-ID: <20081023.101730.20723.0@webmail11.dca.untd.com> Welcome to Peony & Petunia! You will love your new home. Your new mommy is the best!!! We hope to hear much more about you in the future! ~Jaime, Mimi & Daisy~ ~Molly, Radar & Albert always in our hearts~ http://piggiepages001.blogspot.com/ _____________________________________________________________ Click for top financial advice. Reduce debt & save for retirement. http://thirdpartyoffers.juno.com/TGL2121/fc/Ioyw6i3m2fm9DLD4yS6uugIxHwa3JX11ZEx7vONfgDGfbjyatdDzm3/?count=1234567890 From greig164 at btinternet.com Thu Oct 23 16:38:23 2008 From: greig164 at btinternet.com (A GREIG) Date: Thu, 23 Oct 2008 20:38:23 +0000 (GMT) Subject: [Gpdd] Misc : Roll Call Message-ID: <703398.97520.qm@web86304.mail.ird.yahoo.com> Hi Birdie I am Anne and I live in Aberdeenshire, Scotland I am slave to Kiaroo and Maisie adopted as 9week olds in July 2007. From birdlonglegs at yahoo.com Thu Oct 23 19:45:07 2008 From: birdlonglegs at yahoo.com (Birdie Horn) Date: Thu, 23 Oct 2008 16:45:07 -0700 (PDT) Subject: [Gpdd] Roll Call Message-ID: <744126.26032.qm@web50512.mail.re2.yahoo.com> I am an embarrassed and bad slave. I forgot to put that we have members in the state of Maryland in the USA when I put in the info about the roll call. As they say "my bad". Birdie From birdlonglegs at yahoo.com Thu Oct 23 20:02:38 2008 From: birdlonglegs at yahoo.com (Birdie Horn) Date: Thu, 23 Oct 2008 17:02:38 -0700 (PDT) Subject: [Gpdd] Misc: Roll Call Message-ID: <654514.59196.qm@web50505.mail.re2.yahoo.com> I would like to let everyone know that at the first of the year I changed computers. Sooo if you were on the other list and did not send your information againd after the first of the year I do not have you on the new list. I will use myself as an example of the info that I would like for the roll call. Please feel free to send you info again if you are uncertain if I have it. I usually send emails in reply that I have you down as I enter them. ? Info needed: Slave(s) and slave(s) birthdays? ???? Birdie 6/8/59 ???? Steve 3/17/59 Master(s)? Spunky, ??????????????? Miss Perky, ??????????????? Miss Pooky Location: County, State, City ????????? USA, Nebraska, LaVista ? Note birthdays of slave(s) do not need to enclude the year if you don't want to. ? Thanks Birdie From Glynis at garnay.com.au Thu Oct 23 23:12:25 2008 From: Glynis at garnay.com.au (Glynis Robson) Date: Fri, 24 Oct 2008 14:12:25 +1100 Subject: [Gpdd] [ANNOUNCE] Welcome Petunia & Peony Message-ID: <1E79BEF045F13847938D188011CBF923092111@GARNAYSBS.garnayindustries.local> WELCOME LITTLE GIRLIES xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx Oh Penny i was in tears reading their mistreatment .......i can't tell you what i wanted to say.... un repeatable grrr I'm so thrilled they're now in the capable and loving arms and paws of both you and their little PiggyFriends. I'm sure little Hope will be soooooooo happy to have some new little friends to chat and play with. Penny you're marvellous i so admire you, wish i was closer to help you out. Love Glynis (in mem Sully and Duke) xxxx From Algernon07 at aol.com Fri Oct 24 05:24:06 2008 From: Algernon07 at aol.com (Algernon07 at aol.com) Date: Fri, 24 Oct 2008 05:24:06 EDT Subject: [Gpdd] Announce: Penny's new rescues Message-ID: Dear Penny, You amaze me. I am so glad you were able to provide a home for 2 such needy little girls. You've said you aren't religious but I had to chuckle. Hope you don't mind. St. Francis of Assisi once said, "Preach the gospel at all times; if necessary, use words." Somehow that seems applicable to you. Your religion is not something apart from you, you live it. You, personally. I don't want to offend you by saying that, as it's meant very much as a compliment. As for "religion" I really don't wholly know what that means anyway, and I certainly don't mean that as any kind of admonition in reference to your wonderful post or as an attempting to correct yourself on your own personal view of self. :) I do know that the world is a better place because of you and the so many others like you that form our group and that are scattered in so many places through out the world. But you do stand out, even here. Deepest regards, Alge and the Jolly Pirate Crew (Jolly Rodent Pirate Crew?) ************** Play online games for FREE at Games.com! All of your favorites, no registration required and great graphics ? check it out! (http://pr.atwola.com/promoclk/100000075x1211202682x1200689022/aol?redir= http://www.games.com?ncid=emlcntusgame00000001) From juwles at bigpond.com Fri Oct 24 09:21:43 2008 From: juwles at bigpond.com (Julie Juwles Johnson) Date: Fri, 24 Oct 2008 23:21:43 +1000 Subject: [Gpdd] Health: Blindness Message-ID: <92430A4F97A846368E74C3B6183DA801@JuliePC> Hi all, I'm grateful for not having to had to write for advice for some time, but the need has now arisen. My dear Donald, a sheltie cross which I rescued from RSPCA nearly 12 months ago, looks to me like he has become blind, or is going blind, in his left eye. Over the past 2 weeks I've noted that his eye has been turning cloudy, whilst the other eye remains its normal black colour. I tried putting my finger closer to his eye, he did pull back so he has some sight there, but I'm pretty certain he's losing sight in that eye. I took a photo of both eyes, and the cloudiness definitely shows up in the photo. Does anyone know if piggies get cataracts or what could cause blindness to an eye? Luckily, the right eye is good as normal. Best wishes to all Julie, Donald, Wheeky, (and now Joey & Kimba - 2 new boys I adopted on 1 October) From rsilhan at tampabay.rr.com Fri Oct 24 11:07:57 2008 From: rsilhan at tampabay.rr.com (rsilhan at tampabay.rr.com) Date: Fri, 24 Oct 2008 11:07:57 -0400 Subject: [Gpdd] ANNOUNCE: Critter Corral Open House - Chicago Area Message-ID: <1399142.1661351224860877893.JavaMail.root@hrndva-web17-z02> The 9th Annual Critter Corral Open House will be held on Sunday, November 2nd, 2008, from 1:00 to 4:00 pm at the Willard Wood Park Center, 515 1st Street, Crete, IL. There will be lots of fun for piggies and owners alike: contests, piggie items for sale and adorable, adoptable piggies looking for forever homes. A popular highlight will be the piggy costume contest. Ribbons will be awarded in several categories, so start planning those costumes today! Please join us for an afternoon of food, fun and piggies galore! Hope to see you there! For more information, please contact us at info at crittercorral.org. From mfug at live.co.uk Fri Oct 24 12:10:17 2008 From: mfug at live.co.uk (M Fug) Date: Fri, 24 Oct 2008 16:10:17 +0000 Subject: [Gpdd] announcement: welcome Peony and Petunia Message-ID: A big Fugly welcome to the newest Piggyfriends, you are in great hands with your slave and your new friends, enjoy the vegetable garden. Fugly the fantabulous _________________________________________________________________ Discover Bird's Eye View now with Multimap from Live Search http://clk.atdmt.com/UKM/go/111354026/direct/01/ From momcat1000 at yahoo.com Fri Oct 24 12:22:31 2008 From: momcat1000 at yahoo.com (joan fagalde) Date: Fri, 24 Oct 2008 09:22:31 -0700 (PDT) Subject: [Gpdd] Health: Blindness In-Reply-To: <92430A4F97A846368E74C3B6183DA801@JuliePC> Message-ID: <520492.98640.qm@web39502.mail.mud.yahoo.com> Blindness is no big deal in a GP.? Their sense of sight is not really that great to begin with.? My little one has been blind in both eyes for three years and it does not get in her way.? Her senses of smell and hearing are how she gets around. ? It sounds like a cataract but you may want to have it checked out anyway.? Other than that, just relax.? Your little one will do just fine. ? Joan/Lady Bug From suzy at dunser.com Fri Oct 24 12:57:13 2008 From: suzy at dunser.com (=?ISO-8859-1?Q?Suzy_D=FCnser?=) Date: Sat, 25 Oct 2008 05:57:13 +1300 Subject: [Gpdd] ANNOUNCE - Petunia and Peony In-Reply-To: References: Message-ID: <492588C6-B04B-4D3B-995E-A03964678703@dunser.com> Hi Penny, Rocky and Katie and I would also like to welcome Petunia and Peony to the gpdd. How lucky they are to have found their way to you! We wish them all the best for a speedy recovery. We also wish Hope a quick adjustment period to her two new little friends! Cheers and wheeks from Suzy, Katie, and Rocky and Cocoa in our hearts From suzy at dunser.com Fri Oct 24 12:59:42 2008 From: suzy at dunser.com (=?ISO-8859-1?Q?Suzy_D=FCnser?=) Date: Sat, 25 Oct 2008 05:59:42 +1300 Subject: [Gpdd] ANNOUNCE - Katie is a person Message-ID: <5FCC4A74-CA05-4EF2-8AC8-38D4D12F604C@dunser.com> Hi again, Just in case anyone doesn't know, Katie is my 7-year-old daughter, who was Cocoa's particular slave. She's been reading the digest with me lately. (-: ("Oy! I'm not a SLAVE!" "So what are you?" "I'm a guinea pig LOVER!") Cheers from Suzy and Katie with Rocky and Cocoa in our hearts From piggyfriends at tesco.net Fri Oct 24 14:26:29 2008 From: piggyfriends at tesco.net (Penny Charlesworth) Date: Fri, 24 Oct 2008 19:26:29 +0100 Subject: [Gpdd] HEALTH Blindness Message-ID: <15D27FEA590E4CEC935987B30D10D5CE@inspiron1150> Julie, Blindness is not uncommon in guinea pigs and I have had several Piggyfriends who either arrived here that way or went blind. This did not cause them any problems and they ran around with their friends just the same as a sighted piggy. A cloudy eye can be a sign of an injury such as a hay poke, which causes the eye to go a milky colour while it heals. Often a piggy with a cataract in one eye eventually develops one in the other eye but it is nothing to worry about. Their eyesight is poor to begin with and they cope very well. My Halloween has cataracts but his ears tell him when the food is arriving and his nose tells him where it is. It doesn't stop him from chatting up the girls in the next door pen or from climbing the front of his pen for a cuddle. Blindness can be congenital but with a rescued piggy we seldom know their parentage. I once adopted a blind, pregnant piggy and her mate. One of her sons was born blind and one daughter became blind after a couple of years. Mum and the blind daughter always followed the sighted daughter around and the blind son followed his father. I called them my seeing-eye piggies. If you are worried you could always get Donald checked out at the vets. A big piggy welcome to Joey and Kimba. Well done for adopting two more little boys. Penny and the Piggyfriends. From pals4pets at cheerful.com Sat Oct 25 06:46:22 2008 From: pals4pets at cheerful.com (Debbie Jones) Date: Sat, 25 Oct 2008 05:46:22 -0500 Subject: [Gpdd] [RAINBOW BRIDGE] Brave soldier, SCAMP Scrabble Message-ID: <20081025104622.5882547808F@ws1-5.us4.outblaze.com> 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. The vet was running late, so all the food I had taken for Scrabbywabs to be munching whilst the needle went in was long eaten - I know, my fault for not taking more, I was cursing myself. Then the first thing she did was look in a book at her desk to see how to euthanase a guinea pig - filled me with confidence, that did. I asked her if she had ever euthanased a piggie before, to which the reply was no, but she had euthanased kittens - hmmm, not much similarity there. Then she injected his back leg (as there was nothing really left of his front ones), which hurt him and made him squeal - he was lying on his back on her table, with me stroking his little trusting head. Then we waited, whilst the anaesthetic supposedly took effect, though of course as his eyes didn't close it was difficult to tell, although the wimpering gradually stopped and his limbs did seem to relax. Then out came the stethoscope to listen for his heart, at which point I remembered another vet at the same practice once euthanising a hen for me and saying the needle had to go straight into the heart and sometimes it missed the first time. Of course, the tears and snot were already pouring out of me. Then she plunged the needle into his poor little body, and he squirmed and squealed - he definitely felt it, of that I have no doubt. My poor little soldier, always so brave, always so trusting. I only hope he could also feel that I was still there with him, stroking him, and that I loved him so much. After he had gone, I asked the vet to open up the one foot/leg which had become grossly deformed. For about a week it had looked like he was wearing a jumper with no sleeve and the arm was inside trying to find the sleeve opening. I didn't think it was infected, there was no sign of pus or anything. So she did cut it open, and we found that the bone had become deformed. I was right, there was no pus, just these deformed bones which the vet said was bone cancer. I don't rate her diagnostic skills very highly when it comes to piggies, but it would make sense that it was cancer. Whether the bumblefoot caused the cancer or the other way round we will never know, nor would I want to know. But it did confirm to me that it was probably right to help him to The Bridge. 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. On 20th April Scrabble's foot bled profusely when I lifted him out of his cage and pulled off a wisp of hay that was stuck to that foot - and I think that was the beginning of his foot problems, although at the time it just stopped bleeding and there was no swelling so I just carried on as normal. It wasn't until July that I felt his front feet were so swollen he needed treatment, and I contacted Chris and Tich at Cavies Castle, who said bumblefoot wasn't really curable but wouldn't kill him unless he bled to death, but to try Itrafungal. Thus started a long round of different treatments, recommended first by them, then others recommended by a new French piggie site, Cobaye Aventure, then more as advised by the local vets - and all the time, the front feet continued to get more and more swollen, developing huge great open sores. With the benefit of hindsight, I fear the twice daily bathing the French site and then the vet got me doing was doing more harm than good, stopping the sores from scabbing over, and eventually I stopped this bathing. But it was too late. 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 seemd 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 "We patronize them for their incompleteness, for their tragic fate of having taken a form so far below ourselves. And therein we err, and greatly err. For the animal shall not be measured by man. In a world older and more complete than ours they move finished and complete, gifted with extensions of the senses we have lost or never attained, living by voices we shall never hear. They are not brethren, they are not underlings; they are other nations, caught with ourselves in the net of life and time, fellow prisoners of the splendour and travail of the earth". Henry Beston -- See Exclusive Video: Hollywood Life's 5th Annual Style Awards http://www.hollywoodlife.net/Awards.aspx?AwardsID=style2008 From pandameisje at gmail.com Sat Oct 25 05:10:00 2008 From: pandameisje at gmail.com (Mieke Staaks) Date: Sat, 25 Oct 2008 11:10:00 +0200 Subject: [Gpdd] Silly: Dunya and Erwin (daddy slave) being sweet together! Message-ID: Hi all, I hope this cute movie of Dunya licking Erwin's chin and even his nose (!), will lighten up your day! I really hope it works.. (if not send me an email and I will mail it to you) http://pandameisje.hyves.nl/fotos/391202704/0/jIqr/ Enjoy, Mikey and the winky girls: Guiny, Dunya and Woopy and the shelter boys: Chico and Toby -- pandameisje at gmail.com pandameisje at hotmail.com m.staaks at pecoma.nl Blog: http://pandameisje.hyves.nl kleding: http://mist-clothing.blogspot.com/ From piggyfriends at tesco.net Sat Oct 25 07:44:59 2008 From: piggyfriends at tesco.net (Penny Charlesworth) Date: Sat, 25 Oct 2008 12:44:59 +0100 Subject: [Gpdd] MISC A message from Gulliver Message-ID: <7B387D608ADF4070AEFEEF45F63AD30A@inspiron1150> Gulliver Piggyfriend here, I am writing on behalf of our two new tiny Piggyfriends, Petunia and Peony. They would like to say a very quiet "Thankyou" to all the kind piggy folk who welcomed them to the Digest but they are too shy, as yet, to wheek for themselves. They had a little run with Hope yesterday whilst Slave cleaned out their cage, but she put them back in it when she went to work. She feels that the little girls need to have separate eating time from Hope, who is, I have to say, one very large lady. She is bigger than me and I must ask Slave to weigh her as she could be a LAPS contender. Their cage is staying in Hope's pen but this way they can get extra veggies without Hope pigging the lot whilst still enjoying each other's company. Glynis, all the Piggyfriends would love it if you were here to help. Can't you squeeze yourself onto a PigAir flight and come for a visit? Lots of love and wheeks to all piggies and Slaves. Gulliver, spokespig for the Piggyfriends. From ebak at ca.inter.net Sat Oct 25 18:21:13 2008 From: ebak at ca.inter.net (Evelyn Baker) Date: Sat, 25 Oct 2008 18:21:13 -0400 Subject: [Gpdd] [HEALTH] Blindness Message-ID: The cloudiness in your pigs eye could be one of a couple of things. The first as mentioned is cataracts. A guinea pig eye will go cloudy sometimes if it is infected or scratched. Have it checked out by a vet as your guinea pig might need some drops for it and it may be curable. Evelyn From dganley at tampabay.rr.com Sat Oct 25 20:29:48 2008 From: dganley at tampabay.rr.com (Deb Ganley) Date: Sat, 25 Oct 2008 20:29:48 -0400 Subject: [Gpdd] health--Blindness Message-ID: <005601c93701$f4762c10$0201a8c0@debbie47340559> My Emma has been at least partially blind since birth & she's done just fine. My girls are free-range, but Emma sticks by the housing area since she knows where things are. We don't "rearrange the furniture" in their houses or put her down in unfamiliar areas of the house since she can't find her way back to the piggie area like the other girls can--but she does very well. Like Joan said, their other senses heighten if they go blind & they adapt very well. Don't worry! Deb, Molly, Emma, Lily & Winnie (& Potter, always with us) From ckrtsqrl2000 at yahoo.com Sun Oct 26 13:12:39 2008 From: ckrtsqrl2000 at yahoo.com (Stacy Harvey) Date: Sun, 26 Oct 2008 10:12:39 -0700 (PDT) Subject: [Gpdd] (Bridge) Re: Scrabble Message-ID: <424072.21044.qm@web53001.mail.re2.yahoo.com> Debbie, ? We were so sorry to read of your dear Scrabble's departure for the Bridge. It seems you and Penny have had more than your share of losses this year. ? ?I am also terribly sorry to hear of the ineptitude of?the local vet. Having been privy to several exotics euthanasias (either my own piggies or other clients' pets, as a Vet Tech), I can tell you it is difficult for?even an experienced?doctor to perform perfectly, and also difficult to watch. Ethically, I think the vet should have said she'd never done one and perhaps sent you home with some pain meds?and allow Scrabble to pass on his own. But that is just my opinion.?One of the?reasons I'm working for the doctor where I'm at now is because if she's uncomfortable doing anything, she'll tell you she can't do it, even if it's awkward. I'm sure?Scrabble knew you were there for him until the end and that you were trying to do the right thing. ? I could say "don't beat yourself up" or "don't second-guess yourself", but I'd be a hyprocrite, as I do that very same thing every time I lose one. Instead I'll say, Try not to be too hard on yourself. I know it's har not to, though. Our thoughts are with you. ? I also offer condolences to all who have lost a piggy recently. I wish I could write to everyone personally. I have been "lurking" more on the Digest, seems that's all I have time for lately.?But you are all in my thoughts, even if I don't post. ? -Stacy and the Squee Squad (with 2 new additions that I'll write about later)? From dogcatpiggymom at yahoo.com Sun Oct 26 12:44:04 2008 From: dogcatpiggymom at yahoo.com (dogcatpiggymom at yahoo.com) Date: Sun, 26 Oct 2008 09:44:04 -0700 (PDT) Subject: [Gpdd] Rainbow Bridge: SCAMP Scrabble Message-ID: <163855.76339.qm@web33104.mail.mud.yahoo.com> Dear Debbie and Piggies: I am so sad to read that you have lost your special little boy.? It all sounds very traumatic and scary and I want to cry along with you.? I hope your Scrabble was in less pain than you think for both your sakes.? It must have been a very difficult time. Please know that I am thinking of you and sending you a hug from New York.? You both had a lovely life together and I hope you will remember those years instead of the minutes at the vet's office. Take care, Debbie. Hugs to you, Joanne Spicy, Merri, Macie, Teddy, Baci, Sweetie Happiness has always been a warm coat & a beating heart trusted to my care. ~ Alison Stormwolf ~ From calliope at geeksnet.com Sun Oct 26 14:22:31 2008 From: calliope at geeksnet.com (Cindy) Date: Sun, 26 Oct 2008 13:22:31 -0500 Subject: [Gpdd] RANBOW BRIDGE: belated condolences, Kadee Message-ID: <4904B567.7070801@geeksnet.com> Kacee, please accept our belated condolences on Kadee's passing. We are so very sorry that she went downhill and passed away despite all of your best efforts and the efforts of your vet. We know how heartbreaking it is when a piggie continues to lose weight no matter what we do. However, it is good that she was active until the end. Thank you for rescuing her when she was six months old. She was a lucky piggie to become a member of your family; we have no doubt that she enjoyed all of her time with you. Kadee knew how hard you were trying to get her well and how much she was loved. Yes, we are sure that she is running through the beautiful veggie fields at the Bridge and that she was met there by many friends, old and new. Our thoughts and prayers are with all sick piggies and their families. Sadly, Cindy, Tumbleweed, and Friday From calliope at geeksnet.com Sun Oct 26 14:52:29 2008 From: calliope at geeksnet.com (Cindy) Date: Sun, 26 Oct 2008 13:52:29 -0500 Subject: [Gpdd] RAINBOW BRIDGE: belated condolences, Satin Piggyfriend Message-ID: <4904BC6D.3030306@geeksnet.com> Penny and the sad Piggyfriends, we are so very sorry to hear of the passing of Satin Piggyfriend. We remember that she had the possibility of getting Osteodystrophy, and we had so hoped that this debilitating disease would not affect her. Although she did develop it and finally had trouble eating, we are glad that the symptoms didn't appear until after her sixth birthday so that she lived most of her life symptom-free. Please know that you always did your best for her, including syringe-feeding her and cutting her food into strips when she began to have problems. She was so lucky that you rescued her along with Ping and Truffle three years ago when she was left at Cavies' Castle to be rehomed. She was also lucky to find a good friend in the rescued Hope when Ping passed away. How sweet that she let Hope know that Hope was in a safe place. Obviously Satin was a compassionate girl. It is good to hear that she passed away peacefully, and, yes, we are sure that she is now reunited with Ping and Truffle. We hope one day there will be a cure for OD. Please accept our condolences on her passing. (P.S. What a lovely photo of her -- such an intelligent face.) We would also like to welcome home Petunia and Peony. How great that Hope now has new friends and that they enjoyed their run with her yesterday. We also send healing wheeks to Sapphire. Our thoughts and prayers are with all sick piggies and their families. Sadly, Cindy, Tumbleweed, and Friday From calliope at geeksnet.com Sun Oct 26 15:12:04 2008 From: calliope at geeksnet.com (Cindy) Date: Sun, 26 Oct 2008 14:12:04 -0500 Subject: [Gpdd] RAINBOW BRIDGE: belated condolences, Duke Message-ID: <4904C104.9020201@geeksnet.com> Glynis, your posting about older piggies and your tender, daily care of Duke was so very touching. There was love and hope in each word, and we are sure that you gave strength to many people who are caring for piggies who are ill, no matter what their age. We are so very sad to hear that Duke has now gone to the Bridge. What a lucky boy he was, though. You gave him such special care, up to and including the day he passed away. It was very poignant to read of how many times he rallied, not only that day but in weeks before. He obviously knew what a good home he had and didn't want to leave. How sweet that he stuck his head out of his hidey box to ask for a cuddle as you were cleaning his cage the day before he passed away, and how amazing that he climbed to your shoulder, with help, to say his final goodbye. We have no doubt that he was indeed saying farewell as he looked at you just before leaving for the Bridge. Although piggies are never with us long enough, it is wonderful that he was almost seven. We know he is now reunited with his good friend, Sully, at the Bridge, and they are sharing all of their many happy stories of you and how much you loved them. Please accept our condolences on Duke's passing. (P.S. We saw his photo on the SCAMPS page; his coloration was beautiful.) Our thoughts and prayers are with all sick piggies and their families. Sadly, Cindy, Tumbleweed, and Friday From calliope at geeksnet.com Sun Oct 26 15:30:16 2008 From: calliope at geeksnet.com (Cindy) Date: Sun, 26 Oct 2008 14:30:16 -0500 Subject: [Gpdd] RAINBOW BRIDGE: condolences, Scrabble Message-ID: <4904C548.8040504@geeksnet.com> Debbie and the sad Dolly Mixtures, we had so hoped that Scrabble would recover from his bumblefoot, and we are so very sad that he has passed on to the Bridge. We are sure that you did the right thing in helping him there; it does sound as though his foot had developed cancer. We are so sorry that the vet didn't know about euthanizing piggies, and our hearts go out to you. Please have no doubt, though, that Scrabble did indeed know that you were with him as he slipped away. We hope that all of your happy memories of him will soon ease the sadness of his final moments. You gave him excellent care, all the time, and we hope you won't feel that you caused any problems as you tried to help his bumblefoot. All we can do is our best with what we know at the time. Believe, us, he felt your love and concern. Thank you for sharing some of your memories of him, such as how he came to live with you and how he and Fidget came back to you after they were adopted out. Obviously he was meant to be with you, in your loving family. How sweet, too, that he enjoyed the sun so much; that is evident in his photo on the SCAMPS page -- such a lovely coat he had. No, we don't think his last time in the sun eating grass caused his diarrhea; we think it was probably, sadly, his time to go. We are glad that he was in your arms when he left, and we are sure he is now happily playing with Fidget and Zebra and many other friends, old and new. Please accept our condolences on his loss. Our thoughts and prayers are with all sick piggies and their families. Sadly, Cindy, Tumbleweed, and Friday From joanhess4 at sbcglobal.net Sun Oct 26 18:07:13 2008 From: joanhess4 at sbcglobal.net (GARY HESS) Date: Sun, 26 Oct 2008 15:07:13 -0700 (PDT) Subject: [Gpdd] ANNOUNCEMENT: New Members Message-ID: <740632.44854.qm@web81302.mail.mud.yahoo.com> Wheetings! I hope I got the format right this time. Hershey, my incarnation of adoreableness/sheltie cross little girl, and I are looking forward to learning and sharing with other piggie Moms/Dads/Slaves. We really are delighted to find like-minded and -hearted folks like yourselves! Joanie From piggyfriends at tesco.net Sun Oct 26 19:06:48 2008 From: piggyfriends at tesco.net (Penny Charlesworth) Date: Sun, 26 Oct 2008 23:06:48 -0000 Subject: [Gpdd] MISC Condolences for Scrabble Message-ID: <4CA11745087B4053A5542E6C898F4264@inspiron1150> Debbie and the Dolly Mixtures, We are truly sorry to read that dear Scrabble has departed for the Rainbow Bridge. Both of you struggled so long against the dreaded Bumblefoot and it is so sad that the little soldier lost his final battle. I'm glad that you have those final memories of him munching the grass so try and focus on those and not on that last day at the vets. I always hope that my Piggyfriends will depart at a time of their choosing, slipping away without pain and I do so wish that you did not have to rely on such incompetent vets in France. When their time comes, I hope that a dose of analgesia will keep them from any pain and allow them to drift away on that final journey. Etienne, the wonderful vet who treated the Piggyfriends for so many years, used the anaesthetic gas, Isoflurane, when it was necessary to help anyone's small furry on his/her way to the Bridge. He used the same little plastic anaesthetic box that he would use prior to an operation and send them gently to sleep and I wonder if your vet could improvise such a device for future use with any of their patients. Know that, as always, you did your very best for dear Scrabble and he is now free from pain, able to run with his old friends at the Rainbow Bridge. That is a lovely pigture of him enjoying the sunshine on the Scamps site. We are concerned that you have to endure some kind of surgery and trust that you will soon recover. Love to the remaining Dolly Mixtures. With our deepest sympathy, Penny and the Piggyfriends. From matildalucet at earthlink.net Sun Oct 26 21:39:49 2008 From: matildalucet at earthlink.net (Ginger Fitzsimmons) Date: Sun, 26 Oct 2008 21:39:49 -0400 Subject: [Gpdd] [RAINBOW BRIDGE] Brave soldier, SCAMP Scrabble In-Reply-To: References: Message-ID: <99B6AB77-B5CD-47E3-B2E9-036F5C9397C3@earthlink.net> Oh, Debbie, I am in tears. Scrabble was a good pig and you are a kind- hearted slave. Run free, Scrabble, in a meadow full of grass and sunshine. -ginger co-slave with Steve to Mr. Mike T. Pig On Oct 26, 2008, at 12:00 PM, gpdd-request at gpdd.org wrote: > Date: Sat, 25 Oct 2008 05:46:22 -0500 > From: "Debbie Jones" > Subject: [Gpdd] [RAINBOW BRIDGE] Brave soldier, SCAMP Scrabble > To: gpdd at gpdd.org > Message-ID: <20081025104622.5882547808F at ws1-5.us4.outblaze.com> > Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1" > > 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. From Glynis at garnay.com.au Mon Oct 27 00:25:02 2008 From: Glynis at garnay.com.au (Glynis Robson) Date: Mon, 27 Oct 2008 15:25:02 +1100 Subject: [Gpdd] [ANNOUNCE] Welcome Joey and Kimba Message-ID: <1E79BEF045F13847938D188011CBF923092122@GARNAYSBS.garnayindustries.local> HELLOOOOOO there and a huge welcome to you both to the gpdd xxxxxxxxxxx Gosh you're going to have so much fun, you have a very lovely slave and your two cage mates (erm are they?) are so great and friendly. Really looking forward to hearing more about you both and i hope you come on the next virtual trip. Love Glynis (in mem Sully and Duke) xxxx From Glynis at garnay.com.au Mon Oct 27 00:27:06 2008 From: Glynis at garnay.com.au (Glynis Robson) Date: Mon, 27 Oct 2008 15:27:06 +1100 Subject: [Gpdd] [ANNOUNCE] PigAir to the UK Message-ID: <1E79BEF045F13847938D188011CBF923092123@GARNAYSBS.garnayindustries.local> Gulliver i would love to come on PigAir to the UK, perhaps the next time you have an occassion at the PF's i'll have to pop over, i might be able to help feed and have cuddles or maybe tend to the elderly piggies and help your slave out. SIGH i wish i could really really just pop over to see you..........maybe one day sweet Gulliver XXXXXXXXXXXXXX Have fun with the new additions and keep munching. Love Glynis (in mem Sully and Duke) xxxx From leah.mcneil at wachovia.com Mon Oct 27 10:23:53 2008 From: leah.mcneil at wachovia.com (leah.mcneil at wachovia.com) Date: Mon, 27 Oct 2008 10:23:53 -0400 Subject: [Gpdd] Misc: Princess Snowflake/Bertie Pig Update Message-ID: Hello Piggies & Slaves! Sorry I haven't written much lately. I've been soooooo busy at work and I haven't had much time to do anything, it seems. But, I Finally get a little break, so I'm gonna get caught up as much as I can until work gets crazy again. Princess Snowflake & Bertie Pig are doing swell. PS is her usual bossy self and BP just follows her around and loves her to pieces. Floortime is Amazing with those two, cuz they are both so adventurous. I love watching the piggie train! I keep towels and tim. hay in two of their carriers on the floor, so they can run in and out as they please during floortime. BP almost always wants to be in the same carrier as the Princess. And he will run right in after her. Well, PS sometimes needs her 'me' time, and kicks BP out. But, PS is very careful not to let me see her being 'rude' to him, because she knows that I don't like that. Well, one time, she didn't know that I could see them cuz I was sneaky and leaning over my kitchen counter. And it was so Funny cuz BP had his backside towards PS and she was pushing him slowly with her nose. He's so big and weighs so much that he wasn't moving too much despite her efforts. But, eventually, she pushed hard enough and he jumped out. Ha ha! I love it! Bertie Pig is not a LAPS pig. I really thought he was. But, he's definitely a LAPS Pig-in-Training cuz he's weighing in at about 2 pounds/15 ounces. He quite plump and Dr. G wanted me to limit his pellets, but I just can't put a guinea pig on a diet. There's a reason they're called "PIGS", right? ha ha! So, I'm trying to encourage him to run more during free range time. Princess Snowflake, on the other hand, has gained a little weight. She has never hit the 2 pound mark...until recently. But, she's varying from 1 pound/15 oz to about 2 lbs. now. This is interesting, but I almost feel like she's trying to put on weight so that she can push BP around more effectively. :-) Well, I need to work on the captions for their Halloween 2008 website...Wheeeeek! I hope all piggies & slaves are having a Wonderful Monday...Funday...Monday!!!! Love 'n Wheeeeeeeeeeeeps, Leah...Slave to Princess Snowflake & Bertie Pig :-) From leah.mcneil at wachovia.com Mon Oct 27 11:28:44 2008 From: leah.mcneil at wachovia.com (leah.mcneil at wachovia.com) Date: Mon, 27 Oct 2008 11:28:44 -0400 Subject: [Gpdd] Misc: Where is Bertie Pig's Wheeeeker??? Message-ID: Hey there! This is strange, but Bertie Pig NEVER wheeeks! And I know his wheeeker works cuz he gives me unhappy wheeks when I put him on his back to check his underside. Sometimes, I get the impression that he's leaving the wheeking for the Princess, and you all know how vocal and opinionated that pig can be! Bertie made me chuckle the other day during floortime. Well, the pigs were sound asleep in their individual carriers (on the floor). So, I thought I could sneak to the kitchen and grab myself a bowl of cereal. Well, I got my bowl, and the cereal box, and I quietly opened the fridge and got the milk. I peeked over my kitchen counter at the piggies, and so far, so good. So, I pour the milk in and quietly return the milk to the fridge. I peek over again at the pigs, and they are both still sound asleep. Zzzzzzzzzzzzz... So then, I tip toe back to the couch and when I was half way there, Bertie woke up and saw me holding the bowl of cereal. So, he jumps up and runs to PS's carrier to alert her that I was eating. Omg, it was so Funny! I know I had this guilty look on my face as I was Busted! Well, the Princess is a deep sleeper, so Bertie had to jump into her carrier to wake her and then I could heard them talking. I just know that BP was saying something like, "Sis! That Slave is over there EATING Cereal!!! C'mon, let's Get HER!!!" So, I knew what I had to do. I let my cereal get soggy and I went back to the kitchen to get them some greens. Oh, the Life of a Slave... Love 'n Wheeeeeeeeeeps, PS, BP, and meeee :-) From jocelynm at umich.edu Mon Oct 27 11:30:11 2008 From: jocelynm at umich.edu (Anderson, Jocelyn M) Date: Mon, 27 Oct 2008 11:30:11 -0400 Subject: [Gpdd] [HEALTH] Bloodwork for Fireball? Message-ID: Hello All, Due to Fireball's mysterious weight loss (he's down to 897 grams) my vet suggested getting bloodwork done. She didn't feel any lumps for bladder stones, and white towels placed in the piggy arena didn't show him peeing any blood. (I did see a spot of red a few days ago on a napkin, so I placed paper towels down but didn't see any more blood spots. Maybe it was a piece of apple staining the napkin...?) She said that bloodwork would be a better start than X-Rays, since piggies are gassy and it's hard to tell what's going on with just X-Rays. Would this be a good idea to start with bloodwork? I'd rather not have the poor piggie poked if X-Rays would be a better start. Is there any chance that if he has a urinary tract infection that he would pee blood only once every few days? Fireball is eating his Critical Care like a good piggy so I'm hoping he'll pack on the ounces soon. Does anyone have a scale that they really like for weighting pigs? I have one, but it's awful so I can never get a proper number. I've been taking him to the vet to get his weight since they have a proper scale. Thanks! Jocelyn, Fireball the Fat, Little John, and Flashbang Fatbottom From Kacee.Conklin at HCAHealthcare.com Mon Oct 27 11:31:56 2008 From: Kacee.Conklin at HCAHealthcare.com (Conklin Kacee) Date: Mon, 27 Oct 2008 10:31:56 -0500 Subject: [Gpdd] RANBOW BRIDGE: belated condolences, Kadee In-Reply-To: <4904B567.7070801@geeksnet.com> References: <4904B567.7070801@geeksnet.com> Message-ID: <9B4181F0FD23584AAC347E64493AB4DD128E3D33CB@NADCWPMSGCMS08.hca.corpad.net> Thank you, Cindy. I'm afraid Kadee's cage mate, Barnee, is not doing so well. As you may recall, he had a bunch of bladder stones and possibly some in his kidney. We put him back on the antibiotic, etc. and he seemed to be doing better. He recently started sounding very congested so I took him to the vet. It looks like he's got congestive heart failure and he is now also on Lasix. He's eating, particularly the celery I have been giving him, but he mainly sits facing the corner by his hay rack. Barnee is about 7 1/2 so he's really lived a long and hopefully good life. Still, he is a sweet boy and I hate seeing him just facing the corner like that. I knew Kadee was in trouble when she was sitting facing the corner in the back of their cage. I spend lots of cuddle time with Barnee in the evening so hopefully he knows how much he means to me. Kacee and the Munchees 16 From rzm.2 at juno.com Mon Oct 27 12:14:45 2008 From: rzm.2 at juno.com (Jaime) Date: Mon, 27 Oct 2008 16:14:45 GMT Subject: [Gpdd] HEALTH- cataracts Message-ID: <20081027.091445.6059.0@webmail04.dca.untd.com> Julie- It sounds like a cataract to me. If that's the case he can probably still see shadows which is why he moved away from your finger. I had a blind piggie named Molly. She didn't have cataracts though, she was blind from injuries caused by abuse. She lived a perfectly normal & happy life. I think Joan's piggie Ladybug is blind too. They can live perfectly normal being blind. You can take him to the vets & they put these special drops in & then turn off the lights & they can see if the eye isn't right. That should be able to tell you more, but from what you said the cloudiness would indicate a cataract. I hope this helps. Let us know what you find out. ~Jaime, Mimi & Daisy~ ~Molly, Radar & Albert always in our hearts~ http://piggiepages001.blogspot.com/ _____________________________________________________________ Get help now! Click to find the right drug rehab solution for you. http://thirdpartyoffers.juno.com/TGL2121/fc/Ioyw6i3nCeL2ciKmbert7fzYTYToVuZaphoMXUzfte4VxQsf8erIqD/?count=1234567890 From rzm.2 at juno.com Mon Oct 27 12:31:25 2008 From: rzm.2 at juno.com (Jaime) Date: Mon, 27 Oct 2008 16:31:25 GMT Subject: [Gpdd] MISC- condolences Message-ID: <20081027.093126.6059.1@webmail04.dca.untd.com> Debbie- I'm so sorry to hear about Scrabble. I also sorry you had to see him go thru that. I think I would have had to punch that sad excuse for a vet. You have been amazing for him during his illness & I have no doubt he knew that. I'm sorry things have been so rough for you lately & I hope your health problems get better too. I'll be keeping you in my thoughts & prayers. ~Jaime, Mimi & Daisy~ ~Molly, Radar & Albert always in our hearts~ http://piggiepages001.blogspot.com/ _____________________________________________________________ Click here and choose from thousands of high quality used cars. http://thirdpartyoffers.juno.com/TGL2121/fc/Ioyw6i3oE0b7nVLCjNgeRr7dlqejWjwyluN8crLYpS7X85jg1CGz7x/?count=1234567890 From mfug at live.co.uk Mon Oct 27 13:20:27 2008 From: mfug at live.co.uk (M Fug) Date: Mon, 27 Oct 2008 17:20:27 +0000 Subject: [Gpdd] Rainbow Bridge; Scrabble Message-ID: Debbie, so sorry to hear about Scrabble it sounds so traumatic for you, when enough time has passed you will be able to remember the good times without getting upset. My heart really does go out to you, take comfort in the remaining Dolly Mixtures. M _________________________________________________________________ See the most popular videos on the web http://clk.atdmt.com/GBL/go/115454061/direct/01/ From mfug at live.co.uk Mon Oct 27 13:23:02 2008 From: mfug at live.co.uk (M Fug) Date: Mon, 27 Oct 2008 17:23:02 +0000 Subject: [Gpdd] Announcement; Welcomes Message-ID: Welcome to Joanie and Hershey, I am sure you will love it here we are all pig mad, and I am looking forward to hearing all about Hershey. Welcome to Joey and Kimba, think I have missed a post as I cant remember seeing one, Glynis's post tipped me of. A big welcome any way and I look forward to hearing more from you, and discovering who is the piggy and who is the person. M _________________________________________________________________ X Factor: latest video, features and more. Click here! http://clk.atdmt.com/GBL/go/115454063/direct/01/ From ann.evans at hintlink.com Mon Oct 27 15:27:10 2008 From: ann.evans at hintlink.com (Ann Evans) Date: Mon, 27 Oct 2008 15:27:10 -0400 Subject: [Gpdd] [ Rainbow Bridge] Peaceful Euthanasia Message-ID: <4906160E.9020306@hintlink.com> Scamps story broke my heart. I have a wonderful vet in Tampa Florida that has euthanized piggys for me. They peacefully fall asleep in my arms. I asked Dr. Frank Bonsack to write out his procedure. The following are his exact words "For small animals such as a guinea pig, birds, rodents, rabbits, reptiles, and many cats, I give Beuthanasia as the drug, and I give it I.P. (intra-peritoneum) on the mid-line of the abdomen. I usually use a 20gauge needle, because the solution is very thick and takes too long if a smaller needle is used. It is taken into the blood stream , much slower than an I.V. injection, but it is much more humane, than to try and hit a vein, or do a intra-cardiac injection. The animal just drifts into a permanent sleep. This also gives the owner time to sit with their pet while it goes to sleep. (if they so desire). The ventral midlline has a minimum amount of nerves, as compared to going thru muscle, and doesn't seem to visibly upset them in my 35years of practice. I hope this helps you." I hope these instructions will help anyone that needs to have their beloved pet euthanized. Euthanasia can be the kindest last deed that you do for your piggy. I can attest that this is the best method I have ever seen used. Most importantly your piggy will not feel any pain if it is done correctly. Sincerely, Ann and the rescued piggys of Piggyville Tampa Florida -- Ann Evans +1 813.249.8502 http://hintlink.com/ From piggyfriends at tesco.net Mon Oct 27 14:41:32 2008 From: piggyfriends at tesco.net (Penny Charlesworth) Date: Mon, 27 Oct 2008 18:41:32 -0000 Subject: [Gpdd] MISC Welcome Joanie and Hershey Message-ID: <2A25A445230E450193405CAD7045476F@inspiron1150> A big piggy welcome coming your way, Joanie and Hershey. We are all mad about piggies here. Penny and the Piggyfriends ( a little piggy sanctuary in England ). From Glynis at garnay.com.au Mon Oct 27 22:13:31 2008 From: Glynis at garnay.com.au (Glynis Robson) Date: Tue, 28 Oct 2008 13:13:31 +1100 Subject: [Gpdd] [ANNOUNCE] Condolences for Scrabble Message-ID: <1E79BEF045F13847938D188011CBF92309212F@GARNAYSBS.garnayindustries.local> Dear Debbie i know i've sent you a pm, but that was before i read your posting on gpdd :o( It's taken me a full day to read this thru i kept having to stop and cry and then i just couldn't read it........my heart was so heavy for you i just wish there was something i could say to help.....HUGE HUGS xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx RIP Scrabble run free at the bridge, munch along with your lovely family and friends and popcorn in the green meadows, you're such a brave little man, you'll NEVER be forgotten xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx (((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((HUGS))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))) and loves to you Debbie and the greiving Dolly Mixtures XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX Best of luck with your hospital visit, i'll be thinking of you xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx Love Glynis (in mem Sully and Dukey) xxxx From Glynis at garnay.com.au Mon Oct 27 22:15:31 2008 From: Glynis at garnay.com.au (Glynis Robson) Date: Tue, 28 Oct 2008 13:15:31 +1100 Subject: [Gpdd] [ANNOUNCE] Welcome Joanie and Hershey Message-ID: <1E79BEF045F13847938D188011CBF923092130@GARNAYSBS.garnayindustries.local> HELLO and a BIG welcome to the gpdd xxxxxxxxxxxx You've come to the right place to chat about piggies, we all just adore our furry friends :o) A love of a guinea pig is something to behold, it's warm and fuzzy and just the best xxxx Hope to hear all about Hershey, Love Glynis (in mem Sully and Dukey) xxxx From DL1Bossfan at aol.com Tue Oct 28 00:08:19 2008 From: DL1Bossfan at aol.com (DL1Bossfan at aol.com) Date: Tue, 28 Oct 2008 00:08:19 EDT Subject: [Gpdd] [ANNOUNCE] Rainbow Bridge: Huck Message-ID: It is with tears and a heavy heart that I announce that my sweet Huck crossed the bridge today. He has been having good and bad days for quite a while. Given his age and frail condition, I decided (after several vet trips) to keep him as comfortable and happy as I could for as long as I could. I would have made a quick decision to help him cross the bridge when and if he showed obvious signs of pain. I was off work since last Thursday and Friday. During that time, I felt in my heart the time was near. I guess it is just a feeling you get. We spent lots of couch time together. He was a little soldier -- always a cuddlebug -- never crying out. This morning I fed him Critical Care before going to work. He was still eating on his own, but loved the extra feedings of CC. I kissed him and put him back in his cage. When I returned from work this afternoon, he was gone. It was so strange -- a normally "wheeking" house of piggies were so quiet. Huck was blessed by my priest on October 4th. I am comforted by that. I buried him in the backyard under the stars tonight. He is resting close to the statue of St. Francis. Rest in peace little one -- you have brought such joy and (now) sadness to me. In loving memory of you Huckleberry. You will be greatly missed. Donna and the SC piggies Thatcher, Big Jim, Houdini, Zion, and Aunt Polly **************Play online games for FREE at Games.com! All of your favorites, no registration required and great graphics ? check it out! (http://pr.atwola.com/promoclk/100000075x1211202682x1200689022/aol?redir= http://www.games.com?ncid=emlcntusgame00000001) From Algernon07 at aol.com Tue Oct 28 00:59:33 2008 From: Algernon07 at aol.com (Algernon07 at aol.com) Date: Tue, 28 Oct 2008 00:59:33 EDT Subject: [Gpdd] Bridge: Scrabble and sedation Message-ID: Hi, I have been in touch with Debbie privately and as the rest of you, felt and feel horrible at all that transpired with Scrabble. I'm glad Stacy, that you told of your experiences and, Penny, the correct gas to be used if we can find vets willing to use it. I'm going to pare this down to its bare bones. You know I always want sedation for my piggies when we're going on to the Bridge. (Oh, such a heart wrenching experience presented so matter of factly here.) One vet (inexperienced I think, but an exotics nonetheless) gave my little Ebby what must have been way too much pre shot sedative too quickly. His eyes went rolling around in his head, he went unnaturally limp; I'll just say that it was dreadful and that only the "lethal injection" shot stopped that though clearly he didn't feel that 2nd shot for which I am so very grateful. I have called all my vets asking if the use a "general anesthesia" to euthanize pets. I finally learned that while I meant gas, they meant a shot. "The shot." Mr. Cooders trip was a good one, a blessing. With Chester, I told the vet I wanted him, too, fully sedated to the point of unconsciousness, but that I did not want the sedation to jolt his system. Just a general winding down. At least 15 minutes and it may have been 20 passed before that little guy was totally off unconscious. I thought he was unconscious a couple of times before but then he'd slightly raise his head as if to come out of the fog. The vet checked 3 or 4 times, and Chester and I weren't ready until we were ready and the vet accepted that. Chester wanted to hang on, I think, and I so wanted just to take him back home and have everything be fine. I would not, at this point, ever allow a piggy that I wasn't totally sure was completely unconscious be given that final shot prematurely. And it took Chester a while. Anyway, when he was finally totally unconscious, the vet gave him "the shot" and his heart stopped beating. I share this as we all share things -- in hopes of helping other piggies and their parents/slaves have things go right. If the vet had asked me to go sit in the waiting room while waiting (WITH Chester), I would have done that, but I would not allow that other injection "too soon." But we can't know these things until we've experienced them or have been warned. On an occasion some years back I had to have a dog put to sleep. With cats and dogs, if the right injectable is chosen things go well. They are generally able to access a vein with them. (Not so with little piggy veins.) For reasons not relevant to this post, I wanted him totally sedated first, so the vet gave me pills to give him at home (which was what I wanted). It must have taken an hour and a half for the meds to finally work -- this time I think a slightly stronger dosage would have been better, but it was ok. But finally the dog was totally sedated. I took the dog to the back door at the vets, and it knew nothing when it went from one sleep to the next. (And going through the back door has absolutely nothing to do with any of this. Stacy mentioned meds. Not all vets are willing to give them. My current vet, with whom I'm 80% satisfied, balked at giving me -- is it Metacam?-- for Mr. Cooders and suggested baby aspirin instead. Half a tablet or what, I'm not sure. He was afraid that the Metacam/Metcam would cause gut stasis. I would have taken that chance knowing that so many piggies on here do well with it and that Mr. Cooders had real pain tho no where near as severe as Ebeneezer's who had first been to a vet who misdiagnosed him and who had then got progressively worse over the weekend. So we come to the questions, what kinds of meds can we give our piggies to help them get along, to help ready them for the Bridge, to presedate them if necessary before going to the vet, or what I'm not saying, how might we painlessly actually ourselves help them if their time is close? Some vets are helpful in this way -- some absolutely are not. I'm receptive to any private emails, but don't think it would be a problem to discuss how we medicate our piggies here. I didn't know imodium was ok for them. How much? Someone gave their piggy some valium once for something? What for and how much? No one should have to go through what Debbie and Scrabble went through, though I agree, focus on happy memories. But most of us have been haunted in some way by thoughts of what maybe we could have done to help. The answer is always that we did the vey best that we could. Another turn in the conversation if I may. I wrote to and posted on here an email to Penny whose open door to guinea pigs amazes and humbles me. But Penny is not the only one with a big and kind heart. I remember when Debbie (in France) rescued all those little piggies from the wretched crocodile woman during freezing weather. There are so many of you who have done so much -- who have taken on additional piggies because they needed a home. I have failed to list or praise you people but my greatest admiration is always there. Hoping we can help each other with meds, pain meds, pre-sedation, meds, sedation meds, etc.... With sadness and concern yet with joy for the little ones we love and have loved, Alge -- and get this -- The Jolly Rodent Piggy Pirate Crew!! Charlie and Capt'n Jack were here together so there is a continuity. And thanks Penny for helping me with that realization. The Jolly Rodents will go on.... ************** Play online games for FREE at Games.com! All of your favorites, no registration required and great graphics ? check it out! (http://pr.atwola.com/promoclk/100000075x1211202682x1200689022/aol?redir= http://www.games.com?ncid=emlcntusgame00000001) From Algernon07 at aol.com Tue Oct 28 01:04:01 2008 From: Algernon07 at aol.com (Algernon07 at aol.com) Date: Tue, 28 Oct 2008 01:04:01 EDT Subject: [Gpdd] Announcement: New Members Message-ID: Joanie, Hi and welcome to our very wonderful group. And welcome to Hershey, too. Alge and the Jolly Rodent Pirate Crew -- or was that The Jolly Rodent Piggy Pirate Crew??? Captain Jack and Barnacle Bill ************** Play online games for FREE at Games.com! All of your favorites, no registration required and great graphics ? check it out! (http://pr.atwola.com/promoclk/100000075x1211202682x1200689022/aol?redir= http://www.games.com?ncid=emlcntusgame00000001) From Algernon07 at aol.com Tue Oct 28 01:12:51 2008 From: Algernon07 at aol.com (Algernon07 at aol.com) Date: Tue, 28 Oct 2008 01:12:51 EDT Subject: [Gpdd] Announcement: Welcome Joey and Kimba Message-ID: Hello New Piigies, Wheee welcome you to the GPDD! The Jolly Rodent Pirate Crew: Cap'n Jack and Barnacle Bill ************** Play online games for FREE at Games.com! All of your favorites, no registration required and great graphics ? check it out! (http://pr.atwola.com/promoclk/100000075x1211202682x1200689022/aol?redir= http://www.games.com?ncid=emlcntusgame00000001) From Algernon07 at aol.com Tue Oct 28 01:30:26 2008 From: Algernon07 at aol.com (Algernon07 at aol.com) Date: Tue, 28 Oct 2008 01:30:26 EDT Subject: [Gpdd] [ANNOUNCE] Rainbow Bridge: Huck RIP Little Guy Message-ID: Ah, Donna, The little guy finally made the trip, did he? I am just so sorry for the both of you that piggies have such a short life span, but I know how much you worked on keeping him feeling good. There must be great sadness and emptiness in your little herd as well as your heart tonight. I don't know if knowledge of the inevitableness of it helps or not. I hope you're doing reasonably well. And I'm glad that he got to continue to indulge his taste for Critical Care to the end. Perhaps there was some sighting of the RV near your place sometime today? He's with his friends and there is that unending banquet of just the kinds of greens and fruits that piggies so dearly love. There Huck is young and healthy and popcorning like a piggy pup again. And, of course, our Peter Gurney is there, always ready for chat. Run free, little one. Deepest condolences, Alge and Crew ************** Play online games for FREE at Games.com! All of your favorites, no registration required and great graphics ? check it out! (http://pr.atwola.com/promoclk/100000075x1211202682x1200689022/aol?redir= http://www.games.com?ncid=emlcntusgame00000001) From leah.mcneil at wachovia.com Tue Oct 28 10:51:31 2008 From: leah.mcneil at wachovia.com (leah.mcneil at wachovia.com) Date: Tue, 28 Oct 2008 10:51:31 -0400 Subject: [Gpdd] Health: Princess Snowflake has blood in her urine :-( Message-ID: Hello Piggies & Slaves, [Big Long Sigh] I have made a Vet appointment for the Princess for this Thursday. The last couple of wheeeeeks, I have noticed that the piggies' water intake has been less and less. And last wheeek, I was a bad Slave, as I had out of town visitors (both for work and personal) and so I went out almost every night of the wheek. Well, this past wheeekend, I watched them and noticed that PS has not been drinking much water. In fact, I don't think I recall her sippin' from their water bottles at all, now looking back. Geeez. I have been syringing her water, like an ounce every other day, when I give her her Vit C supplement. But, I just assumed that she was drinking water when I wasn't around. Well, now, I'm thinking that she's not drinking any water when I'm not around. But, she IS eating her pellets (and hay and fruits/veggies). So, last night, I syringed her 2 ounces of water and gave her 2 Shilintong tablets (crushed/mixed with water). And I checked her urine. I have urine strips, so that's how I was able to check her urine. And I found that the urine strips tested postive for blood. :-( I'm going to syringe her lots of water again tonight and check her urine again. I have noticed that she has gotten more tired and has been sleeping more. She started acting this way before Bertie Pig came, but I was thinking that it was because she was getting bored and just needed a playmate. But, I have noticed that she still seems more tired than usual, even with B-Pig around. So, I guess the signs were there... I used to give PS a Vit C supplement (3/4 of an Oxbow Vit C tablet mixed with water) twice a wheeeek. But, since Bertie Pig came, I started giving them their supplement every other day (BP gets a full tablet since he weighs so much). And well, you all know how I am, I can't help but wonder if maybe that is part of the problem. I could never prove it, but I swear that those Oxbow tablets were the cause of some of my Beloved Brownie Bear's bladder stones. But, I couldn't remove them completely from her diet, because then her back legs would start acting up. So, later today, I am going to research some liquid Vit C options and see if I can get my hands on some this wheeek. And for the record, the Oxbow Vit C tablets are an Excellent source of Vit C for our piggies. But, I think that some piggies may just be predispostioned to form bladder stones/sludge if their body has an excess of minerals such as calcium or vitamin C. I check the Princess's bottom area quite often, and I have Never seen any evidence of bladder sludge. So, it's very possible that I am jumping the gun here. [Prince Teddy close your ears] Maybe since she's become sexually active, she's gotten an infection 'down there'. Or maybe she just has a Urinary Tract Infection (UTI) that was caused by something else. ??? Well, either way, I'm going to get her checked out on Thursday and have x-rays done. She had x-rays done about a year ago, so she was due to have that done anyways. As a bare minimum, I know that she will be put on some type of antibiotics. At their last Vet visit, Dr. G had mentioned that whee could do blood work on the Princess during her Yearly exam. But, he would have to put her under (anaesthesia) to do that, so I didn't want to go that route, unless absolutely necessary. PS says, "Leave my bottom area ALONE...Wheeek!" Love 'n Wheeeeeeeps, Leah...Slave to Princess Snowflake & Bertie Pig :-) From warmbreath at comcast.net Tue Oct 28 07:46:11 2008 From: warmbreath at comcast.net (warmbreath) Date: Tue, 28 Oct 2008 04:46:11 -0700 Subject: [Gpdd] (Bridge) Re: Scrabble References: <424072.21044.qm@web53001.mail.re2.yahoo.com> Message-ID: <58DA54970A2C40118AED5167DB95D13A@SNADY> Hi Debbie, I am so sorry to hear your sad story about Scrabble's trouble getting over the bridge. Alge asked me to send my story about my darling Square-ed who went critical unexpectedly at the beginning of a long holiday weekend. With my experience with Ed and the thousands of drug deaths we read about in the newspaper weekly, I wanted to write you with my experience. Bottom line is I picked up Ed and didn't notice anything wrong, but when I tried to put him down he wheeked until I picked him up, on closer inspection I realized his illness had progressed and our exotics vet was over an hour away on a long holiday wheekend. I wrapped him as a burrito in a towel as he couldn't control his pee, he refused all attempts at syringe feeding water and food, even though he had been well taught in health just for this occasion. He was happy as long as I held him but after a while I could tell he was in pain, so I gave him methadone, legally prescribed. I gave 10 mg thinking it would help him to the bridge, but no, my Ed got hi! and very happy, he giggled and purred and as long as I held him he was happy, for 3 days I held him, I slept with him, managed when I went to the bathroom, didn't shower, and delegated everything else. It took 5 pills over 3 days, and then he passed still happy. In life Square ed was a pigs pig, he spent the first few years hanging out with his boar buds, then after his neuter he married his first wife, and then a few more years a second wife when the fist died. He would hang out with me for treats bath, manly boar care, nails hair cuts etc. but when it was done he wanted to be with his pig buds and wives, until he was ready to die, then he came to me and stayed, made it clear he knew I was the go to person for care, so I did my job, and we had a great 3 days, some of the most meaningful of my life. He loved me and I loved him, and I helped him to the bridge. 2 months ago my oldest son died of a heroin overdose, a long habit that broke me financially and emotionally as I couldn't help him, I lost my home and half of my belongings. inc my car. Then I we had to live separately, he spent a lot of time in jail, nothing helped him. The final time I am sure he had his dose all planned out in his way, he was sure he would never make a mistake, but maybe the product was too strong, he died painlessly in 5 seconds max without knowing he was dying, our piggies should have it this good, Ed did. My sincere condolences Sandy and Manny the Boar, who by the way has found a live in baby boar friend called Little Pig, but he still misses and adores Peaches his virtual love Don't tell me there is any mystery about how to help a suffering animal to the bridge, the worst thing that can happen is that he can wake again, in that case give more, it works, I guarantee it. ----- Original Message ----- From: "Stacy Harvey" To: "GPDD" Sent: Sunday, October 26, 2008 10:12 AM Subject: [Gpdd] (Bridge) Re: Scrabble Debbie, We were so sorry to read of your dear Scrabble's departure for the Bridge. It seems you and Penny have had more than your share of losses this year. I am also terribly sorry to hear of the ineptitude of the local vet. Having been privy to several exotics euthanasias (either my own piggies or other clients' pets, as a Vet Tech), I can tell you it is difficult for even an experienced doctor to perform perfectly, and also difficult to watch. Ethically, I think the vet should have said she'd never done one and perhaps sent you home with some pain meds and allow Scrabble to pass on his own. But that is just my opinion. One of the reasons I'm working for the doctor where I'm at now is because if she's uncomfortable doing anything, she'll tell you she can't do it, even if it's awkward. I'm sure Scrabble knew you were there for him until the end and that you were trying to do the right thing. I could say "don't beat yourself up" or "don't second-guess yourself", but I'd be a hyprocrite, as I do that very same thing every time I lose one. Instead I'll say, Try not to be too hard on yourself. I know it's har not to, though. Our thoughts are with you. I also offer condolences to all who have lost a piggy recently. I wish I could write to everyone personally. I have been "lurking" more on the Digest, seems that's all I have time for lately. But you are all in my thoughts, even if I don't post. -Stacy and the Squee Squad (with 2 new additions that I'll write about later) From dogcatpiggymom at yahoo.com Tue Oct 28 12:06:22 2008 From: dogcatpiggymom at yahoo.com (dogcatpiggymom at yahoo.com) Date: Tue, 28 Oct 2008 09:06:22 -0700 (PDT) Subject: [Gpdd] Rainbow Bridge: HUCK Message-ID: <910241.20437.qm@web33101.mail.mud.yahoo.com> Dear Donna and Piggies: I am so sorry that Huck has departed for the Rainbow Bridge!? I hope you are doing okay.? It's always terribly sad to read such news on the digest, but it sounds like Huck was ready.? I am sending you a hug of friendship and will be thinking of you during this difficult time. Rest in Peace, Huck. With sympathy, Joanne Spicy, Merri, Macie, Teddy, Baci, and Sweetie A kitten is in the animal world what a rosebud is in the garden. -Robert Southey From mfug at live.co.uk Tue Oct 28 13:11:38 2008 From: mfug at live.co.uk (M Fug) Date: Tue, 28 Oct 2008 17:11:38 +0000 Subject: [Gpdd] Rainbow Bridge; Huck Message-ID: Donna I am so sorry that Huck has gone to the bridge, I never seem to know what to say in these posts, just know I am thinking of you and the remaining Mark Twain piggies (as I have christened your little ones) Run free little Huck with all your GPDD friends Love M _________________________________________________________________ See the most popular videos on the web http://clk.atdmt.com/GBL/go/115454061/direct/01/ From mfug at live.co.uk Tue Oct 28 13:19:35 2008 From: mfug at live.co.uk (M Fug) Date: Tue, 28 Oct 2008 17:19:35 +0000 Subject: [Gpdd] Health; PS bladder Message-ID: Hi Leah I really hope that PS has nothing wrong with her. If she does have a UTI then this is my experience with them, my boy Bubble had chronic cystitus (sp) I took him to the vet as he was in pain when peeing and passing blood and they diagnosed him, after 3 courses of antibiotics they decided to xray in case of stones, luckily he was clear. Any way the vet basically said it wasnt worth giving him any more antibiotics and with no futher advise left me to take him home. Well a friend advised me to give him cranberry juice, unsweetened health shop kind which I did, in a few days he was fine again, since then I add 50ml Cranberry to a 200ml water bottle and top up with water, I use this as a preventative measure and touch wood Bubble never got cystitis again and Fugly has not had a problem. This does rely on them drinking which my boys did/do but you could syringe, Cranberry is also a good source for Vit C. Hope this helps, and love to both your babies M _________________________________________________________________ Catch up on all the latest celebrity gossip http://clk.atdmt.com/GBL/go/115454061/direct/01/ From ann.evans at hintlink.com Tue Oct 28 13:58:13 2008 From: ann.evans at hintlink.com (Ann Evans) Date: Tue, 28 Oct 2008 13:58:13 -0400 Subject: [Gpdd] Bridge: Scrabble and sedation Message-ID: <490752B5.10407@hintlink.com> Dear Alge and all Piggy Slaves I feel Alge brought up some very important issues about how we should share our knowledge of cavy medicine even when it comes to pre-sedation and euthanasia. I wrote in issue 323 about Peaceful Euthanasia. For 24 years I have operated a private cavy rescue home. I am a pharmaceutical scientist and medical device inventor who loves piggys. To me they are the most deserving of all animals since so many have given their lives to science. Back in the early years when I lived in Miami a vet botched euthanizing one of my piggys. After that I always insisted when I would interview a vet to see if she/he was qualified to care for my piggys I would tell the vet how I wanted euthanasia to be performed if the need ever arose. If the vet said no, I would look for another vet. I used to always have the vet first give 2% isoflurane anesthetic gas to the piggy that was to be euthanized. Within minutes the piggy would gently fall asleep and then when there were no reflex movements the lethal injection would be administered. It was not until 2001 when I met Dr. Frank Bonsack that I changed the way I have euthanasia performed. By the way isoflurane is the only anesthetic gas a piggy needs for surgery or if your vet will only trim teeth if your cavy is under anesthesia. According to Vedra Stanley Spatcher of the Cambridge Cavy Trust,CCT, and Guinea Pig Hospital a cavy should receive 0.2ml of Rimadyl prior to surgery and any fluid or food aspirated from the back of the throat and only 2% isoflurane used for anesthesia.....nothing else, no matter what type of surgery is being performed. After the surgery is completed the isoflurane is turned off the cavy is given oxygen given oxygen and should be awake and walking and eating within 15 minutes of surgery. I can attest to this procedure being used on my cavies and all of them recovered fully. I feel that I am the person employing the vet and the vet either does it my way or if the vet does not feel comfortable doing it my way it is up to me to find a vet that will do it my way. I have been a member of the Cambridge Cavy Trust for 10 years. Vedra Stanley Spatcher has treated over 40,000 cavies. Anyone wanting to know more about CCT or the British Association of Rodentologists can pm me. Ann and the rescued Piggys of Piggyville Tampa Florida USA -- From piggyfriends at tesco.net Tue Oct 28 13:29:11 2008 From: piggyfriends at tesco.net (Penny Charlesworth) Date: Tue, 28 Oct 2008 17:29:11 -0000 Subject: [Gpdd] Gulliver proposes a toast Message-ID: <04FE1BBCE6D04E09A8B4FC1248AB4E85@inspiron1150> We all know that she will not feel like celebrating, but 29th. October is Glynis's birthday and all of us here at Piggyfriends think that such an important day should be quietly remembered. So I call upon piggies everywhere to raise a glass of carrot wine in honour of Glynis, Superslave. With love and wheeks from Gulliver, spokespig for the Piggyfriends, with slave, Penny.xxxxxx From piggyfriends at tesco.net Tue Oct 28 14:59:31 2008 From: piggyfriends at tesco.net (Penny Charlesworth) Date: Tue, 28 Oct 2008 18:59:31 -0000 Subject: [Gpdd] MISC Condolences for Huck Message-ID: <9BBB048155314F55A9A83E6280671C43@inspiron1150> Donna, I am so sorry that Huck has left for the Rainbow Bridge. I can see his pigture right now in the Piggyfriends gallery, from last Christmas when the SC piggies were our Secret Santa Card Exchange. He was a handsome boy and I know how much he will be missed. It is comforting to know that he went peacefully, at a time of his own choosing, and that he is now reunited with his brother Tom. Thinking of you all. With our deepest sympathy. Penny and the Piggyfriends. From jaggs4 at sbcglobal.net Tue Oct 28 16:10:40 2008 From: jaggs4 at sbcglobal.net (ANDREW SILL) Date: Tue, 28 Oct 2008 13:10:40 -0700 (PDT) Subject: [Gpdd] Bridge: Scrabble Message-ID: <530981.64524.qm@web80205.mail.mud.yahoo.com> Dearest Debbie, With a heavy heart and tears streaming down my face.. I send my condolences to you and all the Dolly Mixtures for your loss of your VERY brave soldier Scrabble. Such a brave little soul. I am so sorry for your experience at the vet, but know that little Scrabble is running free and pop-corning now while enjoying the company of all our little fur babies that have crossed before him. Such a brave Soldier your little Scrabble.... our deepest sympathy to you all Jean & Andy and our 14 misfits From leah.mcneil at wachovia.com Tue Oct 28 16:13:23 2008 From: leah.mcneil at wachovia.com (leah.mcneil at wachovia.com) Date: Tue, 28 Oct 2008 16:13:23 -0400 Subject: [Gpdd] Misc: Re: I must be an overprotective slave Message-ID: Geeeeeez Joanne! You are one Psycho Slave!!! ha ha! Oh, I am totally kidding. Actually, I was thinking the same thing as you. I'm so scared to give my piggies anything from the outdoors cuz unless you can guarantee that leaves or grass or whatever is totally safe...well, let's just say I'm not a risk taker. Since I moved to North Carolina, I learned (the hard way) that fire ants are popular down here. And a couple of months before my Beloved Butterscotch passed away, he had a bite on him and I swear it was a fire ant bite. I used to let him and Brownie Bear graze in my backyard, but very rarely because I know that some neighbors would treat their lawns. And now, after BS getting bit, I am just downright paranoid. Princess Snowflake has never been allowed to graze in the yard. And now that I'm living in a townhouse (rental) where my yard is maintained, I would never let her in the grass because I'm pretty sure they treat the grass, cuz it's green...but a little Too Green, if you know whatta mean. :-) So, you're not alone, Joanne, cuz I'm PSYCHO toooooo...Wheeeeek! Love 'n Wheeeeeeeps, Leah...Psycho Slave to Princess Snowflake & Bertie Pig :-) ************************************************************************************************************ I'm reading about whether or not to give fall leaves to our piggies. I would never. Then again, I am overprotective! My mom has apple trees on her property and I use only the branches (making sure there are no sharp edges), but I don't give them the leaves. Due to ticks and fleas, plus lots of wildlife, I don't put my pigs on the grass, either. I'm sure they would love it, but I just can't risk them eating anything they shouldn't (like deer poop), etc. I'd rather be safe than sorry so I stick with fruit and veggies. Just my 2 cents. Joanne Spicy, Merri, Macie, Teddy, Baci, Sweetie ************************************************************************************************************* From jaggs4 at sbcglobal.net Tue Oct 28 16:13:49 2008 From: jaggs4 at sbcglobal.net (ANDREW SILL) Date: Tue, 28 Oct 2008 13:13:49 -0700 (PDT) Subject: [Gpdd] announcement: Joanne and Hershey Message-ID: <807222.84196.qm@web80204.mail.mud.yahoo.com> Welcome? Welcome Joanne and Hershy:) A big weeeekcome to? the digest. I am new also but have learned sooo much already on the care and the great love? everyone here has for our little fur babies.? Looking forward to learning more about? you both:) Jean & Andy and our misfits 14:) From jaggs4 at sbcglobal.net Tue Oct 28 16:19:53 2008 From: jaggs4 at sbcglobal.net (ANDREW SILL) Date: Tue, 28 Oct 2008 13:19:53 -0700 (PDT) Subject: [Gpdd] rainbow bridge: Huckleberry Message-ID: <352689.92705.qm@web80208.mail.mud.yahoo.com> Dearest Donna and SC piggies, Please accept our deepest sympathy for your loss of little Huckleberry. Our hearts and paws go out to your during this difficult time. Know that little Huckleberry is playing in the green grass and enjoying all his favorite treats and enjoying the company of all our much loved fur-babies that have crossed before him. deepest sympathies, Andy & Jean and our misfits 14 From faststats at faststatschecks.com Tue Oct 28 16:53:20 2008 From: faststats at faststatschecks.com (Mary Fran McCluskey) Date: Tue, 28 Oct 2008 13:53:20 -0700 Subject: [Gpdd] Silly: Piggy Pirates YAY !!! Message-ID: <002201c9393f$35ba6260$0200000a@MaryFran> Arrrrrrrgh... --Mary Fran with would-be pirate piggies Gingerpuff and Miss Muffet From joanhess4 at sbcglobal.net Tue Oct 28 15:59:24 2008 From: joanhess4 at sbcglobal.net (GARY HESS) Date: Tue, 28 Oct 2008 12:59:24 -0700 (PDT) Subject: [Gpdd] SILLY PIGGIE: Meet Hershey Message-ID: <678665.95478.qm@web81302.mail.mud.yahoo.com> Hershey's my little sweetie. She gives moist little Hershey kisses on my arms and hands. Never had a piggie do that before. She also loves toys, especially ones that make noise like cat and ferret toys with bells. She has a couple bells over her feeder (one of those triangular corner litterbox things stuffed with timothy), and she enjoys grabbing the chain of one and flinging?it into the other. She is becoming an excellent cuddler, too. I'd lost my previous piggie, Vrie, a couple days before Mother's Day. My husband could see how sad I was, so he surprised me on Mother's Day with the tiniest, most shy guinea pig I've ever seen. I get the feeling she didn't have much of a piglethood, as she was completely unsocialized. It's taken a long time to win her trust, which has made it--and her--all the more precious. She's not a terribly vocal piggie, which is sad, because I love all their sounds (except for the sad ones, which are, as you know, heartbreaking). I do have a piglese question though. Is the purring sound they make when you're petting near their hindquarters a happy purr, or is it a "you're getting too personal" sound? I really can't tell, but I'd like to believe it's a contented one. I don't want to subject her to that if it's annoying, so I'll wait until I get word from some of you. Okay. Call me Slave! Any observations as to how piggies use that sound with each other and with their?servants would help me solve the mystery. I am SO sorry to hear of so many of our little friends sick and dying. It's a good thing we have each other, because people at large would never understand the way we love our piggies, and how warmly they reciprocate. There's no such thing as JUST a guinea pig!!! Prayers go out to Princess Snowflake (whose Critters Blog was enchanting) and to all those poor little ones who are ailing and those who love them so much. My little Vrie left me at six years of age, and did so very gracefully on her own. I would have been beside myself if I'd had to have a vet help her along, so my heart really goes out to all of you who've had to make that loving decision. I'm writing a novel right now that features Vrie and Hersh. I can't tell if it's a kid book or a grownup one, or something in between. It'd be nice to raise awareness not only of how delightful these little critters are, but of what they need from us. With Hershey's kisses to one and all--no, wait. She'd run out of saliva! Joanie From piggyfriends at tesco.net Tue Oct 28 19:27:52 2008 From: piggyfriends at tesco.net (Penny Charlesworth) Date: Tue, 28 Oct 2008 23:27:52 -0000 Subject: [Gpdd] HEALTH Piggy meds. Message-ID: <7F1D9459467240BDA77CE764F6596709@inspiron1150> Alge asked about using Imodium for piggies. I don't rush to use this at the first sight of diarrhoea, preferring to withhold greens for a day or two if the piggy is otherwise bright and eating but it has its place in my piggy first aid box. For a nasty bout of diarrhoea you can give 0.8ml of liquid Imodium. If needed another dose can be given after 8 hours but NO MORE. If that doesn't work seek expert help. It is handy to have in an emergency such as when the vet is closed until Monday morning. There are many other remedies for diarrhoea, including antibiotics and many of you know that I like my herbal "potions". Re painkillers. I have used oral Metacam too but my first choice of painkiller is Children's Liquid Nurofen. Piggy dose is 0.4ml twice daily. This can be bought over the counter in England and comes in orange flavour which they all seem to enjoy. For a stronger one I have Rimadyl, which my Satin was taking for her OD but that needs to come from the vet. I am assuming here that the strength of these remedies is the same in all countries. Penny and the Piggyfriends. From rzm.2 at juno.com Tue Oct 28 19:54:08 2008 From: rzm.2 at juno.com (Jaime) Date: Tue, 28 Oct 2008 23:54:08 GMT Subject: [Gpdd] MISC- condolences Message-ID: <20081028.165408.19975.0@webmail03.dca.untd.com> Donna- I'm so sorry to hear about Huck. I will keep you & your family in my thoughts & prayers. ~Jaime, Mimi & Daisy~ ~Molly, Radar & Albert always in our hearts~ http://piggiepages001.blogspot.com/ _____________________________________________________________ Thinking of becoming a counselor? Click here to compare tuition rates. http://thirdpartyoffers.juno.com/TGL2121/fc/Ioyw6i3oJtpDzepISlFs7GUp1IYc6Vfi3D3ikfIEgPwSZibDgazgFK/?count=1234567890 From ebak at ca.inter.net Tue Oct 28 21:30:03 2008 From: ebak at ca.inter.net (Evelyn Baker) Date: Tue, 28 Oct 2008 21:30:03 -0400 Subject: [Gpdd] [Health] Limiting Pellets for Diet Message-ID: Being overweight can cause health problems, if not now in the future. What I do with pigs that are overweight but still like to eat is measure out their pellets but I give them unlimited hay so that there is always something to nibble on. Pellets are concentrated nutrients and are fattening. There are other foods like lettuce and hay that pigs enjoy but shouldn't add to their weight. Evelyn From DL1Bossfan at aol.com Wed Oct 29 00:07:45 2008 From: DL1Bossfan at aol.com (DL1Bossfan at aol.com) Date: Wed, 29 Oct 2008 00:07:45 EDT Subject: [Gpdd] [MISC] Thank you Message-ID: I do not post too often. I tend to lurk more in the background. I just wanted you to know that this digest is full of the absolute best and sweetest people and piggies. I have received many touching condolences and prayers for Huck. I appreciate each one and have been touched with how loving and compassionate each of you are. Never change. Piggies bring out the best in all of us. Thank you all, I am blessed and honored to have each of you in our lives. Love, Donna and the SC piggies Aunt Polly, Big Jim, Thatcher, Houdini, and Zion **************Play online games for FREE at Games.com! All of your favorites, no registration required and great graphics ? check it out! (http://pr.atwola.com/promoclk/100000075x1211202682x1200689022/aol?redir= http://www.games.com?ncid=emlcntusgame00000001) From Glynis at garnay.com.au Wed Oct 29 00:22:19 2008 From: Glynis at garnay.com.au (Glynis Robson) Date: Wed, 29 Oct 2008 15:22:19 +1100 Subject: [Gpdd] [ANNOUNCE] Happy Birthday Penny Message-ID: <1E79BEF045F13847938D188011CBF923092145@GARNAYSBS.garnayindustries.local> HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOUUUUUUUUUUUUUUU Hope you have a wonderful day love and get thoroughly spoilt by family and PIGGIES !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Lots of Love Glynis (in mem Sully and Duke) xxxx From Algernon07 at aol.com Wed Oct 29 00:45:38 2008 From: Algernon07 at aol.com (Algernon07 at aol.com) Date: Wed, 29 Oct 2008 00:45:38 EDT Subject: [Gpdd] Health: x-rays Message-ID: Hi My vet does the reverse -- x-rays (at $50 per x-ray) and then blood work IF their are UTI symptoms. Blood work will tell a lot tho about organ functioning, etc. I truly don't know which would be the best starting point -- does he strain when he urinates, etc.? Then I'd be for x-rays. If it's much more general, then blood work. I have a kitchen scale tht I bought specifically for the piggies -- it has a bowl that sits on the scale and I keep a receiving blanket in there then set weight back to zero so that I get an accurate weight. Mine weighs up to 7 pounds and I'm quite happy with it. They also have some nice digital ones though they cost more. I suspect they work equally well. All best, Alge and the Jolly Rodent Pirate Crew -- or is that Jolly Rodent Piggy Pirate Crew... :) ? Captain Jack and Barnacle Bill will carry on the Jolly Rodent tradition in that Capt'n Jack and Charlie, Jolly Rodent, did spend some time together and Jack says he learned a lot from Charlie, who had begun his training. They're just adding a new twist to the generally honorable tradition. ************** Play online games for FREE at Games.com! All of your favorites, no registration required and great graphics ? check it out! (http://pr.atwola.com/promoclk/100000075x1211202682x1200689022/aol?redir= http://www.games.com?ncid=emlcntusgame00000001) From Algernon07 at aol.com Wed Oct 29 00:51:26 2008 From: Algernon07 at aol.com (Algernon07 at aol.com) Date: Wed, 29 Oct 2008 00:51:26 EDT Subject: [Gpdd] Health: Barnee Message-ID: Hi Kaycee, Is Barnee in any pain with the stones. They can be dreadful but I think you'd know that. But he might just be in a continuing state of feeling bad because of the stones and the heart failure. Lasix is good. No wisdom or good informatio from me. Just wishing the two of you well. Alge and the Jolly Rodent Piggy Pirates; Capt'n Jack and Barnacle Bill ************** Play online games for FREE at Games.com! All of your favorites, no registration required and great graphics ? check it out! (http://pr.atwola.com/promoclk/100000075x1211202682x1200689022/aol?redir= http://www.games.com?ncid=emlcntusgame00000001) From Algernon07 at aol.com Wed Oct 29 01:17:59 2008 From: Algernon07 at aol.com (Algernon07 at aol.com) Date: Wed, 29 Oct 2008 01:17:59 EDT Subject: [Gpdd] Bridge: Huck Message-ID: Dear Donna, I know that I speak for everyone when I say we share your sadness at the passing of the brave and tenacious little Huckleberry, one of the SC6. I am amazed that he made so many come backs. He will be missed by all of us. RIP little piggy and enjoy all the delights there at the Bridge. You'll met new friends and be reunited with the family members who have gone before you. Our condolences, Alge and the Jolly Rodent Pirate Crew ************** Play online games for FREE at Games.com! All of your favorites, no registration required and great graphics ? check it out! (http://pr.atwola.com/promoclk/100000075x1211202682x1200689022/aol?redir= http://www.games.com?ncid=emlcntusgame00000001) From Algernon07 at aol.com Wed Oct 29 01:51:36 2008 From: Algernon07 at aol.com (Algernon07 at aol.com) Date: Wed, 29 Oct 2008 01:51:36 EDT Subject: [Gpdd] Health: Princess Snowflake Message-ID: Dear Leah, I sure hope that the Princes is not having any real problems. She is urinating, isn't she? That should indicate that she's geting water if she doesn't look dehydrated. Also, it sounds like you are dong what you can to keep things in balance. Gee, you and your piggies have been through so much and, of course, their fame (and past experiences with BB) makes us all inclined to over-react and fear the worst. Maybe it's just a UTI. I hope its nothing major. My piggies have their paws crossed. And keep in mind, UTIs do just sometimes happen and there's nothing worse wrong with them. If you do come up with some kind of nice liquid sweet vit. C please post here brand plus amount that you're giving since I have been on the hunt of something suitable for over 2 years. I guess if I did the math I could figure out something but what I find is 500 mgs liquid C -- no mention of flavored or not. Yet it must be around. But to reduce that down to the amount for a piggy. Maybe you'll be luckier in finding a weaker concentration of the vitamin in liquid form. My vet is opposed to the drops that you add to water and so am I. I use crushed Oxbow but would like to have a tasty liquid. I can hardly imagine anything being wrong with our little Princess so please do keep us posted. All best, Alge and the Jolly Rodent Pirates ************** Play online games for FREE at Games.com! All of your favorites, no registration required and great graphics ? check it out! (http://pr.atwola.com/promoclk/100000075x1211202682x1200689022/aol?redir= http://www.games.com?ncid=emlcntusgame00000001) From mfug at live.co.uk Wed Oct 29 09:07:50 2008 From: mfug at live.co.uk (M Fug) Date: Wed, 29 Oct 2008 13:07:50 +0000 Subject: [Gpdd] Health; Barnee Message-ID: Kacee, so sorry to hear Barnee is still not well I was hoping no news was good news, you are doing the best for him and I am sure he knows how much you love and cherish him. Big hugs for you and the little guy Love M _________________________________________________________________ See the most popular videos on the web http://clk.atdmt.com/GBL/go/115454061/direct/01/ From piggyfriends at tesco.net Wed Oct 29 08:46:56 2008 From: piggyfriends at tesco.net (Penny Charlesworth) Date: Wed, 29 Oct 2008 12:46:56 -0000 Subject: [Gpdd] HEALTH Piggy purring when petting rump. Message-ID: Joanie and Hershey, I suspect that you live in a more temperate climate than mine but here, in cold and damp England, piggies are prone to fungal problems in their coats. If any of my Piggyfriends made a purring "brrrrr" sound if I touched them near their hindquarters, they would be off to the bath for an antifungal shampoo. If you tug at the coat in the offending area and some comes away in your hand, this is indicative of a fungal problem. Of course, Hershey could just be saying " leave off, I've had enough". Penny and the Piggyfriends. From ann.evans at hintlink.com Wed Oct 29 14:35:11 2008 From: ann.evans at hintlink.com (Ann Evans) Date: Wed, 29 Oct 2008 14:35:11 -0400 Subject: [Gpdd] [HEALTH] Piggy purring when petting rump. Message-ID: <4908ACDF.4@hintlink.com> My piggys love to have their rumps or hind quarters stroked and purrrrrrrrrr like crazy when I stroke them there. They will even turn around and beg to have the other side of their rump stroked. When the other cavies in the pen hear a piggy on my lap purring away they start weeking and begging to get lap time and stroking too. They do not like to have their hair stroked against the grain or the way it lays. That bothers them and they will kick up their hind feet and turn away from me and not purr. I would definetly say that purring is a happy sound. My piggys purr when I give them their favorite treats. It is almost like they are saying "yummy, thank you mommy slave". Ann and the rescued Piggys of Piggyville Tampa Florida USA From ann.evans at hintlink.com Wed Oct 29 15:38:56 2008 From: ann.evans at hintlink.com (Ann Evans) Date: Wed, 29 Oct 2008 15:38:56 -0400 Subject: [Gpdd] [HEALTH] Liquid Vit C and UTI's Message-ID: <4908BBD0.6010309@hintlink.com> I get my Liquid Vitamin C with Rose Hips Vegetarian Formula online from Puritan Pride www.puritan.com 1ml = 60mg of Vitamin C.I give 0.5ml to 1ml. My piggys love it. When I give my piggys liquid Baytril I mix the Baytril in Liquid Vitamin C and they gladly take it. I also buy from Puritan Pride Chewable 100 mg tablets of Acerola with Natural vitamin C Berry Flavor. I break the tablets in half and give all of my cavies a half a tablet/day. They eat the half tablets like candy. Even though I feed my cavies Oxbow Cavy Cuisine and fresh fruits and vegetables every day I never know for sure how much vitamin C they are getting since each cavy eats a different amount of pellets and treats/day that is why I supplement their diet with vitamin c. Regarding UTI's, Vedra Stanley-Spatcher of the Cambridge Cavy Trust and Guinea Pig Hospital recommends the pediatric suspension of Trimethroprim 40mg and Sulfamethoxazole 200mg, per 5ml for cystitis in conjunction with Rimadyl. The trimethoprin sulfamethoxazole should be given orally 0.5ml twice daily for 10-14 days. The Rimadyl should be given at a dose of 10mg twice a day for the first 3 days then 5 mg twice a day for 10-14 days. She also recommends 0.2ml of hydrangea root tincture daily mixed with 0.3ml liquid vitamin C. I purchased it online from Herbs Pro www.herbspro.com. Vedra recommended buying it online from a site called incense magic www.incensemajic.co.uk. Your piggy may need to be on it for weeks or months especially if she is prone to getting UTI's. The information on UTI's is covered in more detail in Vedra's book Diagnostic Guide to Guinea Pig Problems. You can buy it using Paypal from the British Association of Rodentologists. http://www.rodentology.co.uk/ I hope this helps. Ann and the Rescued Piggys of Piggyville Tampa Florida USA From ann.evans at hintlink.com Wed Oct 29 16:02:12 2008 From: ann.evans at hintlink.com (Ann Evans) Date: Wed, 29 Oct 2008 16:02:12 -0400 Subject: [Gpdd] [HEALTH] Lasix and Congestive Heart Failure Message-ID: <4908C144.3060309@hintlink.com> Dear Slaves, I would appreciate if people who have used Lasix long term for congestive heart failure would please share your experiences with me. For example how much lasix is given/day? What is the concentration if using liquid lasix or the dose if using Lasix tablets? How long have you had a piggy on lasix? And any information that you would like to share with me. My experience with lasix is giving a cavy a one off injection of 0.2ml of 5% lasix when the piggy had a respiratory infection that included fluid in the lungs. This was recommended by Vedra Stanley-Spatcher of the Cambridge Cavy Trust. I currently have a 7 year old cavy that has congestive heart failure and I feed her lots of celery and cucumbers that have diuretic properties. She also has cataracts in both eyes and arthritis. I keep her very comfortable with pain meds and spoil her with lots of lap time, treats and love. She in turn gives me lots of piggy kisses. She pretty much just wants to eat and sleep and tell me if I am a minute late on giving her treats on her schedule. Luckily I work from home so I can spend a lot of time with her. So please if you have info that you would like to share with me publicly or privately, contact me. Thank you, Ann and the Rescued Piggys of Piggyville Tampa Florida USA From faststats at faststatschecks.com Wed Oct 29 13:30:35 2008 From: faststats at faststatschecks.com (Mary Fran McCluskey) Date: Wed, 29 Oct 2008 10:30:35 -0700 Subject: [Gpdd] MISC: Purr Message-ID: <001801c939ec$0d4f84b0$0200000a@MaryFran> Hi Joanie, Enjoyed your post today. I think that the purr by their hindquarters is like a big sigh of relaxation. Like when you have a really good stretch. --Mary Fran with GingerP and Muffet From jannekestaaks at hotmail.com Wed Oct 29 14:12:04 2008 From: jannekestaaks at hotmail.com (Janneke Staaks) Date: Wed, 29 Oct 2008 19:12:04 +0100 Subject: [Gpdd] [SILLY] Message-ID: Hey Glynis, did i understand Penny correctly that it's your birthday today? (this lazy slave still got her calendar in a movingbox..) Because if that's the case; HAPPY BIRTHDAY sweetie!! The pigs here are singing loudly, and igor wants to know if he can adopt you as his granny...(Or did fugly already apply for that position?..If so, are you willing to take on one more? He is kinda demanding, i bet he'll be expecting lots of virtual parsley and carrots for his birthday, but his heart is in the right place) Lots of singing and wheeks from Janneke and the winky team _________________________________________________________________ Spot jij alle celebs? Speel nu gratis StarMix! http://starmix.games.msn.com/nl-nl/?FORM=MIINDH From jannekestaaks at hotmail.com Wed Oct 29 14:13:40 2008 From: jannekestaaks at hotmail.com (Janneke Staaks) Date: Wed, 29 Oct 2008 19:13:40 +0100 Subject: [Gpdd] [SILLY] Message-ID: Aaaaaarrghhhgg too! Igor _________________________________________________________________ Probeer Live Search: de zoekmachine van de makers van MSN! http://www.live.com/?searchOnly=true From joanhess4 at sbcglobal.net Wed Oct 29 12:04:28 2008 From: joanhess4 at sbcglobal.net (GARY HESS) Date: Wed, 29 Oct 2008 09:04:28 -0700 (PDT) Subject: [Gpdd] HEALTH: cranberry pills Message-ID: <904067.18857.qm@web81302.mail.mud.yahoo.com> Oxbow makes cranberry pills which my rabbit adores. I haven't tried it on Hershey yet. I'll let you know what she thinks when her tummy isn't so full (she just had her vitamin C, and I don't want to over acidify her). I know cranberry liquid pills have sure saved me from quite a few doctor visits myself. We're on acreage, so I wash whatever grass, plantain, dandelion, and clover (the latter given very sparingly) I give her, just as I wash greens from the store. So far no problems, but that was a wise warning about wild animals contaminating the grass, especially other rodents. When Vrie was dying I gave her all the grass she could eat (which she did right up until she passed on), and I found her vacant body, her sweet little head buried in the grass. I'm sure it was the last thing she smelled before she entered The Green Kingdom where there's no such thing as bloat or, in her case, cancer. She was as near perfect a piggie as I'll ever know. She loved everybody and refused to pee on people. A real lady, With Wheets and Whistles, Joanie and Hershey From joanhess4 at sbcglobal.net Wed Oct 29 12:33:48 2008 From: joanhess4 at sbcglobal.net (GARY HESS) Date: Wed, 29 Oct 2008 09:33:48 -0700 (PDT) Subject: [Gpdd] CARE: laundry detergent Message-ID: <513557.69176.qm@web81305.mail.mud.yahoo.com> Hershey loves living the?posh life, with royal purple fleece bedding on top of towels on top of sheets of newspaper. I use unscented All, and she's fine with that, but even right out of the dryer?it doesn't quite cut the smell for me and the rest of the family. Any suggestions? I sure don't want to instigate any skin or respiratory problems. ? Wheetfully, Joanie and The Herschmeister From KSkosich at msn.com Wed Oct 29 12:11:18 2008 From: KSkosich at msn.com (J D) Date: Wed, 29 Oct 2008 10:11:18 -0600 Subject: [Gpdd] rainbow bridge: sympathy re: Huck Message-ID: Donna, I was so sorry to read about your little Huck. How sweet that you had him blessed by your priest. I am sure that Huck is enjoying some heavenly days beyond the Rainbow Bridge. Sincerely, Kathy S (with Millie bloodhound, Shaggy cat, guinea pigs Pookah-Darryl and Ginger Jellyroll AND a stray tabby whom we are caring for until we find his family) From faststats at faststatschecks.com Wed Oct 29 17:04:36 2008 From: faststats at faststatschecks.com (Mary Fran McCluskey) Date: Wed, 29 Oct 2008 14:04:36 -0700 Subject: [Gpdd] MISC: Purr References: <362201.79446.qm@web81301.mail.mud.yahoo.com> Message-ID: <006301c93a09$f34f7fc0$0200000a@MaryFran> Joanie-- Yes, you can see many of the piggies as people send links to the digest often. We also have SCAMPS who are pigs over 5 yrs old. And LAPS (Large and Ample Piggies) over 3 pounds. And I believe they have their own web pages. Ask on the Digest for links. Wheeeps ! --Mary Fran with Gingerpuff and Miss Muffet Thanks! I was hoping since she didn't try to move away that it might be just that! She uses the same noise to alert me to loud noises, and sometimes we will carry on back and forth with the that same trilling call just for the fun of it. Is there some way to see photos of everyone's piggies? It'd be nice to have fuzzy faces to go with the sweet little names. Joanie Hi Joanie, Enjoyed your post today. I think that the purr by their hindquarters is like a big sigh of relaxation. Like when you have a really good stretch. --Mary Fran with GingerP and Muffet From momcat1000 at yahoo.com Wed Oct 29 16:55:51 2008 From: momcat1000 at yahoo.com (joan fagalde) Date: Wed, 29 Oct 2008 13:55:51 -0700 (PDT) Subject: [Gpdd] [HEALTH] Lasix and Congestive Heart Failure In-Reply-To: <4908C144.3060309@hintlink.com> Message-ID: <177718.8123.qm@web39507.mail.mud.yahoo.com> Hi Ann.? My little one, over 6 years old, is on Furosemide (Lasix) and has been for about a year.? She takes 0.135ml once a day at bedtime.? She is also on Lotinsen (Benazapril).? Same amount of time.? How was your little one diagnosed with CHF?? Was it an x-ray? ? A very good source to get answers to your questions is www.guinealynx.com.? Just look for heart under the health guide.? Many posters there have pigs with heart issues. ? Joan/Lady Bug From pandameisje at gmail.com Wed Oct 29 18:38:25 2008 From: pandameisje at gmail.com (Mieke Staaks) Date: Wed, 29 Oct 2008 23:38:25 +0100 Subject: [Gpdd] Misc: The Shelter and cute piggies card Message-ID: Hi all, I have to share a little story with you which I can probably not share in Holland because then our shelter might be closed... which unfortunately they are already planning... but tie seems to be turning now they received a grant from a previous (fairly wealthy) volunteer who left us 10 % of his fortune... (by the way I guess no one from the netherlands wil actually read this, except for my sister Janneke, but I officially do not know yet about this grant... but trust this little inside scoop will be save with you all) (and i really hope no-one from the netherlands will read this from the gpdd archives..) by the way below story might not be so good to read if your not that fond of mice... But do look at the link for the cute guinea pig card we found!! Anyways, reasons for closing the shelter are that the RSPCA (the dutch equivalent of that) will stop paying the rent for our current shelter building, because the shelter is too full. They state that a rodent shelter is very needed, but the shelter is too full at the moment, which could treathen the health of the rodents and even the volunteers... which is the reason they will close it and will start their own shelter for rodents... Our shelter is trying to find a new (bigger) home but that proof to be hard. They are some things about this we as shelter volunteers are not that happy with... 1. We do not like to see the shelter closed since it is necessary to have one 2. the new shelter will only shelter the animals that are found, not the ones the owners do not want anymore, or the wild animals (like hares for which we have a certified volunteer for their care) that we also take care of... 3 the also will not offer the oppurtunity for people who go on a holiday to take care of the animals for a short time... which we think will lead to more animals to be dumped because of holiday care... 4. the new shelter will be located somewhere in the middle of nowhere, which is hard to reach by public transport and not safe after dark... 5. the new shelter will we run by 3 people whereas we currently are with about 15 volunteer and have to struggle to get the work done... The shelter is going to try to stay open and when a new shelter along our shelter we would have more space for the pets, and we could still do the holiday care, care for wild animals and take in the unwanted animals... but for that the shelter will need a lot of money... I have to admit that the shelter is in a bad condition. The building where the shelter is housed is up for demolition, but this had been postponed, which means we will not get a new location on a short notice because it will not be demolised yet... We also have the problem of wild mice, for which we cannot spray any poisons because that would effect our animals as well... An other problem is because we are not very many volunteers we need all our time to keep the animals comfortable, which leaves hardly any time to keep the shelter spot clean... Trying to fight that last problem we embarked on a cleaning mission last friday... I cleaned the table which had the Degus (degoes in dutch, not sure what the english name for them is), it turned out to be white instead of a brownish colour! Under this table where many boxes, the boxes where dirty with loads of mice droppings... So I took all the boxes from under the table, took the lids of and cleaned them. The boxes contained mostly rodent related gifts, which are probably meant for selling to people to raise some money for the shelter... One of the boxes turned out to be open, and in it where stuffed toys, mostly rabbit stuffed animals... But unfortunately this was not the only thing in the boxes.... The box turned out to be packed with mice. varying from mice that were probably just a few hours, wheeks, months maybe even some years old... I have to say there probably were about 40 mice in the box... I started taking all the other stuff out, and the more I took out the more mice i encountered... The mice stirred by the fact their giant breeding nest was cleared out started jumping out of the box... mainly the big fat one, managed to actually get out :( I quickly put the lid back on before anymore could jump out... I honestly have to say i'm not really scared of mice, but the jumping... I do not like that at all! We called to owner on what to do with them, and got rid of them in the end... I really kind of hope we got rid of most of the mice in our shelter this way, but it does seems strange to rid your self of these mice, whereas you are also taking care of other rodent with the best of care... But I hope you can understand that we have to get rid of the mice infestation in order keep the shelter open at all... I also had to share this with someone, but cannot share it with other dutchies, because i feel it might close the shelter for sure... so I shared it with you, i hope you do not mind... In all those boxes we found a really nice guinea pig card. I've google it and found it online: http://www.samburu.com/p-2272-guinea-pigs-pets-life-slimline-greeting-card-by-pollyanna-pickering.aspx I am for now keeping the shelter boys until I know what will happen to the shelter / new shelter. I would hate it not knowing where my boys will end up... My boyfriend already said that if they would really close the shelter that we should keep the boys... so we are making a bit of progress, but I have not found him wanting to keep the boys anyway.. I did notice he likes them, and luckily he does not seem to be much more irritated (allergy-wise) now we have 5 instead of 3 guinea pigs... If anyone has any good argument why he should let me keep them let me know... I think currently he is not against having more guinea pigs, but it's more a matter of drawing a line on how many animals I can have... I only have 3, so I think that isn't that much... Okay, so much for my story Iff anyone has any good ideas on how to keep the shelter open and maybe get more people to donate or sponsor, please let me know!! Wheeks and piggy kisses, Mikey and the Winky girls: Guiny, Dunya and Woopy And the shelter boys: Chico and Toby btw, did I tell you the boys have really gotten a lot more active and livelier since staying at our place! -- pandameisje at gmail.com pandameisje at hotmail.com m.staaks at pecoma.nl Blog: http://pandameisje.hyves.nl kleding: http://mist-clothing.blogspot.com/ From rzm.2 at juno.com Wed Oct 29 19:31:15 2008 From: rzm.2 at juno.com (Jaime) Date: Wed, 29 Oct 2008 23:31:15 GMT Subject: [Gpdd] HEALTH- piggie purring Message-ID: <20081029.163115.18599.0@webmail05.dca.untd.com> All 3 piggies I have had have purred when I pet near their butt. Mimi also does it & she doesn't have any fur or skin problems (at least she doesn't seem too). Mimi is a *very* "purry" piggie. She hardly ever wheeks, but makes lots of happy noises when she's exploring & purrs at everything! She's my little "lovey pig"! Just my 2 cents on the topic! Hoping all piggies that are sick get better soon & thinking of all those who have lost furry friends. ~Jaime, Mimi & Daisy~ ~Molly, Radar & Albert always in our hearts~ http://piggiepages001.blogspot.com/ _____________________________________________________________ Click to become a master chef, own a restaurant and make millions. http://thirdpartyoffers.juno.com/TGL2121/fc/Ioyw6i3m4pDIyBaVR7FZQdjMeYuNrJdzE8WwsMiQtThlX1bYrNIIRI/?count=1234567890 From calliope at geeksnet.com Wed Oct 29 14:23:21 2008 From: calliope at geeksnet.com (Cindy) Date: Wed, 29 Oct 2008 13:23:21 -0500 Subject: [Gpdd] RAINBOW BRIDGE: condolences, Huck In-Reply-To: References: Message-ID: <4908AA19.50701@geeksnet.com> Donna and the SC piggies, we had so hoped that Huck would rally, and we are so very sorry to hear of his passing. It was so touching to read of how you kept him comfortable and happy as he grew more frail; it is good that you were off work last Thursday and Friday and were able to give him extra cuddles. How sweet that he could still eat on his own but enjoyed his Critical Care supplements. Please know that you did all your best for him and that he knew how much you loved him. Although piggies always leave us too soon, it is wonderful that you rescued him and that he lived to be more than seven years old. Our Sunshine (RIP) and Tumbleweed came from the same horrible place, so we feel a special sadness at Huck's passing. We are glad, though, that he had a peaceful passing in his sleep. We remember when he was blessed by your priest earlier this month, and we looked back to find your posting, where you said this: "My priest says that we do not bless animals to make them holy. We bless them because they are holy and worthy of being blessed." Beautiful and special words that fit a beautiful and special piggie. Please accept our condolences. Our thoughts and prayers are with all sick piggies and their families. Sadly, Cindy, Tumbleweed, and Friday From dogcatpiggymom at yahoo.com Wed Oct 29 21:54:25 2008 From: dogcatpiggymom at yahoo.com (dogcatpiggymom at yahoo.com) Date: Wed, 29 Oct 2008 18:54:25 -0700 (PDT) Subject: [Gpdd] Announcement: My Final Guinea Pig Blog is Online Message-ID: <508845.53037.qm@web33103.mail.mud.yahoo.com> Hi All:? Here's this week's blog in case you'd like to read it. Joanne, Spicy, Merri, Maci, Teddy, Baci, and Sweetie, too.... http://www.smallanimalchannel.com/critter-blog/guinea-pig-interaction-blog/guinea-pigs-turn.aspx A kitten is in the animal world what a rosebud is in the garden. -Robert Southey From ebak at ca.inter.net Wed Oct 29 22:07:55 2008 From: ebak at ca.inter.net (Evelyn Baker) Date: Wed, 29 Oct 2008 22:07:55 -0400 Subject: [Gpdd] [Behavior] Purring pigs Message-ID: If Hershey is making the purring sound when you pat her rump that means she's enjoying it. The only times they purr is when they are happy or when they want to breed - and then they become more aggressive. But it sounds to me like she's content to be patted. Evelyn From leah.mcneil at wachovia.com Thu Oct 30 20:25:52 2008 From: leah.mcneil at wachovia.com (leah.mcneil at wachovia.com) Date: Thu, 30 Oct 2008 20:25:52 -0400 Subject: [Gpdd] Health: Princess Snowflake Update Message-ID: Hola Piglets & Slaves! First, I would like to Thank You all who have written me personally and on the Digest with your ideas and concerns. I really Appreciate it and God knows this is only place that understands my pig concerns... and obsession. :-) Obbb-ssseeesssion... PS saw Dr. G today and the x-rays were clear...no stones! (whew!!!) But, he did mention that her bladder was kinda big for her body, but nothing to be alarmed about. Hmmm... Her urinalysis showed some traces of crystals but not great enough to be overly concerned. Now, I have been syringing her lots of extra water. This is how it goes down-- First, I'll ask the Princess, "Are you UP for the Challenge?!?!?" Then, she looks at me with those determined eyes ^..^ and then I start syringing her as much water as she'll take in, as I chant, "Chug! Chug! Chug!" Mmmmm... takes me back to 'ole college dayz-- Okay, so I have named the process of me syringing the Princess her extra water: Princess Snowflake Chug Challenge!!! (PSCC) I know, I know, I just couldn't resist. Afterall, my Beloved Brownie Bear had her BBPH (Brownie Bear Power Hour). :-) Well, her urine tested negative for blood. Which I was already aware of, because (using the urine strips) she was negative for blood on Tues & Wednes nights, and also this morning (Thurs). She was positive for blood on Sun & Mon nights. Since Sunday night, I have been giving her 2 Shilintong tablets (crushed/ mixed w/water) in the evenings. And I am convinced that the herb along with the extra extra water from syringing has flushed some of the 'demons' out. Dr. G put her on Cipro-something? the antibiotic. I can't remember how to spell it. And she'll be on that for the next 10-14 days. PS doesn't like the taste and I have to agree, it's pretty nasty. [Yes, I tasted it and I am not ashamed! :-) hee] I gave her a piece of melon afterwards and she seemed to have forgotten how bad the medicine was. I will be watching her very closely. I just want to see her drink water on her own. Although, I don't mind syringing her the extra water, I would really prefer if she just drank it on her own, like she used to. Hopefully, if she does have a little infection 'down there', the medicine will clear it up and she'll be back to normal in no time! Tomorrow morning, I will be sending out their Halloween 2008 website!!! I FINALLY figured out how to set up my own website, so I didn't need to beg PS's Daddy (my almost ex-Hubby) for his website. So, I was Very Proud of Meeee!!! And I can't wait for you all to seeeeee! (Wow, I'm a Poet and I didn't Know it). I'm getting silly, it's getting close to bedtime... Love 'n Wheeeeeeeeeeeeps, Leah...Slave to Princess Snowflake & Bertie Pig :-) From Glynis at garnay.com.au Fri Oct 31 00:27:55 2008 From: Glynis at garnay.com.au (Glynis Robson) Date: Fri, 31 Oct 2008 15:27:55 +1100 Subject: [Gpdd] [ANNOUNCE] Thankyou Gulliver Message-ID: <1E79BEF045F13847938D188011CBF923092155@GARNAYSBS.garnayindustries.local> Dear Gulliver pigsperson for the PiggyFriends, You're such a sweet and loving little man, thankyou for your wishes.........yes it was certainly a very very hard day to cope with but my family insisted i go out at night to celebrate, i'm glad i did as i had all my family with me even my Dad. I had so many lovely messages too from many people which really did help me. BUT i missed my fur cuddle and even now i miss them soooooo much, it still really really hurts. Would you give your lovely slave a BIG kiss and cuddle from me, and to you and the rest of the PF's sweet little kisses on your nose and ears xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx Love Glynis (in mem Sully and Duke) xxxx From Glynis at garnay.com.au Fri Oct 31 00:25:14 2008 From: Glynis at garnay.com.au (Glynis Robson) Date: Fri, 31 Oct 2008 15:25:14 +1100 Subject: [Gpdd] [ANNOUNCE] Condolences for Huck Message-ID: <1E79BEF045F13847938D188011CBF923092154@GARNAYSBS.garnayindustries.local> Donna and the SC Piggies i'm so so sorry to read about little Huck a true trooper and a very much loved gpdd member :o( RIP Huck, run free little guy have fun munching on the green grass and playing with your family and friends xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx ((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((HUGS))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))) and lots of love from me to you Donna and little kisses on the noses of the greiving SC Piggies xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx I can relate to exactly what you've said about the special bond, yes when we need to care for our elderly or ill piggies the bond becomes even stronger, again i'm sorry xxxxxxxx Love Glynis (in mem Sully and Duke) xxxx From Glynis at garnay.com.au Fri Oct 31 00:30:32 2008 From: Glynis at garnay.com.au (Glynis Robson) Date: Fri, 31 Oct 2008 15:30:32 +1100 Subject: [Gpdd] [HEALTH] Barnee Message-ID: <1E79BEF045F13847938D188011CBF923092156@GARNAYSBS.garnayindustries.local> Kacee love i'm really sorry to hear Barnee is still struggling, all my love and healing wheeeeeeks for the little guy xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx (i seem to have missed a gpdd as i'm late with a few things, i'm terribly sorry) HUGE HUGS for you love and for the Munchees who i'm sure are very upset at their friend being so ill. I particularly love his November pigture soooooooooo sweeeeeeeeeeeet xxxxxxx I have a long weekend and not back at work till wednesday i'll have my fingers crossed for you both. Love Glynis (in mem Sully and Duke) xxxx From Glynis at garnay.com.au Fri Oct 31 00:32:42 2008 From: Glynis at garnay.com.au (Glynis Robson) Date: Fri, 31 Oct 2008 15:32:42 +1100 Subject: [Gpdd] [ANNOUNCE] thankyou Winkies Message-ID: <1E79BEF045F13847938D188011CBF923092157@GARNAYSBS.garnayindustries.local> Thankyou Mikey and Janneke for all your lovely wishes xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx Please give all the Winkies my love and lots of nose and ear kisses and also for the Shelter Boys xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx Love Glynis (in mem Sully and Duke) xxxx From Glynis at garnay.com.au Fri Oct 31 00:40:08 2008 From: Glynis at garnay.com.au (Glynis Robson) Date: Fri, 31 Oct 2008 15:40:08 +1100 Subject: [Gpdd] [HEALTH] The Princesses health issues Message-ID: <1E79BEF045F13847938D188011CBF923092158@GARNAYSBS.garnayindustries.local> Oh sweet PS i do hope with all the extra water mummy has been syringing you has helped along with the special tablets she gives you xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx Be a good little piggie and take your meds and soon you'll be back to your happy self again :o) Leah i love your name's you use for the process of her extra water...PSCC (and yes i remember very very fondly of BB's BBPH.....ahhhh still talk to that little lady everyday xxx) I've got a long weekend so wont know updates other than if i come online from home to see how everyone is.....i hope when i come in on wednesday to read that PS is popcorning around and happy again. Love Glynis (in mem Sully and Duke) xxxx From Glynis at garnay.com.au Fri Oct 31 00:44:05 2008 From: Glynis at garnay.com.au (Glynis Robson) Date: Fri, 31 Oct 2008 15:44:05 +1100 Subject: [Gpdd] [ANNOUNCE] HAPPY HALLOWEEN Message-ID: <1E79BEF045F13847938D188011CBF923092159@GARNAYSBS.garnayindustries.local> WOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO Happy Halloween to you all, hope you get lots of treats NOT tricks !!! I've forwarded an email i was sent by a friend it's quite cute and i'm hoping admin at gpdd gives it the ok............. Love Glynis (in mem Sully and Duke) xxxx From joanhess4 at sbcglobal.net Fri Oct 31 11:45:00 2008 From: joanhess4 at sbcglobal.net (GARY HESS) Date: Fri, 31 Oct 2008 08:45:00 -0700 (PDT) Subject: [Gpdd] MISC. Piggy Pictures Links Message-ID: <333146.63273.qm@web81305.mail.mud.yahoo.com> I'm dying to see what all these little critters look like. Links, anyone? ? Joanie From juwles at bigpond.com Fri Oct 31 07:43:52 2008 From: juwles at bigpond.com (Julie Juwles Johnson) Date: Fri, 31 Oct 2008 21:43:52 +1000 Subject: [Gpdd] Health: Princess Snowflake has blood in her urine :-( In-Reply-To: References: Message-ID: Dear Leah I'm sorry to read about Princess Snowflake's problems. I hope it is nothing more than the urinary tract infection and that she is soon recovered and back to her normal cute self, and drinking well again. (My piggies never drink water from their bottles - they must get enough fluid from the green grass I feed them (I can't get Timothy Hay) and the veges like cucumber & celery). All the best with your little love Kind regards Julie & her precious piggies ----- Original Message ----- From: leah.mcneil at wachovia.com To: gpdd at gpdd.org Sent: Wednesday, October 29, 2008 12:51 AM Subject: [Gpdd] Health: Princess Snowflake has blood in her urine :-( Hello Piggies & Slaves, [Big Long Sigh] I have made a Vet appointment for the Princess for this Thursday. The last couple of wheeeeeks, I have noticed that the piggies' water intake has been less and less. And last wheeek, I was a bad Slave, as I had out of town visitors (both for work and personal) and so I went out almost every night of the wheek. Well, this past wheeekend, I watched them and noticed that PS has not been drinking much water. In fact, I don't think I recall her sippin' from their water bottles at all, now looking back. Geeez. I have been syringing her water, like an ounce every other day, when I give her her Vit C supplement. But, I just assumed that she was drinking water when I wasn't around. Well, now, I'm thinking that she's not drinking any water when I'm not around. But, she IS eating her pellets (and hay and fruits/veggies). So, last night, I syringed her 2 ounces of water and gave her 2 Shilintong tablets (crushed/mixed with water). And I checked her urine. I have urine strips, so that's how I was able to check her urine. And I found that the urine strips tested postive for blood. :-( I'm going to syringe her lots of water again tonight and check her urine again. I have noticed that she has gotten more tired and has been sleeping more. She started acting this way before Bertie Pig came, but I was thinking that it was because she was getting bored and just needed a playmate. But, I have noticed that she still seems more tired than usual, even with B-Pig around. So, I guess the signs were there... I used to give PS a Vit C supplement (3/4 of an Oxbow Vit C tablet mixed with water) twice a wheeeek. But, since Bertie Pig came, I started giving them their supplement every other day (BP gets a full tablet since he weighs so much). And well, you all know how I am, I can't help but wonder if maybe that is part of the problem. I could never prove it, but I swear that those Oxbow tablets were the cause of some of my Beloved Brownie Bear's bladder stones. But, I couldn't remove them completely from her diet, because then her back legs would start acting up. So, later today, I am going to research some liquid Vit C options and see if I can get my hands on some this wheeek. And for the record, the Oxbow Vit C tablets are an Excellent source of Vit C for our piggies. But, I think that some piggies may just be predispostioned to form bladder stones/sludge if their body has an excess of minerals such as calcium or vitamin C. I check the Princess's bottom area quite often, and I have Never seen any evidence of bladder sludge. So, it's very possible that I am jumping the gun here. [Prince Teddy close your ears] Maybe since she's become sexually active, she's gotten an infection 'down there'. Or maybe she just has a Urinary Tract Infection (UTI) that was caused by something else. ??? Well, either way, I'm going to get her checked out on Thursday and have x-rays done. She had x-rays done about a year ago, so she was due to have that done anyways. As a bare minimum, I know that she will be put on some type of antibiotics. At their last Vet visit, Dr. G had mentioned that whee could do blood work on the Princess during her Yearly exam. But, he would have to put her under (anaesthesia) to do that, so I didn't want to go that route, unless absolutely necessary. PS says, "Leave my bottom area ALONE...Wheeek!" Love 'n Wheeeeeeeps, Leah...Slave to Princess Snowflake & Bertie Pig :-) From leah.mcneil at wachovia.com Fri Oct 31 09:20:43 2008 From: leah.mcneil at wachovia.com (leah.mcneil at wachovia.com) Date: Fri, 31 Oct 2008 09:20:43 -0400 Subject: [Gpdd] Announce: Princess Snowflake & Bertie Pig's HALLOWEEN 2008 Website!!! Message-ID: Hello Piggies & Slaves! I would like to share with you my piggies' Halloween website, which features my new piggie, Bertie Pig!!! I hope that you all have a Wonderful Halloween and that you get lots of yummy candies and treats...Wheek! Check it out at: http://home.carolina.rr.com/lconsuela/Halloween2008.html Love 'n Wheeeeeeeps, Leah...Slave to Princess Snowflake & Bertie Pig :-) From leah.mcneil at wachovia.com Fri Oct 31 10:55:29 2008 From: leah.mcneil at wachovia.com (leah.mcneil at wachovia.com) Date: Fri, 31 Oct 2008 10:55:29 -0400 Subject: [Gpdd] Behavior: Bertie Pig's Wheeker DOES Work!! Message-ID: Hey there ya'll, Guess what??? This morning, I did my usual refreshing of the cage while the piggies run around before I goto work. And so, after I opened the fridge and gathered their morning veggies, I heard this Loud Wheeeeking!!! So, as I'm coming around the kitchen corner, I see Bertie Pig WHEEEEKIN' away, I guess he was telling me to hurry up or whatever. I was so Pleased to hear his wheeker. I knew it worked. But, I've only heard it a couple of times. So, I had to put the veggies down, and give him some cuddles. Oh, he's so lovable, that pig! But, then, I looked over at Princess Snowflake, and she just glared at me. Oh geeez. So, I had to give her some cuddles tooooo...Wheeeeek! Love 'n Wheeeeeeeeeeeeps, PS, BP, & meeee :-) From piggyfriends at tesco.net Fri Oct 31 05:51:30 2008 From: piggyfriends at tesco.net (Penny Charlesworth) Date: Fri, 31 Oct 2008 09:51:30 -0000 Subject: [Gpdd] MISC Happy Halloween Message-ID: Happy Halloween to all piggies and slaves everywhere, with special wishes to any who are under the weather. We are thinking of Barnee, Fireball and Princess Snowflake but there may be more that we do not know about. Lots of treats and hugs all round, Penny and the Piggyfriends. From piggyfriends at tesco.net Fri Oct 31 13:21:16 2008 From: piggyfriends at tesco.net (Penny Charlesworth) Date: Fri, 31 Oct 2008 17:21:16 -0000 Subject: [Gpdd] MISC Piggy pigture links Message-ID: <6312DDB002B64FB5BDD61AA5DB39FD57@inspiron1150> Joanie, Mieke runs the SCAMPS blog ( Senior Citizen Ageing Miracle Piggies Society ). Look at http://scamps-gpdd.blogspot.com/ At the top right are pigtures of many of our piggies that she and her sister Janneke made into a wonderful calendar which we were able download last year. I've just noticed that they are still there at http://picasaweb.google.com/pandameisje/GPDDCalendar# The LAPS ( Large and Ample Piggies ) blog is sadly no longer being updated but you can still see it at http://cavies-laps.blogspot.com/ Someone was going to carry it on but I haven't heard any more. Some members have their own pigture sites, which you will see when they post. Stefanie will not mind me telling you about hers. http://www.squeakers17.blinkz.com/ and Leah has a new one as you can see from today's GPDD. Kacee's Munchees are, I believe, on a Flickr site but I can't find it at the moment. My Piggyfriends do not have their own site. So many pigs, so little time but these should keep you going until someone posts with their details. Penny and the Piggyfriends. From selenacanada at yahoo.com Fri Oct 31 13:56:56 2008 From: selenacanada at yahoo.com (Selena Simonetti) Date: Fri, 31 Oct 2008 10:56:56 -0700 (PDT) Subject: [Gpdd] {Silly} Pumpkins and Pigs Message-ID: <998989.49748.qm@web63303.mail.re1.yahoo.com> Ok this is cool.:) Check this out! http://www.extremepumpkins.com/ Can Pigs eat pumpkin rind? I have lots from carving mine and I'd like to share with Piglet. ?******* Selena Simonetti selenacanada at yahoo.com http://www.librarything.com/profile/selenacanada http://selenasimonetti.blogspot.com/