Guinea Pig Diary

3rd January 2008

News: As some of our regular visitors may know, my dear little Sweetpea made her journey to Rainbow Bridge aged 5 years and 5 months on the 16th December 2007. To read about my little Sweetpea please visit October to December 2007 diary entries.

I didn't want Squeekie living on his own for too long as he's so used to sharing his life with a female cage mate (Squeekie is neutered). So on the 31st December a little female guinea pig came into our lives.

First of all, I'll talk about her background, tell you her new name, age and of course show some pictures of her. She came from Tameside rabbit and guinea pig rescue. I first saw her picture on Christmas eve and although all the girls are beautiful and it was extremly hard to choose, I was that tiny bit more drawn to her. When I went to the rescue she was quick to come to the front of the cage and looked even more adorable in real life, I just knew she was the one. Aww I did feel awful leaving the other 3 behind (wish I had a purse that was bottomless for vet bills) but its not like I left just one cage mate if you know what I mean, they still have each other. It felt strange choosing a guinea pig, my last guinea that I picked out was my little Peachy which was 6 and half years ago now. As you may know, Squeekie, Jake, Sweetpea and Jasmine came from people I knew that didn't want them anymore, I was so happy to give them a loving home. Here is the rescue site and you'll see a picture on the first page. She is the tortoise shell and white piggy. Tameside Rabbit and Guinea Pig Rescue

If the picture is no longer on the page, here is the same picture of her with one of her cage mates.

Tortoiseshell and white piggy

Elaine who runs the rescue had named her Tickle but I picked a new name for her. I normally choose flower/plant names for my girls but couldn't find one that seemed to suit her, anyway I decided to call her *drum roll* Beatrix. I've always loved Beatrix Potter books and its how I came up with the name Beatrix.

The meaning of the name Beatrix is Bringer Of Joy
The origin of the name Beatrix is English

Beatrix is around 6 to 12 months but I'm leaning towards around 6 months going off her size and her nails look small and thin from what you might expect from a younger piggy. Elaine didn't know her true age as she was abandoned in a park *sigh* with the 3 other girls.

I haven't yet introduced her properly to Squeekie as I want to make sure Beatrix is completly healthy before they live together. I can't see any problems with introductions as Squeekie has always been a gent and happy to live with any of my other females.

Here are a few more pictures of my little girl Beatrix. The first picture was taken at the rescue on the day she came home with me.

Beatrix and her friends

Beatrix arrives in her new home

Beatrix being very nosy :)

Beatrix has settled in really well, she started eating red bell pepper during her first evening and hasn't turned her nose up at any vegetables I've given her. Just small amounts of any new food until her tum adjusts. She is very out-going with a very bubbly personality although she's not yet used to me lifting her which is understandable but once in my arms she settles down. I will make her a special page soon with lots of new photo's of her. Welcome to our home little Beatrix xx

I feel I'm having to mention both nice news and worrying news. Our dear little Hammy hamster has been poorly for around 3 days. Hammy is in his senior time so we think its age related as he's 2 years and 5 months. His appetite is very down and he's sleeping alot more but also unsteady on his feet. I rang the emergency vets on new years day and was asked to give Hammy some Septrin antibiotic and to visit the vets the next morning. I had already started to give Hammy Critical Care and fluids to make sure he was getting food and water. Hammy is helping himself but is eating and drinking very little on his own. The vet couldn't find anything clear that would be troubling Hammy apart from his age. He did say his tum doesn't quite feel as it should but he's not gassy/bloated or anything like that. His teeth are also fine.

I read more about elderly hamsters on a very good website I found. Here is the page on Elderly Hamsters My vet just wants to give him more time on the antibiotic as he said he looks fairly bright and my daughter Jenna (Hammy's mummy) and I want to give him every chance of recovery.

Hammy is now warm and cozy in his bed fast asleep so I do hope that means he's not in any discomfort. Here are a couple of pictures of our dear little Hammy taken during the past three days. I will let you know how our dear little Hammy is doing.

Here is also a lovely drawing of Hammy that was drawn by Beth for my daughter Jenna. Thank you so much Beth!

13th January 2008

I'm so sad to say that our dear little Hammy hamster made his journey to Rainbow Bridge on the 5th January 2008. As you may know from reading our diary, Hammy started sleeping more a few days before, he was also eating less on his own although he did try. He was also unsteady on his feet and didn't walk far from his bed. Despite my best efforts, hand feeding Hammy, making sure he was comfortable and a trip to the vets, we couldn't pull Hammy through. As we thought, the vet said Hammy's behavior was age related as Hammy was 2 years and 5 months.

Hammy passed away peacefully at around 8.30 am. I'm sure little Hammy was waiting for day break to make his journey to rainbow bridge bless him as his nickname was Mr.Magoo, especially when he was abit sleepy and I'm sure the daylight helped him make his journey.

Hammy belonged to my daughter Jenna, we all loved him dearly including his lovely Princess Scritchit and everyone at Wheekers Cavy Forum. Hammy was our first hamster and is responsible for making us love hamsters even more. I will be making a special memorial page for our little Hammy. Here is a lovely gift that my friend Ann made us, thank you so much Ann, it means such alot to us.

7th February 2008

I have now made my darling Sweetpea and Hammy special pages in my Rainbow Bridge area.

Angel Sweetpea
Angel Hammy

My friend Merry did this wonderful drawing of my Squeekie and Beatrix, isn't it lovely! thank you so much Merry.

Merry also made a gorgeous graphic of both Squeekie and Beatrix having a cuddle, its so sweet Merry, thank you so much!

News: Beatrix has settled in really well with Squeekie. He was much quieter after loosing dear Sweetpea, Beatrix has made him happy again. Beatrix is developing a very out-going personality and although she's still naturally abit jumpy, she is becoming much more bold. Beatrix will now go to the same areas to be lifted up, either in her cage or at free-range time, leaning up against the bars of her cage, on her hind feet, just like Squeekie. She only has to hear me say 'come on Beatrix' and she does it. She really has amazed me, doing this in such a short space of time. Squeekie is being a wonderful help teaching her new tricks and it now saves me trying to catch a 50 mph little guinea pig :)

Thumper is very well. I'm still trying to finish off his nail manicure. As soon as he knows I'm up to something with the nail clippers, he charges off, so I have to cut an odd nail by surprise :)

19th March 2008

We'd like to wish all our visitors a very happy Easter