Guinea Pigs Gone to the Bridge

Guinea Pigs Gone to the Rainbow Bridge

November 2007 - March 2008

It is said that when we lose a friend, there is a new star in the sky at night. On these cold, bleak Winter nights I look up, and through my tears I see the stars of a constellation twinkling in the sky. I hope your spirits run free, dashing and playing in meadows of sweet timothy grass, with cool waters to sip and sweet fruits to nibble and play with. May you have places to explore, treats beyond measure, and cardboard to nibble. To all our gentle beloved piggies, we will always love you.

- T. Green, 1996

Brownie (AKA 'BrownBrown', 'Queen of Spinach' and 'Mrs Wigglebum')

2006 - 18th March 2008

Brownie, words cannot say how much we will miss you. We miss your weeting very loudly whenever food was being prepared - you always made sure you were the loudest of the 4! We would keep the door ajar so we could hear you shrieking your head off whilst we would chop the food up. I swear everyone in the neighbourhood could hear you! Then when we gave you your dish, you would sometimes gently nibble your favourite food (by far!), spinach, from our hands. You were a very good girl, you also made sure you ate all your vitamin C yogurt drops right after the spinach was eaten.

The way you would start walking backwards, wriggling your bum, into a corner, whenever you wanted the toilet - it always used to make us smile and joke that you should have a sound saying 'this guinea pig is reversing' - like a lorry does! You were very clever, you always used to let us know if you wanted the toilet if you were on our laps, by doing the 'backwards wigglebum'. I'm sure that given a few years, we could train you to use and flush the toilet like the cat on 'Meet the Fokkers'!.

Your bird impressions and quiet weeting/clucking, we will miss hearing that, whilst cuddling you on our laps, sometimes whilst watching your favourite sport, snooker. You really loved that sport! I remember watching a 3 hour final last year, lying on the sofa, with you on my tummy. You didn't move much for the entire time - you were fixated on the television!

When we originally bought you and your 3 friends, you were the biggest by far and used to prove it to the others by karate kicking them in the face with one of your rear paws whenever they used to annoy you, or by snapping at them. Then you would just walk away and sit by yourself. It was like you were saying 'I'm above all this silly, juvenile nonsense'! But then the others started getting to your size, and by then, you would all get along, although the boys would still annoy you occasionally (but I think constant purring and bum wriggling would get to anyone!).

In the end, you and Silky (1 of our 2 resident male gpigs) fell in love, and used to sit and cuddle together. It was so sweet to watch you 2 snuggled up together, quietly talking to each other. Silky used to kiss you on the ear and you would sit for ages together.

But then, the tables had been turned. You were now, by far the smallest of our 4 and worried us by eating all your food (and we gave you as much as all the others!) but still losing weight. You were also losing your hair - your back was almost completely bald, and the bald patches just kept on growing. You just seemed to be getting smaller and smaller. Also you had breathing problems and would cough a lot - we used to joke, saying you shouldn't eat your spinach so quickly! We tried injections, extra vitamins and extra food/regular weighing. It just didn't work. The vet carried out further tests/checks on you and informed us that you had polycystic ovary syndrome and a hormonal imbalance - we didn't even know gpigs could get POS! They recommended spaying as the only option. I was loathe to do it, as I'd personally always been against spaying/castrating animals, but for the sake of your health, I'd agreed for it to be done. I just couldn't bear to see you get any smaller or lose any more weight or to carry on having breathing difficulties. We took you in that morning to the vets where you enjoyed sitting in the front seat of our van on the way! We left you with the vet and your breakfast (yes, complete with spinach!), only to receive a call early afternoon from the vets. We were told that you had survived the operation OK, but whilst still in the recovery period, in the incubator, you had passed peacefully away with no pain. Words cannot explain how I felt then, it just didn't seem real. We took your body home and found a 'Me to You' love box to bury you in. We wrapped a fluffy towel round you like a duvet and rolled the top up like a pillow and placed you carefully in the box. You just looked so peaceful, you looked like you were only asleep, I kept expecting you to wake up any moment. We placed a note to you in the box, and pictures of all the other gpigs and us and buried the box under your favourite tree in the back garden (the one you used to play hide and seek under!). Daddy made a cross, engraved it and placed it on your grave.

RIP Brownie. We will see you again.

With as much love in death as in life. x x x x x x x

Owen

2006 - 2008

owen you were the special one i will miss you so much i remember when i got you and you would hide in the corner and squeak at me with them large black eyes, why you've gone so soon makes me sad all good times we could have had sorry to leave you so soon in life you would always eat the all the veggies of the table ill miss you good-bye and goodnight.

owen was my favorite pet one one a day he stopped squeaking and the next he was struggling to move so i took him to the vet and he was stone cold the vet said his heart wasn't beating well and to put him down would be the best thing after that the vet cremated him and i said my good-byes. i'll miss you

~Tom

Cosmic
10 December 2006-22 Febuary 2008

Comsic was so loyal, a laugh when I needed one and always understanding when I was upset. He was the sunshine in my life, the one I would come home to see, my closest and dearest friend. For 2 years he was amongst us, 2 wonderful years. He had had problems before but then he got an infection and a sore throat and would not eat or drink, we had to force food down him with a srynge. He lived like this for 9 days, and then it was decided it was too cruel for him to live. He was put to sleep 2 hours ago. Cosmic, if you can hear this, I will always love you and treasure the memories you gave me. Be brave, and we shall meet again.

Goodbye.

~Anna

Timmantha
December 2003- Feb. 8 2008

Timmantha was the best pet anyone could ever have. I got her when I was eight and she was the cutest thign I'd ever seen. She was my first pet, and the first pet of anyone in my family. She had a little ear infection just when we got her but she kept strong and even though she didn't like the medicine she stayed strong. Then she became even more. She loved lettuce and kiwi and carrots and hay and food and water. She always squeaked so much and hated getting her nails clipped. We called her the princess because she was treated like a princess. Then about a month or two ago she started to lose hair on her underside. Two days ago she stopped eated and drinking and last night she looked so sad. I gave her cabbage and she wouldn't take a bite. Her eyes were closing and she was falling to one side. I went to sleep really worried. When I woke up she was gone. I dug her grave this morning and I'm going to bury her tomorrow. I hope she passed away painlessly.

~Adam

GiGi

-January 20, 2008

For the three short years we had her, she was the one who brought fun into our lives. When she left this world, she left behind her life partner, Panda, and a very loving family. We will miss her dearly, but we know she is no longer suffering and is watching over us.

GiGi, we love you so much and never thought this would happen. Panda misses you so much, but we know you are with him in his heart, as you are in ours.

Hugs and Kisses,
Love Panda, Mama, and Grandma

Gerty

Gerty Pig.

You gave us five years of sheer joy.
Bless you.

Love,

~Patrick & Kristina

Ollie (aka Ollie Bear, Tootsie Teeth, Olliekins, Mr. Fussypants, and they go on and on...)
March ? 2003 – December 23, 2007

You were a grouch from the beginning. You enjoyed ripping out your brother's rump hair, you squirmed like crazy when we picked you up or put you down, you delighted in “anger peeing” on people when they held you, and you even bit your aunt and grandmother! When you wanted a treat or a mischievous adventure around the house, you'd slide behind your brother and shove him in the butt so he had to go first. You were a food snob. When you tired of carrots, you'd spit them out and stare up at us with that look that said, “You kidding me?” You were a narcissist. You never met a mirror or reflective trash can you didn't like. You had a fighting spirit. When you wanted a treat you'd unleash a deafening squeak, strut into the kitchen, stand under the refrigerator, and... wait. If we took too long you'd erupt into the den, seize our attention by pretending to pee under the rocking chair, dash back into the kitchen, and... wait. As we retrieved parsley from the veggie bin, you'd sprint circles around our legs and stamp on our feet in excitement. We loved watching you swagger off in victory when you were finished. The stiff way you moved and the dual colors on your hind legs made it look like you were wearing footed pajamas!

When your brother got sick, we saw you for the angel you truly were. To comfort him on his last day, you settled in close with your head on your front paws and watched him like a guardian. After your brother was gone, perhaps because you missed him (or maybe because you weren't competing for food anymore!), you began to enjoy sitting with us for hours at a time. We'd put you in “the bucket,” a small plastic bin with a cushy red bath mat in the bottom, and you'd plop your head down and curl your body in a u-shape, the ultimate sign of guinea pig comfort. We'll always cherish those nights.

We miss you more than you'll ever know, sweet Ollie. Thank you for blessing our lives, for countless memories, and for letting us love you so much. We are comforted knowing you're with God now and popcorning happily with your brother. You will always be our little boy.

We love you,
~mom and dad

Holly

- December 17, 2007

Holly died at 2am on the 17th december 2007. She was only born a week ago as a litter of five to a first time mum. I think five was to much to handle so on the 16th I decided to remove holly and try to hand feed her every two hours. At two am when feeding her all the milk came through her nose and she could not breathe, she passed away in my arms at 2am. She was a lovely little quiet guinea pig, smaller and more unusual than all the others in the litter, I will never forget her. I hope she has lots of fun in guinea pig heaven.

~Lisa

Sunshine

Adopted Aug. 28, 2004; passed away Dec. 6, 2007

Sunshine was just like his name: bright and happy and a sweetheart. He had a white crest and a cream-colored body. Actually he looked just like a Twinkie; however, he was anything but.

Sunshine was one of the Maryland rescue piggies back in 2004. He was found in a garage along with more than 250 other piggies, and I will always be thankful to Judi for her rescue efforts and to Judi and Virginia (who I don't think is on the Digest) for helping transport him to me. Virginia was kind enough to let me pick him and Tumbleweed up at her parents' house, which was about an hour and a half drive from us.

Sunshine adjusted to our family right away. In fact, it seemed as if he'd always known us. One day, after he'd first arrived, he and I looked at one another, and it suddenly seemed as if we remembered each other. From then on, our bond was always close.

We debated between the names "Sunshine" and "Hamilton" for him. Besides resembling a Twinkie, he looked like Hammy the Hamster from "Once Upon a Hamster." Sometimes he even curled up on the floor and pulled a newspaper over his body, like Hammy tucking himself into bed on the show. We ended up calling him Sunshine but using Hammy as a nickname.

Our Joey G. was still with us then, and we had the daunting, or so we expected, task of introducing all of them. Three boars! First we introduced Sunshine and Tumbleweed, and they quickly became buddies. A few days later, in a neutral spot in our kitchen, we introduced Joey G. to them. A few sniffs, and all were friends. The introductions were so low-key and cordial that Sunshine fell asleep!

Sunshine loved to be combed and immediately became a lap pig. His laptime record is 2 hours and 40 minutes. Often at night my husband would be "first shift," and I would be "second shift." Sunshine loved lying wrapped in a towel as we watched TV or read. Sometimes he threw his head down and gazed up at us with those soulful eyes of his. He could always melt my heart.

When Joey G. passed away <sniff>, Friday came to live with us. Unfortunately he did not get along with Sunshine and tried to attack him. Therefore, I had to develop what I called "The Stock Exchange." Friday and Tumbleweed would have floortime for a while, then I would put Friday back in his cage and give Sunshine floortime with Tumbleweed. To let Sunshine know it was time to get out, I hummed "Reveille." He quickly learned what it meant and climbed up on my arm when I reached into his cage. He then gave a big stretch before I set him on the floor.

Several months ago, Sunshine started doing something new. During floortime, he had a towel with newspapers on top of it. He began pulling up a newspaper to create a tunnel to rest under. One day he placed the newspaper against the sipper tube of his floor water bottle, pressed, and stuck the paper on it, making a mask he could drink through. A few days ago, Friday (who had never seen Sunshine make a mask and never made one himself) got out for floortime, pulled up the paper, and made his own mask. I had to wonder if he was missing Sunshine, or if Sunshine was saying hello to us from the Bridge.

I find I can't write in detail about the bladder stone surgeries and the last weeks of Sunshine's life. However, I will say that after his first surgery, when we opened up his carrier, he looked so wan and weak. Then he glanced up, saw me, and blossomed. His posture became straighter, relief and happiness swept across his face, and he totally relaxed. It was like seeing time-lapse photography of a flower blooming.

Sunshine always wore his heart on his sleeve and was my sensitive boy, but he had a quiet strength that I only fully grasped when he left us. He hardly skipped a beat in his normal routine after his first surgery, and even after his second he was still strong and determined. It was only when the stones returned yet again and he also had developed gas and pneumonia that we knew we had to help him to the Bridge. Our vet gave him a sedative, and afterwards he leaped into my arms. With our close bond, I often felt I knew what he was thinking, and vice versa, so on this horrible day, I think he knew what the sedative meant -- and that will always haunt me. I held him close and cuddled him, and my husband and I both talked to him and told him how much we loved him and how Joey and many new friends would be there waiting for him at the Bridge. My vet said that the sedative would bring almost immediate pain relief, so I am glad that there were some moments on this side of the Bridge that Sunshine knew once again what it was to be free of pain.

I love you, Sunshine, my special boy. Eat anything you want at the Bridge -- no stones exist there!

Sadly,
~Cindy, Tumbleweed, and Friday, missing Sunshine

"Her"

2001-2007

"Her" passed away December 3rd, 2007, she was almost 6 years old. She had a long life, filled with carrots and all the fresh 2nd cutting timothy hay she could eat. Always happy, she would scoot away, but always purred when you picked her up and scratched her. She had a couple of litters in her life and has baby pigs living with several friends and family members. All happy and well cared for :) She suprisingly got pregnant at such an old age and died from complications, none of the babies survived with her. She went to the rainbow bridge on my birthday, Dec. 3rd :( She was buried with her stillborn pups, in a pile of timothy hay, with her favorite treats, baby carrots and a mini banana along with her favorite toy she liked to kick around. "Him" misses her and they shall meet again at the Rainbow Bridge one day. But not yet. Her friend from the other room, Whitey, greeted her at the bridge, Im sure. :D

Paul

April 2006 - November 2007

I got Paul in June 2006 when he was only 8 weeks old. We got him a friend a couple of months later, and although they bonded well to start with, they ended up fighting when Paul started going through puberty 5 months later and we had to separate them. Paul was always a funny little piggie. He liked being cuddled when he wanted it, otherwise he would run off to his pigloo. He absolutely adored his veg, especially carrot!! I noticed he was a little quiet yesterday, but he still ate all his food, so thought nothing of it, until today. I had him out for some cuddles when he started heaving up watery liquid. An hour or so later he went really floppy, so I went to the emergency vet, who said it didn't look good, and they would keep him in. 6 hours later they have just phoned to say he passed away while they were trying to make him better.

You were such a lovely piggie Paul, me and Daddy will miss you

~From Vicky

G.P.

This little girl was the sweetest piggy I have ever met. Her name was G.P. I remember the day my boyfriend and I bought her. We had just started dating. She was our little baby and went everywhere with us. She loved to travel and keep cool under her water bottle. She also was very smart. She knew when the fridge was open and when she was going to get a carrot or some lettuce. Lettuce from the Olive Garden was her all time favorite. My boyfriend moved away for college and took her with him. She kept him company and out of trouble. They were there for each other. I finished school and moved in with G.P. and Anthony (my boyfriend). We have moved from place to place and she loved wherever she went. We were blessed to have her in our life for 8 years! We will never forget you baby girl!!! We’ll see you at Rainbow Bridge with the biggest bag of carrots you’ve ever seen and of course, some lettuce from the Olive Garden. May your days from this point forward be pleasant and graceful!

We LOVE you G.P. forever and always!

Love,

~Mom, Dad & Prissy Boots

Blossom

November 2002 - November 4, 2007

Dear sweet Blossom. You joined our family as a companion for Bubbles. Not sure how old you were but you were very young when you came home with us in November 2002. Who would ever think five years would go by so fast. We loved how you would jump up on top of your igloo and sit there like a queen on her throne! When you and Bubbles couldn't cohabitate in the same cage, you would tease her through the fence. You were the shy one and afraid of your own ghost.

You became sick after Buttercup died. The vet diagnosed you with an UTI and gave you the necessary meds. It was touch and go for awhile, but you were back to your old self again. About two months ago, the UTI infection came back again and we restarted your meds, but it got the best of you. Even though you lost some weight, you kept your appetite and loved your carrots. I knew something was wrong on Saturday when you stopped eating your hay and food, but you kept eating your carrots right up to the end. Like Buttercup before you, I didn't want to go to bed and leave you in case you needed me. You gave your final good-byes and I kept petting you till the end. Now I have another hole in my heart. First Buttercup, now you. Bubbles will miss you very much. Now you'll join Buttercup and Princess under the maple tree, where we can visit you whenever we want.

Love you too. Good night, Blossom

~Patti, Katie and Bob

Pumpkin

July 2002 - November 2007

Pumpkin was our first and very special guinea pig. We got him in July 2002, when he was about 2 months old. Pumpkin always was very social and interactive. When somebody opened a refrigerator door, Pumpkin would always make loud squeaky noises, because he knew that delicious
treat maybe coming his way. He liked all kinds of vegetables and greens - tomatoes, parsley, salad, cucumbers etc. When we bought a new refrigerator, Pumpkin was confused at first, because it sounded differently from our old one. However it took him only short time to learn this new sound, and soon he was squeaking as usual whenever we opened the door.

Pumpkin liked to be picked up and petted. When he was running around. If we sat on the floor, he would come and rest next to us, just like a dog would! When we petted him, sometime he would make very funny purring noises. He also slept on our laps sometimes. Pumpkin lived in a large 7.5 sq ft custom made cage. When he grew older and stopped running around, we moved him to a smaller cage, that we kept on the kitchen counter, so that Pumpkin could always see what we were doing and interact with us.

Pumpkin was growing older and loosing some weight, but he was still in a good shape for 5 year old guinea pig. One weekend he did not come out of his house to great me in the morning, and he refused to eat. I knew that he was not feeling well, when he did not try even his favorite cherry tomatoes. He was getting cold , and I held him for a while wrapped in a towel, until he felt warmer. But he still would not eat. When I left for work the very next day, Pumpkin was sitting next to his food bowl, and I thought that maybe he was feeling better. Unfortunately, when our son woke up later, he found Pumpkin lying dead in his cage. We have decided to cremate Pumpkin and take his ashes with us to our new house, that we are currently building. He will be buried in the coziest part of our backyard, where nothing can disturb him.

We are all going to miss our little Pumpkin very much. Rest in peace, Pumpkin.

~ Artem, Tanya and Danil.

Ziggy & Ray

?Ziggy and Ray??2007-?

hi i just wanted to say that guinea pigs are fun but when they die or any other pet dies,?it feels like you lost your best friend.

?this is what happened to me. One day i went to school like every day and i came come and went to go feed them some alfalfa but all of their food was missing and so were their cage and so were?my guinea pigs Ziggy and Ray later i had figured out that one of my family members (who i am not saying) put an add in the newspaper and someone took them away without my sister and i even saying goodbye. Basically we cried the whole night they were our best friends. and we still cry to this day,i don't know what their health is,?

We Miss You!

??????????? - Matt and Marni

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