Sad news

Yesterday we said goodbye to B's little furry friend, Herrance the guinea pig. When I went to wake him up on Sunday morning, he seemed different to normal, quieter than his usual self and kind of puffed up around his eyes. No other physical signs of any problems, no sneezes, no poo problems (although he hadn't actually pooed overnight and he poos for England usually). Anyway, we brought him indoors and he still had a bit of a play, running over our shoulders, but he also wanted to snuggle alot which is unlike him.

Monday morning, he still seemed "down" and in fact he was very slow on his feet, hiding in the straw, listless and cold. We took him to the vets but, after a feel around, they didn't really know what could be wrong with him. They suggested boosting his intact of vitamin C (a necessary vitamin for guinea pigs) but we were a little put out that the vet couldn't give him a "shot" of the vital vitamin as we were there and he was so poorly. We had to find a pet store to purchase some, mix it with some mushy bran stuff she gave us, and try to syringe it into his mouth (more-or-less impossible, as the mush was pretty thick and wouldn't suck up the syringe very well).

We gave him a couple of syringe fulls but it seemed unfair to continue, he was finding it difficult to breath by now and seemed to just want to rest. After a short while he died in my arms with the kids near by.

Obviously lots of tears all round. Although we'd only taken him on at the beginning of the year we'd grown very attached to him.

Later we buried him. This was the hardest thing for B, he didn't want him to be alone in the cold ground. It's a hard one for children to understand, but lots of hugs, chats and comfort got B through it.

Today we made a tile to place over the grave showing his favourite things - carrots and dandelions!

Rest in peace little "Hairy".