Th Pumpkin Pie Gang
In November 2006, a very special group of piggies was relinquished to Wee Companions. The group of four was brought in a small pet store cage.
At first we thought that the four had been put together just for transport, but it turns out that they were housed together as a group.
The group consisted of 2 neutered males and 2 females: a 4 year old male, Tweak( born 2002); his son, Spice: and 2 daughters, Pumpkin and Sugar. ( Spice, Sugar and Pumpkin born 2003).
Here is their original picture from the website:
From left to right- Tweak, Spice, Pumpkin, Sugar
At first we thought that the four had been put together just for transport, but it turns out that they were housed together as a group.
The group consisted of 2 neutered males and 2 females: a 4 year old male, Tweak( born 2002); his son, Spice: and 2 daughters, Pumpkin and Sugar. ( Spice, Sugar and Pumpkin born 2003).
Here is their original picture from the website:
From left to right- Tweak, Spice, Pumpkin, Sugar
It became evident that the group was very bonded and needed to stay together. A call went out to find a home to foster them.
Meanwhile, they went in for a vet check. (Sometimes, when older piggies are relinquished, it's because they have developed a medical condition that the previous owner could not afford to have treated. )
It looked like the group was in pretty good shape. Some one had taken the trouble to neuter the males. There was some flakey skin so the usual quarantine and treatment for mites would be necessary.
Spice had what appeared to be a congenital malformation of his front paws. The paws curve inwards, so he walks on the back of his hands. The skin in the area looked good ( no evidence of bumblefoot) and he had no problems with mobility.
He did have a small lump in the chest area. It was thought that it was a lipoma, and the vet's inclination was to simply monitor the area. His main concern was that Spice had a reduced clearance to the ground because of his front paws. If the lump increased in size, it would drag along on the ground.
So the group was cleared to go into foster care. A large cage was needed. It would have to be a single level as ramps might prove a hazard for Spice.
Meanwhile, they went in for a vet check. (Sometimes, when older piggies are relinquished, it's because they have developed a medical condition that the previous owner could not afford to have treated. )
It looked like the group was in pretty good shape. Some one had taken the trouble to neuter the males. There was some flakey skin so the usual quarantine and treatment for mites would be necessary.
Spice had what appeared to be a congenital malformation of his front paws. The paws curve inwards, so he walks on the back of his hands. The skin in the area looked good ( no evidence of bumblefoot) and he had no problems with mobility.
He did have a small lump in the chest area. It was thought that it was a lipoma, and the vet's inclination was to simply monitor the area. His main concern was that Spice had a reduced clearance to the ground because of his front paws. If the lump increased in size, it would drag along on the ground.
So the group was cleared to go into foster care. A large cage was needed. It would have to be a single level as ramps might prove a hazard for Spice.
My foster cage was standing empty, but the cage is in the guest room and the holidays were approaching. My MIL would be visiting and I wouldn't have use of the foster cage until January.
Where could I fit a 2 by 6?
So while the piggies were at the vet, I was rearranging furniture in my room. I banished a couple of bookcases to the garage, rotated a dresser and voila- space for a 2 by 6!
I contacted Fenella and arranged to bring the group home.
Where could I fit a 2 by 6?
So while the piggies were at the vet, I was rearranging furniture in my room. I banished a couple of bookcases to the garage, rotated a dresser and voila- space for a 2 by 6!
I contacted Fenella and arranged to bring the group home.
- snowflakey
- E's Moriarity
They are beautiful. Lookie that lovely Sugar! I can't wait to hear more.
This is Tweak ( aka Papa Piggie)
Spice
Pumpkin
Sugar
I watched the group anxiously for the first few days. I had never taken care of boars before. Since I couldn't build a second level to the cage, I worried that there might be problems if they started squabbling.
Tweak and Spice proved to be very gentlemanly boars. They nevered squabbled. The two who squabbled and who ruled the roost were Pumpkin and Sugar !
Don't let their sweet faces fool you, they were the controlling forces in the group. Pumpkin, in particular, was determined to have things her way. She may have weighed the least, but she had the most "presence" in the cage.
After a few days, I had nicknamed the group- The Pumpkin Pie Gang. Sugar, Spice, Pumpkin- I thought it was a pity that Tweak hadn't been named Graham or Cinnamon- their names did sound like a recipe. Then I realized that even a good recipe is all the better for an occasional "tweak".
Spice
Pumpkin
Sugar
I watched the group anxiously for the first few days. I had never taken care of boars before. Since I couldn't build a second level to the cage, I worried that there might be problems if they started squabbling.
Tweak and Spice proved to be very gentlemanly boars. They nevered squabbled. The two who squabbled and who ruled the roost were Pumpkin and Sugar !
Don't let their sweet faces fool you, they were the controlling forces in the group. Pumpkin, in particular, was determined to have things her way. She may have weighed the least, but she had the most "presence" in the cage.
After a few days, I had nicknamed the group- The Pumpkin Pie Gang. Sugar, Spice, Pumpkin- I thought it was a pity that Tweak hadn't been named Graham or Cinnamon- their names did sound like a recipe. Then I realized that even a good recipe is all the better for an occasional "tweak".
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- Obey My Authority
Oh I love their names, indeed, a wonderful pumpkin pie!
I hear you on how Pumpkin wears the pants in the cage even though she weighs the least, it is the same here at our cage... Meimei the terror weighs the least, and looks how she is running our house!
I love little sugar's face, very fitting, definitely a sweetie! : )
I hear you on how Pumpkin wears the pants in the cage even though she weighs the least, it is the same here at our cage... Meimei the terror weighs the least, and looks how she is running our house!
I love little sugar's face, very fitting, definitely a sweetie! : )
Hmm, I thought I'd replied to this thread... Oh well.
I was going to say, Sugar is my little favourite. :)
I was going to say, Sugar is my little favourite. :)
Well, my husband was adjusting nicely to his four new roommates. (Mercifully, the group is quiet at night- give them a large pile of KM's third cut timothy and all you'll hear is blissful munching)
Then my MIL arrived for Thanksgiving.
I was worried. What would her reaction be? Would any negative input affect my husband's acceptance of the group?
I should have realized that The Pumpkin Pie Gang had more than enough charm to handle the situation. While she was glad that they weren't in her room, she had a lot of fun with them. She even helped me give them a bath.
Tweak, in particular, was a favorite with her. Here's a few pictures of Olga holding him. Look at how the charm is turned up to maximum. Who could resist that handsome face?
A few more bath time pictures- post bath, I should say.
Pumpkin, looking indignant
Sugar trying to hide in the hay
Spice, showing off his blonde "toupee"
Tribble impersonations
Sugar won best tribble
Then my MIL arrived for Thanksgiving.
I was worried. What would her reaction be? Would any negative input affect my husband's acceptance of the group?
I should have realized that The Pumpkin Pie Gang had more than enough charm to handle the situation. While she was glad that they weren't in her room, she had a lot of fun with them. She even helped me give them a bath.
Tweak, in particular, was a favorite with her. Here's a few pictures of Olga holding him. Look at how the charm is turned up to maximum. Who could resist that handsome face?
A few more bath time pictures- post bath, I should say.
Pumpkin, looking indignant
Sugar trying to hide in the hay
Spice, showing off his blonde "toupee"
Tribble impersonations
Sugar won best tribble