Bouncing Boars
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karalianne
- Supporter in '12
Hey, if you wanna have the poops for later, you need some good storage!
-
karalianne
- Supporter in '12
If ever there was any doubt about the personalities of my guinea pigs, the arrival of their new cavy caves (courtesy of eschimpf) has laid that to rest.
Here's a video (long, about 10 minutes) of me introducing them to their caves: (It was still uploading at time of posting, so it may not be available to watch when you click.)
Batman was interested in his Bat-Cave primarily as a possible snack, as was Squeak. Bubble, however, being the smartest guinea pig I've ever had, figured out what it was for almost immediately!
Here are some photos:
Bubble is enamoured with his new cavy cave! by JannaLou, on Flickr
Squeak doesn't quite know what to make of the soccer monkeys... by JannaLou, on Flickr
Batman finally went inside his Bat-Cave after I put in a strawberry treat! by JannaLou, on Flickr
Oops, it tipped over! by JannaLou, on Flickr
Shortly after this photo, Batman started wheeking in panic because he couldn't find the door. Then he stepped on the floor again, and the door magically appeared!
Get me out of here! by JannaLou, on Flickr
I left them to their own devices, and a little later I came back, camera in hand, to see if I could get any cute photos. Here's what I found:
The Bat-Cave is a little flattened... by JannaLou, on Flickr
Squeak figured out how to get inside his cave! by JannaLou, on Flickr
Bubble loves his cave. by JannaLou, on Flickr
I just went into the piggy room, and the Bat-Cave was flat again. I think Batman's trying to climb it. However, there was also a poop inside, so maybe he snuck in there when I wasn't looking!
In other news, they've been all eating lots of fresh grass lately (it's been raining so much, it's all hand-picked right before I give it to them). Everyone is a good, healthy weight, and I am pleased to be able to say that the brothers are both getting back to their normal weights since being separated! I am hoping to pick up the supplies to build a new cage this weekend, so it is quite possible that my next update will be about introducing the boys to their new homes! :)
Batman was off veggies for two weeks and pellets for one, to get his system cleared of calcium. The grass they're eating has some dandelion greens in it, but that doesn't seem to be posing too much of a problem for him, thank goodness. I just try to make sure that there aren't a lot of dandelion greens in there for him to eat.
I did three days where he got a baby carrot every night, and his urine remained clear, so then I did three days of cucumber every night. Still doing well! Tonight I'll start three days of pellets. If he doesn't stay clear with the pellets back in his diet, I guess I'll be looking for information on good pellet-less diets. After the pellets, I'm going to try green leaf lettuce and peppers (not at the same time), and at some point I'll see about apples. Then I'll have to start looking at combinations and be careful about introducing new veggies.
And that is our Chronicle update for today!
Here's a video (long, about 10 minutes) of me introducing them to their caves: (It was still uploading at time of posting, so it may not be available to watch when you click.)
Batman was interested in his Bat-Cave primarily as a possible snack, as was Squeak. Bubble, however, being the smartest guinea pig I've ever had, figured out what it was for almost immediately!
Here are some photos:
Bubble is enamoured with his new cavy cave! by JannaLou, on Flickr
Squeak doesn't quite know what to make of the soccer monkeys... by JannaLou, on Flickr
Batman finally went inside his Bat-Cave after I put in a strawberry treat! by JannaLou, on Flickr
Oops, it tipped over! by JannaLou, on Flickr
Shortly after this photo, Batman started wheeking in panic because he couldn't find the door. Then he stepped on the floor again, and the door magically appeared!
Get me out of here! by JannaLou, on Flickr
I left them to their own devices, and a little later I came back, camera in hand, to see if I could get any cute photos. Here's what I found:
The Bat-Cave is a little flattened... by JannaLou, on Flickr
Squeak figured out how to get inside his cave! by JannaLou, on Flickr
Bubble loves his cave. by JannaLou, on Flickr
I just went into the piggy room, and the Bat-Cave was flat again. I think Batman's trying to climb it. However, there was also a poop inside, so maybe he snuck in there when I wasn't looking!
In other news, they've been all eating lots of fresh grass lately (it's been raining so much, it's all hand-picked right before I give it to them). Everyone is a good, healthy weight, and I am pleased to be able to say that the brothers are both getting back to their normal weights since being separated! I am hoping to pick up the supplies to build a new cage this weekend, so it is quite possible that my next update will be about introducing the boys to their new homes! :)
Batman was off veggies for two weeks and pellets for one, to get his system cleared of calcium. The grass they're eating has some dandelion greens in it, but that doesn't seem to be posing too much of a problem for him, thank goodness. I just try to make sure that there aren't a lot of dandelion greens in there for him to eat.
I did three days where he got a baby carrot every night, and his urine remained clear, so then I did three days of cucumber every night. Still doing well! Tonight I'll start three days of pellets. If he doesn't stay clear with the pellets back in his diet, I guess I'll be looking for information on good pellet-less diets. After the pellets, I'm going to try green leaf lettuce and peppers (not at the same time), and at some point I'll see about apples. Then I'll have to start looking at combinations and be careful about introducing new veggies.
And that is our Chronicle update for today!
-
karalianne
- Supporter in '12
Poops inside the Bat-Cave this morning! We have success!
That original YouTube link doesn't go anywhere; sorry. Our internet drops packets so it takes ages for things to upload, and it got lost overnight.
However, I've re-uploaded the video, and you can definitely find it here:
That original YouTube link doesn't go anywhere; sorry. Our internet drops packets so it takes ages for things to upload, and it got lost overnight.
However, I've re-uploaded the video, and you can definitely find it here:
I love the batcave! I need to get some Cars Themed (the movie) stuff for my cages!
-
karalianne
- Supporter in '12
I changed from the caves to the beds a few days after the above, and everyone loved their beds.
The brothers in their beds by JannaLou, on Flickr
Aw, Batman is so cute! by JannaLou, on Flickr
I also discovered that the pads are the right size to go under igloos, which is great since I gave the igloos to the foster pigs!
I switched the boys back to the caves a few days ago because the beds needed washing, and Batman went to his and sniffed it and went right on in. They are definitely a hit! On top of that, I've got the brothers sharing space again, and Bubble and Squeak know which is whose - as in, Bubble is usually in the dinosaurs bed or cave, and Squeak spends his time in the monkey one.
Squeak also leaves Bubble alone if he's in his cave/bed and was being a brat to him last week unless Bubble was behaving and sitting in said bed/cave. That seems to have righted itself, thank goodness. It was probably related to Bubble's ear injury - Batman tore it really badly last time I let them all together. I'm watching it really carefully, but it seems to be healing well, with no infection. I don't think he's in pain anymore, at least. He's eating more and spending more time out on the floor of the cage. It happened on the Saturday over Canada Day weekend, and if it hadn't been healing well on its own already I would have taken him to the vet on Tuesday for sure. One nice thing is that Bubble is becoming more cuddly and he will let me pet him on the nose in the cage now. Squeak won't let me at all! (No photos of Bubble's ear, sorry. It probably wouldn't photograph well anyway, since his skin is black. :P)
Oh, and Batman and Squeak nearly got into it last time I let them hang out together all by themselves (Wednesday evening), so I hope the brothers can continue to live together - three separate males wasn't exactly in the plan!
Yesterday when I swept out the cages, I took the Bat Cave out to get rid of the poops and have more space for sweeping, and when I put the cave back in, Batman went right inside before he came back out to eat the fresh grass I gave him for breakfast!
Now, this afternoon when I was getting ready to leave for babysitting, I gave everyone some more grass to eat while I was gone. Batman was inside his flattened cave, and all I could see through the opening was one back leg and part of his side/bum. Wanting to show him his noms, I reached into the cage and called to him softly, lifting the cave off of his head.
Batman was apparently in a VERY deep sleep, because my boy freaked out and started running - inside the cave. Those suckers ROLL, just so you all know. He went straight down the length of the cage and ran into the wall, then turned right and ran into the grids that separate him from the brothers. Somehow that got him out of the cave (still not sure how). He made another right turn and ran down the length of the cave and tried to go up the wall, then turned around and ran back, tried to go up the wall, and went back the other way again. He did that a few times, then ran to his cave (which I had retrieved once he was free of it) and went inside. He poked his head out and ate a bit of grass.
Eventually, he calmed down enough that I was able to catch him and look him over to make sure he wasn't actually HURT. I couldn't find any signs of injury, which is a Good Thing. But wow, what a random occurrence!
The brothers in their beds by JannaLou, on Flickr
Aw, Batman is so cute! by JannaLou, on Flickr
I also discovered that the pads are the right size to go under igloos, which is great since I gave the igloos to the foster pigs!
I switched the boys back to the caves a few days ago because the beds needed washing, and Batman went to his and sniffed it and went right on in. They are definitely a hit! On top of that, I've got the brothers sharing space again, and Bubble and Squeak know which is whose - as in, Bubble is usually in the dinosaurs bed or cave, and Squeak spends his time in the monkey one.
Squeak also leaves Bubble alone if he's in his cave/bed and was being a brat to him last week unless Bubble was behaving and sitting in said bed/cave. That seems to have righted itself, thank goodness. It was probably related to Bubble's ear injury - Batman tore it really badly last time I let them all together. I'm watching it really carefully, but it seems to be healing well, with no infection. I don't think he's in pain anymore, at least. He's eating more and spending more time out on the floor of the cage. It happened on the Saturday over Canada Day weekend, and if it hadn't been healing well on its own already I would have taken him to the vet on Tuesday for sure. One nice thing is that Bubble is becoming more cuddly and he will let me pet him on the nose in the cage now. Squeak won't let me at all! (No photos of Bubble's ear, sorry. It probably wouldn't photograph well anyway, since his skin is black. :P)
Oh, and Batman and Squeak nearly got into it last time I let them hang out together all by themselves (Wednesday evening), so I hope the brothers can continue to live together - three separate males wasn't exactly in the plan!
Yesterday when I swept out the cages, I took the Bat Cave out to get rid of the poops and have more space for sweeping, and when I put the cave back in, Batman went right inside before he came back out to eat the fresh grass I gave him for breakfast!
Now, this afternoon when I was getting ready to leave for babysitting, I gave everyone some more grass to eat while I was gone. Batman was inside his flattened cave, and all I could see through the opening was one back leg and part of his side/bum. Wanting to show him his noms, I reached into the cage and called to him softly, lifting the cave off of his head.
Batman was apparently in a VERY deep sleep, because my boy freaked out and started running - inside the cave. Those suckers ROLL, just so you all know. He went straight down the length of the cage and ran into the wall, then turned right and ran into the grids that separate him from the brothers. Somehow that got him out of the cave (still not sure how). He made another right turn and ran down the length of the cave and tried to go up the wall, then turned around and ran back, tried to go up the wall, and went back the other way again. He did that a few times, then ran to his cave (which I had retrieved once he was free of it) and went inside. He poked his head out and ate a bit of grass.
Eventually, he calmed down enough that I was able to catch him and look him over to make sure he wasn't actually HURT. I couldn't find any signs of injury, which is a Good Thing. But wow, what a random occurrence!
-
karalianne
- Supporter in '12
First up, a lovely photo of Bubble's ear. As I said last time, my poor boy was damaged in a scuffle with Batman a week and a half ago. It's healing up quite well, I think.
Bubble's ear injury is healing nicely by JannaLou, on Flickr
Now, THIS lovely image is of Squeak being Alpha pig and proving it to his brother. *sigh* He does this regularly, and it's ALWAYS sideways, on Bubble's head. Poor Bubble whines the whole time.
Squeak being in charge by JannaLou, on Flickr
On Monday, I gave the brothers a bath. Not sure if they ever had one before, but this was the first one I gave them. I put towels down in the bathtub and ran enough water in to get them wet. Then I filled a small bin with water to use for rinsing. The shampoo is an all-natural pet shampoo for small animals that is supposed to help with itching. It's got oatmeal in it and stuff. Of course, I took photos!
Bubble in the tub, all soaked down:
All wet! by JannaLou, on Flickr
Squeak cleaning himself while sitting on top of the Ziploc container I put in (and covered with a towel) so they could get out of the water:
Now I have to clean myself! by JannaLou, on Flickr
The brothers in the box after being toweled off:
Two pigs in a box! by JannaLou, on Flickr
Bubble trying to escape during the blow drying phase (my dryer has a cool blast button, so I didn't use any heat to dry their hair at all):
Getting dried off by JannaLou, on Flickr
Squeak, all dried off and combed out:
Combed hair by JannaLou, on Flickr
It's been HOT this week. I've been worried about the pigs, of course, so I got my husband to pick up five ceramic tiles on his way home from work on Monday. (Hoping to grab a couple of fans tonight when I'm in town.)
The pigs all kind of avoided the tiles at first, and I wasn't sure they'd work out. However, yesterday I saw the three boys all making good use of their tiles. Sandy (the foster pig) seems intent on spending her days in her igloo and won't snuggle up with anything cool, but since she now likes celery I can feed her bits of celery throughout the day (right from the fridge) and that seems to help. Meanwhile, the little guy (H/B, also a foster) has decided that his favourite place is under the fleece in his cage. Yesterday I stuck a frozen water bottle under there with him. Today I caught him sitting on the tile, but I didn't get a picture of him before he moved.
Now for the photos of how everyone is beating the heat!
Bubble:
My bum was sooooo hot! by JannaLou, on Flickr
Squeak:
Cooling off on the tile by JannaLou, on Flickr
Batman (who actually seems to be hanging in his bed most of the time):
Batman cooling his front paws off by JannaLou, on Flickr
Sandy:
I stuck the water bottle in Sandy's igloo by JannaLou, on Flickr
The Little Guy:
Under the fleece next to a frozen water bottle by JannaLou, on Flickr
I gave Sandy a bath today and took photos, but they aren't on Flickr yet. I'll post later.
Bubble's ear injury is healing nicely by JannaLou, on Flickr
Now, THIS lovely image is of Squeak being Alpha pig and proving it to his brother. *sigh* He does this regularly, and it's ALWAYS sideways, on Bubble's head. Poor Bubble whines the whole time.
Squeak being in charge by JannaLou, on Flickr
On Monday, I gave the brothers a bath. Not sure if they ever had one before, but this was the first one I gave them. I put towels down in the bathtub and ran enough water in to get them wet. Then I filled a small bin with water to use for rinsing. The shampoo is an all-natural pet shampoo for small animals that is supposed to help with itching. It's got oatmeal in it and stuff. Of course, I took photos!
Bubble in the tub, all soaked down:
All wet! by JannaLou, on Flickr
Squeak cleaning himself while sitting on top of the Ziploc container I put in (and covered with a towel) so they could get out of the water:
Now I have to clean myself! by JannaLou, on Flickr
The brothers in the box after being toweled off:
Two pigs in a box! by JannaLou, on Flickr
Bubble trying to escape during the blow drying phase (my dryer has a cool blast button, so I didn't use any heat to dry their hair at all):
Getting dried off by JannaLou, on Flickr
Squeak, all dried off and combed out:
Combed hair by JannaLou, on Flickr
It's been HOT this week. I've been worried about the pigs, of course, so I got my husband to pick up five ceramic tiles on his way home from work on Monday. (Hoping to grab a couple of fans tonight when I'm in town.)
The pigs all kind of avoided the tiles at first, and I wasn't sure they'd work out. However, yesterday I saw the three boys all making good use of their tiles. Sandy (the foster pig) seems intent on spending her days in her igloo and won't snuggle up with anything cool, but since she now likes celery I can feed her bits of celery throughout the day (right from the fridge) and that seems to help. Meanwhile, the little guy (H/B, also a foster) has decided that his favourite place is under the fleece in his cage. Yesterday I stuck a frozen water bottle under there with him. Today I caught him sitting on the tile, but I didn't get a picture of him before he moved.
Now for the photos of how everyone is beating the heat!
Bubble:
My bum was sooooo hot! by JannaLou, on Flickr
Squeak:
Cooling off on the tile by JannaLou, on Flickr
Batman (who actually seems to be hanging in his bed most of the time):
Batman cooling his front paws off by JannaLou, on Flickr
Sandy:
I stuck the water bottle in Sandy's igloo by JannaLou, on Flickr
The Little Guy:
Under the fleece next to a frozen water bottle by JannaLou, on Flickr
I gave Sandy a bath today and took photos, but they aren't on Flickr yet. I'll post later.
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karalianne
- Supporter in '12
On Friday, I took the tiles out of everyone's cages and washed them off, then put them in the freezer to get them properly cooled off. When it was hot later in the day, after I'd cleaned everyone's cages, I pulled the tiles out and returned them. I wish I had video to share of Batman!
He came up to his tile and sniffed it, then he stepped onto the tile with his front feet only, and he sat there on it, like that, for a good ten minutes. I guess he was overheating!
I've been reading everyone else's Chronicles and I think I might start writing a bit about my past piggies. I don't know if I have photos of everyone, but I'll see what I can dig up here and there.
There are a lot of piggies in my past, and a lot of stories to share! I've had at least one guinea pig since I was about ten years old, with a few gaps here and there. I suspect my friends just put my love of guinea pigs into a box called "Janna's weird crap" (along with other things that aren't exactly "normal" about me, like my very long hair and my obsession with words). Happily, many of them love me well enough that they encourage my obsession by giving me stuffed piggy toys for no reason. :D
I will have to ask your patience with the younger me, though. I didn't know what I was doing when I was a kid. But I grew up, and you know I take great care of my pigs now!
He came up to his tile and sniffed it, then he stepped onto the tile with his front feet only, and he sat there on it, like that, for a good ten minutes. I guess he was overheating!
I've been reading everyone else's Chronicles and I think I might start writing a bit about my past piggies. I don't know if I have photos of everyone, but I'll see what I can dig up here and there.
There are a lot of piggies in my past, and a lot of stories to share! I've had at least one guinea pig since I was about ten years old, with a few gaps here and there. I suspect my friends just put my love of guinea pigs into a box called "Janna's weird crap" (along with other things that aren't exactly "normal" about me, like my very long hair and my obsession with words). Happily, many of them love me well enough that they encourage my obsession by giving me stuffed piggy toys for no reason. :D
I will have to ask your patience with the younger me, though. I didn't know what I was doing when I was a kid. But I grew up, and you know I take great care of my pigs now!
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karalianne
- Supporter in '12
Hm. I think there are a lot of photos on this page right now.
So here is a link to the video I made while cleaning piggy cages yesterday:
**I never leave my cat alone with the guinea pigs. She is always closely supervised and rarely goes near them anyway. Last time she did this I had to scruff her to get her out of the cage.
So here is a link to the video I made while cleaning piggy cages yesterday:
**I never leave my cat alone with the guinea pigs. She is always closely supervised and rarely goes near them anyway. Last time she did this I had to scruff her to get her out of the cage.
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