There hasn't been much new going on. The girls are getting more relaxed around me, although they still scamper about when I need to pick them up. The neighbor girl is going to watch them (and the fish) while I'm in Peru this summer. I'm trying to figure out what to pay her. I think $10/day M-S and $20 on Sunday since the cage needs to be cleaned once a week. In preparation, I've ordered another set of Fleece Flippers so the cage cleaning will go a little faster. The bedding will still have to be washed, but the girls can go back in the cage immediately after it is cleaned rather than waiting for the bedding to get washed. I'll need to get a another fleece throw for the playpen as well.
Morgause is still the cuddler and Winnie the explorer. I was glad I had her in the Cuddle Cup last night. She was squirming so much I almost dropped her! I was considering ordering some more parts to the playpen to make it bigger, but they really don't do much running around in it so I think I'll wait to see what happens.
As I said, nothing very exciting happening in the piggie world, but here's a pick of salad time for your pleasure.
The cage is finally complete, storage bins and all.
They seem to be happy with it, and so am I so far. I'm still assessing the wood pellets in the kitchen area. I'll need to give it a few days to a week to know for sure.
Today in the mail (well, today is when I checked the mail), the girls got a surprise welcome card from the vet. They seemed to be happy about it.
We are still working on not being so skittish around me. They seem to be much less so when I feed them in the morning (go figure). Oh, speaking of, note the white crock with the salad in it. I found it cheap at Petco. Ceramic and heavy enough that they can't tip it over.
I took the girls to the vet yesterday morning, just for a checkup and to confirm that they are indeed girls (they are). Dr. Lewer said they are the healthiest piggies he's ever seen! He couldn't even give me any advice on husbandry other than to keep doing what I'm doing. He did show me how to trim their nails. Both of them behaved very well, although Winnie would not let the vet tech look at her teeth. The office called this morning to let me know there are no internal parasites, so they are 100% healthy!
The Cuddle-E-Cups arrived the other day. They make it so much easier to carry the girls from the cage to the playpen. I thinks it's less stressful for them as well.
The Felt Flippers came in yesterday. I got them all washed and prepped last night, but I probably won't have a chance to install them until Saturday.
I guess I should link to where I've been getting everything. The cage and most of the paraphernalia came from Guinea Pig Cages and Guinea Pig Market. The Cuddle-E-Cups came from Doctors Foster and Smith.
The Felt Flippers are the last thing I have ordered. I do need to stop by Petco to get more bedding (for the kitchen area) and a salad crock, assuming they have something heavy enough. I'll post pics of the completed cage after I get the Felt Flippers in. Ciao for now!
The new cage came in and is all setup. It takes up quite a bit of space in the living room, but that's OK.
I also got the playpen set up in my office so they can run around while I'm doing homework.
Of course, they do more sitting in a corner and eating hay than running around, but they are chattering more.
Winnie has figured out refrigerator door/bags opening means VEGGIES! She'll stand in the spot the salad bowl goes and whistle at me until I brink it back. They are now getting spinach, parsley, cilantro, and baby carrots. They are still both pretty skittish, but they are getting better. Winnie really does not like to be picked up. I'm hoping the cuddle cups that a due to be delivered today will help with that somewhat.
I did brush them both and they seemed to enjoy it tremendously, although Winnie will sit still for only so long on my lap. Again, I'm hoping the cuddle cups help. Milady de Winter has also decided that using the door of the hidie houses is beneath her. She will burrow under the side and lift it with her head to get out. I've even seen her go between houses that way. The felt flippers will but a stop to that, however.
More tomorrow after their vet appointment.
They both came out this morning as I was filling their food dish. I'm not sure if it was timing or they are figuring out that the sound of the bag means food.
I made a vet appointment for them for next week. Probably not necessary, but I'd like to get them checked out just the same, as well as have them sexed by a vet. I tried, but they fought me, so I'd rather have them stressed out be a stranger than by me. I also want the vet to show me how to trim their nails since I am dealing with 5 dark feet (I'll let you ponder that one for a bit).
I received some supplies for their new cage today. Pictures after everything is setup, which will probably be Friday evening (cage is scheduled for delivery tomorrow). I'm considering whether or not to try a litter box, but I think I'll wait a bit on that. One thing at a time. I am going to try to brush them for the first time tonight during lap time. If they won't allow it, I'll wait until they become more acclimated to me and try again.
I need to by some veggies for them as well, since I know they are now eating. I'll add more than just carrots to their diet after the new cage is set up and there is more room to put food bowls.
Winnie is definitely going to be the explorer. I'm going to have to watch her.
First, I am a horrible blogger, so don't expect much. However, I want to share my experience with two new additions to my household:
Milady de Winter (Winnie)
Morgause
These two adopted me from the Heartland Humane Society on Saturday, January 2, 2016. I brought them home to an already-prepared cage and all the necessary supplies.
I'll catch you up to date as of yesterday. I quickly discovered the cage I have is too small, so I've ordered one specifically designed for guinea pigs from guineapigcages.com, as well as some other supplies, including a hand-vac (they are a messy pair).
The too small cage.
I have given them individual lap time a couple times a day. Until yesterday, however, they stayed in their hidie houses. For the first time yesterday, they both came out on their own to eat food and hay and to drink. I was very excited.
(Forgive the bad picture, I was trying to take it and not startle them).
Their play pen arrived yesterday. I'm still prepping a fleece blanket for it so they have not been in it yet.
OK, that's the skinny so far. Updates as things happen.
