Where Pigs Fly Guinea Pig Sanctuary

03/21/2024

So proud of Solo who has been having difficulties walking for about a month. One day his back legs just stopped working but he continued to drag them around and went about his daily routine. Not sure what is going on but he doesn't appear to be in pain nor losing weight. I just give him more baths and hair cuts since he lays around in his p**ps more and helping him with physical therapy seems to be helping. He's 5 1/2 now so I hope to have this special pig a little longer.

01/19/2024

2024. 6 years ago we began a commitment as a sanctuary for unwanted guinea pigs. I have lost count on how many we have taken in. We took mostly males, many who were older and no one else wanted due to the fighting, a**l impactions, "bits" that needed special attention and grease glands that smelled. I stand behind boys being cleaner than girls. Girls spray, are still caddy and fight, have more hormonal issues and medical problems because of it and are no more interesting or cuddly. I love our boys. We stopped taking in more pigs 2 years ago when we were at full capacity of 24. Many were lost over time and we now have 23 animals buried in our yard (including 2 cats and a rescued Weiner dog also). On average our pigs who have passed were 5 1/2 years old. Our oldest was 8 but my favorite was only 2 and died at the hands of the vet due to dental problems. We now handle most issues at home. We have 12 left most of whom are at least 4 years old. I can't imagine a life without piggies and will always continue to educate people, advocate for the banning of pet stores who sell them and participate in rescues whenever needed. They are a very underestimated species and misunderstood creature. I do not recommend the average person adopting them without the commitment to education on their special needs and hard work.

10/20/2023

Wow time flies when life gets complicated! Haven't posted in months and it's long overdue. Just wanted some happy posts about my pigs but this year has been rough. Sad that my Friday nights are spent cleaning cages but that's how it is if I want to go camping on weekends when I have a herd. Though cleaning cages are a huge chore it's also one of my favorite times to watch how excited they get being cleaned out. Most come up to my face when I am at their door anxious to see what I'm doing. My favorite pair of boys, Pumpkin and Fozzie, are so adorable. They are both 5 now but very healthy. My pair of girls, Luna and Lily, are my youngest. Mother and daughter but only 3 months apart. I can't tell them apart. Down to only 9 cages housing 14 pigs now. We lost 2 of our favorite pairs in last few months. Skylar and Piper both passed away within a month as did our married team Groot and Phoebe. They will all be missed.

06/16/2023

Groot has new women in his life! Piper and Skylar have joined him after losing Phoebe. We didn't want to wait to get him new girls to cuddle. He was so depressed in his 2 days alone and he really needed their fuzzy curls. They are so fun to watch!

06/03/2023

Decided to enjoy a cooler day in the yard with some of the pigs. Solo and Onyx need the fresh air. I have to admit I don't know Onyx well. He and his daughter Luna were the last pigs we took in over a year ago. Luna was pregnant and had 2 healthy pups but none of them are as tame as the rest of the herd. He and Solo, who has been with us for almost 5 years, fight alot but maybe it will help to be in the open grass.

06/02/2023

We just can not catch a break. Our little mama Phoebe passed away early this morning too. She has been losing weight but still eating like crazy. Last night she sucked down a few syringes of critical care and we hoped she would start gaining back but she stopped breathing in the little house with Groot early today. She was our first girl back in 2018 and she gave us 3 beautiful little piggies. After Groot was neutered they have been inseparable. Poor Groot is going to be lost without her. I feel he won't be with us long; without her he will die from a broken heart.

06/01/2023

I think the universe is telling me I need to downsize and travel more. We've had Murphy for 5 years. He started out as a real stinker but I grew to love him a lot. He has always been a loner but he loved to give me kisses when I came to his cage. He still popcorned just last month but last night he took his last breath. Just that fast he's gone. He showed the signs and we were able to hold him til the last minute. Our lucky pig but we sure have had bad luck recently.

05/30/2023

This is my Memorial Day. Buried our 3 legged piggie, Jack, today. He was just about to turn 7. He was a fighter for sure. He went very peacefully. It's been a tough spring this year losing our beloved 16 year old Dachshund, Kaylee Mae, as well as our wild pig, Walter, who was only 3. He got a terrible allergic reaction to a simple problem and just couldn't pull thru it. We have turned our outdoor habitat into a memorial garden now with 13 pigs, 2 cats and a dog.

05/26/2023

03/06/2023

People always say "piggies hide illness very well". I think this is nonsense. Guinea pig's most common illnesses are painfully obvious. Their many skin issues such as mites or ring worm can be noticed easily as soon as you look at them. Bumblefoot or the lumps they get with abscesses or mammary gland tumors can be seen or felt by simply holding them. Various illnesses can be detected by paying attention to their urine and p**p. Kidney stones or any stomach issues show up in the color of urine or formation of p**ps that we should all be noticing. Ovarian cysts have signs in hair loss or crusty ni***es. Look your piggies in the eyes every day. Do they look wide eyed and bright? If not inspect them further. Are your piggies coming out wheeking or interested when you feed them? Something is wrong if they aren't. Watch to see if they are grazing often. If not check their teeth right away. Pay attention to their weight, if not with regular weighing just look at them, hold them, weight loss is noticeable. Piggies tell us they are not feeling well in so many ways. I always know when mine are sick. They hunch up and sit in corners if they have no other visible signs. Sometimes it may be an early sign of UTI or URI or scurvy. Check eyes for crustiness, watch their breathing, listen to their sounds, feel their bodies. My pigs get routine body checks at minimum once per week for lumps, skin irritations, a**l glands. Don't be afraid to check them all over. Know your piggies! They tell us in so many ways something is wrong. They don't hide illness well at all if we just know the signs and pay attention to them.

01/23/2023

Very excited to let Solo and Onyx out on the floor for the night. Dogs went to stay with Daddy Dave so it's safe for them to run free in the piggie room. Solo had a bath, hair and nails cut and both love to run around and stretch their legs. I've always prided myself on giving my herd floor time in addition to summer outdoor play in the garden habitat. It's been awhile though with all our moving around and adding dogs to the house. This week Onyx turns 2 years old and deserves his floor time.

01/10/2023

**** update 6 weeks later Groot is doing well! Gained back his weight and normal. Not sure what was going on but we are happy***** I am Groot. I am almost 5 years old and married to my soulmate Phoebe. Groot is sick however. He had surgery to remove his mammary gland tumor in October but after speaking to the vet today possibly has cancer that spread. He's no longer the chubby piggie we have known. He's lost all his weight but is still eating and being the loveable happy pig we have grown to love. I will never forget the day when I got the call to come rescue a " severely burned pig". I was told some kids burned off his hair so I went immediately from work to get him. Turned out to be 2 Skinny pigs who are hairless. Very skinny indeed though. He has been such a show pig and we love him dearly. We don't expect him to be here much longer and the vet said there isn't much we can do but make him happy. So piles of carrots, Oxbow cookies and anything else he wants to eat.

12/26/2022

Christmas has been tough this year. Still settling in to our new place and winter hit us hard. Snow storm dropped temps to -5 with high winds that froze our pipes and snow drifts made it difficult to get outside for doing anything. Our little sanctuary kept warm however and the herd stayed happy in their hay. My animals remain top priority as I round out this year struggling to clean their blankets in the cold. We hated losing our 2 boys, Chucky and Jude, but otherwise the piggie herd has done very well this year overall. Only 1 trip to the Vet and no other illnesses. We took in 2 pigs, Onyx and Luna, last winter who doubled by having their babies Lily and Luka. All of them are solid black Teddys which if you don't know are good luck for a herd. I guess 2 was the magical number in 2022. I look forward to what the upcoming year will bring. The majority of our pigs are seniors now (over 4 years old) so I hope to focus on celebrating birthdays more because we never know when it will be their last. It's nice knowing they are all past puberty and bonds have been made within all 12 cages that I have. Space is tight but it all gets easier from here. Happy New Year!

11/22/2022

It's been a long time since I last posted about my guinea pig sanctuary. It's finally time after all the changes are done. No more space heaters in the 3 season enclosure. I now have moved 18 pigs into a new home inside a fully heated bedroom. 4 more pigs have stayed with Daddy Dave to care for since it was just too crowded in the bedroom. My Skinny pigs, Groot and his wife Phoebe, and the 2 remaining Silkies, Moptop and 3 legged Jack, are in the house with Dave under careful watch due to age and special needs. We lost our sweet Silkie Jude in October. He was 5 years old. Groot also had surgery to remove a mammary gland tumor recently. It's been a truly up and down Autumn. We are ready for winter though. We also got a new Dachshund puppy who loves to eat the piggie p**p!

07/25/2022

They are so in love!!💕😘💖❤️ Groot & Phoebe 4-ever!!