Should I do it for George?

[Alix]

It's a long one lol....Ok, here is the situation. I have 6 pigs, and my sisters have one each, which makes up 8. I wanted to adopt a piggie this year to do my bit for the homeless animals, but Phoebe got pregnant and I thought I'd have to give it a miss.

I wanted a pal for Gimpie, as Bazz and he don't really do anything chummy, and Bazz prefers to be alone whereas Gimpie loves interaction with other pigs and humans. I was thinking of keeping a bub for him...But I've recently been chatting via email with my Aunt, and she has had a pig dumped on her. This is the aunt that got me interested in pigs, but she no longer has any herself.

If my Aunt were to rehome him, he'd probably go as a lone pig to someone...and he'd be miserable. So I suggested he come down here and I try to integrate him in with Gimpie and Bazz, and if it didn't work out I could pair him up with a bub and rehome him - so at least he'd have a mate.

My Aunt says she is unsure because of my parent situation. I think I can convince them to let me at least try, as it really shouldn't be any more fuss rehoming one extra (if it comes to that) or having one more pig. And at least the little guy would go with a pal.

What do you think? Should I do it for George? Have any ideas for trying to convince the olds?

Anyways, here is the little fellow. He's ridden with mites so I'd have to keep up his treatment if he came down.

[skipperdoo]

At first he'd need to be totally separate for 2-3 weeks until the mites issue is under control and to see if anything else pops up. I would think that even if it didn't work out that they could live side-by-side and everyone would have a buddy even if they aren't in the same cage.

Maybe try the sick pig, humane-case route with your parents rather than the fact that you'd like someone to have a buddy ... particuarly since not all critters get along even if the caretaker would prefer it.

[Alix]

I tried that and it worked! My dad said yes, and we are making an extra cage so Bazz can live with Molly, Gimpie can live with George, and the girls' piggies can live in another cage, with my girls remaining where they are.

Well, it'll be a couple of weeks until he comes down here, but will still be put into a two-three week quarantine to be sure he doesn't bring any germs to Gimpers...

[skipperdoo]

Good job ... bet he'll be happy!

[Alix]

Yes, I hope he is. He should be making the trek down from New South Wales at the end of Jan. He'll be here two weeks before the babies which is great timing.

[skipperdoo]

Babies ... or should I ask?

[Bean]

Wow, a new pigger! He certainly is a handsome chappy!

Make sure you sort out about any vets bills before he arrives. You don't know what might pop up if he hasn't had the best care lately, so it'd be good to make sure getting him the right care won't be an issue.

[skipperdoo]

Do you have Ivermectin and if not, what type do you use?

[Izzy]

I bet George will be in piggy heaven with you aL!

[Bean]

Oh and I love the name George!

[Alix]

Well, my Aunt is an animal carer and is actually a trained Wild Life rescuer, but tends to get birds, cats and other domesticated animals. She used to have many pigs herself.

She has the ivermectin already and he's had a couple of doeses already. I will need to continue with the ivomec for two to three weeks after (depending on how he goes) which pretty much covers the quarantine.

Yes, Jan named him George. She says he loves Watermelon and comes right out of the cage for it. One morning when she only gave him carrot he came out and looked for Watermelon, and disgruntled, moped back to his hidey hole lol. She gave in and gave him some at lunch time lol.

[Alix]

Oh, and the babies were a complete accident. I really wish it didn't happen, as I hate having Phoebe go through this again, and rehoming babies isn't fun!

[Clover]

I'll keep everything crossed for Phoebe aL George looks gorgeous, he looks a little like Merry's Shakira dosn't he ;D

[Alix]

Sorry folks, Geroge is no longer coming to live with me. Had a few tchnical difficulties. I also felt it not the best time with everything thats gone on, plus the babies.

My Aunt will look after him until he's rid of his mites and then find a good home for him.

[skipperdoo]

Ok.