Seffy
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Posts: 116
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Post by Seffy on Dec 5, 2020 5:47:42 GMT
Hi, Just sort of passing through and wanted to introduce myself. I think I might have been a member many years ago, and apologize that I couldn't figure out my old user ID or password. That must have been a decade or more ago (where does the time go?). I was trying to revive an old guinea pig forum of mine that is also on the Proboards platform and was looking for similar formats when I stumbled across Wheekers (again). The topic of discussion here drew me in...always good to bump into like-minded folks these days. Hope you guys are doing well.
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Post by Bean on Dec 5, 2020 8:31:41 GMT
Hello and a warm welcome (back!) to Wheekers! It's great that you found us again. Have you had guinea pigs the whole time or have you recently returned to them, hence the resurrection of your old forum?
We're a small (but high quality!) group here, and it'll be great to have you join the fold!
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Seffy
Tin Member
Posts: 116
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Post by Seffy on Dec 5, 2020 12:29:08 GMT
Hi! Yes, husband and I have had guinea pigs for, I guess, 15 or 16 years, now. We just suffered a very difficult loss with a particularly special pig a little over a week ago (actually, the day before Thanksgiving here in the US), and I decided it was time for me to take a much-needed break from another forum where I had been very active on the medical board as a moderator. Once you start second-guessing the decisions you made with your own animal, it's time to step away for a while. Is all of the artwork on here yours? So very cute.
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Post by 3piggles on Dec 5, 2020 20:40:23 GMT
As Bean said, we're a small group, but friendly and caring. I hope you get to spend some time with us
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Seffy
Tin Member
Posts: 116
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Post by Seffy on Dec 5, 2020 23:27:52 GMT
I appreciate small and friendly! I'm at a point in my life where I could use a lot less drama, and would value just having a few supportive people to chat with from time to time. Husband and I don't have family/friends here and have been feeling very isolated since Covid---as I'm sure a lot of people are. That's why I had the thought of resurrecting my old forum (very similar format to this one), but it has not really gotten off the ground and I'm about ready to bag it. So many people have migrated to Facebook over the years, and it just feels like people don't have the time or interest to keep something like that going. I'm glad to see this group is still here after all these years!
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Post by bazookagoof on Dec 6, 2020 3:58:11 GMT
I appreciate small and friendly! I'm at a point in my life where I could use a lot less drama, and would value just having a few supportive people to chat with from time to time. Husband and I don't have family/friends here and have been feeling very isolated since Covid---as I'm sure a lot of people are. That's why I had the thought of resurrecting my old forum (very similar format to this one), but it has not really gotten off the ground and I'm about ready to bag it. So many people have migrated to Facebook over the years, and it just feels like people don't have the time or interest to keep something like that going. I'm glad to see this group is still here after all these years! Welcome back (although I've only been here myself about five years!) I was actually wondering what happened to the members here and how most drifted away; there seemed to be a vast community at one point. I suppose FaceBook was partially responsible. A few other forums I belong to are suffering a similar fate. I've always liked coming here, with its warm atmosphere and friendly people. It may not be huge, but it lacks the tiresome inanity of FaceBook. (I deleted my own account there back in 2018.)
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Post by Bean on Dec 6, 2020 8:42:07 GMT
We used to get loads more people stopping by - most would just get help and move on but some stuck around. We just don't get as many people passing through now. I guess there are a lot more guinea pig websites and I don't think we're really listed anywhere for people to find us. And like you both say, other platforms have replaced forums over the years. It's great to have lovely new people join us, but on the other hand I don't miss all the drama that can come with busier forums! It's nice knowing I can just rock up, have a chat or a chuckle, and then get on with my day. I'm really sorry to hear about your special little guy, Seffy. I think we've all had those brilliant personalities that leave much more of a gaping hole when they leave us. It's tough, and this year has been quite isolating so you can't deal with things in the way you usually might. We had two very talented members here when we started up who made all the artwork for us - Alix and Merry. We were so lucky! They both drew lots of pictures of my own guinea pigs over the years too which are things I will always treasure.
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Seffy
Tin Member
Posts: 116
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Post by Seffy on Dec 6, 2020 8:46:44 GMT
Thank you! I rarely go on Facebook these days; would not have an account at all were it not for the fact that our local rescue and a couple of other organizations have unfortunately ditched a traditional website in favor of using it. I'm only on one other guinea pig site, which I have been a member of since 2004, but have likewise noticed that many, if not most, of the original members have migrated elsewhere. It's a very different forum from years past. Personally, I'll take quality of membership over quantity any day.
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Post by Bean on Dec 6, 2020 9:19:30 GMT
I'm not big on FB either. I have a profile as there are a few local groups I'm in that organise everything on FB and it's just easier to check in than have someone have to remember to tell me. But I don't have any friends on there or I find the whole platform a bit soul sucking! It would be an easy way to keep up with some old friends who I rarely see, especially ones who have moved abroad. But too much other crud comes along with it, and I figure if they want me to know/ see stuff, they can email me!
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Seffy
Tin Member
Posts: 116
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Post by Seffy on Dec 6, 2020 13:15:26 GMT
"...if they want me to know/ see stuff, they can email me!"
My sentiments exactly!
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Post by 3piggles on Dec 7, 2020 2:37:05 GMT
I belong to a "Former Wheekers" chat group on Facebook, and have stayed in touch with many former members through FB. These are the people I favored when they were members. Most of them had major life changes, marriage, baby, started a rescue, etc., that took up their time.
I think social media, with the right people, can be great. I posted pictures of our Thanksgiving dinner. A friend in Norway commented, as did a friend in Finland. Then they got into an exchange of ideas about sheet pan cooking. They met through me. Tow great people a common interest.
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