juushika: Drawing of a sleeping orange cat (I should have been born a cat)
The house I am currently living at is Devon's grandparent's old place. They built a new house on the lot behind this one, and moved there; when they did, Devon's family set out to move into this old house. Devon has but his parents are some ways off from that, so for now I live here. Devon's grandparents, meanwhile, are our next door neighbors, and you can go from our backyard into their driveway—and the boys do, often, to visit.

Devon's grandparents have two dogs: a year old Golden Retriever named Joy and a Toy Poodle named Itty—as in Itty Bitty, because of her size. The other day, I was out cutting grass for the pigs, came in through the back door, shut it behind me, and then saw a white fuzzy small thing run by. Itty had been let out to go potty, seen me, and come over. I let her in, and she got to see this house again for the first time since she moved out—as see the pigs in their cage. Tonight, Devon was over there doing laundry and let her out, and then found her in our backyard again. We let Itty in to visit, and this time I took pictures. She got to run around, investigate, get plenty of love and attention (since she never has enough), and I let her meet the pigs in person for a bit. She does need to be supervised with them, because she's not quite sure if they are or are not toys (she tried to bat at Alfie, and then tried to clean him), but she's gentle and inquisitive, and thinks they smell fascinating. She's a lovely dog, tiny and adorable, very people-centered, quite intelligent, and I adore her.

So, everyone, meet Itty!


+4 of Itty, Itty & me, Itty & pigs, and a bonus shot of sleeping guineas. )
juushika: Photograph of the torso and legs of a feminine figure with a teddy bear (Bear)
It's recently occurred to me—from taking the boys outside—that Dink and Kuzco are satin pigs: they have smooth, shiny fur. Alfie's not: his fur is matte, no matter how bright the sun or the camera flash is. So to be more specific, Dink is a American smoothcoat chocolate satin agouti, Kuzco is a mixbreed Abyssinian banded honey and brown satin agouti, and Alfie is a pink-eyed white American, Peruvian, and Texel cross.

One day I even sat down and did approximate gene mapping for the boys. Yes, it is an obsession.

Somewhat more interesting: if it's too cold to go outside, or if I don't want to spend an hour sitting on the grass, I bring grass inside instead of bringing guinea pigs outside. An ordinary kitchen knife (especially the ones with small serrations on one side) makes a great grass-cutter, by the way. The pigs can eat enormous amounts, and they do so with the anxious concentration of someone who hasn't seen food in weeks and may never see it again, even though—and I swear this is true—they get fed multiple times every single day. Fortunately, their avid love of food is adorable. Photographic and video proof:



Alfie's piggy lips, and a video of all three boys stuffing their faces. )

Unfortunately, the last third (with Kuzco) compressed really dark, because he's furtherest from any of the light sources. But you get the idea.
juushika: Drawing of a sleeping orange cat (I should have been born a cat)
I come bearing videos of myself and my pigs. Having finally found my proper flash card and the card reader (which were hiding in about as close to plain sight as they could have been without dangling from the ceiling to hover over my keyboard), I figured I should make up for the fact that I've gone so long without a proper picspam. You were deprived, I know.

Therefore: Videos of me with Dink and Alfie, me with Kuzco, and me with ... my hair. )

Enjoy!
juushika: Drawing of a sleeping orange cat (Default)
I've been putting of saying this, but it really is no secret: I introduced Kuzco to Dink on Monday, and they are now happily living together.

Why did I do it? )

Introductions went spectacularly—they were both very excited. There was some icky humping (more and more icky than I expected) but after that, Dink calmed down and Baby started to behave like a normal pig, eating and drinking happily. A few days later, the humping has stopped and everyone is living peacefully. Baby Kuzco follows Dink around almost obsessively, and Dink panics when I take the baby away, but the newness of it is fading and they're growing into a calmer, less obsessed relationship—which also means that Dink is paying attention to me, again. I missed my boy's kisses. Everyone is also fed, housed, and safe—there's plenty of hay, water, and pellets to go around, more than enough room for two boys, and I can keep the runaround open because, although Kuz could fit through the cube sides if he wanted to, he doesn't know he can—after all, Dink can't, so they both stay inside.

I have no doubt that I chose well. Kuz is more outgoing, now, and not as terrified, but he's still second in the guinea pig pecking order and has no problem with that. Dink is a rumble strutting, patient, forgiving dominant pig with no fear and general love for his little caterpillar shadow. The boys even look good together: Kuz's back end has Dink's coloring, his front end is the same as Dink's underbelly, and they both have white spots—Dink on his head, Kuzco on his front left foot.

Now, pictures!


+5 )
juushika: Drawing of a sleeping orange cat (Default)
I'm a bit guilty, still surprised, and absolutely giddy...

Ladies and gentlemen...


Meet Kuzco. )

Just over three weeks old, arbitrary birth date November 15th, named for The Emperor's New Groove, runt of the litter, black eyed, Abyssinian cross in honey, brown, and black with one white foot, and my new baby and Dink's eventual cagemate.

Ok, now let me explain. )

Oh my god, I have another guinea pig. Dink will be so much happier when he finds out, and it was a wonderful early Christmas gift, and I've been giddy and silly and thrilled since then. Kuzco! I have a Kuzco!

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juushika: Drawing of a sleeping orange cat (Default)
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