Monday, April 30, 2012

THE MIRACLE OF LIFE

GREETINGS FROM SOUTH AFRICA!
MAXMOM here...

It's a long-weekend here in South Africa.  On Friday we celebrated 'Freedom' day and tomorrow it's 'Workers' day.  Many South Africans have taken the five days leave and are making full use of the glorious Autumn weather.  If you want to see some wonderful pictures of the kaleidoscope of Autumn colours on our trees, click HERE

A visit to 'Lifestyle Garden Centre' on Friday revealed that there is still plenty of colour in the flowers at this time of the year too.  Particularly the Pansies - their little faces are so beautiful!


Toby and I went into our own garden this morning - to water the plants and clean up his artistic array of 'doggie-do's'. (Thanks Toby for all the land mines..Greatly appreciated)

 Toby supervised me and Tammy preferred to check things out from a distance. 


 If only I could teach the dogs to clean up after themselves. 


Who works for who here anyway?

Miss "R" is home with her two Guinea-pigs this weekend.  



"Scotch", the male, was her first acquisition and (for the purposes of sociability with other Guinea-pigs at her Veterinary institution) he was duly given the big-pig-snip some time ago. 

About a month ago, Miss "R" fell in love with a tiny bedhaired female in a local pet shop. The little thing was so small and we reckoned she must have been maybe 2 months old at the time of purchase.  We didn't think much further than her cute appearance and affable disposition.







 Little Miss Guinea pig was duly named "Soda" - to match her playmate "Scotch"   Well, Scotch was really taken with the new little addition and the two have become inseparable.


Every week Miss "R" brings the duo home and every Monday morning she transports them back to her residence in Pretoria.  They get pampered and fed special treats and have had no need for further contact with any other guinea pigs.  They are quite happy to amuse themselves in their cages.

Well, can you imagine my surprise as I held little Soda on Friday and discovered her new 'triangular' shape. 


 After checking her out, it was clear that she was NOT FAT, but rather that there was distinct movement below her fur?  Yes, you guessed it...

SODA IS PREGNANT.
(and must have been pregnant at the time of purchase)
So now I am going to be a Grand-pig, am I?

On the one hand, this is exceptionally exciting news but there is also the concern that she is far too young to give birth. There is no telling just how old she is either.  We have been reading up every bit of information we can find about pregnancy and birth in Guinea pigs. These are nervous times.

This afternoon our special friend Darryl - a qualified vet and lover of guinea pigs, will be visiting us to make suggestions.   
Would you remember little SODA in your animal prayers, please?
I think she's gonna need some positive vibes.
We really hope that everything will turn out for the best.  

Enjoy your long weekend.
Sending lotsaluv

9 comments:

Beth said...

Hi Caryl, Your pansies and ornamental cabbage are lovely. I understand your concern over sweet little Soda. I hope and pray everything goes well for her.
Hugs, Beth

Mrs. JP said...

SA is lovely this time of year!
Oh, I understand your concern over Soda. I hope you'll keep us posted on her.
Let me say, another "well done" on your radio interviews!! We enjoy listening to you, you have the ability to say what you mean without getting flustered like I would.

My Dog Sam - Ruptured Disk said...

Hi Maxmom, our friend Sunshade has guinea pigs too. Her mom Elaine got her one then another (the person who sold her the second one told Elaine that it was a male) that turned out to be female and yup, you guessed it, pregnant. Here's a link: http://www.sunshadethesuperdale.com/2012/01/im-grandma.html

WFT Nobby said...

Best of luck with Soda, paws crossed that we soon hear of the pitter patter of tiny guinea-piglet feet...
Toodle pip!
Bertie.
PS from Gail - be thankful that your dogs are not over-fastidious about where they poo. A certain pup whose head is resting on my feet just now will not poop in my garden, but always holds it until we step out into the street. Amazingly, he now does the same at my parernts' house too!

Two French Bulldogs said...

Paws are crossed for little Soda
Benny & Lily

Tweedles -- that's me said...

Your flowers are so pretty Maxmom.
We love Pansies too.
And yes,, we will keep positive thoughts going to little Soda!
love
tweedles

Scout and Freyja said...

Will be keeping your little lady in my thoughts and prayers. Oh, my - new life!

Molly the Airedale said...

Your flowers are so pretty! My mom just loves pansies!
My paws are crossed that everything goes well for Soda.

Love ya lots,
Mitch

STELLA and RORY from Down Under said...

Hi Caryl, or should I say, Grandpig, hehe. Your flower photos are beautiful. Even though we know the cold weather is on the way, as you say, the colours are gorgeous.

At least with big dogs, the 'land mines' are easy to find! We hope all goes well with little Soda. I must admit, baby guinea pigs are adorable. Hope we get to see all the photos. We have heard the same thing happen to other guinea pig buyers too.

Enjoy your week. No worries, and love, Carol