A WHIRLWIND IN MY LIFE - writing, dogs, blogs, business and Guinea-pigs

GREETINGS FROM SOUTH AFRICA!

MAXMOM here...

I was thinking of words to describe my life at the moment...
  The closest I can think of is...

"A fuzzy 'Whirlwind', with minimal direction."
 
I seem to be in a period of life where there are many 'potential' doors opening, but nothing concrete as yet.  There is a lingering anxiety of indecision, but also a simmering excitement about the variety of vocational possibilities which lie before me. 
It's an emotional whirlwind for sure!

On the home front, Toby continues to be the most energetic of us all.  

Throughout the day he drops various retrieved tennis balls at our feet in the hope of a quick game, and he is always the prime negotiator for the dogs' evening walks in the park.  Both he and Aunt Tam are inseparable and they are constantly at my feet.  My home seems to be a magnet for dog hair and the vacuum cleaner is taking immense strain. 

 Aunt Tam is getting on in years now (she's 11 years old now), but is always up for a game of sedate bitey-face with our energetic "Sweet Hooligan".  Our dry winter climate has necessitated more medication for her dry-eye syndrome.  For an old lady, however, she's doing extremely well.

Thankfully "Aunt Tam'" is very enthusiastic about taking her 'arthritis' medicine too and comes charging down the passage whenever she hears the sound of the tablets been shaken in the bottle.  All three dogs congregate for what they think is their daily peanut butter treat.

"King Toffee" hasn't been too well lately (nothing life-threatening, thankfully).  His old habit of paw-licking has risen its ugly head again.  His skill has also improved and he's licked one of his paw-pads raw.  The onset of deafness and blindness has also created some anxiety for him, so we've had to put him on a course of Prozac to address his affliction. It seems to be doing the trick and he now enjoys snoozing in the sun for longer periods while his paw gets better.  In addition, he's also had a severe and unusual penile infection which has surprised our vet.  It's now in its third week and is being treated with a second set of antibiotics.  He's not a happy chappy, but lightens up visibly for his afternoon walk - staying close to our ankles for guidance along the path.  He's 15 now, so we have to offer him far more patience than usual. Poor little guy.

The recent re-homing of the little guinea pig - "Mr Tot" - left a rather big hole in my heart. I didn't realise that I could pine so much for such a small creature and resolved to get another one when the opportunity arose.  I mentioned this to my 'Vet student' daughter and put her on the lookout for "that special little Guinepig" who would eventually become mine. 

 "We'll know if it's the right one when the time comes," I told her, with confidence. 
 "If you find one that looks like it's 'mine', please let me know. But make sure it's a female so she can socialise with the others."

Well, a troubled little "Twix" was found in a large cage, two days ago, with a number of other, much larger, guinea-pigs. By chance, or design, she is now comfortably settled in our home and ready to accept all the love we can offer. 

 I effectively 'rescued' the poor little thing from a truly "suspect" pet store.  She's hardly a month old (far too young to have been separated from her mother) and in very poor condition.  She's undernourished, terrified and has been bitten by the other larger Guinea-pigs which were in the cage with her.  (She has a small puncture hole piercing right through her little ear).  In addition, I suspect that she has been sprayed with disinfectant.  

Quite frankly, I was appalled, but chose to keep my mouth shut and simply bought her on the spot.  I prefer, however, to consider this act as a 'rescue'.  If anything, I am the best person to nurse her back to health.  She is a cute little thing, but very thin and in desperate need of some care.  She's been with us for 48 hours now and is getting accustomed to the continuous variety of fresh vegetable leaves, carrots, parsley, cucumber and top-class commercial Guineapig food on offer to her.  She still shivers when we cuddle her, but it's just a matter of time before she begins to realise that we are not the enemy. 

In summary, my heart went out to this little creature and she now belongs to me!

Meet little 'Twix'...

That's all the news for the moment.  I'm sorry that my blogging activities have been scanty but, as they say....life happens.

Sending lots and lots of love to all our friends around the world.  

Have a wonderful weekend and remember that we love you too.

"Live life to the Max!"