Guinea Pig indoor housing: Twix and Bonnie

GREETINGS FROM SOUTH AFRICA!

I know this video is a little dated, but I'm posting it up on the blog anyway - just for the record.

Sending lotsaluv

MAXMOM IN SA

So many fun things to do...

***GIGGLES***

TWIXIE here...

Hello there fur-buddies!

Bonny and me are living in paradise!

  We are having so much fun it's just not true.  Not only has Maxmom grown a whole vegetable garden  - just for us, but she has created a palace for us too.  Since BONNY came to live with me, Maxmom has also been busy at her sewing machine - creating all sorts of comfortable sleeping places for us Guinea pigs.  We are living in the lap of luxury.

Today she allowed us to explore her kitchen island.  

Maxmom put down some of our comfy caves and a pretty tunnel on the shiny surface.  She also put down some cucumber and a spinach leaf which Bonny and I played tug with.  

Then she set us free while she grabbed the camera. 

Well, as you can imagine, BONNY and I had a party.  We strolled around investigating everything - exploring the tunnels and playing follow-the-leader. 

Sometimes BONNY chases me and sometimes I chase BONNY.  

And sometimes we just sit by ourselves.

All-in-all, we are very happy little piggies.  Even my scar has healed up nicely.  

Do you see the shaved area under my belly?  

Yeah, I thought not - it's almost disappeared. I have very much forgotten that I ever had such a serious operation.  Life is good.

Well, I can't stay and chat.  BONNY and I have a string of Guinea pig things to do.

Lotsaluv and

***Giggles***

TWIXIE.

"Bonny" it is ...

***Wheet Wheet***

TWIXIE here...

 Hello there fur-friends,

As you know, we have a new baby in the house.

At long last, the Peeps have decided on a name for her:

It's 'Bonny', but you can add your own nickname behind it, like we do:

"Bonny Bon-bon"

"Bonny Twinkle"

"Bonny Sweetpea"

you choose...

 We like the name "Bonny", because she is such a bonny little thing.  Most of the time she's full of energy; running around the cage behind me and following my every move.  She's made me feel bonny too.

I like the name "Bonny"

 Whenever Maxmom sits down to rest, we join her.  Usually she grabs one (or two) of our comfy caves and allows us to spend time with her. She also gives us some time to run around on the grass outside - strictly supervised with firm boundaries. Usually us Guinea pigs don't know what boundaries are.

 Take another look at my sweet little sister Bonny...

Doesn't she look like a little bonbon  - all wrapped up in her packaging?

Here in South Africa, some boiled sweets are called 'Bonbons'

Bonny is very sweet indeed...

 Sometimes she sleeps while I keep watch...

 Yep, I was here first

 But sometimes it's easy to let Bonny take my space.

 Afterall, I  do need time to groom myself.

Sweet little Bonny...

Do you like her name?

***Giggles***

Lotsaluv
TWIXIE

WE NEED A NAME FOR MY NEW LITTLE FRIEND

***GIGGLES*** FROM SOUTH AFRICA!

TWIXIE here...

Hello fur-buddies!

I am very confused.   Maxmom still hasn't decided what she is going to call my new little baby companion.  I am getting desperate; a piggy can't be running around without a name.  Please have a look at my little friend and tell me what YOU think we should call her.  

See how pretty she is - with all sorts of colours on her head.  Sometimes I think she is two different piggies...depending on which way I look at her.  Have a look yourself...

Please fur-friends, please suggest names for Maxmom to consider.

Lots of love and

***Giggles***

TWIXIE

Who's this...? Huh? A new sister?

***GIGGLES*** FROM SOUTH AFRICA!

TWIXIE here...

 Hello there fur-buddies,

After waiting really patiently, I finally got to see what the great surprise is that the peeps were talking about.

Look what arrived at my house...

 Wheet!  Wheet! Wheet!

***Giggle***

She's one of my kind...yippee! I no longer have to be alone. I am so happy.

 She's beautiful too: fluffy with soft fur and a face with two colours.  She has hair that points in all directions - like mine.  Is this my sister, Maxmom?

 Maxmom says that this is my new 'flat-mate'.  Now I know what's  a 'flat-mate'...but Maxmom?  She's anything but flat...she looks pretty round to me.

 I still have to give my new 'flat-mate' a name.  

Maxmom says that we might call her 'TWINKLE'..like 

"Twinkle, Twinkle little Stardust"

I think that's a sweet name, but we'll see if it sticks with the peeps.

Oh yes, and here's another secret.  TWINKLE is MR TOT's girl-pup.  Remember him?

(If you scroll down this blog, you will be able to see a video of him)

Okay bye now, I'm off to herd my new baby sister.

***Giggles***

TWIXIE

What's a 'flat-mate'?

***Giggles*** FROM SOUTH AFRICA!
TWIXIE here...

Hello there fur-buddies!

There's sumthing happening here.  I dunno what. I think the peeps think it's exciting. I'm not so sure.

What's a 'flat-mate'?  Please tell me?

I heard them talking about it.  I also heard my name mentioned.

This morning I was rudely woken up and taken out of my beautiful new crate-palace - you know, the one with the loft?  Maxmom put me in my other large cage (not that I mind because there is lots of space to run and do popcorn jumps).  Then she washed down my new crate-palace with some strange smelling stuff and threw all of my comfy-caves into the washing machine.  

I don't think I'll recognise my crate-palace after all this and I dunno whatsup.

Can you solve the mystery?

I also got some extra cuddles.

"Don't worry, Twixie," Maxmom said.  "Today's the day!  You are getting your new 'Flat-mate' today."

So buddies?  What do you think is up?  What's a 'flat-mate'?

I dunno.  It's a mystery.

Lotsaluv

TWIXIE

xxx

GUINEA PIG FUN

GREETINGS FROM SOUTH AFRICA!
TWIX here...

(Above: Me in my comfy cave)
Hello there, Fur-buddies.  Seeing I'm so popular now, I've been given my own blog.  ***Giggle***

I'm starting off my own blogposts by sharing the last one Maxmom wrote on her blog about me.  Hope that's okay by you.
Lotsagiggles,
TWIX

=======================================================

GREETINGS FROM SOUTH AFRICA!
MAXMOM here...

Okay, so you may think I am officially nuts!

Perhaps I am, but I have been so inspired by these little creatures called Guinea Pigs.  

So blame it on cute little Twix.  She is well and truly over her ordeal now and firmly on the road to recovery.  She is still small; weighing in at only 438g, but "Fatso" has put on 30g since her caesarian section.  I am overjoyed that she has survived and determined to give her the best life imaginable. She is a real little fighter - my miracle piggy!

So, the first thing has been to find her an companion.  As you know, Twix was spayed at the time of her operation, so it doesn't really matter if she has a 'boy' companion, or a 'girl' companion.  I've been putting out  my feelers - looking for a suitable mate.  

And .... (drum roll....)

it's really funny how life sometimes plays out.  

Twix's new companion is none other than one of "Mr T"s pups. (Remember him?  You can read about him HERE)  Apparently the little guy has been 'busy' since leaving our home.  He is now the proud father of two sweet puppies.  And yes, they are looking for homes. I was sent this picture via my blackberry and asked if I wanted one:

<<==========

Well, my mind is definitely made up.  I just have to have the one on the left.  "She" looks so much like  little Twix's own pup, "Stardust" who passed away - Black, white and a touch of brown.  Yes, thank you, I will take her!!!

(I just hope that I am not surprised by yet another  'already pregnant' piggy. Hopefully all will be good.)

Her name???.....(***smiling***)  It's a secret to be revealed...  

We are due to get the little one sometime later this week and I am so excited.

I've also put on my thinking cap and come up with a novel solution for pleasing accommodation for the two of them.  Up until now, Twix has been in a large cage, but it doesn't look aesthetically pleasing and I really want these two little piggies to take residence in my kitchen.  

Unfortunately, here in South Africa, we don't have the zillions of options that my international friends have. (You lucky guys!!!)  Whilst scouting the net, I fell in love with this beautiful crate kit  from "Guinea Pig Zone": (In the USA)

Unfortunately, it is far too expensive for me to ship it out to South Africa, so I decided to construct something myself instead:

  I purchased 3 large plastic crates, and one small one, and set about assembling them.  It was quite a tricky process, because I had to cut passages between the crates and seal up the sharp edges.  I also wanted to put a 'deck' up for Twix and her partner; with a little ramp, so that they could survey the scene whilst I am busy in my kitchen. ***smiling again*** 

 Well, this is the result.  

Am I crazy or what?!!!

 (Above: 3 adjacent crates with inter-leading doorways)

 (Above: The view from the front)

 (Above: Twix's view from inside)

 (Above: The ramp into the 'loft')

 (Above: A better view?)

 (Above: "Come Twix....come and try out your 'loft')

 (Below: Twix checking things out.)

(Below: "Time for meds....from the 'loft')

 Hopefully my two little piggies will be comfortable.  We'll see ...

(Below: Twix in her new 'comfy-cave'...and yes, I made it too, but I'll show you next time.)

Am I nuts, or what?!!!

Sending lotsaluv and

***Guineapig giggles***