THE GOOD, THE LOVE, AND THE HEALING

Today we woke up with CocoNutPie and Raj still fighting 
for their lives. Coconut's breathing was rapid and shallow,
her entire body so weak she was still rolling over
instead of lifting herself up, capable only of looking
into my eyes, not comprehending.


Raj was slightly stronger, but neither had eaten or taken liquid.


Last night, Coconut was dying in my arms until Connie and
I got on the phone together and somehow, inexplicably, she
began moving about a little bit, giving us hope.


Today, Marifan called when, again, Coconut was in my
arms breathing heavily and also having mild seizures that
we first noticed last night...My intention was to force-feed
her freshly-squeezed, raw, organic carrot juice but with
her breathing and weakness, I wanted to hold her.


While talking with Marifan, the same thing happened as
last night! Coconut rallied, began ambulating on all fours
in her blanket, and showed interest in life, moving around
despite her breathing problems. By the time Marifan and I
got off the phone, Coconut was a different piggie!


Two nights in a row.


Taking advantage of MAGIC phone
calls coupled with 
YOUR KIND, SUPPORTIVE,
LOVING, COMPASSIONATE,
EMAILS AND COMMENTS, I decided to take
advantage of the situation to force-feed her!


She is a big girl and even finding her mouth was
difficult as her "dew lap" (double chin) is so thick
and pronounced...but, using a needle-free, narrow
syringe, one squirt found its way between her
four front beaver teeth and back molars...


She tasted and tasted and tasted, taking her time
before making the Ultimate Decision: Yes, I will ask mom for more.


After that, she would take her little squirts, savoring the taste and
enjoyment of the carrots' sweetness, before holding out her
snout for another squirt until she was full.


IS THIS THE TURN-AROUND POINT, IS THE 
WORST OVER, IS SHE OUT OF THE WOODS?


While I do not know the answer, I have one thing to share,
and you already know what it is: 
They would not be alive if not for ALL of you.
They were "dead pigs walking" yesterday...
They lived the night.
They lived the morning.
It is now 5 p.m. Pacific Time and
I am going to give Raj his carrot juice.
Both of them are snuggled together in
their large, blue snowflake hut.


Just for the record, every single cuddle-cup, hut, tunnel,
bright orange carrot pillow, giant new run-around
enclosure they will share once well enough and
out of quarantine, are all gifts bestowed upon
us through YOUR generosity! So many loved ones
have sent the Sanctuary special items which enable
the piggies to enjoy the highest quality of life
possible and every one of you, from your loving
comments on this blog (especially from lurkers
bold enough to "out" themselves) to boxes
of Fairy Magic from England...to cash
donations and gifts from Jen's Custom Crafts
and CD3's and Millie Bea's Gigantic Cuddle Cup...
You all share this Sanctuary, it is yours to savor with us,
our joys as well as sorrows. We thank you.


P.S. GOOD NEWS!
Today Parker returned YumYum and VinnyGuinea 
who appear healthy (although Vinny does have a
runny nose) as they 1) were kept in a location
separate from the animals with pneumonia,
(Thank God!) and 2) were the only animals
who went to Parker's with their sleeping
bag, so they were able to stay warm.
It may have made a difference had the others
been able to sleep in their cuddle-cups, sleeping bags,
and huts but for reasons I don't understand, Parker
chose not to take them and I was in hospital and
unable to make those decisions. He did love
them very much and is also feeling upset...


So! Our Commander-in-Chief-of-Mayhem has found
his Doppelganger twin in young VinnyGuinea...
and is training him in all ways Mischievous.
To wit: When their new fabric hay trough was
installed (not sure how much, if any, hay they
were fed) Yoda YumYum and his youthful
VinnySkywalker were ecstatic!
As YumYum shoved his snout into the hole 
at the bottom of the trough, Vinny told him,
"AH, GET OUTTA HEAH ALREADY!"
before leaping approximately eight inches
into the air and over the top of the trough like
a pole-vaulter, sticking his landing amidst 
his very own Hay "Field of Dreams" where
he ate and ate until, full, hopped out before
scurrying back into their sleeping bag,
as if no one noticed what he had just done!


We pray neither of them present any symptoms of
illness and we have a quarantine going and
each cage contains two piggies consoling
one another in their grief so - exhausted -
we hope to soon exhale!


YOU WILL ALL BE THE FIRST TO KNOW
BECAUSE WHEN WE ARE ABLE TO EXHALE,
IT WILL BE IN A WHISPER AND, 
IF YOU LISTEN VERY CLOSELY,
YOU WILL HEAR YOUR NAME
IN OUR PRAYER OF GRATITUDE.


love,
Chana