NIGHT HOSPICE VIGIL

Late this afternoon we were able to
pick up CocoNutPie and Raj,
both grieving for their friends
and cagemates...
Tomorrow we will get YumYum and his
VinnyGuinea.
But all has not gone well.
The vet could not definitively diagnose
the cause of Taj and MacNutPie's
illness but both Coconut and Raj
began presenting the same
symptoms early this evening...
At one point, CoconutPie could barely
lift her head...too weak to move any other
part of her body and had rolled 
heartbreakingly over on her side,
her big eyes pleading into mine.
 Raj did not move at all. Coconut Pie's breathing
became shallow and labored.
Neither have eaten, taken water,
peed, or pooped; both stopped moving
and had taken refuge inside their big
Snowflake Hut, cuddled side
by side...dying...


A vet once told me that guinea pigs
can die of grief and pain, and if all
else fails, to bring them into bed
and sleep with them.


Since the vet's life-saving attempts to force 
feed and hydrate Taj and MacNutPie, give them
antibiotics, and the best care 
possible - and failed to save their lives,
I brought them into bed with me. At 
least they would die in a loving embrace.


ConniEeeeeee was exhausted from her
own Lucy (her basset hound) having
surgery today but stayed up late
(East Coast time) and kept us
all company as I expected both
piggies to pass within hours and
praying only deepened my shock and despair.
So we all went to bed together
for their last hours while Connie kept
us company and from feeling alone.


As Connie and I talked, the piggies began
slowly moving about and became a little
more active.


I have moved their cage with no top adjacent
to my bed so I can pet them throughout
the night, although it is doubtful they will 
live without a Miracle...although I will
bring them into bed as often as possible.


At least by morning, whatever happens,
they will know that they were loved.


I hope that YumYum and VinnyGuinea
will be returned in good health tomorrow...


The losses are devastating and we still
miss Calvin, who passed January 2nd.


Thank you all for your love and
prayers for us as we endure the
Dark Night of our Souls, Raj and Coconut
still grieving for their loved ones as they lie dying.
It would be more than anyone has a right
to ask to wake up with Raj and
CoconutPie both alive in the morning,
Yet shall sleep tonight meditating
with that prayer which I know all of you share:
YOU: who are now the wind beneath our
broken wings...and hearts.


Love and Need you all,
Chana
and thank you...LOVE
is the only thing that can save us now.

TAJ MAHAL ON THE COVER OF GUINEA PIG MAGAZINE

Dear New Friends,
For those of you not familiar with
the world of guinea pigs,
Guinea Pig Magazine is the only
International Guinea Pig magazine
of its kind in the world.
Published by our dear friend,
Alison, in England, she picked
our very own Taj Mahal to kick
off her first issue for 2012!
His wonderfulness traveled to many
countries throughout the world
and he is still on the cover until the
next issue comes out.
He was an orphan adopted from
the Whatcom Humane Society
with his brother, Raj Mahal.
An orphan made International
Stardom in the guinea pig world!
Even if he hadn't, he would have
been no less special to us.
He made us laugh, loved to
be picked up and petted,
was a rapscallion whose
favorite trick was to steal Raj's
fresh, organic veggie treats,
run into his Hut to hide them,
then run back out begging for
more, get his own, hide them,
then run back out and steal
his brother's...that was his
idea of Great Guinea Pig FUN!
And he also had a special gift for dragging
all of his toys and heavy ceramic food
bown into his Pigloo, no matter how
difficult it was to move...how he
did it remains a mystery.
But every morning, all that had
been scattered throughout his cage
was missing and one lift of his
Pigloo revealed a trove of Taj's
precious treasures.
And he was sweet.
Just look at that smile.
He was so proud of his tongue
and bi-colored lower lip, too...
To our new friends in India
who may be visiting our site 
for the very first time,
many pranams for coming,
and for your love.
To our old friends, we need
not speak, for you already
know anything and everything
we could possibly say...
Love,
Chana

TWO ANGELS IN SMALL PACKAGES: WE MISS YOU...

BROKEN HEARTS TODAY...

                             MacNutPie
             FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 10, 2012

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Taj Mahal
FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 10, 2012
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~


YOU ARE LOVED.
YOU ARE MISSED.
WE WERE BLESSED BY YOU,
OUR PRECIOUS GIFTS FROM GOD.
OUR LIVES WERE BETTER FOR
YOUR PRESENCE IN THEM...
WE WILL NEVER BE THE
SAME AGAIN.


Guinea pigs can die of grief.
While living at Parker's farm,
MacNutPie and Taj Mahal
took sick
and both passed
away today.


CoconutPie is living with Raj.
I have brought them home.
Tomorrow, Parker will bring
YumYum and VinnyGuinea home 
to us.


I am doing my best to stay out of the hospital
utilizing a variety of in-home health-care
providers who are coming here to enable
me to avoid inpatient care.


I knew guinea pigs could die of grief 
when they lose their friends,
But never realized or imagined they
would or could die without their "person"
and Home here. Now we know just
how sensitive their precious hearts are.


While in hospital, it was necessary 
for them to live with Parker's animals.
He said they loved their mini-bunny and
slept and snuggled with him.


Originally, it did not appear
that I would become strong enough
to take them back and
care for them (physically) but have 
and will
do so for the remainder of our
lives together and never part with them
again until Their Angel Comes.


As I am completely inconsolable
and in too much migraine pain to
read and respond to emails,
your love and prayers
are appreciated with
profound gratitude
even if I am unable to
thank you personally.
Right now I am just in shock 
and grief
that they are both gone 
never to return home again to
PandaPig's Sanctuary.


Love,
Chana