Maggie - Done with Braces

Maggie has finished with braces and is now wearing a retainer only.

 

The Girls Meet Coco

 

A Good Match

We looked online for another female guinea pig but the weather had been bad and I was unwilling to drive outside of Lincoln for a guinea pig.  Philomena was checking PetFinder hourly between classes in the hope of finding a guinea pig.  One came up at our Capital Humane Society, but when I went to meet her, she bit me.  She was very skittish and not a good fit for us so I didn't adopt her.  

The next day Coco came up on Capital Humane Society's website.  Philomena wanted me to go immediately but I had plans after work and waited until Saturday.  It was a mixed emotion day.  First, I drove to pick up Emilia's ashes and then second, drove to meet Coco.  She was so friendly and loving!  I brought her home with me.  

I needed to introduce the guinea pigs slowly to make sure they would get along, but Coco was so well socialized that I decided to try just putting her directly into the cage.  She and Desdemona were cautious of each other.  I sat in the living room so I could watch them.  As the evening went on, they started warbling to each other.  I hadn't realized how quiet Emilia had become and was pleasantly surprised with all the sounds coming from the cage.  I decided they would be fine and I didn't feel the need to separate them when I went to sleep.  They've been a great pair of guinea pigs.

 

Good-bye Emilia

A big snow storm hit Lincoln at the same time that Emilia took a turn for the worst.  Her breathing became more labored.  I made phone calls but didn't want to risk driving in the weather.  The vet had previously told us that the tumor was inoperable and would eventually take her life.  My previous experience led me to believe that she would stop eating when she reached end of life, but I realized that I needed to make a decision for her.  The tumor had grown so large that her stomach was as large as a pregnant guinea pig but hard to the touch rather than soft like a stomach should be.  I made phone calls asking about the cost of euthanization.  I decided on the Capital Humane Society due to the most reasonable cost.  By the time I got an appointment, the girls had gone to their dad's for their week with him.  He allowed me to stop by so Maggie could say goodbye and Philomena to go with me to drop Emilia off with the Capital Humane Society veterinarian.  Afterwards, Philomena and I got drinks at Starbucks.  Then Philomena and I visited my dad at Tabitha.  I enjoyed the company and extra time with Philomena.

 

New Year's Day!

New Year's Eve, the girls stayed up for the new year to begin at their dad's house.  I was too tired and went to bed before the ball even dropped in New York.  New Year's day they came home.  We went out to eat at Olive Garden with the gift cards we got from Mom/Grandma.  Then we went shopping with our other gift cards.  It was a fun way to start the new year!