GPF is now on Facebook and Twitter!

What's with that????? Have I been fired? Where's the staff person? Helllllllooooo! Wheek! [Shorter and more frequent tweets may be found on both Twitter and Facebook. Not all info is the same so check them out if you have the time.]

Now Bella is making noise!

What's with all of the noise in this place? Hello? Is there a staff person on duty? I need ear plugs STAT! Wheek! [Bella, the young rabbit who was found running around in the street a while ago, was running around her pen tonight. Willie even joined her! She was not going to let Izzy and Sasha out do her!]

What's all the noise?

Who let the herd of elephants in the room? I want to know. Call the SPCA now! Wheek! [Izzy and her sister Sasha were very busy running laps around their pen this afternoon. Why? They informed us that there are preparing for the upcoming Piggy Olympics!]

What's with the orange and white fluff on the cam????

Helllllllllllllloooooooooo! Call the guinea pig police! Get that pig off the cam, now! No more orange and white fluffy pigs! Wheek! [Pippa, an orange and white Texel like Jasmine, is now on the web cam along with her companion Morka. They were both living in an aquarium before they came here which may have contributed to a minor skin problem (scratching). Unlike Jasmine she has no major health problems.]

Now Lucky's up here!

What's going on? I want to know now! Wheek! [Lucky was an older guinea pig who had lived outdoors free-range with his companion for a few years. After his companion was killed by a wild animal Lucky was rescued. Over time lived he with three more male companions. His health was good but he lost his eyesight earlier this year. Yesterday he shut down so he's now on the other side of the Rainbow Bridge. Rest well little one and may your health and eyesight be restored.]

Rocky sends Christmas greetings!

Rock sent a Christmas card ... Check it out! [Lis sent a cute computer-enhanced photo that she made of Rocky. Nice job, Lis!]

Oscar decided to walk out of his little coat

What's with that, Oscar??? Hello! It's to protect you. No more scratching! Wheek! [Oscar was sent a couple little coats to protect him when he scratches. However, he decided to step right out of the little coat. Click the photo to see his left front foot which he pulled out of the coat. Maybe his itching will soon stop and he won't need protection. Both he and Pryn were on the cam for a little bit. However, I removed them since they have a high urine output and it was harder to maintain their cage because it was on the top level of the shelving unit.]

Once again: haircuts and baths!

For who? I know who! Emma and Bif, that's who! Wheek! [Bif and Emma got haircuts after their baths this past weekend. Neither one was too interested in getting their hair cut but it needed to be cut so it wouldn't get dirty and matted.]

Jenni's up here with me now ...

for real! Wheek! [Jenni's age was unknown since she was a "stray" when she was turned into the shelter along with some other guinea pigs. She had a problem with hair loss (mites and ringworm) and had her left eye removed due to a luxated lens and glaucoma. She appeared fine but a couple of times during the past year I thought she was dying. Interestingly, I thought her former cage mate was dying a couple of weeks ago. As it turned out she may have passed a stone since she bounced back.]

Izzy's sister is here

For real! Wheek! [I recently saw a shelter ad on Craigslist and one of the guinea pigs looked very familiar. After looking at her markings and her earlier photo I was 99% sure that it was Izzy's sister. I corresponded with someone who was familiar with her and she wasn't sure but when I saw her in person I knew it was her sister. They have been separated for about five months and are doing okay now. She was underweight but has put on a little weight. It is unknown if she had any babies like Izzy did. They are both living with Kim, an older pig who lost her sister Queenie a few weeks ago. Hopefully, they will adjust to living together long-term.]

The cam is back up live again!

My Internet connection has not been working properly for the past month so there have been limited updates to the GPF website and the cam has been down. However, for now it seems to be working. Oscar and Pryn were put in the cam cage yesterday so be sure to check them out. They no longer have any sores in them but I still need to keep an eye on them to make sure that they are actually "cured".

Another piece of fluff showed up

Why is she here? I want to know. Wheek [A cat rescue group and another person called me about two rabbits who needed help. They were being chased down the street and ended up in a backyard. It is believed that they were going to be used for food so they were taken to a safe home for a while. I took photos for them and ended up taking the most adoptable one home. She was checked by a vet and it was thought that she was too young to be pregnant (the other rabbit was an adult male). She was treated preventatively for coccidia and seems to be doing fine at the moment. She appears to be a New Zealand Broken and will be quite a bit larger than Lucky and Daisy.]

What's the noise in the bathtub???

Daisy is at it again! What's with that??? Daisy, get out of the bath tub! Wheek! [Daisy once again got into the bath tub. This time she got underneath a carrier that was drying after it had been washed. She got trapped under it and was moving it around the bath tub until I heard the noise and got her out.]

Lucy is trying to scare everyone!

It's not Halloween, Lucy! Wheek! [Lucy does not drink a lot of water. Earlier this year was checked to see if she might have a URI or a stone. Two days ago she was hunched up in the corner of her cage making a lot of strange noises and no food was consumed. She was started on Bactrim and Metacam and she appeared to be totally fine that evening. She may have passed a stone but will be on the antibiotics for 7 - 10 days to be on the safe side.]

Daisy got in the bath tub!

Daisy was missing and Kathy couldn't find her! She was hiding and I know where. Wheek! [Daisy was no where to be found in her blocked-off area: the bathroom and hallway. I decided to check the bath tub and found her cruising around behind the shower curtain that was supposed to block her desire to escape. Later she was on her best behavior at the a photo shoot at the HRS. She sat very quietly next to Lucky in the in sleigh that was set up for the photo shoot.]

Kim has new buddies now

Guess who? I know and I'm not telling! Wheek! [I was trying a bonding session with Emma and her daughters this weekend but Emma was not interested in sharing a cage with them at all. I had just given Kim a bath and remembered that she kept calling out for her sister who was PTS last week. I tried her with them and they were fine which is nice since Kim now has company once again.]

Daisy and Lucky are friends!

Daisy and Lucky are best friends now which is really nice! Now the question is where shall they have their setup. Lucky was living in the bathroom and hallway and Daisy was living in an ex-pen in the kitchen prior to living next to each other for two months before the bonding session. Hmmmm. Time will tell. Stay tuned!

Buster got adopted!

Yeah for Buster! Lydia will love him! Wheek! [Buster was adopted tonight by someone who loves animals. He should feel right at home with her cats, rabbits, and guinea pig. Buster had a skin problem that a shelter could not resolve so he was going to be put down. However, he was pulled and treated and is fine now. Thanks for adopting him, Lydia!]

Daisy and Lucky living together????

Oh, ohhhhhhhhhhh! Watch out. No fighting! Get some carrots STAT! Wheek! [Both Lucky and Daisy have been living next to each other for about a month or two with the goal to try to bond them so that they can live together. They are in the bathroom and are doing okay. I need to keep an eye on them since they are not sure if they want to actually share the same space. Sure hop they decide to become best friends!]

Oscar and Pryn back together again!

For now! Forever? Who knows! Wheek! [Both Oscar and Pryn are healing and now acting somewhat normal. However, Oscar is still receiving medication although it is being cut back. I put them both back in the same cage today and am not sure if it will work long term. However, at the moment they are doing okay.]

Queenie crossed over the Rainbow Bridge

Queenie, who was six years old, all of a sudden gained weight and felt like she was pregnant. I had scheduled a vet visit but the vet was not able to see her. Queenie was blind and had a permanent head tilt. She came to me about 1-1/2 years ago along with her sister Kim, who was her "guide dog". It was believed due to her other symptoms that she also had ovarian cysts and that is why she suddenly gained weight and felt as though she was pregnant. Queenie left her mark in that she was a winner in two of People Pet's photos contests. Rest well little one. Kim misses you and is calling out for you.

Oscar and Pryn still scratching!

What's with that? I want to know now! Call the guinea pig police! Wheek! [Pryn and Oscar came with a bad case of mites along with a fungal infection. They have been treated for nearly a month and are slowly improving. Both no longer have spasms or seizures but Oscar continues to scratch and shriek out in pain.]

Loren (aka Baby) got adopted

Loren got adopted! Way to go! Wheek! [Baby and his father were pulled from a shelter because of Buster's skin problem. For some reason Baby did not like to share his cage with his dad and bit him a few times. After he was fostered he was paired up with another male and they are best buddies now. The shelter notified me that they were adopted and heading to their new home. Buster was heading to the shelter today but he seems to have scratched his ears so he's back on fungal watch again.]

Updates!

This is a recap of what has been going on at GPF lately:
1. Ted got adopted and is now living the good life in SF.
2. The dynamite duo got adopted! The two black and white babies are now living in an awesome cage with tons of items that were purchased for them. Bet they will be spoiled beyond belief!
3. More black and white pigs! This time they are adult males. However, they are not healthy like the two babies. They have a very bad case of mites along with a fungal infection. Both are receiving intensive care. They have stopped having seizures but Oscar still shrieks out in pain every time he scratches.
4. Baby, who was pulled from a shelter that partners with my local shelter, is now bonded to another male and hoping for a new home soon. His dad was treated for a skin problem when he first arrived but Baby kept biting him so there were separated. Buster's hair and skin looks great now.
5. When Baby went to the local shelter Mr. Piggles was brought back here. He is an older pig so he was bonded with Lucky, who is also an older male. (See photo above.)

Emma's checking out the cottage once again!

It's fine, Emma! It's fine! Go eat some hay! Wheek! [Emma wasn't quite sure about being closed in so she kept trying to pop the cottage cover off. Now she loves it and leaves it alone. Thanks, Marsha!]

New photos of Pippa and Morka

Guess who took them? Not me! Wheek! [The people who obtained Morka and Pippa emailed and asked about them so I took some updated photos for them.]

Finally ... Bif has a cage mate!

Way to go, Bifaroo! Wheek! [Bif was one of three "sisters" who ended up being males. All three did not seem to get along so they were split up. Bif was neutered after no one adopted him. He was tried with Rosie but he seemed to stress her out. He was also tried with Izzy and Emma. Emma is the one who ended up staying with him since she put his amorous ways to rest when she squirted him in his face with urine. Emma is the tricolor Silkie on the right in the photo; Rosie is in the middle.]

Daisy got adopted ...

For the second time! [Daisy was adopted last year to be with another female but she started harassing her cage mate so she came back a few months ago. She was tried with other females here but it did not work out. Let's hope it's her forever home this time around!]

They are getting huge!

Izzy's two babies are growing daily and still very healthy. They will be checked by a vet this week to verify their sex. (EDIT: They are both males and were separated from Izzy.)

Charity Race

What is black and white and red all over? Nope! Not a newspaper. A Formula 1 black and white car ... on fire! [My boss owns and drives both NASCARs and Formula 1 cars. His car is the one featured on the poster for the event and the one featured at this link.]

12 baths ... enough!

She's loosing it! Too many baths at one time! Call the groomer STAT! [I decided to give the guinea pigs a bath and did them as I was cleaning their cages. It went smoothly but was rather time consuming.]

Bonding 101 ... again!

Who is it this time? I want to know! Wheek! [Bif and Rosie were put in the bonding cage and things were going well so I added Emma to the mix. She was really great for about 20 minutes or so then she decided to eliminate Rosie. She was escorted out of the cage; Bif and Rosie are still in the cage adjusting to each other.]

Why are there 2 guinea pigs in a box?

That's what I want to know! No more pigs in a box! Wheek! [I was contacted by a shelter asking if I could take two pigs. They were father and son and one had a skin problem that they could not resolve. I checked them out and it looks like the father (who is white) has mites. He has thinning air and scales on his back. Hopefully it's just mites and not fungus also. (A ringworm culture was run at the shelter and it was negative.) They both seem to be rather user-friendly.]

More baby pictures!

Wheek! [The babies are growing up quickly; they are almost two weeks old. Fortunately, Izzy and her babies seem to be doing well.]

What's with Daisy's Hair?

It's missing and looks ugly! Wheek! [Daisy is molting and I have been hand "plucking" the fur daily and keeping an eye on her so that she does not go into stasis/blockage due to intake of too much hair/fur.]

Queenie is on People Pets ... again!

Bobby has no hair!

Not funny at all! I know where it is ... in the garbage! Step away from the shaver! Do not pick it up again. Call the ASPCA! Wheek! [Bobby, a Texel with long curly hair, has been itching for a while now. He has been treated with Revolution, Ivermectin, Advantage, and Lice 'n Easy shampoo. I saw some lice and eggs/nits again today so I decided to shave off his hair so that any topical treatments could reach the problem. He received another bath and was treated with another meds that hopefully will resolve the problem.]

1 pig turned into 3 pigs!

Why????? That's what I want to know! Not funny! Wheek! [I went to clean Izzy and Emma's cage today and found four pigs in the cage. I wasn't sure if I was seeing things correctly since three of the pigs matched the white and black paw-print cage pad. Last night when I checked there were just the two in the cage. I had no clue that Izzy, who is quite young, was pregnant since she did not show. I did wonder when I gave her a bath last but her sides felt like a couple of other pigs who turned out not to be pregnant. So far they are all doing okay and the babies, who are quite large, look very healthy at the moment. I hope that they all stay healthy long term. I separated them from Emma since she has a history of being obnoxious with her various cage mates and also her own babies.]

Check out Ted's new cage

... he loves it! Why? Because it's smaller, that's why. The other one was too BIG! Wheek! [Ted was fostered for about six weeks and treated for mites as were his brothers. The brothers mellowed over time but he still needs some work on getting used to being around people and being handled. He seems to prefer a smaller cage so he was put in a Marchioro Tommy 102 cage today. It took him a bit to get used to the ramp but now he usually just jumps up onto the ledge to get at the hay and pellets.]

She tossed out 7 cages!

What's with that? Kathy's lost it for sure! Now there's tons of hay ... everywhere! Wheek! [The storage unit was jam packed with stuff and I couldn't get at the items that I needed so I did some cleaning and rearranging. The cages were ones that I seldom used so I ended up tossing them in the dumpster. Then I got three large storage tubs for the hay and now it's less crowded in the storage unit.]

Who is playing with the toilet paper?

What's with that? Molly? Willie? Dorita? I know it's one of you! Call the cat police now! Wheek! [Not sure which one played with the paper today. They seem to think it's a lot of fun to unroll the paper or drag it around the apartment.]

Ted's back ...

What's with that? No chattering, Ted! Not funny. Wheek! [Ted was one of the three pigs who were pulled from another shelter and fostered before going to my local shelter for adoptions. His brothers mellowed out after their mite treatment but Ted is still not too keen on strangers or stress so he's back here again. He seems to be fine here so in time I'll try him with a mellow older male or get him neutered and place him with a female.]

It's too hot here!

Turn the heater off now! They are melting. Call the ASPCA! Wheek! [An outdoor thermometer on a store display said it was 104 however I think it was really in the upper 90's. Unfortunately, my apartment is not insulated so it can get quite warm inside. Fans are running and bottles of frozen water were placed in cages but only Angelina would go near hers (the towel was taken off the bottle since she was trying to eat it).]

Daisy is not amused!

She wants out now! Wheek! [Daisy was in the 2' x 6' ex-pen and also in a blocked off area for a while. However, the cats decided that her large hay box made a cool (cat) liter box. I was not amused so now she and Lucky are caged side-by-side getting them ready for a bonding attempt.]

What's with the popcorning?

That's what I want to know? Is there a Piggy Olympics nearby? Call Piggy Info stat! [Rosie was moved into another cage today while she waits for Bif to heal from his neuter operation. She is now near the other pigs and was popcorning all over her cage and even jumped on top of her stool. The photo above shows Rosie in her cage that she came with and is after she arrived and had a bath and her cage was washed.]

Bif got a haircut

Why? Because it's toooooooooooooooooooooo hot that's why! Wheek! [It's rather warm here so I trimmed and layered Bif's long hair so he would be cooler. Now he almost looks like Rosie, the female who may be bonded with him in a few weeks.]

Rocky and Reggie got adopted!

Way to go! Wheek! [The shelter emailed me yesterday that they had been adopted to a fantastic family. Hopefully they will have a better life than they did with their previous caretakers. Ted is still waiting for his forever home and there are plans to try to bond him with another male or a spayed female.]