Bereaved Winnie

They think she may be an aby-Peruvian cross?
 
She does seem lovely. She came with the name Betty, which we love and it suits her but Winnie’s first friend was Betty and although she’s been gone 2 years we still talk about her all the time… so we’re not sure how we feel about giving her that name. Sonia’s Dottie for now but we may come back to Betty or settle on something new. We need to see what fits her personality. She herself is recently bereaved (a month ago) and has been extremely shy at the rescue but they feel she will really blossom with a new friend. She’s four and was considered a bit on the light side so we’re keeping an eye on her weight and making sure she gets what she needs. The pics are blurry as they are from such a distance as we don’t want to be in her face at all.
 
Dottie is gorgeous. I've had two abyruvians (she does look like one), they have both had lovely personalities.
 
She's a beauty! I love my perus and peru crosses.
 
She is beautiful :love: and very lucky to live the rest of her life with Winnie and you. May it be long and happy (I'm sure it will)
 
Dottie seems to be enjoying her new surroundings and spending lots of time mooching between the various hideys and stuffing her face with hay at each one. Shes done some nice chutting. She likes to sniff everything and she’s climbed up the side of the wicker to explore.

She’s extremely shy of humans but is getting confident with Winnie. She has chased Winnie out of a few different hides, Winnie seems to be humouring her and not too threatened but after a few of Dot’s moves in a row, she did get the Winnie water pistol treatment with a few Winnie pees in the face. They’re happy enough eating and laying near each other and the rumbles are only now and then so I think they’re all good. Winnie has been top pig with her previous 2 friends and I so far by looking at them I expect that to stay the same but we’ll see. Winnie is fair and not overly aggressive, she doesn’t tend to look for trouble but she doesn’t mind putting an upstart in their place if she thinks they’re pushing their luck.

The rescue lady felt they were a good match as Dottie was so frozen and terrified when they first met and she said some dominant pigs would have taken advantage of that, but Winnie gave her space and was nice and laid back.

Last time Winnie had a new friend (Mabel) they chased each other round in circles for 3 days arguing over the same hidey but this is much more peaceful!

Like all our pigs have been, dottie is a big fan of the step stool which offers her four different entrances to peep out from while she hopefully gradually learns she is safe here.

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I am so pleased all is going well, such a relief for you.
My boys all love step stool too. I got some child sized ones on ebay for indoors after using a couple from a carboot sale in the outside runs for years. At about £4 each they have been a real bargain.
 
It sounds all very positive and minor. They are now at the stage where they are working out the shape of their relationship and where each of draws her lines but it is all very peaceful. :)

I can't help but having a very soft spot for Dottie because she reminds me of my surprise baby Tegan (2011-19) in the avatar on the left. Same coat colours and white face.
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(PS: Incidentally, Dotty was Nerys's pre-adoption name. She is the big teddy in my avatar with the little dark dot on her head.)
 
I’ve told Dottie she is very lucky having the legendary Wiebke declaring a soft spot for her!

Your Tegan was very cute. That’s a good age too! I love these hairstyles that look like little toupees!

Dottie is extremely skittish around humans, like no pig I’ve ever known, but it is very early days. I hope she will adapt in time, at least enough for us to just handle her for the nail trims, weighing, health checks and hair cuts. She is very wriggly and afraid so we’re giving her time and space. She’s still very much in charge of Winnie on the surface at least, chasing her out of everywhere, but we’ll see how that pans out too..

Wiebke said:
It sounds all very positive and minor. They are now at the stage where they are working out the shape of their relationship and where each of draws her lines but it is all very peaceful. :)

I can't help but having a very soft spot for Dottie because she reminds me of my surprise baby Tegan (2011-19) in the avatar on the left. Same coat colours and white face.
View attachment 252424
(PS: Incidentally, Dotty was Nerys's pre-adoption name. She is the big teddy in my avatar with the little dark dot on her head.)
Click to expand...
 
LucyP said:
I’ve told Dottie she is very lucky having the legendary Wiebke declaring a soft spot for her!

Your Tegan was very cute. That’s a good age too! I love these hairstyles that look like little toupees!

Dottie is extremely skittish around humans, like no pig I’ve ever known, but it is very early days. I hope she will adapt in time, at least enough for us to just handle her for the nail trims, weighing, health checks and hair cuts. She is very wriggly and afraid so we’re giving her time and space. She’s still very much in charge of Winnie on the surface at least, chasing her out of everywhere, but we’ll see how that pans out too..
Click to expand...

Give Dottie time to settle down. She is currently what I call 'throwing her weight around' but it is more insecurity based.

It can take months. Use our whispering tips to work around her prey animal instincts and insecurities. Trust needs to make deep roots before it can grow up.
Understanding Prey Animal Instincts, Guinea Pig Whispering and Cuddling Tips
 
Thank you, I’m sure that’s true. We have to bear in mind how much upheaval she has had, she lost her only friend, she lost her home and then she went to a rescue. Apparently she wasn’t really handled as I think her friend was the more outgoing one. So it’s no wonder she is nervous.

The rescue lady said Dottie was so timid and still/hiding during the initial bonding, she didn’t think Winnie even registered she was there for a couple of hours, bless her! I guess the fact she seems confident in her house and happy to explore is a start. She also has found her squeaker and started making some very high pitched squeaks when she thinks there might be food! I’m sure she’ll get there and if she never wants to be a lap pig that’s fine too. We will respect her wishes and give her a calm and safe house to live in.
 
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