Holly and Spike's Excellent Adventure

FlowerGirl

FlowerGirl

Junior Guinea Pig
Joined
Aug 24, 2015
Messages
61
Reaction score
112
Points
250
Location
London
Hi all!

Some of you may remember that back in June I posted a thread looking for help finding a foster companion for my recently bereved sow, Holly. The incredible @furryfriends (TEAS) stepped in and offered me young neutered boar, Spike. On 17th July, Spike came home. On the 18th, Spike and Holly were introduced. Holly ran poor Spike ragged for a while to make absolutely sure he knew she was going to be the boss, then they settled down to eat hay together...and have been best of friends ever since!

I want to keep this thread ongoing to document their beautiful journey together and share lots of photos for Debbie and anyone else interested!

First up, here are photos from the bonding pen on their first day together!
 

Attachments

  • Spike and Holly Day 1 - 1.webp
    Spike and Holly Day 1 - 1.webp
    92 KB · Views: 25
  • Spike and Holly Day 1 - 2.webp
    Spike and Holly Day 1 - 2.webp
    110 KB · Views: 26
  • Spike and Holly Day 1 - 3.webp
    Spike and Holly Day 1 - 3.webp
    104.4 KB · Views: 26
  • Spike and Holly Day 1 - 4.webp
    Spike and Holly Day 1 - 4.webp
    86.7 KB · Views: 26
  • Spike and Holly Day 1 - 5.webp
    Spike and Holly Day 1 - 5.webp
    91.4 KB · Views: 25
  • Spike and Holly Day 1 - 6.webp
    Spike and Holly Day 1 - 6.webp
    91.5 KB · Views: 30
Since meeting Spike, the change in Holly has been just incredible. She was alone for 2 months after the death of her sister while I tried desperately to find her a friend, and in that time she became so incredibly quiet and withdrawn that I'd almost forgotten what her true personality was like. But almost instantly on being paired with Spike, she has turned back into a curious, confident, demanding, adventurous little pig, who once again is eating for England, demanding snacks at all times of the day and making sure Spike knows that she is Top Pig (while also making sure he doesn’t stray too far away from her). I knew that getting her a companion would make her life better, but I never imagined how dramatic the change would be. I cannot thank Debbie enough for giving my old lady a new lease of life!
 
Some more photos!

Spike LOVES his comfy beds 🥰 (he actually prefers to flip them over and walk around with them on top of him like a funny little tortoise 😂).

I’ve never known Holly to share her food so nicely as she does with Spike! Here is a big dinner they had, and a piece of watermelon they enjoyed together!

Also there’s a photo of them investigating a “snack bag” (hay and some dried herbs stuffed into a paper bag…much more interesting that eating any other way!)
 

Attachments

  • A718EDE6-480E-4BE4-B7E4-4A4CD91F4E62.webp
    A718EDE6-480E-4BE4-B7E4-4A4CD91F4E62.webp
    84.7 KB · Views: 29
  • 8BDA6BF8-EA05-440A-85D7-C0919A235F24.webp
    8BDA6BF8-EA05-440A-85D7-C0919A235F24.webp
    81.9 KB · Views: 29
  • 8217A967-43F8-4728-903D-FD0288DD3AD4.webp
    8217A967-43F8-4728-903D-FD0288DD3AD4.webp
    24.5 KB · Views: 28
  • E4657712-AC77-442A-A1A1-78AA8A983FC3.webp
    E4657712-AC77-442A-A1A1-78AA8A983FC3.webp
    38.5 KB · Views: 26
It's lovely to hear that Holly and Spike hit it off so well and Holly revived with his company.
I think Spike is cousin to @Bill & Ted Kiki and I've seen a photo of her lying with her legs out just the way Spike is.
And Spike seems to be cousin of my new cheeky boar Bertie, here he is discovering today that he can stand on hideys.

IMG_20210813_105731.webp
 
Ah yes, Bertie and Spike look quite alike don't they! I don't think I've seen a photo of Kiki but it's so interesting that they lie the same way! It makes me laugh, I love seeing his little legs stuck out like that!
 
FlowerGirl said:
Ah yes, Bertie and Spike look quite alike don't they! I don't think I've seen a photo of Kiki but it's so interesting that they lie the same way! It makes me laugh, I love seeing his little legs stuck out like that!
Click to expand...
Yes they look so chilled lying like that! Spike and Bertie do look similar.
 
:wub: What a pair of cuties. Spike reminds me of my Toffee. I’m glad it worked out so well 🙂
 
Black piggies said:
It's lovely to hear that Holly and Spike hit it off so well and Holly revived with his company.
I think Spike is cousin to @Bill & Ted Kiki and I've seen a photo of her lying with her legs out just the way Spike is.
And Spike seems to be cousin of my new cheeky boar Bertie, here he is discovering today that he can stand on hideys.

View attachment 183107
Click to expand...
😆 spot the difference! Those legs are a give away! Holly and Spike make a lovely couple 💙❤️1628878021398.jpeg
 
I was really hoping that my next (very belated) update would be the many photos I've collected over the past weeks, but sadly it is to report the end of Holly's adventure. She passsed away at the vet clinic on Tuesday after responding poorly to treatment for severe gastric dilation (bloat). Spike is going home to Debbie tomorrow. I am heartbroken and exhausted right now but I will try to share some last photos at some point. Thank you everyone for helping and supporting me through Holly's last few months. I am eternally grateful that she got to meet Spike and spend her last weeks with him.
 
I'm so sorry to hear you lost your precious girl. Holly had a wonderful life and I'm sure she enjoyed her last weeks with you and Spike. Sleep tight gorgeous girl 💕🌈
 
I’m so sorry for your loss. Popcorn high over the bridge gorgeous Holly. Glad Spike gave her a happy few months. Take care. Good luck Spike.
 
I’m so sorry you lost Holly, sending you big hugs. I know Holly and Spike had a lovely time together x
Sleep tight little lady 😊
 
Thank you so much everyone, your support over the past few months has meant so much. I'm looking forward to seeing where life takes lil Spike next <3
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top