The Bradshaw Family

How is everyone? Has anyone got any exciting summer plans?

I can't believe how busy this summer is going to be. I'm booking up fast for photography (photoshoots and shows) and our other business is entering our busiest time of year. It's a good job I get some time off from the college over summer; though I'm really looking forward to next semester as I've got some new modules to teach (including equine therapy, manipulation of the horse for performance, and I'm doing some equine teaching for students in the college's new Vet school - very exciting).

I've also got a busy competition and training schedule with Woody this summer and we have to fit our motorsport events in around this. Honestly don't know how I'll fit it all in, but I'm sure I will!

The problem is we don't really get much time away - as I don't trust anyone to look after Woody and the guinea pigs (Koda always comes with us as we don't holiday abroad any more - not unless he can come too)!

The piggies are doing great (I must get some pics). I just have the three boys remaining now. They have the whole room to themselves and are continuing to get along really well. I'm doing a cage clean this week at some point (as I'm working all weekend - with photoshoots and a college open day/country fair on Sunday). I'll try get them to stay still long enough for some pics when I do the cage clean.
We are still heartbroken over losing Thor. I'm definitely not having any more piggies in the future. There is inevitable heartbreak with all animals, but I find piggies so fragile and (through no fault of their own) there simply isn't a good standard of veterinary care locally. I've never had so much heartbreak and veterinary problems with any other animals. These will definitely be my last boys now.

Has anyone else ever had similar feelings? I feel terrible for saying I won't keep guinea pigs anymore, but that's just how I feel at the moment.

Pic of Woody from yesterday:


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He seems to have gotten over his 'spring fever' slightly, and has come back down to earth a little bit. Though if we get rain at some point, the grass is going to go wild again.... so I'll be prepared! He's too big and too athletic to keep being the neurotic mess that he turns in to!
 
Bradshaw Piggies said:
How is everyone? Has anyone got any exciting summer plans?

I can't believe how busy this summer is going to be. I'm booking up fast for photography (photoshoots and shows) and our other business is entering our busiest time of year. It's a good job I get some time off from the college over summer; though I'm really looking forward to next semester as I've got some new modules to teach (including equine therapy, manipulation of the horse for performance, and I'm doing some equine teaching for students in the college's new Vet school - very exciting).

I've also got a busy competition and training schedule with Woody this summer and we have to fit our motorsport events in around this. Honestly don't know how I'll fit it all in, but I'm sure I will!

The problem is we don't really get much time away - as I don't trust anyone to look after Woody and the guinea pigs (Koda always comes with us as we don't holiday abroad any more - not unless he can come too)!

The piggies are doing great (I must get some pics). I just have the three boys remaining now. They have the whole room to themselves and are continuing to get along really well. I'm doing a cage clean this week at some point (as I'm working all weekend - with photoshoots and a college open day/country fair on Sunday). I'll try get them to stay still long enough for some pics when I do the cage clean.
We are still heartbroken over losing Thor. I'm definitely not having any more piggies in the future. There is inevitable heartbreak with all animals, but I find piggies so fragile and (through no fault of their own) there simply isn't a good standard of veterinary care locally. I've never had so much heartbreak and veterinary problems with any other animals. These will definitely be my last boys now.

Has anyone else ever had similar feelings? I feel terrible for saying I won't keep guinea pigs anymore, but that's just how I feel at the moment.

Pic of Woody from yesterday:


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He seems to have gotten over his 'spring fever' slightly, and has come back down to earth a little bit. Though if we get rain at some point, the grass is going to go wild again.... so I'll be prepared! He's too big and too athletic to keep being the neurotic mess that he turns in to!
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I know exactely how you feel. I have had piggies for more than 30 years now and veterinary care ... well it was always a problem. After about ten years (or so) of living and loving piggies, I was heart broken after having lost another fur baby to an illness that was badly managed by a vet who thought he know everything (and didn't really have a clue, though he came highly recommend).

But I still had one piggy left that couldn't stay on her own, so I took in another one ... and somehow I'm still there - living with and loving piggies.
I have found another vet who is pretty good and then there is the specialist vet at the university hospital. There have been many, many crisis over the years, but I guess I've grown with these crisis in a way. I still panic whenever somepig gets ill (and my piggies try to come up with new things all the time, somehow we don't do the usual stuff around here, it always had to je something special to keep me on my toes), but I have learned to cherish everyday and somehow I have learned to say goodbye without loosing my soul everytime (if that makes sense). I fight for each piggy, but I've made peace with the fact that we can only love them for a very limited time and there are situations we just don't have the power to change.

For me loving guinea pigs means that I try to give them the best life possible and accept that I have limited influence on the actual length of time we get to spend together. I get through the times of endless vet visits, but cherish the times when I don't see my vets. :whistle:
 
I feel the same. I love my animals - horse and piggies - but I seem to remember the vet visits more than the good moments which is inexplicable considering there are many many more good moments than vet visits 😀 I’ve just put my horse up for sale as we’re moving north and it seems kinder to keep him in his current yard with his friends. However if we didn’t have our pets, I think life would be far less joyful and a bit more empty of love ❤️
 
Viennese Furbabies said:
I know exactely how you feel. I have had piggies for more than 30 years now and veterinary care ... well it was always a problem. After about ten years (or so) of living and loving piggies, I was heart broken after having lost another fur baby to an illness that was badly managed by a vet who thought he know everything (and didn't really have a clue, though he came highly recommend).

But I still had one piggy left that couldn't stay on her own, so I took in another one ... and somehow I'm still there - living with and loving piggies.
I have found another vet who is pretty good and then there is the specialist vet at the university hospital. There have been many, many crisis over the years, but I guess I've grown with these crisis in a way. I still panic whenever somepig gets ill (and my piggies try to come up with new things all the time, somehow we don't do the usual stuff around here, it always had to je something special to keep me on my toes), but I have learned to cherish everyday and somehow I have learned to say goodbye without loosing my soul everytime (if that makes sense). I fight for each piggy, but I've made peace with the fact that we can only love them for a very limited time and there are situations we just don't have the power to change.

For me loving guinea pigs means that I try to give them the best life possible and accept that I have limited influence on the actual length of time we get to spend together. I get through the times of endless vet visits, but cherish the times when I don't see my vets. :whistle:
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I agree. And I have also had some vets cause more harm than good.
I’m so glad we found Kim & Simon but it can’t be a 6 hour round trip for us; working full time and keeping 2 businesses running can make visits to C&R more tricky (I know that sounds terrible - I would love to be able to just drop everything for vet trips. Money isn’t the problem, logistics are!).

like yourself, I’ve almost had to protect myself and not lose my soul every time we lose a piggy. It’s tricky though, they become part of the family!

Things were very different when we first took on piggies. We only had the one business, my job wasn’t as demanding as it is now, and I wasn’t competing either. I know that’s no excuse, but as life changes, 200 mile trips to vets gets more difficult.
 
Bertie & Jelly said:
I feel the same. I love my animals - horse and piggies - but I seem to remember the vet visits more than the good moments which is inexplicable considering there are many many more good moments than vet visits 😀 I’ve just put my horse up for sale as we’re moving north and it seems kinder to keep him in his current yard with his friends. However if we didn’t have our pets, I think life would be far less joyful and a bit more empty of love ❤️
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So sorry to hear you’re selling your horse! Is there no way you could move him? There’s no guarantee the new owners will keep him on the same yard.
Move up north near me, we have a spare stable next to Woody! 😊
 
Bradshaw Piggies said:
So sorry to hear you’re selling your horse! Is there no way you could move him? There’s no guarantee the new owners will keep him on the same yard.
Move up north near me, we have a spare stable next to Woody! 😊
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He’s been moved about a bit in his life before I got him and is stressy 😢 I bought him from the yard owner and she’s buying him back for herself so I think it’s the right thing for him. I’m moving to the north east - wrong side of the country sadly but kind offer 🤣
 
Bertie & Jelly said:
He’s been moved about a bit in his life before I got him and is stressy 😢 I bought him from the yard owner and she’s buying him back for herself so I think it’s the right thing for him. I’m moving to the north east - wrong side of the country sadly but kind offer 🤣
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Ahh if the yard owner can have him, that works!
Will you get another once you’re up north?
 
Bradshaw Piggies said:
I agree. And I have also had some vets cause more harm than good.
I’m so glad we found Kim & Simon but it can’t be a 6 hour round trip for us; working full time and keeping 2 businesses running can make visits to C&R more tricky (I know that sounds terrible - I would love to be able to just drop everything for vet trips. Money isn’t the problem, logistics are!).

like yourself, I’ve almost had to protect myself and not lose my soul every time we lose a piggy. It’s tricky though, they become part of the family!

Things were very different when we first took on piggies. We only had the one business, my job wasn’t as demanding as it is now, and I wasn’t competing either. I know that’s no excuse, but as life changes, 200 mile trips to vets gets more difficult.
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Vet logistics can be a nightmare. I've only got one job and only the piggies as pets, but I always have to take a day off from work when Billie has her appointment with the specialist vet. So it's always a bit of a struggle.
My usual vet used to have two evenings per week open. That changed during the pandemic and unfortunately it's only Thursday evening now. :(

But yes, of course, the circumstances of life change and a 6 hours round trip really is a long drive. :eek:
 
So it’s been a long, hot day working at our college open day. But it was a fantastic day!
Some highlights in the video:


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Koda and Woody have managed to keep cool and enjoy their weekend. Early morning training sessions for woody and even earlier morning walks for Koda; before the day heats up

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I also got some lovely images on this weekend’s photoshoot:

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And this evening, spent some lovely time sat with my remaining three piggy boys (well, spent most of the time getting climbed on) 😂💙

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So my boys have had their weigh ins, health checks and nail trims today

My two older boys aren’t as heavy as they used to be. Their weights are stable around 1100g and they’ve gained a bit this week; but I find they don’t keep it on the same anymore.
Baby Merlin is much larger at 917g now 💖


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Woody has been working hard this week, as we train for our next competition in a few weeks time. And we’ve moved up a level… eek exciting!
He looks so uninterested on some pics though 😂🧡

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Koda meanwhile, has been loving farm life, especially during cooler evenings

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I love how those ‘little boys ‘ aren’t fazed by you at all ❤️
Woody is playing it cool me thanks
Dan and Koda are some me time - good idea Koda it’s too warm to walk far 🥰
 
Much cooler day for training today 😌

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Woody’s friend Bobby has been on box rest for a while 😔 so he popped over for a visit to cheer him up:

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Woody is also very impressed with his new fly rug 🥰

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Koda has enjoyed longer adventures today; and is much happier with this slightly cooler weather 🐾💙:

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This boy really is the biggest challenge of my life.. 😂 but I love him so much for it. He continues to teach me so much every day

He’s such a hot horse to ride when he gets going. Plus I have to be super confident because he’s a worrier and lacks confidence in most things.. 😂 needs his mum to hold his hoof at all times; whilst still keeping all of that power together 🤦🏻‍♀️ but when it clicks into place, it really clicks…. Sometimes I just wish his anxious brain would give him (and me) a break 😂 I never know which of his personalities I’ll get on the day……

I’m so proud of our progress (the good days and the bad).

He was definitely sent to teach me. Love him and all of his quirks 💙💙💙


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Koda enjoyed this weekend, and spending a full day exploring with his mum 🐾💙💙

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Bradshaw Piggies said:
Much cooler day for training today 😌

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Woody’s friend Bobby has been on box rest for a while 😔 so he popped over for a visit to cheer him up:

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Woody is also very impressed with his new fly rug 🥰

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Koda has enjoyed longer adventures today; and is much happier with this slightly cooler weather 🐾💙:

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Gorgeous photos of these lovelies xx
 
I’m so sorry you lost Thor, he was a lovely lad :hug:

When Ted was troubled by his teeth I decided I wouldn’t have anymore piggies. I imagIned that Bill would outlive Ted (he was more independent and his incisors never really affected him like Ted’s) but actually Ted outlived Bill who died suddenly out of the blue just before his 5 birthday. I knew Ted would waste away without Bill so ended up getting Posh and Ginger who made Ted very happy in his last year. Then they were so quiet and sad when Ted left us that we got Hector. The girls were clearly unimpressed with little Hector so then we had to get a little friend for him and along came Kiki 🙄

Just never say never! 😊

But you are right, guinea pigs have been dealt a bad hand when it comes the veterinary care 🤨 There has been times when I wanted to live in Northampton!
 
Bradshaw Piggies said:
So my boys have had their weigh ins, health checks and nail trims today

My two older boys aren’t as heavy as they used to be. Their weights are stable around 1100g and they’ve gained a bit this week; but I find they don’t keep it on the same anymore.
Baby Merlin is much larger at 917g now 💖


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Woody has been working hard this week, as we train for our next competition in a few weeks time. And we’ve moved up a level… eek exciting!
He looks so uninterested on some pics though 😂🧡

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Koda meanwhile, has been loving farm life, especially during cooler evenings

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Merlin has certainly grown, what a lovely boy, he was so tiny when we took him up to Wiebke’s
 
Bill & Ted said:
I’m so sorry you lost Thor, he was a lovely lad :hug:

When Ted was troubled by his teeth I decided I wouldn’t have anymore piggies. I imagIned that Bill would outlive Ted (he was more independent and his incisors never really affected him like Ted’s) but actually Ted outlived Bill who died suddenly out of the blue just before his 5 birthday. I knew Ted would waste away without Bill so ended up getting Posh and Ginger who made Ted very happy in his last year. Then they were so quiet and sad when Ted left us that we got Hector. The girls were clearly unimpressed with little Hector so then we had to get a little friend for him and along came Kiki 🙄

Just never say never! 😊

But you are right, guinea pigs have been dealt a bad hand when it comes the veterinary care 🤨 There has been times when I wanted to live in Northampton!
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I agree. Living in Northampton would be easier! I do hope Kim & Simon are passing on their expertise for future vets and piggies 😊
 
Sorry for the lack of updates! It’s been a very busy couple of weeks

Work has been busy as we finish off the academic year and start getting ready for the new semester to begin after summer. I’m taking Woody to work on Wednesday as we have a staff training day and my coach has offered to do some ridden sessions as CPD for everyone.
I’ve been super busy with my photography and videography business also. Here’s some examples:

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I treated Woody and I to a new saddle yesterday. We had a 3 hour assessment and fitting from the wonderful staff at quite a prestigious company! Very expensive, but very worth it! Can feel a mega difference


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We are competing again this month, so we are well on with test practice and training. We’ve stepped up a level too… our first comp competing at the next level up.. 😬

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Koda is great, the weather has been a bit cooler lately so he’s been enjoying more longer walks. We are hoping to take him away for a few days at the end of July. A mini holiday

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My remaining three boys are doing great. Boris has turned 6 now. Rufus is 5, and of course baby Merlin (who’s not quite a baby anymore)! They are all getting along so well

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Hope everyone else is well!

I’m super busy with next month. Next week is lots of CPD at work, the training day and graduation for our students. I’m booked up with photoshoots and I’m competing Woody next month.

We have lots of motorsports booked in too. We are at a car show this weekend

Lots to fit in. But I’ll try keep up with updates on here 🥰
 
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