Scruffy!

[renonvsparky]

Scruffy was the most unique little Abby ever. The things he did were nothing short of amazing. His presence is still felt nearly a year after he left us. He is the only guinea pig I've ever had that liked to sit on top of his house and look around. He spent most of his time up there. I think it was his curious nature. He is also the only guinea pig I've ever seen who sat like a dog does; on his butt with his front paws between his hips. He was probably the fastest out of my piggies.

He was a blur when he did his zoomies. He taught me the importance of making sure outdoor pens are totally escape proof and to be careful not to leave any openings when getting your piggie out of the pen to take him inside. The first time I took him outside he made the 15 yard run from the grazing spot to the rose bush in under a second. At least it seemed that way. It was the one and only time he ever got loose.

By far the most lasting impact he had was the cage nibbling. When I had just him and Mr Bubbles, he taught him that nibbling on the cage was the fastest way to get food, treats or attention. After I increased the herd by getting Sammy and Dean, he got them doing it too. When he passed, the cage nibbling legacy continued. BJ was the next piggie to join the herd and the others taught him. It took a few weeks, but Oreo, Gilligan and Skipper picked up on it too. It gets pretty loud with all 7 of them doing it. It keeps Scruffy's memory alive and well and I consider it a tribute to him. On the other hand, it speeds up the feeding, treat giving and attention paying because it's not particularly good for their teeth.

I have lots of pictures of Scruffy and I look through them quite often. I still miss him every day, but I find comfort knowing that in the short time he was part of our family, we shared a lifetime worth of love.

This is the day I brought Scruffy home from the pet store (I've since learned about adopting vs pet store pigs). There were 3 other baby pigs in the tank with him and he was the only one who climbed up on the side to get me to pick him up. The rest of them ran and hid in the pigloo. That's how I knew he was meant to come home with me.

[Sef]

Aw, these are great memories of Scruffy and such cute photos of him. What a face full of character! I love him sitting on his Pigloo, surveying the area.

How neat that he "chose" you at the pet store. It was just meant to be!

Can relate on the bar-chewing legacy. Our Harold (whom we lost just a week ago today) was a master at that, and he taught it to Aaron. Our other two guys, goof-balls Jethro and Jeremy, never picked up on it.

Thank you for sharing Scruffy's story.

[piggypop]

What a handsome young man!!!

[renonvsparky]

I used to laugh every time I saw Scruffy sitting on top of his house like that. Whenever I felt down, I would go to see him sitting there and it cheered me up instantly. Looking at the picture of him has the same effect. He was quite the little character for sure.

[Sef]

Cute little piggy lips, too! Did he enjoy chin scritches?

[pigjes]

How adorable!!

[renonvsparky]

Scruffy loved having his chin scratched. He had the most adorable guinea pig cheekies ever. That picture of him getting his chin scratched is the background on my phone. He left a forever lasting impact on our lives.

[renonvsparky]

I came across this little video of Scruffy biting on his cage and thought I'd share it. This was taken just as he was recovering from his bowel infection. He had been mostly lethargic up to that point. He made his turn for the better and wanted food for the first time since his illness set in. I was so happy to see him doing that. It was then that I knew he would be ok.

He lived healthy for about 10 months after that until he unexpectedly passed away. The vet had informed me that an illness of that magnitude and the very aggressive treatment could shorten his life. I made it a point to enjoy him as much as I could. I still wonder if there was something I could have done or should have noticed which would have saved him. I'll always carry that with me.

[Sef]

Oh, that must have been such a huge relief at the time. I'm glad he was able to enjoy a good quality of life with you for some time after that.

We all look back and second-guess ourselves and whether or not we could done more or done something differently (I certainly do--most recently with Harold).

The main thing, at the end of the day, is how much these little guys were loved and cherished.

[renonvsparky]

It's been a year since I lost my little Scruffer. The anniversary was actually on the 9th of this month. I can't believe I forgot that. I suppose it's because I still miss him just as much as I have since the day he passed. I've learned to deal with the loss by giving the love I have for him to my other boys. I think about him every day and I find myself going to look at his memorial when it gets bad enough. I'll see him again in the next life and he'll be there to bite little holes in my shirt again. Rest in peace my little guy.

This is his memorial. That picture doesn't have his favorite chew toy in it, but I have it right on top of his urn, close to him. He chewed it down to a nub.

[Sef]

Aw, great picture of him with you.

That's such a beautiful memorial. I love what you wrote, "I've learned to deal with the loss by giving the love I have for him to my other boys." I'm still having a hard time with the loss of Harold, but hope somebody to be able to put together a small tribute to him.

I'm so sorry you lost him, renonvsparky, but it's clear how dearly he was loved, and that love never goes away. Those feelings keep their memory and spirit very much alive in our hearts always.

[pigjes]

Such a lovely remembrance!