Sparkles & Bubbles

Meet the newest members of the family, Sparkles & Bubbles. Sparkles is named after Robin Sparkles, of HIMYM fame… Bubbles is Bubbles because she’s spunky and it goes well with Sparkles! They’re my new companions since we re-homed the chickens a few weeks ago.*

Originally, our plan was for a teddy bear hamster or two dwarf hamsters at the end of June. But on an impromptu outing to the pet shop, we fell in love with Sparkles & Bubbles. Riley approved (uh, or I’d like to think she did) and hasn’t really cared at all. Normally I would adopt, but the nearest piggies available for adoption were 200 miles away.

Both are slowly warming up to us. They went from freezing when we were near (like above,) to boldly reaching for the little lettuce bits that drop while I’m refilling their veggie ball – in just a few days. We’ve started holding them for a few minutes each day, getting them used to us. They’re my second pair of guinea pigs, I had two growing up. Jeff wants to train them, so of course I had to read a book on training cavies. We’ll see how that goes! They’re definitely sanitary like hamsters, they have done their business in the corners of the cage. My two cavies growing up never grasped that concept.

Carrots are definitely their favorite treat!!! They love their veggies, now they’re on a mix of butter and red leaf lettuce, zucchini from the garden, and I alternate the days they get baby carrots, cherry tomatoes, fruit, etc. I’m actually working on a printable for other piggie owners to plan & track their feedings.

This week we’re building them a C&C cage, 2×3 or 2×4 with a second level — lots of room! Currently they’re in a standard store-bought cage, which we decided would be handy for when we’re cleaning the larger cage or have to quarantine one. They’re both still very tiny, but I don’t want to wait longer to get them in a C&C! We have everything but the coroplast, which I’m calling around town about today. I’m looking forward to sewing them cage liners and sleep sacks, I’m thinking a nice lilac will be the perfect color for these girlies!

I’m sorry I *still* haven’t posted our anniversary trip photos, or any decent photos for that matter. My external hard drive has been randomly disconnecting so much that I can’t access anything or even back up things. Lots of googling says my cable has gone bad, so I’m waiting on a replacement! Cross your fingers!!!

*I didn’t mention finding the girls a new home on the blog, because it was rough for me at first but I knew they needed more space and attention than I could continue to give them. They’re much happier with LOTS of land to themselves.