Saturday 13th Oct 07
Hello. Columbine is in my lap, gazing up at me with interest. She just guerned down a large piece of cucumber peel, causing much merriment as she did so. I have never seen any piggie eat so fast, or shuffle their mouth about as much…When I gave them long pieces of grass the other day she worked her way along to one end, then ate it like a piece of spaghetti. The other piggies can fold and inhale the grass at speed, but little Columbine still kept up in sheer amount consumed. Amazing. (I’ve just been widdled on - they say cucumber is a diuretic…sigh)
Columbia has been soaking up the sunshine, warming her old bones this week. It gets pretty warm in that conservatory, it really hasn’t seemed like October in there. I’m a bit more worried than usual though, she is spending a long time snoozing in between snacks. Every time I pick her up and hold her she seems bonier. She still loves life though, bossing little Columbine about, actually jumping into Tex’s hutch and picking the nicest bits out of his dish, demanding cuddles from me by stretching her head up towards me and weebling in a loud voice. And she’s very vocal when cuddled, it’s just that now the chuckles quiet down and then stop, and she’s asleep again. It doesn’t have to be the fleecey pocket any more, she doesn’t have to be really warm, she just snoozes whenever she’s comfy. I wonder if I’ll get to be like that when I’m old - make me comfy and I’ll go to sleep. Some days I feel pretty old already if that’s the qualifier….
My tip this week is about getting animals used to general handling. When Tex went for his injections he was remarkably calm both times, the vet remarked how calm. The same techniques work for any animal, but some are easier to work with. I suppose the biggest thing you need is patience and I have masses of that. Working with secondary school children trying to teach them science really is like trying to push treacle uphill, so a little setback in the handling stakes never really bothers me much. You just try, try and try again!
Sarah