thoughtsdrawninpurple

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I’m delighted that Wooloo is also easy to draw on top of being adorable and fluffy

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Back in a few

Been awhile since I updated and unfortunately this update has good and bad news.  Bad news is Pepper has bladder stones, he’s on medication so he can pass them on his own and if that doesn’t happen we’re not sure of how to proceed just yet.  But the good news is that he’s on medication and not obstructed and despite being a little bloated he’s getting syringe fed.

Speaking of syringe feeding, I wanted to share this wonderful video demonstrating how to syringe feed.  I’ve looked up instructions and had the vet tell me what to do but it’s a lot different when you’re trying to get a syringe into a prey animals tiny mouth while they squirm.  I’ll share the link after I offer a little advice to those who haven’t had to do this before:

Be aggressive - yeah, that sounds harsh but as I’ve seen other people say: if you don’t get food into their system, they’re going to die.  So no matter how much they don’t like it and how much they squirm, keep putting food into their mouth and don’t give up.  Take breaks, catch your breath and offer cuddles but then keep going until the serving of food is in their stomach.

Push the syringe past their teeth - okay, so I didn’t understand this and that’s on me.  Guinea pigs have cheek pouches like other rodents and their molars are actually farther back than it looks at first.  You need to aim the syringe deep into their cheek or towards the back of their mouth so they start chewing and swallowing.  Don’t dribble it into the front of their mouths because it’ll fall out and it does no good on their face or the towel.

Offer water in between - Pepper eats like people when he’s well.  He takes a bite of food and then a drink of water.  This likely helps him chew and soften the food so he can swallow it.  Even with a slurry like Critical Care or softened pellets, it helps if you eye dropper mouthfuls of water as you feed, it’ll encourage them to keep chewing and swallowing and a sick pig also needs to stay hydrated.

It’s okay to get frustrated - neither Banana or Pepper took to syringe feeding and I can’t blame them.  However, it’s more than fine to feel frustrated when your pig isn’t cooperating.  Don’t let that deter you from getting as much food into them as you can.  Take a breath, shift positions, tell them they’re being a jerk, it’s okay as long as you keep going.

Oh god, the gas - bloated piggies have gas trapped in their abdomens.  Food high in fiber (like Critical Care) helps move this out of their system which helps them get hungry and start eating on their own.  Gas is uncomfortable for them, so expelling it is important.  However, you might find your pig farting on you as you feed them and that definitely makes the process less pleasant.  Take comfort in knowing their GI tract is functioning and it may not smell nice but it is a good thing.

And as always, if your piggy stops eating or drinking, seems lethargic or has any other change in behavior, go to the vet.  It’s hard to tell when it’s serious but not responding to their favorite snack and going a day without eating or drinking OR not eating or drinking as much as normal is a sign of an emergency.  The sooner they get checked out, the sooner you can treat them.

And here’s the video, I hope your piggies are as cooperative as this one: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mH2STcTyps0

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Pepper can be a sweet boy when he wants to. In August we'll celebrate the second anniversary of the day I brought him home.

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Where's our breakfast??

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Not hard to see why people ask why I took a picture of a wig 😂

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Please reblog this is if you would rp with trans muses.

I see a lot of people unwilling to rp with me because my muse is trans, and because of that I feel nobody in the rp community ever will. So, yeah, reblog if you would rp with trans muses (nonbinary muses included).

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Post breakfast nap

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Pepper pretending to be The Shadow. And I bought them a small cat bed which is Dusty's new nap place. Ignore the dirty blanket, laundry is tomorrow.

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Someone got snuggly after a brushing

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Sometimes she beeps at us but instead of a snack she wants to cuddle and fall asleep. What did I do to deserve this? Oh and Pepper is likely getting another bath soon so I'm sure there'll be another photo of him looking betrayed.

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Nothing like a nap after your fleece is cleaned.

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How to Tell Your Friend That You Need a Break From Supporting Them

When I worked at a mental health crisis centre, I couldn’t believe how many people came to us, not because of their own problems, but because they were so lost in a friend’s pain that they couldn’t take it anymore. I saw a lot of people who were so worn down from helping someone else that they couldn’t sleep, eat, socialize or focus at work or school. They were consumed with guilt every time they put down their phones, went to sleep, or dared to enjoy themselves and have a good time. All because they had no idea how to set boundaries.  Helping your friends through a tough situation is a wonderful and noble thing to do, but it only works if you’re mentally in a place to do so. If you’re dealing with issues or mental illness of your own, you’re not always capable of being someone else’s shoulder to cry on 24/7. And that’s okay. Sometimes, you have to put yourself first. You can’t help someone else if you’re a mess yourself. You can’t save a drowning person with a sinking ship.  Telling a friend that you’re overwhelmed and you need a break is one of the hardest things you’ll ever have to do. Honesty is the best policy - don’t go radio silent on them, or avoid answering their messages. Be honest about how you’re feeling, and what you need from them. If you’re stuck on what to say and how to start the conversation, here are a few suggestions. Feel free to copy them exactly: It’s really hard for me to admit this, but I’ve been feeling like I’m on the verge of a breakdown lately. I love you and I care about you, but I need to take some time to take care of myself for a while.  I’m really concerned about you, but I honestly don’t know how to deal with this and I’m worried I’ll say the wrong thing. I really think that you should talk to a professional about this.  This is hard for me to admit, but I have a lot going on in my life right now, and it’s getting to be too much for me. Would it be okay if we talked about lighter stuff for the next little while?

You deserve more support than I can give you. I think you need to tell a close family member or professional about what’s going on. 

It seems like every time we talk about this, things are worse for you. I’m worried that my advice isn’t helping you at all, and I think you should talk to someone more qualified than me. 

I’m really worried for your safety, and it breaks my heart, but I can’t keep you safe all by myself. Would it be okay if we told someone else what was going on? 

I’m sorry, but I can’t answer my text messages 24 hours per day. I really want to make sure that you always have someone to turn to if I’m not available. Are there some other people you would trust with this? I can help you tell them, if you’re not comfortable doing it by yourself.  I hope these suggestions are helpful - best of luck to all of you, and make sure to put your own mental health first when you have to. 

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Piggie Panties.  The newest hotness in guinea pig wear.

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Pepper is getting innovative. He chewed a window in his house so he can see where he's going when he moves it around like a hermit crab.