New Year’s Eve 2021

So we’re at the end of another year again. As always, I’m going to write my ramblings about it. This year, though, I feel like there’s going to be lots of things I miss out, either because nothing really happened or because I just can’t remember things that did happen. Since my epilepsy diagnosis in June 2020, my short-term memory seems to have worsened. In the beginning, when I was still having daily focal and Tonic-Clonic seizures, it was a lot worse than it is now, I think. I haven’t had it confirmed by doctors but I think it’s either due to the amount of seizures I had over a short period of time or a side effect of the lifelong medication I take to control the seizures. Something that did pass this year was 6 months then 1 year since I had my last seizure. To date, I’m at 15 and a half months seizure free. That’s definitely something I’d like to continue into 2022.

In the early stages of the year, we were in full lockdown again. Many takeaways and lots of junk daytime telly got this household through that I think. However, as restrictions lifted we were slowly able to adjust back to our normal lives. T went back to school for their final few weeks of year 11, although all their GCSE results were graded on coursework and teachers opinion. Mum went back to work and found some regular routine to her day. I was able to go back to meeting Nan and Grandad on Tuesdays for lunch, going to their house on Wednesdays for dinner, meeting Jenny for our My Guide walks and seeing Dad for days out on Saturdays. Later in the year, T and I joined our local gym in a bid to get me out of the house more often and both of us a bit more active. Auntie Clare joined us, too, and more recently T has been playing badminton with Uncle Dave, something they seem to really enjoy. Sadly, the gym sessions didn’t become a regular thing like I’d planned. T is just too busy with college work and Auntie Clare’s arthritis causes her too much pain to do the cardio stuff I like doing. But it was fun while it lasted. I hope T and Uncle Dave will continue to have their badminton sessions, though, because they seem to be a real success.

As I’ve mentioned, a big thing to happen in our family this year is T finishing secondary school and starting college. How my teeny tiny little sister is studying towards their A Levels I don’t know. In my mind they’re still about 9 years old. But nope, they celebrated their 16th birthday in the summer and is, I guess, all grown up. Next year, they’ll be old enough to start driving lessons so will be able to drive a car as well as the rest of us up the wall. They’re doing great at college and especially loving the freedom of half days and afternoon classes — taking full advantage of being a teenager.

It’s a nice thought that T might soon be embarking on driving lessons and getting a car of their own in the next couple of years because soon they’re going to have to be further than the neighbouring bedroom to wind me up. The biggest thing that happened in 2021 and will lead to the biggest change for me in 2022 was me asking Kieran if we could start discussing me moving up to Blyth and us getting a place together. Obviously, living together has been a long-term aim of ours from the start, like it is with most couples, but with us it was always the question of where and when. Most couples live pretty local to each other, or at least not nearly 300 miles away at opposite ends of the country. Since coming home from college in Hereford in 2015, I’ve always been pretty set on the fact that I wouldn’t move away from Southampton again. But Kieran has more reason to be in Blyth than I do in Southampton, mainly that he’s settled in full-time employment at his county council. Earlier in the year, he was given a full-time role in the job he loves. Sadly, no employment prospects have emerged for me over the last 12 months. I’ve continued to apply online for jobs, mostly remote ones given the current pandemic situation, and have had a few interviews. But I’ve never gotten any further than that. So deciding to move up north is the right thing to do. Kieran and his family are just finishing renovating a flat left in the family from his great-grandma which we’re planning to move into early in the new year. Originally, we’d hoped for January but I’m not able to move until later as Mum has quite a complex operation in mid January and I need to be here for at least the beginning of her recovery. Plus, everyone wants to travel up with me on moving day and I know Mum would be pretty gutted if she couldn’t come and help me move in. It’s going to be a big thing moving from one end of the country to the other permanently and I want her to do it with me. As the flat is pretty much finished, Kieran might move in before I get there. So, this time next year I’ll probably be writing this from Blyth instead of Southampton, unless I’m visiting of course.

Something that I had to sacrifice in preparation for moving up north was my gorgeous Guinea pig Teddy. He settled in well by the beginning of this year and in July I got him a friend, the beautiful Bear. Bear was a chocolate coloured fuzzy curly haired piggy bought from the lovely lady who trimmed Teddy’s nails for me. She breeds piggies and was so great about helping me find Teddy a friend. But, after I saw the flat in September, I realised having the boys there just wouldn’t work in a way that was fair to them. Fitting their large cage in the living room with the other furniture we’ll need would have been tough as it was but they also need floor time out of their cage every day and there was no way their indoor playpen would have squeezed in too. I did investigate transferring them to an outdoor hutch as the garden is more than big enough but I was worried about them escaping or being too cold outdoors. As I wouldn’t be able to keep an eye on them as much as most people, I was worried I wouldn’t notice if they’d managed to get out of the run or if they’d hurt themselves. Being indoor piggies, I also didn’t know how well they’d adapt to going outdoors. I’m reliably informed a lot of people keep theirs outdoors but I have no experience of it myself. The least important reason, but one I still had to consider, was that I couldn’t afford to buy a brand new set up of hutch, run and all the thermally insulated covers and things you need to keep piggies outdoors. When I decided to get more piggies, moving hadn’t even been in my mind and when I added Bear, I’d just presumed there would be enough room for their cage when I did move. As lovely as she was about helping me pair Teddy with a friend, the lovely lady I was in touch with was equally great about helping me find the boys a new home. Apparently, they now live with a lady and her teenage daughter who both absolutely adore them. She was able to pass on some of their bits and pieces I’d bought for them here too. Something I did discover from having them was that I was able to look after them much better than I did our girls. I’m not sure why but looking after the boys was much easier. Maybe because I’d done even more research than I did the first time. Maybe because I stuck to a proper routine with everything I did with them. I’m not sure. But it’s nice to feel like I didn’t 100% fail them like I did the girls, even if this time ended up pretty much the same way.

Sticking with the theme of animals, this year has again not been my lucky year for getting that elusive Guide Dog match. As I mentioned in my previous new year’s rambling, this time last year I’d been suspended on the waiting list due to my Epilepsy diagnosis and the fact that lockdown had meant I wasn’t really using my routes. Over the last year, I’ve worked hard to get back on the waiting list. I started by practising my routes with Mum, Dad and T helping. Then, when we were allowed, Jenny and I did them too. In May, I was finally able to redo the mobility assessments — showing a mobility officer 2 routes using my cane — which I passed. In September, I did my Guide Dog assessment with a lovely trainee Guide Dog called Kim. She was a dream to walk with and helped me pass the assessment and get back onto the waiting list no problem. Sadly, Kim couldn’t be mine as she was already matched and ready to go on class with someone. I’ve since been told they’ve qualified and are now a working partnership. Since September, things have changed again. I informed Guide Dogs in October that I’m moving away in the new year and, following protocol, they’ve again suspended me on the waiting list. As my move is imminent, it wouldn’t be fair for the Southampton team to be looking for a match down here. I’m told that once I’ve moved, I’ll be in touch with the Newcastle team and they’ll help me get mobile again. I’ll have a 12 week program of learning enough routes to meet the workload for a guide dog and then, as long as everyone is happy, I’ll be made active on the waiting list again. So if I’m really really lucky, maybe this time next year I’ll be sat with a furry hound curled up at my feet. Who knows? I’m hoping the move will bring me more luck with Guide Dogs and hopefully a job too.

One of my reasons for considering moving — except for Kieran and I to live together obviously — was studying for a masters degree. Sitting around doing nothing not being allowed to go anywhere gives a person a lot of free time to think about where they are and where they want to be. Being unable to find work has bothered me for a long time but it felt worse during lockdown and even more so when restrictions lifted and everyone went back to their daily jobs but I continued to stay at home, basically doing the same thing I had been while locked down. I started to think about aiming for a particular career. When I’d decided to study health and social care for my degree it’d been with the aim of working in a role that helped people struggling through hardship. I’d always liked the idea of becoming a social worker so decided to research further into it. It turns out that Northumbria university run a social work masters degree, which I’d be eligible for because I have my undergraduate degree in a relevant area. As well as the standard masters degree, there’s also a social work program called Think Ahead that runs nationwide; this gives you the chance to train as a social worker whilst studying towards your degree. You get paid while you’re training and the tuition costs are covered. It just so happens that the program ran in Blyth last year… they don’t announce which areas of the country will be supporting the program until after applications have closed each year but I thought it was worth a shot. I’m not so keen on just studying full-time. I studied for 4 years and have spent the last 2 trying to find work. I don’t want to spend much more time unemployed if I can. I submitted an application for the Think Ahead program but am having a few accessibility issues with the next steps of the process. I’ll keep trying and hope I get through. In the meantime, I’ll continue to look for remote working jobs and start searching fully as soon as I’m settled up north. However, I have been lucky to continue volunteering for CommuniCare In Southampton, a local charity who support vulnerable and isolated elderly members of the community. Although I had to quit my voluntary office role in 2019 due to Dad changing jobs and no longer being able to take me, I’ve been able to continue volunteering for them in a befriending role. I phone one lady and email two others regularly so that they have some social interaction. The ladies I talk to are lovely and I’m really glad of the chance to volunteer for such a good organisation. I’ve just applied to be a wellbeing volunteer for the charity Deafblind UK and should be starting that role in the new year after some training. I’m looking forward to being involved in something else and hopefully gaining more valuable work experience.

Unlike last year, Kieran and I have been lucky to see each other a few times: a week in July, a few days in September and then a month from October til November. I’m very much looking forward to flying up to Newcastle next week to visit for his birthday. During our time together, we managed to enjoy yet more comedy: Sarah Millican, Chris & Rosie Ramsey’s live podcast tour, Ed Byrne, Chris Ramsey solo and John Bishop. Good pal Josh joined us for 4 out of 5 of those too. After going from seeing him most weeks to only having FaceTime to keep up to date with each other’s lives, it was really nice to spend time with Josh again. Excitingly, we already have events scheduled for 2022 that will allow Kieran, Josh, Imi, T and I to spend time together. For Christmas, Kieran surprised me with tickets to see Al Murray in Newcastle in February; Josh was in on the secret and will be in charge of all travel arrangements as always. Then, in June, all 5 of us are going to see Ed Sheeran at the Stadium of Light. We’re all very excited about it. I feel very lucky that we’re going to see him for the second time and think it’s a great outing for T’s first ever concert.

It already seems that 2022 has a lot lined up for me, mostly very positive stuff too. Of course, we have to get through Mum’s big operation and immediate recovery first. Afterwards, though, there’s a lot to look forward to. I’m pretty interested to see what the year holds for me and everyone I love. Hopefully, with vaccinations being taken more and more, this time next year we’ll be way more in control of covid. I’d love to say we’ll have sent it packing with its tail between its legs but I think I said something similar last year and I was clearly being far too ambitious. Hopefully, we’ll be a lot nearer that happening. I hope T continues to do well at college, Mum & Dad find better jobs that make them happier and Coco the cat carries on being her sassy self, not taking any shit from anyone. Sitting here after devouring a Hawaiian pizza bought as a treat to celebrate new year’s eve, I feel thankful for all I’ve had this year. 3 doses of covid vaccination completely free on the NHS that I’m sure, after Mum testing positive with covid on Christmas Day, have kept T and I protected from the virus despite living with Mum. Continuing to be seizure free with all the positives that means for me. Being able to spend more valuable time with friends and family, especially after everything we’re going through with the pandemic. For Kieran agreeing to us taking the next step in our relationship and giving this living together thing a go — I’ll update next year. For generally good health for those I love: Mum not so much and I’m praying our amazing NHS fix her next year; or lovely Mr Godwin, Imi’s dad, who sadly won’t be so fortunate and who I’ll forever have fond memories of, especially the desk lamp incident the first time I met him; or my lovely Great Nanny Olive, who now lives in a nursing home and has recently come out of hospital after having a fractured hip and isn’t doing so well. I hope 2022 can heal those I love and those the people I love love too. But whatever happens, I know I’ll be lucky to have all the great people in my life I do and new opportunities that are ahead of me. Let’s see what next year brings, eh?

New Year’s Eve 2020

Well, where to start this one…? As I have for the last few years, I wanted to write a little post telling the story, highs and lows, of this year. But unlike I predicted in my last year’s post, 2020 hasn’t been the year anyone expected. The main reason for this, of course, is the global corona virus pandemic that has turned everyone’s world upside down and inside out, basically altering normality for the whole country and world. It’s halted everyone’s plans and made the year a much bleaker one than anyone previously thought. So this post is probably going to be very different to all my previous new year’s posts, mainly because I don’t really have a lot to write.

Firstly, this time last year I was waiting on the confirmation of a start date for the apprenticeship I’d been accepted for at our local hospital. Similar to many things this year, that never came. Sometime in January, just as I’d put in a claim for Access To Work funding for travel and equipment support, I got notification from the hospital that my assistive screen reader software wasn’t compatible with their NHS systems I’d need to use to complete the majority of tasks for the job; and there was nothing they could do to rectify this. So the job was off. Many apologies were given but there was nothing anyone could do about it. For quite sometime, I was very bitter about the outcome. For the first time, I’d actually been chosen for a job. Someone, somewhere, thought my lousy computer skills and patchy attitude were good enough for the role they’d advertised, better than all the other applicants who’d gone for the position. I’d been so elated. I couldn’t believe it. I was going to be employed. I wasn’t going to be another disability unemployment statistic. I’d spent months and months wondering what I’d do after I finished my degree and now I had something concrete, something that was going to last at least 18 months and maybe even to permanent employment. But yet again my disability had gotten in the way. My need for assistive technology to complete a job fully sighted people could do easier and probably a lot quicker than me, even with the assistance, meant that I was no longer eligible. So the search I thought was over began again.

I’m still working with my city council employment support adviser. Again, like everything else this year that’s been put on hold, or at least disrupted by the pandemic. In late march, when the spread of the virus had become much more than the country could cope with and the infection rate and death toll was rising dramatically, the government decided to announce a national lockdown, meaning we could only leave our homes for necessities like food and medical support. Households weren’t allowed to mix, meaning for months we couldn’t see friends and family, let alone people like my employment advisor and the lovely My Guide volunteer Jenny who has supported me so much in my efforts to get a Guide Dog. So everything was put on hold. My employment advisor’s support became remote and Jenny’s assistance stopped altogether. We were told as soon as lockdown was lifted, everything would resume as normal. But nothing about this year has been normal. My employment advisor took a great amount of leave away from the job for personal reasons so for a large majority of the year I haven’t been receiving employment support, remote or otherwise. Plus, since early March, Jenny and I haven’t been able to resume our route practice because guidelines haven’t relaxed enough for us to be allowed to work together again. One positive out of this is that Jenny and I have kept in touch well, phoning each other every couple of weeks or so to catch up on each other’s news and generally have a chat.

Of course, this has also meant that my planned visits to see Kieran have been cancelled this year too. Luckily, we were still able to spend time together in January for our anniversary and his birthday as arranged. But since then, we haven’t seen each other at all. It’s weird not meeting up every few months. Due to the long distance aspect of our relationship, it’s never been your standard affair of spending almost 24/7 together like your average couple. But we never expected this gap in seeing each other when we took the plunge 5 years ago. Strangely, these last 9 months have been the longest we’ve gone without seeing each other since we met, let alone since being a couple. We’ve kept up our FaceTime ritual, although not speaking as often as I’d have liked. But we’ve both got our separate lives. He’s up there working hard as always and ive been down here reading audiobooks, watching rubbish daytime telly and basically wasting my days away until this virus is all over. It was odd, too, spending my birthday without Kieran. It’s the first time since we’ve been together that he’s not been here for it. But as always, he spoilt me with lovely gifts and messages. But that doesn’t match up to having him here. Maybe, next year can be different. Currently, it isn’t looking like that’s likely, but I have to keep hoping. It’s been a long time already and I’d rather it wasn’t too much longer.

The pandemic has meant missing opportunities to see my good pal Josh, too. We often met up, sometimes on a weekly basis, to wander around town, browsing the shops and having lunch out before coming back to mine and lounging around for a while. I miss the social interaction that allowed us to have. Josh and I have also kept in touch via text message and FaceTime. When the restrictions were lifted a fraction during the summer, on a day I knew he was working, I got Dad to quickly take me into say a little hello. Also, last week I popped over to Josh’s flat to deliver a little hamper to brighten up his Christmas. It was lovely to see him both times and I look forward to resuming our meet-ups, hopefully sometime next year.

One of the biggest things that’s happened for me this year is my new diagnosis. For a few years now, I’d been having strange feelings. It felt like I was going to be sick and a dejavu like feeling. To start with, I was only having these feelings once a week or so. However, over time the frequency and intensity of the feeling increased to the point where sometimes I felt really shaken or, if it happened at the dinner table, I was actually nearly sick. After contacting my GP about this, we were referred to the neurology department at our local hospital and I went in to answer all sorts of questions about the strange feelings I was getting. Then, things got a lot worse. I started to have full on seizures, usually in my sleep causing me to wet the bed and worry Kieran who was usually on FaceTime when it happened. Next, I had an MRI scan which confirmed some abnormalities in my brain. The humorous part of me would say we knew my brain wasn’t normal already… but the neuro team were taking it more seriously than me. After studying the scan results some more and viewing a video Mum had managed to take showing me having a seizure, they diagnosed me with focal epilepsy. It was a weird moment to be honest. I didn’t really know what to think or feel. An epilepsy diagnosis seemed nothing compared to the things going on in other people’s families at the moment. But it was there, not going away and requiring medication to get it under control before I was able to do myself any real harm. I was put on a low dosage of seizure preventing medication almost straight away. But the dosage was gradually increased as it didn’t seem to be making any difference to begin with. Then, in August, I woke up on a Sunday afternoon in a hospital bed. Touch wood, I’ve always been a healthy person, rarely needing hospital treatment. Except for the operations I had on my eyes when I was little and the X-Rays I had when I broke my wrist in 2012, I don’t remember any other trips to the hospital for myself. But here I was, led in a bed with stuff coming out of my arms and no memory whatsoever of how I’d somehow ended up there. Mum was sat next to me and, once I’d fully come round and stopped muttering gibberish, she filled me in on what had happened. I’d had a seizure whilst laying on my bed. Tamsin and Mum had heard the Big Bang as I’d hit the floor and come running. When I didn’t come round quickly as I usually do, in panic Mum called for an ambulance. Apparently, I’d wet myself again so once the paramedics had done all the necessary checks, they helped Mum change me into dry clothes before rushing me on a stretcher into the ambulance and off to hospital with Mum sitting worried by my side and after Dad had driven speedily down to collect Tamsin. It’s strange, I’ve always wondered what it’d be like to travel in an ambulance at speed with the lights flashing and sirens blaring and the time I got to experience it I was totally out of it. Thankfully, I didn’t have to stay in hospital longer than the evening. When I was discharged, Mum took me down to get a pity Costa and out to Dad and Tamsin who were waiting in the car. Tamsin filled all the gaps in the story that Mum had missed. It wasn’t a pleasant picture, more for them than me really. I just felt tired. They’d done the worrying. Dad was feeling guilty; he has epilepsy and was thinking it was his fault. Tamsin was scared. Mum was just plain worried I think.

The seizures continued for a month after that. My medication dosage was finally starting to work, though, and since the 15th of September I haven’t had a single episode, big or little. Of course, I had to make the last episode ive had a big one. I was showering with Tamsin in the room and everything was normal. The next thing I know, I’m laying disoriented on the floor of the bathroom and hallway with Mum and Tamsin crowded worriedly around me. I’d had a seizure in the shower and fallen right over the side of the bath. How on earth I managed to miss the sink or wall or radiator or door I’ll never know. But I had a blossoming bruise on my left leg where it’d hit the rim of the bath as I went over. That’s still vaguely ther now on the side of my shinbone, only to touch though. After that, the neuro nurse who mainly deals with my case said I have to be supervised when showering at all times and baths are forbidden. Being supervised in the shower wasn’t a particularly pleasant thought but I was more bothered about not being allowed baths. Ive always loved baths, especially if I’ve got a lush bath bomb to chuck in and make everything smell wonderful. But my lush bath time is over. I miss it, but I’ve got used to just showering now and can use other lush products to ensure I still get my fix. Since that day in September, though, my condition seems to be 100% stable. No seizures, no funny feelings. The medication has stayed at the same dosage level for a couple of months and the neuro team seem happy for that to continue as long as I’m stable. I have review appointments over the phone every 6 weeks or so and it’s been nice to be able to report good news for once. I now have a medical alert card kept in my purse in case I have a seizure when out and about independently and a passerby stops to help. It describes what my seizures are usually like and what to do if I’m having one.

One thing the epilepsy diagnosis has affected more than anything is my attempt to get a Guide Dog match. When they resumed their services after the first lockdown ended, they conducted health risk assessments on all their clients to ensure nothing drastic had happened that might impact on the way their services can be delivered to that person. Of course, for me it had. They’re now still in the process of working everything out so that I can restart using their services. They have to ensure that all the staff who might come in to contact with me are happy working with me and know what to do in the event of a seizure. This includes Jenny. While I of course mostly understand why these things need to happen and that there are protocols needing following, I’m endlessly frustrated about the whole situation. Currently, it’s been 26 months since I was placed active on the waiting list for any potential matches. However, currently I’m not even active on the list. My place will be resumed in the same position as it was once they’ve done all their checks and are satisfied I’m still suitable for a dog. But for now, and god only knows how much longer, they’re not actively even looking for that miracle match. 2020, like all the other years ive been hoping for a Guide Dog, hasn’t been my year. I can only hope, yet again, that next year will be.

Due to my epilepsy, my memory doesn’t seem as sharp as it used to be. Before, I could pretty much remember everything. What had happened in my life on what date years previously; what I needed to do in order each day; what someone had told me over the phone earlier; when something was going to happen next on my calendar etc. Nowadays, all of that is slower if not nonexistent and it bothers me a lot. Often, I have a list of things to do in an order — for example, do the washing up, dry up, put things away, refill the cat’s food and water bowls — and I’ll completely forget to do something. Or, something will have happened in an episode of a program I watch all the time and the next day when watching the next instalment I’ll have completely forgotten. These days, I’m forever saying “oh sorry I forgot”. It’s irritating for everyone but none more than me. I get so frustrated because ive never been like that. Often, I’ve recalled things better than anyone I know. Not any more. Really, that’s the only damaging outcome of the epilepsy so mainly I’m grateful there’s been nothing more serious, touch wood. Nonetheless, it’s still frustrating beyond belief. My neuro nurse did say that once medication dosage is stable and seizures are under control, memory loss seems to improve for most patients. Not for me yet. At one point, it did seem like I was saying I’d forgotten things less often but that doesn’t seem to have continued. The nurse said that as I’d had quite a lot of seizures in quick succession all of a sudden maybe my brain wouldn’t fully recover from the impact. I guess not. Maybe, if I’m lucky, in time that’ll change. I’d love to have the memory capacity I used to again. It was good fun reminding people of things that had happened in the past or things they’d said they’d forgotten about.

Something positive that’s happened this year is the new addition to our household in the form of a gorgeous Abyssinian Guinea pig boar called Teddy. When I rehomed my Guinea girls this time last year, I swore to myself I wouldn’t get any more. I’d made too many mistakes with them to risk it again. But I broke that promise in October after spending a long time considering whether it’d work getting a new one. I researched more this time. I made a plan of how the pig could be more involved in the family, have more floor time and interaction. I didn’t bank on the help of any other member of the household, least of all Tamsin. And so, on the 11th of October, Teddy was brought to us. I’d been in conversation with his breeder for a while, describing exactly what kind of Guinea pig I was looking for and the circumstances in which I was getting one. Surprisingly, she had just what I was after in Teddy. She sent us lots of photos, which Tamsin described, to be certain. Then, she delivered him to us and we agreed she’d been right. From the moment she put him in my hands, I knew 100% I’d made the right decision. Since then, I’ve kept to my word. I spot clean the cage daily, doing a full clean once a week; Teddy gets fresh veg, hay and pellets daily; I keep the room his cage is in as clean as I can and Mum hasn’t complained so far; I wash out his indoor pen with a dustpan and brush, using hot soapy water to thoroughly clean it if it needs it. Almost every evening since his arrival, Teddy has spent his time in his pen in the lounge while we eat dinner and watch telly. Everyone chats to him and as long as I’ve washed my hands after eating and Coco isn’t about, I get him out for cuddles. He loves cuddles. Being reared in an environment where he was handled daily by his breeder and her family means he’s more social than any of my girls, from a pet shop, ever were. He’s becoming more and more friendly, coming up to the bars of his cage and sniffing our fingers and not running away when I go to pick him up. Already, things are going much better than it ever did with the girls. I wish I’d worked harder with them, researched more, known better. But I didn’t. I’m not in touch with their new owners but I’m sure they’re living much better lives than what I could give them at the time. My main comfort is that I did the right thing by them then and now I’m giving Teddy better.

Another thing to impact on the whole family this year is my great Nan, Olive, moving from her bungalow into a nursing home. She was diagnosed with dementia a while ago and it’s been steadily worsening ever since. More recently, she’d been having falls at home and hurting herself as well as not taking care of herself well enough, including washing and dressing. To begin with, she went into hospital after a nasty fall and was then moved to the nursing home for a trial period of 6 weeks. At the end of that, everyone agreed that the right decision was for Nan to stay permanently. Her care needs had become more than we as her family could manage and were too much for a home care package to cope with, unless they were there 24 hours a day. In the end, we all agreed this was best too. For a while, Nan and her brother were upset because Nan Olive had always adamantly said she didn’t want to go into a care home. But we all know that it’s passed the point where she can make reasonable decisions about that sort of thing. Plus, whenever anyone speaks to her on the phone or visits, Nan seems more than happy there. She talks about the lovely staff, nice meals and company she has. She says her room is nice and that they help her. What more can we ask for? If she’d been unhappy then it would’ve been harder. Thankfully, she seems to have settled well and I’m hoping she continues to receive good care and be happy there.

Other than that, not a lot else has happened this year, mostly due to the pandemic putting a stop to everything. In the last few days, Dad has moved into his own little flat which he’s renting. I think it’ll be weird for Nan and Grandad not having him around. I hope he won’t be too lonely by himself. He’s lived with company for the majority of his life so being self-sufficient might come as a bit of a shock for him. Luckily, there’s a chip shop across the road so I’m sure he won’t starve…

With everything that’s going on in the world, nobody can predict what next year will bring. For me, I hope it brings more time spent with Kieran, Imi and Josh; maybe an opening into employment; that magical Guide Dogs phone call; good health and happiness for everyone in my life. My sister will be leaving secondary school, turning 16 and starting a new chapter in her life at our local college studying towards A Levels. My cousin’s turning 18 and going away to university. Kieran will be finishing his contracted term of work for the council and hopefully offered a full-time job. Mum and Dad will be working on at their respective companies, hopefully doing well. Nanny Olive will be living on in the nursing home, hopefully enjoying her time. Nan and Grandad will be having fun with their home all to themselves again at last. Everyone else? Well, I guess we’ll all just be plodding along doing our best. After all, next year can’t be as bad as this one has been, can it?

Teddy Tales Week 2: I cannot believe how well he’s settled in!

To begin Teddy’s second week living here, it was cage full clean out day. Having not done this with him before, I wasn’t sure how well it was going to go with Teddy. But as usual with this boy, I was pleasantly surprised. Once I’d got all the essentials ready for a big clean out, I set Teddy’s indoor playpen up in the front room, with a thick fleece blanket nobody used anymore covering the waterproof base. I was hoping that this would keep the pen dry and make it easier to clean before putting it away later. Then, I put Teddy’s log tunnel plus a large chew tunnel and bundle of wood sticks chew toys we’d chosen the previous week when collecting Guinea pig essentials before his arrival into the pen to hopefully keep him entertained. Next, it was Teddy’s turn to get in the pen. Placing him on the fluffy blanket, I waited to see what he’d do, thinking he’d run straight into the chew tunnel to use it as a hiding place. But when I checked a little later, he’d hidden himself under a layer of the folded blanket and seemed very happy curled up there.

Annoyingly, the cage was harder to clean out than I’d anticipated. After having cleaned out a much bigger cage with the girls, I’d been expecting this smaller cage with a top opening door as well as the front ones to make it a lot less of a struggle. However, the positioning of the front doors makes it very hard to reach all the sides and corners of the inside of the cage; and the top door is so high up that it’s difficult to reach all the way to the floor of the cage. However, after completely removing the platform, litter tray and all the other accessories I’d put in to make Teddy’s life interesting, I somehow managed to get the cage squeaky clean again. I had to wash the platform and litter tray separately with soapy water and the guinea pig safe small animal cage spray I’d bought from amazon. It had quite a nice clean smell which I’m hoping will help keep the odour of a guinea pig down for a little longer during the week. I refilled the litter tray, hay ball and water bowl before placing the half empty food bowl, which I’d refilled completely this morning, back into the cage with all the other accessories Teddy has — log tunnel, hammock and carrot cottage — before adding some new treats, a hay cookie and the wooden chew sticks I’d put in his pen. Sadly, Teddy hadn’t ventured out from his blanket nest when I went in to get him to put him back in the cage. I’m hoping that as he gets used to going in the pen he’ll start to explore like he has his cage. Maybe, though, the blanket is just too comfy to entice him out…

This week, I decided not to do a diary style post like I did last week for 2 Reasons: A. I felt I rambled on far too much; B. I don’t have that much to report. Monday was just an average day with Teddy. I spent the day at home myself so was there if there had been any issues, which there weren’t. I did my general refill of food and water in the morning and got him out of the cage for short cuddles during the day. Then, on Tuesday, I decided to try Teddy in his indoor playpen again. I didn’t need to fully clean out the cage, of course, but I’d heard so many Guinea people talk about how important it is for piggies to have floor time out of their cages so they can run around in a different setting and also for additional human interaction rather than the usual cuddles. This time, I set the pen up on my bedroom floor because that was where I was reading my audiobook. I stretched the blanket out over the base, getting frustrated with the pen’s hexagonal shape which made it difficult for the rectangular blanket to cover everything, even when I folded it in all sorts of different ways. Eventually, I was happy with its positioning and after adding a few chew toys, I put Teddy in. This time, he shot straight into the big chew tube. But as I listened to my book, i heard him scampering about and chewing at some of the toys.

On Wednesday, I was out again so had to quickly refill the essentials in Teddy’s cage in the morning. Obviously, I checked on him when I returned home later but he was fine. Thursday brought another afternoon in the playpen for Teddy. I got thoroughly fed up with the blanket this time and in the end didn’t bother to put it in. Later, when I lifted Teddy out of the pen to return him to his cage, I found that he was soggy underneath. Quickly, I filled a tub with warm water and a squirt of the Guinea pig safe shampoo I’d ordered and very carefully gave him a full bath. He didn’t seem as keen on the experience this time as he had been last week. But I managed to get it done without too much hassle and then had the lengthy task of completely drying him. This really did take some time! However, when I was finished and giving Teddy a little groom with the soft bristle brush that was a part of the grooming set I’d bought, I realised he smelt much fresher. The scent of the shampoo wasn’t overpowering, just enough to tell. He’d been bathed.

Friday and Saturday were days Teddy spent in his cage because I was out. Again, both days I made sure I got him out for cuddles.today, though, is Sunday and full cage clean out again. I put Teddy in his indoor pen, not adding the blanket and hoping he wouldn’t soak himself again but being prepared to wash him afterwards if I needed to. While he explored his pen, which contained the log tunnel and bundle of sticks from his cage and a willow ball and the big chew tube from my box of bits, I had to get on and clean the cage. Thankfully, this week I found it easier than I had last time. I don’t know if it’s because last time was my first attempt or whether I was just more organised and did things in a better order. The only new additions to the cage were a cut to size bath mat to cover the surface of the platform to avoid puddles and a wooden chew ring in the hammock to hopefully catch his attention. Earlier in the week, I’d added a toilet roll tube stuffed with hay as he didn’t seem to be eating much from his hanging hay ball and hay is a vital part of their diet. By today, it didn’t seem like the toilet roll idea had had much success either. So I decided to move it from the platform and put it beside his carrot cottage underneath the platform. Although I’m not particularly looking forward to picking tiny embedded bits of hay out of the vet bedding when I do my daily cleaning, if it means he’s eating hay more then it’ll be worthwhile.

When I put Teddy back in his cage, he seemed thoroughly disappointed to come back to his home that didn’t yet contain fresh food… and he made it known by a lot of noise! It was good to hear him squeaking away, though, good to see more of his personality developing. Quickly, I completed my final task, getting the noisy Teddy’s lunch. In his bowl today he has some cucumber, peppers, celery, curly kale, grated carrot, a little bit of butternut squash, parsley and thyme. It’s my first time giving him butternut squash and thyme so I’ll be interested to see if he eats them. I grated the carrot to ty and encourage him to eat it because he seems to be leaving the carrot in the bowl each time I give him it. Once I’d put all the veg in, I added pellits on top and then put it in the cage; Teddy was very pleased and started munching away. Since I first started putting thepellets in with the veg last week, ive found that no matter what veg he leaves behind, he always eats all the pellets. By this time next week, I’ll be interested to see if the new position of the tube of hay has any impact on how much Teddy eats and whether the new bath mat covering on the platform helps him stay drier. Also, I wonder whether the new additions to his food bowl will go down well and whether he becomes more adventurous in his playpen. Strangely, when I put him back in the cage today, he and the pen were completely dry. One thing I definitely know is that he’s growing lots! The teeny tiny piggy his breeder placed in my arms 2 weeks ago is certainly gone. He’s still little and adorable but he’s grown. He’s becoming braver when held, too, and letting more people stroke him. Sometimes, when I’m holding him he’ll stretch out to his full length to peer around the room rather than staying in a little ball like he used to. Again, I’m happy he’s doing these things because it shows more of his personality. His fur is still totally gorgeous and often I get him out of the cage just for a little snuggle so I can feel that fur. I love having him here and am 100% sure I made the right decision getting a new piggy.

Teddy Tales Week 1: “I picked him up without dropping him!

Note: before I start this post, I just want to say that I don’t expect anyone to read it the whole way through, if at all. As many of my blog posts are, this is a complete ramble about a part of my life that I wanted to write down. I don’t do it for other people to take interest in but the comments when they do always make me smile. I don’t take this blog particularly seriously and I don’t expect anyone else to either. I just like writing about things that are going on for me, partly for something to do but also so that when I’m thinking about a certain time in the past, I can look back on this and read to remind me what exactly happened. Anyway, on with the post…

Since the corona virus pandemic really hit the UK and with lockdown and everything that’s followed, I haven’t really had anything worthwhile to write about. I haven’t been able to work with Jenny, which I’ve missed enormously; I haven’t been able to go and visit Kieran or have him come to stay with me; I haven’t been able to jump on a train and go up to York to see my sister Imi; I haven’t even been able to meet my good pal Josh in town and go for a chat over a pizza. At times, I wasn’t even able to see my own dad or grandparents, let alone celebrate birthdays the way this family usually would. But really, overall, compared to some of the horrors on the news and sadness experienced by people I know well, Ive been tremendously lucky to have had it pretty easy. Yet, at some moments, I’ve felt seriously down. I won’t say depressed because I think that term is used too flippantly by a lot of people when it’s a serious mental health condition that people battle long-term. But ive definitely felt pretty low. As I said, really I haven’t got anything to complain about and that’s not what this post is about. But during lockdown, after neurology phone calls, I was diagnosed with epilepsy since I’d been having seizures and weird sensations that felt like dejavu, which are actually a seizure in themselves, something called a focal seizure. Although I’d been expecting the diagnosis by then, it still hit me rather hard. Luckily, after knowing several people who have epilepsy, including my dad, I knew it wasn’t the worst thing they could have said. A lot of people have fully controlled epilepsy thanks to regular medication and that’s been the aim for me. Thankfully, ive been quite lucky so far, touch wood, that the medication the doctors and nurses have prescribed has been working well and my seizures seem to be decreasing. Strangely, as I started taking the tablets and the dosage was adjusted, the major seizures I’d be having only during the night became a more regular occurrence and in the daytime. Obviously, this is quite distressing for my family to witness but I’m very grateful that all of them have reacted well and always looked after me whenever present. Ive also been lucky to have only had the major episodes in my home, rather than out and about or in someone else’s house, and somehow haven’t managed to suffer any serious injuries or long-lasting physical damage; unless you count the permanent spot:like bump on the inside of my lip where I crashed into my bedside cabinet during a seizure as I was falling off my bed or the lump on my left shin, the result of falling over the side of the bath whilst having a shower as another seizure took hold. But ive never hit my head or broken anything. How is a complete mystery! The only major shock ive had since the diagnosis was came on Sunday 16 august when I awoke in hospital with Mum at my bedside, having absolutely no idea where I was or how I’d got there. The last thing I remembered was laying comfortably on my bed after a lovely roast dinner. I was told that I’d had a major seizure, resulting in an ambulance being called and me being rushed to hospital, flashing lights and sirens as well. I was completely unaware of it all, although apparently I’d said odd things to the paramedic who’d helped me, and couldn’t quite believe it’d happened. But it definitely had because I certainly wasn’t in my bed any more and was wearing completely different clothes. In the end, I was completely fine and allowed to go home later that night, much to the relief of all my family and friends. The strange thing was, I didn’t even feel sore. But after that, everyone seemed to take my diagnosis much more seriously, more aware now of the dangers ahead if I wasn’t looked after. As everyone went back to work and school, I went back to spending the daytime by myself at home, with no supervision or anyone there to help if I needed it. Personally, that suited me just fine. Really, I’d been getting fed-up of everyone’s constant flapping and panicking every time I moved. At least, that’s what it felt like to me. Of course, I appreciated their care and concern more than I can say but at the same time I just wanted to get on with things, carry on like nothing had changed. Because for me, it didn’t feel like anything had, except every week or so I’d have a big seizure, which I couldn’t predict would happen, and would wake up a couple of minutes later with no recollection of what had just occurred. It didn’t even feel scary for me. Well, not much, anyway. Obviously, I don’t like it when it does happen, especially waking up in a different place to where I last remember being with aches and pains from bangs I didn’t even know I’d done. But I still just felt like me and really didn’t want to make a big deal about it or having everyone making a massive fuss over me, especially when they acted like I was a bomb that could go off any second.

Gradually, though, friends and family seem to have relaxed. Mum has always been a pro at dealing with a seizure when it happens and other members of the family are responding more positively to them nowadays, not freaking out at the sight of them. For me, apart from struggling with some of the new realities of having epilepsy that I just have to live with, it really hasn’t been all that bad. Some of the coincidences of my new condition include Guide Dogs reviewing my application and place on the waiting list and deciding whether I’m still suitable to be matched as well as working with Jenny when restrictions are lifted. Due to lockdown generally and the unpredictability of my seizures, I haven’t really felt comfortable going out independently with my cane, especially on my lengthy routes. Of course ive wanted to. Getting a Guide Dog has been one of my biggest aims for a very long time, as nearly everyone knows me will be well aware of, and I know full well that memorising enough routes and going out to use them regularly is one of the most important requirements for qualifying to be suitable for a dog. But right now, I just don’t have the confidence to try. One of the symptoms I and others have noticed since ive been taking my epilepsy medication, which ive been told is either a side effect of so many seizures in such a short space of time or just the medication itself, is memory loss. It’s not too drastic; for example, sometimes I’ll have a list of things I need to do in the morning in my head and I’ll just completely forget to do one of them, despite it’s importance. Or’ I’ll ask someone a question and a little while later as it again because I’ll have forgotten their answer or that ive already asked it. Or, I’ll be watching a program w on TV and completely forget what’s happened in the previous episode, even though I only watched it a few days earlier. Usually, these things come back to me when I’m reminded. But it’s still a bit unsettling, especially as ive always had a super sharp memory. Luckily, I’m told that when my medication dosage is stable and hopefully the seizures are under control, the memory problems should lessen or even return to normal. I’m keeping my fingers crossed for that…

Anyway, this wasn’t supposed to be a post where I ramble on about epilepsy; that’s just the background for what I do want to ramble about. After having to rehome my 3 beautiful guinea pig girlies last December, due to not receiving the caring support from my sister that she’d promised and thinking I was starting a full-time apprenticeship in January, ive always missed them terribly. I didn’t regret my choice as I know they all went to good homes that I’m sure provide them with everything I just couldn’t. But I missed them. Plus, after everyone returned to work and school, I felt increasingly lonely at home. With only the cat for company, which wasn’t much as she’s no longer allowed in my room due to my luxurious new feather duvet, I started spending a lot more time texting friends and with my grandparents. But it still felt like I was missing something, and I knew it was the missing presence of the girls. Although I’d found it very difficult looking after them by myself, it’d given me a daily routine and kept me busy in a way books and podcasts just aren’t able to. However, as we’d ended up with 3 piggies, after originally getting one each for Tamsin and I and then a third I just couldn’t resist, I just wasn’t able to keep up with all the duties necessary to give them the lifestyle they need. Also, as there was 3 of them, I couldn’t spend the time I needed to bonding with each of them. So that’s why I decided to rehome them. As I thought it over and over these past few months, I knew I’d made the right decision but that if I’d done things a little differently it could’ve worked better. I did more research into owning guinea pigs and asked lots of questions of a fellow VI guinea pig enthusiast and decided to take the plunge. This time, I’d do things better. I’d make it easier for myself so I was less likely to fail. But most of all, if Mum agreed to having another guinea pig in the house, this time I wouldn’t give up if it got too tough.

,

Mum said yes. I told Tamsin. I started researching into the right cage, bedding, hay, litter, toys, bowls and enrichment. I phoned all my local Pets At Homw shops, where I’d gotten my girls from, but none of them currently had pigs in and said it was a lottery whether I’d be lucky enough to find any if I just popped in. So I looked into alternatives and after a lot of searching and a lot of negative responses, I found a lady fairly local to me who was selling exactly what I was looking for. Out of the 3 girls we’d had, my favourite had been Hazel, who’d been the surprise addition to our group after I’d fallen in love with her whilst buying hay for the other 2. Hazel had beautiful long fur that was super fluffy and made her lovely to cuddle. She was also the cuddly of my 3, snuggling right in when I held her close, even if she was still quite nervy 8 months later when she went to her new home. I knew if I was going to have another piggy I wanted its fur to feel like hers. But this time I was only having one and a male, because they cope better alone. Plus, he was going to get tons more attention than I’d been able to give the girls, mostly because there’s no chance of me starting work anytime soon and he’d be the only one I had to concentrate on. I was going to do things differently this time. Enter Teddy, an 8 week old chocolate Abyssinian baby boy with the most beautiful fluffy fur and the loveliest nature of any baby Guinea pig ive known. He is absolutely everything I was hoping for, even if he only arrived yesterday… and the most ironic thing about Teddy is that as I am in a hospital bed having no idea how I’d ended up there, he was born. I don’t believe in fate or anything like that, but as I’m aiming for a more positive future than the last few months have been, I think it is a rather big coincidence that he’s arrived with my new start.

So far, ive not been able to do much with Teddy because he’s so skittish, totally understandable as he’s in a new and unfamiliar environment. Yesterday, when his breeder and family dropped him off, I was able to have my first cuddle, which lasted unexpectedly long as he was very calm and still snuggled into my hoodie. From the moment she handed him to me, I was utterly besotted. She had a good look around his new cage and declared it perfect for him. After they’d left, I carefully carried the slightly unsettled Teddy to his new home and placed him inside, upon which he ran into the nearest available hiding place, the carrot cottage underneath the big platform. I left him alone for a few hours, knowing he was probably terrified of his new situation. Later, while we were watching some TV, I went and got him out of his cage and cradled him on my lap for a while. It was lovely just to hold him. But I made the cuddle brief, not wanting to upset him and knowing it was more important to leave him in peace to settle.

Monday, day 2

This morning, I went down and checked on Teddy, who seemingly hadn’t moved from his position hiding in the carrot house. I scattered a bit more of the hay, veg and pellets I’d got ready for him up on his platform over the floor of his cage, hoping he’d be brave enough to come out and eat. Later, at lunchtime, I went in and got him out for a cuddle. Ive been advised that the sooner you start holding them, the quicker they get used to you and settle in. But it’s better to be done in short but frequent sessions. So, after Tamsin came in from school, I tried again, holding him close up under my chin and stroking him gently, talking to him quietly and letting Tamsin smooth him too. When I put him back in his cage, I copied what I’d done earlier, placing him up on his platform in front of his food and water in an attempt to get him to eat and drink. Earlier when I’d tried this, he’d just scuttled away down the ramp and hidden in his wooden tunnel at the opposite end of the cage. However, this time he stayed on the platform and Tamsin watched as he ate from his pellet bowl. I was so pleased. I know it’s only day 2 and progress will be slow, but I’m just so glad he’s eaten. Later, when I checked on him before going up to bed, he was still on the platform. I worked around him, picking up all his droppings and putting them in the litter tray. I’ve been told this should teach him to toilet in one area. He didn’t seem to bothered, just flinching a little when I got too close. But when I was finished, I reached across and stroked his fur gently and he didn’t move. Again, I felt pleased as when I’d tried this earlier, he’d ran away as fast as he could. Further, the amount of droppings I’d cozllected when cleaning his cage felt like a positive sign too. He’d clearly been eating something.

Tuesday: day 3

When I came down for breakfast this morning, Mum told me that Teddy seemed to be in the same position that I’d left him the previous evening. Checking on him, I found that he was still on the platform and underneath the hanging fluffy hammock above it. But as I trailed my hand around, I found quite a large amount of droppings that definitely hadn’t been there the night before. Although I was worried that he’d been trapped up there all night not knowing how to get down, I again was quite relieved that he’d been eating something. I lifted him out for a little cuddle and again he didn’t struggle. This time, when I put him back I put him on the bottom floor of his cage and after having a look around, he ran underneath the platform and into his carrot cottage, giving me the perfect chance to do some cleaning. As I’d trailed my hand around looking for clues, I’d realised that through a combination of droppings, pee, water from the bottle and the food I’d scattered around, the platform was actually quite dirty. I knew I couldn’t leave it like that, especially as Teddy’s fur is prone to collecting dirt due to it’s length and fluffiness. So I cleared off all the mess before wiping the surface off with a damp dishcloth that had been soaking in washing up liquid. This cleaned the platform well and I dried it off with a tea towel straight away, removing any leftover mess. After that, I decided to empty out his litter tray and hay racks completely and start fresh. I hoped maybe the fresh scent of new hay and veg would entice Teddy up onto the platform to eat again. The litter tray and hay racks were pretty simple to empty and refill. This time, I put less hay in the rack so it didn’t get wasted as much if Teddy didn’t eat it all before I needed to change it again. Also, when refilling his supplies of pellets and veg, I put less in so it wouldn’t be wasted either, or if it was it wouldn’t be as much waste. When I was finished, I lifted Teddy out of his carrot cottage for another short cuddle. Again, he seemed pretty settled and calm against my chest. I placed him back in the cage and in the litter tray so he was aware of his fresh food and hay. I’d also refilled the water bottle too, which I’d heard him drinking from earlier for the first time. Although he wriggled out of the tray, as I walked away I could hear that he was again eating, whether the pellets, hay or veg I wasn’t sure. But again I was pleased he was eating; I’m sure it must be a good sign.

At lunchtime, when I went in to see what he was up to, I found that again he was still on the platform where I’d left him. He didn’t want to be touched, either, because every time I put my hand anywhere near him, he skittered away. I stopped trying to pick him up and instead felt around the platform and the rest of the cage to see if there was any evidence of him leaving the platform voluntarily at any point during the morning. I did find a couple of droppings scattered around the vet bed covering of the floor of his cage but couldn’t be certain if they hadn’t been there earlier and I’d just missed them. But when I felt around the platform — Teddy was hiding in the corner litter tray at this point, determined not to be touched — I found that a large amount of the pellets I’d piled on the surface of the platform were gone and there were quite a few droppings in their place. This was really positive as it meant he was certainly eating something. The hay in the litter tray seemed to have decreased, too. The only thing he seemed not to have taken notice of was the veg. The few leaves that had fallen out of the bowl onto the platform surface were the same as when I’d placed the bowl back in the cage and the contents of the bowl itself seemed untouched. I was a little disappointed about this but have to keep reminding myself that Teddy has only been with us 3 days so everything is still new and unfamiliar to him, which is probably pretty daunting for such a small creature who’s used to being with his mother and litter mates. Later, when Tamsin came home from school and then Mum home from work a while after that, I got Teddy out both times and although he seemed reluctant, he soon calmed against my chest and allowed everyone to stroke him without fuss. When I put him back in the cage for the last time today, I placed him on the vet bed flooring, hoping he’d feel free to go wherever he wanted in the cage. He immediately went in to the log tunnel and hid there. But when Mum looked in on him later on, he’d moved across the cage into his carrot cottage, which so far seems to be his preferred place. While sat eating dinner in the lounge, we could hear Teddy chewing away at the carrot cottage and again I felt relieved that he was eating something at least. I’d messaged his breeder for advice earlier, worried that he didn’t seem to be exploring the cage at all. She gently reminded me that he was only a baby, had only just been separated from his family and put in a completely alien location. She advised that I try to be patient and let him settle in. She reckoned he’d soon start investigating his new surroundings and soon be more confident to run around his cage wherever he wanted, eating whatever he fancied. So I’ll keep trying, keep doing my best to be patient and just see what happens. My happiest times are of course when I’m snuggling him. Getting him to enjoy cuddles certainly isn’t going to be a struggle thanks to his breeder’s excellent introduction of cuddles in his life. He already snuggles into me and I’m hoping in time a really strong bond will form. But for now I’m just going to see what tomorrow brings. I’ll have a little time with him in the morning but then I’m out for the majority of the day. I’m hoping that the calm and quiet of the house for an extended period of time might entice him out of his hiding places to see what treats he can find. I’ll clean the cage up a little before I go and make sure his hay, pellets and veg are well stocked. But fingers crossed…

Wednesday: day 4

This morning, when I went into check on Teddy I found him under his log tunnel. He allowed me to stroke him but seemed to be expecting to be picked up and wasn’t very pleased about it; he was squeaking his displeasure quietly. But I hadn’t come to pick him up, not straight away. I did a quick check around his cage and found that the place he’d done the most droppings was again the carrot cottage. I collected them all up and put them in the litter tray, hopefully to encourage him to make that his toileting place. Ive been told some owners have great success in toilet trading their piggies and I’m hoping that’ll be the case for Teddy. Obviously, if they’re litter trained then cleaning the cage will be easier and the smell should be less, even though it isn’t huge anyway. I don’t mind cleaning the cage as much as they need to be clean, of course, but everyone likes the job to be as simple as possible. I thought if I started trying straight away then fingers crossed I’m more likely to get success. Who knows!

He let me get him out for a little cuddle after I’d cleaned the vet bedding. I’d checked the platform too but there wasn’t any droppings up there. It didn’t seem like the veg had been touched either so I’m assuming he stayed on the bottom level overnight. After our brief cuddle, I put him back on vet bed and he scurried into his carrot cottage. I added fresh pellets in a little pile to the platform and am hoping during the day he’ll venture up there for food.

Well, I certainly got my wish… when we came home from dinner with our Nan, Grandad and Dad, we found that not only was Teddy on the platform but at some point in the day he’d also been in his hanging hammock — there were droppings in there as proof — and had eaten all of his veggies and pellets. I’m quite sure too that the amount of hay in the hanging hay rack cube and litter tray had lessened. I felt so elated. The last few days ive been so worried about him not finding his food or eating enough and today he proved I had nothing at all to be concerned about. Except that when I picked him up his underneath was absolutely soaked… I didn’t know what to do for the best. There were puddles of wee mixed in with droppings that had softened and spread everywhere. Teddy didn’t smell particularly pleasant and I knew it wasn’t good to leave a guinea pig wet, especially with his long fur. At the same time, I wasn’t sure I felt comfortable bathing him. He’s only been here 4 days and although I feel like he’s growing to trust me very fast, I didn’t think that’d stretch to a bath. So I asked as many people for advice as I could; I panic texted his breeder and posted in the guinea pig-related Facebook group I’m in, desperately hoping someone might suggest something I felt safe doing. But in the end I felt there was no other choice but to bath him. While shopping today, I’d bought a small lunch box tub I plan to use to fill with water to clean out his cage. But I thought this would be safer to use than just putting him in the sink. Only filling it with a few inches of warm water, with my sister supervising and a towel under the box in case of any splashes, I gently lowered Teddy into the water, his back end facing me and his face as high up as I could get it so he wouldn’t get water in his eyes/noes/mouth. But I shouldn’t have worried at all. Teddy was an absolute star! The only time he wriggled at all was as I lowered him into the tub. Then, he was absolutely calm as anything and we’re sure he enjoyed the wash. I only put his underside in the water, not wanting to go the whole way and give him a full wash. I was still terrified something bad was going to happen. I mean, who predicts that after only owning a piggy 4 days their first bathing experience is going to go smoothly. Certainly not me! But it couldn’t have gone any better. Teddy stayed calm throughout the bat, letting me wash through his underneath no problems. Then, when I laid him on the microfibre towel on my lap, he stayed still and let me gently dry his belly and bum. While I was doing that, my sister tried to reward him with some curly kale but despite clearly being interested, he declined. It took us quite a while to get him completely dry. He was quite happy laying in the towel, having what I guess must have been a massage. Whatever he felt it was, he was 100% enjoying it. I just can’t believe that I’ve successfully bathed my little guinea pig, especially only 4 days after getting him. But the thing I really cannot get over is how great he really was throughout. I just hope it wasn’t a fluke and that any future baths are an equally positive experience. I think it made the bond between us even stronger too. I really hope this positivity continues. Also, I’m looking into covering options for the platform. Due to its curved edge, whatever I buy will need to be cut to size. As well as this, I’ll need 2 of whatever I choose so that there’s always a clean spare on full cage clean out day. So far, some suggestions have been fleece linings, wood shavings and bath mats, which I think will be the option I go with as the review from another piggy owner I got was really reassuring that they’ll suit the job I need for them perfectly. But right now, Teddy is comfy again in his cage, I’m hoping munching on the leaves of mint I gave him as a reward for being so super throughout his new experience.

Thursday: day 5

This morning, I was again pleased to find Teddy up on the platform. Thankfully, it wasn’t soaked like yesterday and his underneath was dry. I made up his veg bowl — some carrot, celery, cucumber, peppers and parsley — and then put a small handful of pellets on top before placing it on the platform, where Teddy had remained. I was hoping that by putting the pellets in the bowl with the veg rather than just on the surface of the platform they’d stay fresh instead of getting soggy. While I emptied and refilled his hay supply, Teddy happily munched away at the fresh food, seemingly unfazed by my scrabbling around in his cage for droppings or scattered food/hay. I decided to try him with the hay rack ball I’d bought instead of the cube. At first, I’d had both in the cage but he wasn’t going near them. Since just having the cube, it hadn’t seemed like he’d eaten much hay at all and I know it makes up the majority of their diet so want to make sure he’s getting as much as possible. The hay ball has wider gaps which I’m hoping will make it easier for him to pull hay strands out and eat from.

At lunchtime, I again found Teddy on the higher level, this time actually in the litter tray. The veggie bowl was almost empty, with no sign at all of any pellets. There was a pile of droppings beside the bowl and a little puddle. I was pleased to find that Teddy was still dry. There was a small amount of hay scattered about too so it seemed the ball was becoming a success. I found several droppings in the hammock as well and was pleased that he seemed to be going in it. Once I’d done all the cleaning up of the cage, I lifted Teddy out for a little snuggle. He didn’t seem too happy about being taken out of his cage at first but quickly got comfortable. I was relieved to find that he wasn’t at all smelly despite last night’s ordeal and that fact that I’d only bathed him in clean water without any shampoo. Earlier, I’d gone online and bought some guinea pig shampoo recommended to me by someone in the Guinea Pigs Facebook group and some microfibre bath mats which we’ll need to cut to size to fit the platform. Hopefully, this won’t take much to do and this will soon be another issue tackled. Plus, having the shampoo in stock will mean that if there are any future soggy incidents then they’ll be easily rectified.

Later on, when I went into see what he was up to, Teddy was again on the platform, seemingly eating something. He scuttled about a bit when I first put my hand inside but stayed still to let me briefly stroke him. I noticed that there was another little puddle beside the food bowl and decided to experiment putting it in the litter tray. This way, hopefully he’ll mostly do his business in the tray, lowering the chance of sogginess.

Friday: day 6

This morning, I had to be a bit quicker than usual as Tamsin had a day off school so we’d had a bit of a lie in and also Nan and Grandad were taking us out for lunch so we needed to be ready for midday. Teddy didn’t seem bothered by the extra speediness of my cleaning his cage and topping up his food and water. I cleaned the bowl and bottle and had found that he seemed to be eating much better if I put the pellets on top of the veg. I cut up peppers, carrot and a small amount of cucumber before putting some parsley and mint leaves on top. Then, I took a small handful of pellets and added them. Teddy seemed very excited about his fresh food and started chomping away as soon as the bowl was in his litter tray. I hadn’t really noticed a difference in the amount of droppings on the platform surface but hope in time as he adjusts to eating out of the bowl in the litter tray this might change. However, he does seem much cleaner than my 3 girls, whether that’s because there’s just one of him or boys are generally cleaner I don’t know. But there’s only been a couple of droppings scattered around on the vet bed since he’s gotten used to going up on the platform for his food and water. He’d also been in the hammock again which a few droppings proved. Just before we left to go out, Tamsin managed to get a photo of Teddy in his hammock.

When we came home later on, I went in to check on Teddy and he again seemed perfectly happy on the platform. There was another small puddle on the platform and a lot of droppings to pick up, which I sorted out quickly. Then, I got Teddy out for a little cuddle and was again pleased that despite the mess on his platform, he had remained dry. I always put him on the main level when I put him in his cage so that he can take himself up onto the platform if he wants or go in the log tunnel or carrot cottage.

Saturday: day 7

I can’t believe tomorrow Teddy will have been here a week already! It’s definitely been a week that’s taught me a lot about caring for a guinea pig, much more that the 9 months I had my girls did. Obviously, having had the experience of looking after them made me more confident to be able to look after Teddy before he arrived, but learning throughout this first week has shown me many different techniques I just wouldn’t have thought of with the girls; probably because I was too busy trying to look after them and have spent much more time bonding with Teddy than I managed with them. Plus, they never had the second level of a platform like Teddy has and although their cage was bigger — because there was 3 rather than 1 — it was in a way easier to clean as I just had to pick droppings of the vet bed. Also, even though I did put a little while, I never had the patience to persever with it. I’m glad that I’m able to try much harder with Teddy to make things work.

This morning, I had to fill up Teddy’s hay ball as well as his food bowl. As soon as I came downstairs first thing, he started squeaking very loudly. He was obviously expecting to be fed. Today, I mixed celery, cucumber, carrot and peppers together before adding parsley and kale. Again, I finished this off with pellets. He was very happy with this and as soon as I placed the bowl in the litter tray he started eating straight away, not even moving as I refilled his hay bowl and repositioned his water bottle so that it too was over the litter tray. Tomorrow, it’s full cage clean out day and will be the first time ive put Teddy in his indoor pen. I’m going to add his carrot cottage and log tunnel so he has places to hide as well as different chew toys in case he’s feeling brave. It’ll be good to try out the cage cleaner ive bought and maybe even the small animal safe for guinea pigs shampoo that came through in the post if Teddy’s got wet again. I’ll only use that when I really have to, though, because being bathed too often won’t be very good for his skin. I’m looking forward to seeing what my second week with Teddy brings and how much more settled he becomes. It’s already incredible how happy he seems in his new home and how much he seems to be getting used to me. I really hope this positivity continues and honestly can’t thank his breeder enough for giving me such a confident little piggy. It really shows the difference between getting guinea pigs from a pet shop rather than an experienced breeder who really cares for her animals. In all the 9 months I had the girls, the only one who got close to liking being held the way Teddy already is was Hazel; but even she was incredibly nervous. I miss them a lot but know I did the right thing rehoming them because I just couldn’t care for them how they needed. Similarly, I know ive done the right thing in getting Teddy because we’re already forming a good bond and ive been able to look after him much better so far.