Charlie Guinea Pig Who Defied The Vet’s Death Sentence
And went caravanning around the UK for five months
Charlie guinea pig had been my treasured pet for seven years when he got ill. He had a huge lump under his neck, and it transpired he needed treatment for an abscess, which was urgent, horrible and traumatic.
So following veterinary treatment for his abscess, Charlie was feeling low. He needed intensive care and syringe feeding. We had holiday plans, but weren’t comfortable leaving him with anyone at home while he recovered from his ordeal. So we wondered if we should take him away with us, or cancel our plans altogether!
After much deliberation we decided to take Charlie camping! We loaded all his paraphernalia into the car and set off for Wales, with Charlie on my lap, until he got fidgety, at which point he went into his carry case.
Our first destination was the Camping and Caravanning Club Site at Bedgelert, Snowdonia, where it rained and rained! Charlie’s hutch went on a picnic table to keep him off the sodden ground! And waterproof covers went over his hutch to keep him dry and sheltered from the wind. Fortunately, the weather improved.
He came inside our caravan for a feed three times a day, but it was touch and go.
Then we moved to Anglesey, where the sun came out and Charlie got better!
In a miraculous turn of events he regained his appetite and was running around on the lawn, keeping the grass trim. By the time we got home after a 10 day break in Wales, he was as right as rain.
However, a few weeks later, Charlie’s abscess grew back — the treatment had failed. The vet gave him ‘weeks to live’, but Charlie stayed in good spirits, ate well, and continued caravanning with us for the next five months!
We visited campsites across the Lake District, stopping at Ravenglass, Keswick, and Windermere (where temperatures plummeted to 2˚C). Charlie moved into the caravan at night to stay warm. It was very cosy in our tiny Freedom Jetstream!
Charlie then accompanied us to Cornwall, where we stayed at Bude and Veryan. Veryan’s lush grass was much appreciated and he posed for a photograph with the campsite wardens!
Charlie loved his holidays. He eventually passed away, a month after his last caravanning holiday, leaving us with wonderful memories.
He was a truly treasured pet. I’d been looking after him, providing intensive care when he needed it, and we’d become closer. He trusted me and I adored him.
So when he did finally pass away, I was devastated and wracked with guilt, because I felt the vet might have been gentler and made his passing less stressful on that final day when he was suffering. Hindsight is a wonderful thing. I can only learn from the experience and take charge on another occasion.
Charlie and I had a strong bond, and he had a happy life. We focus on the best times and have a lovely picture of him on our dressing table. He was a special boy, who left us with special memories.
He also appeared in a book I took years to write, and he stars in it.
The Guinea Pigs’ Guide to Training Humans… with uplifting guinea pig stories — is available here: mybook.to/guineapig
Essential reading for all guinea pigs!
© Susie Kearley 2022. All Rights Reserved.
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