Ain't gonna need this house no longer

Our main task for today was to scrub out the now-vacant hutches and take them over to Rugby to donate them to Guinea-pig Rescue. With the hutches gone I won't be tempted to find new occupants for them, because of all the 'small animals' (veterinary term) other than dogs and cats, piggies have to be my favourite. They're usually very gentle (Pandora's daughter Sharon, who died in February, was an exception - she had the temper of a harridan, a bite like a ferret and the tenacity of a bulldog), they're a handy size, diurnal, sociable and responsive. They will come when they're called and have an amazing vocal range. They chatter and chirrup, and if they hear the distant sound of vegetables being chopped the decibel level of the demanding Clanger-like whistle is astonishing from so small an animal. And when you cuddle them they snuggle into you just like a puppy.

So we thought the best thing would be to give all the equipment to a deserving cause.

After all, I can easily make a nice new hutch ... ;)