My Dearest Alfalfa

My Dearest Alfalfa,

This past Sunday you left this world in my arms.  At that moment I lost you, I lost a piece of my heart.  You were not a pet to me; you were my family.

I loved each of your flaws.  They were what made you who you were.  But, most of all your flaws are what made you so perfect to me.  On the other hand, I can’t help thinking that you were a pain in the ass some days.  But, I think those days were your best days.  You showed me how unique and strong-willed you could be.  I am grateful for each of those challenges you threw at me.

My Love

Your life started off badly.  I tried each day to make you the most spoiled guinea pig in the world.  I think I may have accomplished that…  You had all you needed and more.  I am grateful I had you to spoil.

You know, Alfalfa, I look back on our time together and it warms my heart.  I am grateful for the time I had you.  I wish our time together could have been longer.  But, I will treasure each day that I had you.

Thank you for all that you have given me.  I love you.  I will miss you each day.  Your legacy will live on in my heart.

Your Mom,

Kerry Anne

 

What Happened?

 

Over the past year, Alfalfa was fighting a chronic upper respiratory infection (URI) and sinus infection.  Alfalfa would start sneezing when a sinus infection set in.  I would immediately take him to the vet for medicine.  Generally, that medicine cleared it up.  However, several times he needed a stronger medicine as the sinus infection had spread to a URI.  Luckily, the medicines were able to clear the URIs.

On Saturday, I came home from Las Vegas.  Alfalfa was completely normal.  He got a good report from Grandpa about his behavior and his eating.  I went to bed on Saturday exhausted.  On Sunday, I woke up and Alfalfa was breathing heavy and making noises.  I immediately took him to the vet.   At the vet he was given a strong medicine.  I took him home and began to hand feed and water him as he had stopped eating.

At about 10 pm, I took Alfalfa out to give him some water and food.  As he lay on the bed he had several bad seizures.  It was then I decided he was in a lot of pain and too sick.  I went upstairs to ask my Dad to drive me to vet.  My parents kissed him and said their goodbyes.  When I was waiting downstairs for a ride, Alfalfa had a final seizure and passed in my arms.

 

The Future

 First, the big question is:  What is next for Alfalfa’s Adventures?  Well, first the blog will continue.  Alfalfa was my greatest muse but not my only one.  Life is full of many adventures I would love to share with you.  I have some great stories from Las Vegas.  (Yes, what happened there will not stay there…)  Also, there are several other animals at my parent’s house I’d love to share with you.  I have discovered that I love writing.  I want to continue doing it.

Next, I will rescue another guinea pig or two when I’m ready.  I had planned on getting Alfalfa a buddy by then end of the summer.  I plan to adopt from a local rescue.  I was looking forward to welcoming a second guinea pig into the house.  Imagine the terror two could have caused…  I giggle at the thought.  I will take you through the adoption process with me on the blog.  I plan on asking for the pigs that are hard to adopt out.  Apparently, I am a bit of a specialist with ‘problem’ pigs.

Finally, I will need your help to make some decisions:  Like, what will the new pigs be called?  Should I keep the name “Alfalfa’s Adventures” or rename it?  Should I adopt one, two, or three pigs? Am I crazy for asking for a pig like Alfalfa? Should the new pigs be able to free-range the house?  What kind of things should I buy for the new pigs?  You see, there are still a lot of decisions to make…

 

Life is an adventure.  I hope you will join me on my new adventure.