[Gpdd] [BEHAVIOR] <Sugar's behavior living alone>

[LaurieJean gombar]

Hello!
Well, Sugar is not eating as much as she used to since Piglet died.  I
am not sure if it is because-
-he is not there to take it from... kind of like the survival of the
fittest mentality, mine all mine!- like maybe she ate more just so he
would not get it all...
-she really is depressed
-she seems to be blind and has less sense or wits about her- she may
have used Piglet  to cue off of so now she has to fend for herself.
So we have been giving her different treats.  We had laid off the Spring
Mix after Piglet passed, as it is so expensive.  I found some dandilion
greens, and she was liking those but not eating the whole stalk... just
the tips or very ends (maybe the sight thing where maybe it takes too
much work to eat down to the sides of the leaves and if they are all in
a haphazard pile it is too hard to find them?  Where she used to chow
down on broccoli stalk, she now only  wants to eat the flowery tops,
leaving the rest.This is a pig that used to scarf down leaves of
romaine.. and now she leaves it to wilt after a few nibbles.
Last night she tore into green pepper- had not had that in the house for
awhile.  And she loves tomato still and will scarf that down.
Today I went and got her some Spring Mix.  Oh, she sprang back into
action... she finished off a half a cup full and then proceeded to
finish off the dandilion leaves (I broke off the ends so she did not
have to deal with the stalks and sides)- move onto some pellets, and
then work down some hay....  Eating begits eating.
Whatever it is, she definately has me wrapped 2x around her little paw!
She still has been responsive, and moves around in her dwelling... just
the non eating thing has us worried.
Last night I had her on a towel on my belly/chest (I really don't have a
lap anymore, if she does sit on it, she seems so far away!)and I had cut
up some strawberries previously.. of which she got the tops, and a whole
strawberry and barely touched them.
I had sugared them (just a little), intending to make shortcake or
something, but just went and ate the berries alone out of the bowl.  She
knows I am feeding myself and acts interested, so I give her a chunk...
3 nibbles... no more interest.  A few more mouthfuls from me.. she
starts chittering at me.  SO I get a spoonful of juice (the juice that
forms at the bottom)... and offer it to her.  Oh that went down fast....
she loved it.  I know it is not the best for her- empty calories if
that.  She would then take time in between spoonfuls and "licks" to
clean off her chin fur... oh so cute.  I did get 2 spoons then... Poor
Bill barely got any...
 
ANYONE IN SOUTHERN MAINE want to get together for a piggy party?  Just a
"play date?"  I was thinking if she got together with a fixed boar or
other sow, she might feel better.  She always did seem to enjoy pignics,
it was just Piglet that seemed to get overwhelmed with all the other
pigs around.
 
LJ who is working on the baby room....