[Gpdd] Behavior: One dependant little piggie

[James & Tara]

Hello all Piggies and Slaves,

I haven't sent anything into the digest for awhile, but I'm finally getting 
caught on reading the past few issues.  I'm hoping for some suggestions for 
my little one, Ginger.

My first piggy was Muffy, I got her in Jan '03.  She is a very shy piggie, 
she is quite timid but loves to snuggle and will purr after a few minutes of 
scratching just where she likes it :)  In Dec '04 she became a big sister; 
we brought home an approximately 6 week old sow (Ginger).  Ginger has a much 
different personality; she is *extremely* friendly, will purr like crazy 
with the slightest pet, and is very social.  Anyways, the first few days 
they were together things were a litte rough, especially for Muffy as she 
had to get used to having another cagemate.  Ginger warmed up to Muffy 
almost immediately; in fact, she seemed to decide that Muffy was her new 
mommy, and tried to nurse a few times.  Needless to say Muffy, was not 
impressed and put an end to that!

So, it's been a few months and they get along ok...the problem is, Muffy 
seems to get annoyed by Ginger sometimes.  Ginger absolutely adores Muffy 
and will follow her around lovingly.  This sometimes results in the 
occaisional tiff and Ginger gets forcefully evicted from the pigloo for a 
few minutes!  I figured I would give Muffy more space by taking Ginger out 
of the cage sometimes, and vice versa.  Here's the problem: whenever Ginger 
is away from Muffy, she cries and  cries!  It's getting worse.  If I take 
Muffy out for a cuddle, as soon as Ginger realizes she's alone the crying 
starts.  If I leave Muffy in the cage and cuddle Ginger, she will cuddle but 
turns toward the cage, looks at Muffy, and cries.  If Ginger is running 
around the living room alone, she runs up to the cage, puts her 2 little 
front paws on the ledge and cries for Muffy to join her! It's sweet, but 
Muffy is the kind of piggie that needs her space, and when she's being 
cuddled she does *not* want to share her mommy-slave; she will kind of yell 
at Ginger and push her away.  I don't know what to do!  They seem to be fine 
when they are both running around during play time, but they can't be out 
all the time!  Any suggestions to give Muffy a "Ginger-break" without all 
the water-works from the little one?  Thanks!

Tara