[Gpdd] MIsc: Re: Guinea pigs shows.

[adcavy at aol.com]

Hi M and Fugly,

If you visit the website of the Southern Cavy Club as Penny suggested 
future shows should be posted. There are links to the National Cavy 
Club, breed clubs and from them you can locate details of local clubs.

Epsom Cavy Club have a show on Sunday  15th April at the War memorial 
hall, Burgh heath, Radworth, Surrey.

Chiltern Cavy Club have a show on Sunday 8th April At the Thame 
Showground, Thame, Oxfordshire,

There are others ranging from West Sussex, Norwich to Peterborough over 
the next 2-3 weeks or so.

If you want you can email me and I could give you details of the 
nearest club to you or of other shows. There's no pressure to join. You 
can just turn up and see the guinea pigs and chat to owners and 
breeders.

  Everyone is friendly and more than happy to pass on tips and 
information. There are even pet classes at shows. Judges are not 
looking for show-groomed pigs, as long as the guinea pig is healthy, 
clean and friendly you can enter. I think at most clubs you would have 
to be a member to do this. It may vary from club to club. Club 
secretaries are happy to pass on details.

At Marsh farm near Chelmsford shows are held twice a year. Everyone is 
encouraged to bring their pet. No membership required on this occasion. 
You can see different breeds, talk to experts, and have a terrific day 
out in the park and centre.

Our rex boar Freddy had several teeth trimmed on three occasions. At 
the time we were feeding a soft meadow hay because it looked and 
smelled good. What we didn't realise was it wasn't as fibrous as some 
other hays. After speaking to a local livery stable about our problem 
they recommended a coarser hay.  We trialled this for 2 months and all 
the pigs loved it. We also cut out soft foods such as grapes and 
tomatoes which Freddy loved. We substituted these with extra fresh 
grass, wild herbs and garden weeds on top of his daily veg ration. In 
fact we tried anything edible and safe which would keep him chewing for 
longer.

Two years later Freddy is still going strong and has never needed 
another tooth trimmed. His problem might have gone away by itself. 
Maybe his teeth overgrew due to lose of appetite as usually can happen 
with pigs. He's bouncing around like a baby now so that is all that 
matters.

I get seed for dandelions, milk/sow thistle, plaintain etc from 
different websites. I am happy to pass on details if anyone is 
interested.

Mary Fran has Li'l Bear returned? I may have missed a post or two but 
hope he has come back safe and sound.

Best Wishes,

Antoinette and the Magic 59.