[Gpdd] Feeding. Re: Washed salads

[adcavy at aol.com]

Hi Slaves,

We have been away for a while due to work and family commitments, 
illness and the arrival of fifteen rescued guinea pigs which increased 
our numbers to 74. All fifteen now recovered and rehomed.

We have always fed prewashed packaged herbs to our guinea pigs as a 
treat and they have never suffered any ill effects.

Before and after Christmas I received emails from fellow slaves. Due to 
server  problems I could not access them to read and when my computer 
came back from the computer hospital all the emails were deleted. So 
sincere apologies to all who were expecting an email in return.

Was very sad to read about all the recent losses slaves have suffered, 
especially Leah losing her darling Brownie Bear. He has joined the 
ranks of the lengendary guinea pig heros on the digest.

I have a number of calenders from here in the Uk for any fellow slaves 
who still may wish to swap. A bit late I know but email me if you are 
interested.

Here in Essex we lit a candle for Peter Gurney too.

I have to admit I have been debating whether or not to add anything to 
the recent postings about eating guinea pigs. I too have received some 
emails privately on other topics  which haven't been very nice. So here 
goes. I certainly don't agree with zoos or private individuals feeding 
any live creature to another animal, mammal or reptile. Here in the UK 
it is against the law to do so. Zoos use butchered meat, and pet shops 
are banned from selling mammals for reptile food.

In some countries in South America guinea pigs or cuys are eaten as 
food. This is a cultural tradition going back thousands of years. In 
some areas they are kept just as we keep chickens. Impoverished familes 
and women with families,  who have been widowed or abandoned by their 
husbands raise them and sell them as a cash crop to support their 
children. In my mind this does not make them uncivilised just using the 
resources that are available to them. As we all would if we lived 
there.

In the Andes there are no large supermarkets, McDonalds, or Pizzahuts. 
If there were the local people could not afford to shop or eat there.  
Every country in the world has its traditions around food. We cannot 
expect them to import our values just because we don't agree with 
theirs.

I spend most of my time looking after our own pigs as well as rescuing 
neglected and abandoned guinea pigs. I see some horrific things in 
people's back yards. That is where my fight is. I have always felt part 
of something special here on the digest. And I would never hurt or 
disrepect any slave by belittling their opinions and beliefs. So please 
forgive me if any one feels I have done so. That was not my intention 
at all.




With all Best Wishes,

Antoinette and the Magic 59