[Gpdd] Misc: Hello back

[Luita Dean Spangler]

Hello all,

Here in Berlin some of the restaurants have recently reopened (naturally,
with strict safety measures), which was, of course, very exciting. Staying
at home has allowed me to spend special time with Ritter, an elderly
guinea pig gentleman who is now Marinella's partner pig, after the sad
loss of Chap. Ritter (his name means "knight" in German) is a special
needs pig - over five years old, thin, blind in one eye, and arriving here
with a bad case of cheilitis (scabs on his upper lip). With great advice
from Penny and the Piggyfriends (Many, many thanks!) I've been
successfully treating his lip with gentian violet, and the scabs are gone.
He loves Herbicare, so he's been getting syringed once a day, and has
gained weight nicely - and Marinella gets to eat any leftover Herbicare,
which she considers more or less guinea pig ice cream. Ritter, like many
older guinea pigs, has "old guinea pig paws" - sort of splayed front paws,
and I've been keeping a close eye on them, looking out for any early signs
of bumble foot. Marinella, who will turn nine (!!) in December, is in
perfect health, thank goodness. Other than being an at-home pig person,
I've had to conduct a number of online university classes each week, which
is exhausting and technologically challenging. But we're all healthy, and
the pigs get to have their people around (with a resulting increase in
treats) all day.

Luita
Marinella and Ritter