Laid back Max!

Today is a sad day. Today we woke up to find our darling little Maximus had passed away. And while he was just a little guinea pig (with a very large bum!) he managed to make a huge impact on our lives!

Snuggly piggy!

Maximus arrived at the Porter household on Christmas Day 2012. Dad found him at a local shelter, where he was getting beaten up by several other guinea pigs. He was just a tiny little chap but Dad couldn’t have picked a better piggy. From the get-go Max was kind, patient, sweet and very social. He was so laid-back to the point he was horizontal!

❤

We called him El Macho or El Chucho because he grew and grew and grew into a very hunky piggy… and guinea pigs hail from South America, so of course he spoke Spanish (yes we are totally nuts!)… and he was full of passion!!! He ADORED Kate. Kate is our 14-year old yellow Lab.

Kate and Max come in every night to watch TV with Bill and I. Yes, they come on the bed. This is normal, or?
Max would take every opportunity to get close to his beloved Katherine….

Sweethearts!

When Gwennie was sick, Maximus played nurse…

Nurse Maximus

Maximus loved to watch The Walking Dead with Mummy (me!)…

The Walking Piggy

Daryl Dixon and Max

Max liked to help me prepare my classes for work…

The Bar Maximus

And he loved hanging out with friends…

Iron Man and Max putting the world to rights.

Best friends!

When we went on holiday to the beach, Max came with us.

Beach Piggy!

He was part of the family… loved, played with, and cuddled every day.

Last night, Max didn’t seem himself. He was wheezing a little and didn’t want to eat or drink. He just looked very peeky and lethargic.
I called Bob, (one of Bill’s brothers, who is a vet) and he said to keep him hydrated and bring him in the morning.
We couldn’t get Max to eat or drink anything. I loved on him all night until it was time for bed.
Bill checked on him in the middle of the night and he was still doing okay, but this morning we awoke to find he had passed away.
We were all heartbroken. It was awful to have to wake up Gwennie and give her the sad news. Of course, she was devastated.
Bill was absolutely amazing. I feel so very grateful that he was home and not traveling. He took charge of the situation and handled everything perfectly.
I was a blubbering mess. I still am!
Bill talked to Gwennie and he let her hug Max and say goodbye so that she could have closure.
He talked to her about his cat that he had had he was a little boy and how he felt when Frisky died.
He was just wonderful. Thank God for strong, compassionate hubbies!

I took Max to Bob this morning, who was also wonderful and so caring.
He said that there was probably nothing that we could have done to help Max.
When piggies get dramatically sick like that so quickly, there is usually no comeback.

We are really going to miss that little guy. He was just very special and very loved.
RIP Max. We’ll see you over the Rainbow Bridge!

My little mate!