So, hi! I am a long time hamster mommy recently crossing over to piggie-land! My kids (aged 5&7) and I have had hamsters for years. We had four at one point and the living room was devoted to cages! After a few sad losses we were left suddenly with no furry friends. As the kids are slightly older and I know how they love their pets, I decided to get a friend who would live with us a longer time and be more...social...? Roxie came from a family that wanted her briefly and then wanted a puppy. They had her in a very small cage (they clearly knew nothing about piggies), in the corner, all alone. When I brought her home in her cage I had to clean out all the pine bedding as it was soaking wet from a leaking water bottle. The poor girl was so scared... I hoped by showing her a little love she would come around!
The next day I purchased a 12' section of wire shelving, some materials for a base, and made her a 3 foot by 3 foot cage! I stitched her up a cuddle cup, made a pigloo, and draped in a fleece tent. And added a fleecy cat "carpet square" thing that seems pretty cozy. After about two days of hating me (and my constantly tending hands in her cage) she starting to wheek at me every time I came down the stairs! Now I can't pass by her without hearing her call to me! I stop and say hello and give her hay or tease her with her fox toy. If that wasn't what she wanted she will climb right in her veggie bowl and wheek until I come back with a snack! She still doesn't like to be picked up, but if I trick her she likes to be held. She entertains us all by running laps around the cage and dancing her funny dance! if I hadn't seen other piggies "popcorn" I'd swear something was wrong with her! But alas, she has become a fast friend to us all and we love her dearly! I hope to add a second level to her cage and I want to get her a cagemate! I wanted to keep her alone for a bit to see how she was, and knowing her a little better, I think she would do well with a friend.
If you stuck to the end, thanks! Sorry it's so long... I have gotten carried away with her for sure.
I can't wait to learn more and make some Piggie loving friends! <3