by Vince Ryan / Dad

It’s been a little over a week since my beloved Becky died. Taken from me untimely. The feeling of loss and sadness is still here, will be for years to come. I still see your cute little face everywhere, I can still hear your happy wheeks, feel your little love nips, your paws on my shoulder. The other piggies miss you greatly too. I took your children out to give them some time together, they all found your old house and crawled around, in, over it wheeking looking for their mama. licorice and caramel miss you greatly. Angel hunts for you her adopted mother.
The boys miss you.

Dewy and Amy miss you the most I think. I’m crying while writing God how I miss you. I volunteered to work at the no kill guinea pig shelter in aurora becky, I hope it’s what you would want. Also I am taking in another little piggy in your honor, not to replace you no one could ever do that. Your my little razor back beckers and always will be. No it’s not to replace but to honor you. She’s a little ridgeback about 5 months old named Flossy. She has some behavioral problems, and I don’t even know what she looks like yet.

Knowing you and the way you always looked after the little guy I think this would make you happy. I hope it does, that whatever part of heaven your in right now you can look down and see how much we all miss and love you. I didn’t know that when you died it would be my heart that stopped. When you see Jesus make sure he gets you a treat. You were always good at making sure you got your treats :). And let him know how much your missed.

 

by Vince Ryan / Dad

Tigger the Gerbil was only in our lives for a short time. We picked him or should I say he picked me at the local pet store. I looked in the gerbil cage at a dozen or more little gerbils all running frantically, I was actually going to pick up and look at another gerbil when Tigger ran up my arm. He ran up my arm and perched on my shoulder as if to say “Ok I’m here lets go home” What could I do? I took the little guy home with me. He loved running around on the floor “in his playpen area” and sitting with me eating his treats. Everything seemed fine. Until one day I heard a scream and my wife sobbing oh no oh no. She had accidentally stepped on him! Horrified we rushed him to the hospital. He seemed to be dazed but otherwise ok. No bones seemed broke and Everyone thought he would be ok in a bit.

The vet said he might be sore for a few days so no one expected him to be running around like normal. I went to work the next day and he seemed to be all right. When I came home from work I checked on him. He crawled into my hand gave me a kiss lied down and died. It seemed that his internal injuries were far worse than anyone imagined. I don’t know how he managed to hang on so long. It’s as if he wanted to wait till he could tell me goodbye before he left.

I still miss my little patchwork colored Tigger. He is buried out at my inlaws property. They are selling the property so I thought I would get him and move him to another spot. Today I started digging him up. Right when I reached him I heard a voice telling me to leave him. A voice as clear as a bell. Looking around there was know one there. I know it sounds crazy but I decided to leave him resting where he was Actually leave his body where it was for Tigger is no
longer using his mortal shell.

The moment I started putting dirt back in the hole a feeling of peace came over me. And I swear for a second I saw my little Tigger and felt him sitting in my hand once again smiling his Gerbil smile at me and I heard someone say that we will only be parted for a little while longer. Believe what you will, I write not to convince you
but to relate what happened.

My questions on whether animals go to heaven or not at least for me has been answered in a most profound way. Tigger I haven’t forgotten you and I still miss you. Mom is sorry for what happened and we all wish you stayed with us longer.

Love you, Tiggy.
dad

 

Becky Ryan by Vince Ryan / Dad

Becky was my first and most loved guinea pig (cavy). Originally I thought cavies were mean spiteful animals, carriers of disease and unsavory. In short I hated the idea of having these creatures in my house. But both my children had one of their own and I grew fond of the little cavies. Then the kids did something unexpected, they took me to Petco and pooled their christmas money to buy me my own cavy
as a christmas present.

I saw Becky she was the only one in the cage. Looking so sad and lonely I knew I had to take her. Her red eyes and razor back hair along with her more pointed nose and leaner shape made her different from the other cavies I had seen.
We bonded almost instantly.

By the end of the first day she had found her favorite spot to sit on my shoulder facing out, checking everything out. Her purrs of happiness made even the worst day better. She had babies and I still have most of them, but their not Becky. Her favorite game was to lie in her house and wait for another piggy to walk by then reach out and
playfully nip their fur.

We were given a black piggy by the name of Angel who when we got her was almost too young to have left her momma, the other piggies picked on her driving her away from the treats, the food and water. That is until Becky adopted her. At that point any piggy harassing Angel had to deal with Becky. Becky was not shy about putting the others
in their place either.

Because of this Angel is an accepted member of our clan, well adjusted and happy. The night Becky died her children all cried, I cried, I still break down when I think about her which is often. I miss my Becky more than words can say. I know her children and clan mates miss her too. It’s a sad house here with her gone.

I pray that someday we will be reunited on the other side of heaven. Truthfully if they won’t let Becky into heaven I don’t want to go. I didn’t think it was possible to miss anyone as much as I miss her or that a heart could hurt this much without breaking. God be with you Becky I love you now and forever. Don’t forget me I wont forget you. Vince

Love you my little razorback beckers love you forever.

 

by Vincent Ryan / Vince

It’s been a few years since you left
and even know I am in tears my heart breaking.
I hope to see you soon.
I hope that you are well in God’s embrace.
I miss you all so very much.

Take care of each other just a little bit longer
I’m coming home.