There was once a guinea pig called Wiggley

A guinea pig who filled our lives with so much joy, happiness and love. And taught us respect and patience.

It is hard for me to post this tribute for Wiggley. It is hard to come to terms that he’s no longer with us when we tried so hard to give him a fighting chance to live. For those who have been following my blog, facebook and twitter, you would have read about Wiggley’s battle with his health. It was a hard time for us.

It is not so long ago that we lost Ginger. Barely 2 months. Perhaps the two of them wanted to be together.

It has left a hollow empty feeling. They were both very sweet, very intelligent and very playful. Like Ginger, Wiggley was well-traveled and socialised, for a guinea pig. Wiggley was one guinea pig who absolutely loved his food. And I’m glad I’ve made thousands of images of my boys.

I thought I would publish a few of the images I haven’t shown to anyone before to remember Wiggley by.

Rest in peace now my little old man (as I called him in the last days). He will always be in our hearts.

In case you're wondering, I kept both the guinea pigs' original names when I adopted them.

Wiggley, originally uploaded by twoguineapigs pet photography.

More food?, originally uploaded by twoguineapigs pet photography.

Last cuddle, originally uploaded by twoguineapigs pet photography.

LOR, originally uploaded by twoguineapigs pet photography.

Apple theft, originally uploaded by twoguineapigs pet photography.

All-in-one post

For those who following my facebook and Twitter, you would have heard about Wiggley’s health update.

I’m posting this in Wellington by the way.

Last Tuesday, I took him down to see an exotic animal Vet after I’d spoken to his regular Vet. Wiggley has had a history of stones but they were not a concern then and a change of diet seemed to have worked until last week, when he began to pee blood. His Xray showed a rather large bladder stone. Thursday, Wiggley had an operation to remove the stone. By Friday, he was given the green light to go home.

We were given Bactrim (anti-biotics), Metacam (pain relieve) and Oxbow Critical Care to take home for him (not to mention a tube of eye treatment ointment for an ulcer he had in his right eye). That’s a lot of medication - more than I’ve seen for a while, let alone for ‘someone’ so tiny.

He seemed happy to return home to find his bed was still intact — still looking alert and curious about most things. I spent the next 4 days force-feeding Wiggley and getting 50ml of Oxbow in each day when he was not eating anything else. I managed 40 to 45ml per day and was a little successful in coaxing Wiggley to eat more on his own. The Vet rang us 2 days later after Wiggley had returned home, his urine culture test came back clear of bacteria — a big relief.

Wiggley’s health scare came at the wrong time when I was about to leave the country to get married in Wellington today — in about 6 hours time! How do you un-plan a wedding is what I want to know! I spoke to the Vet about Wiggley’s progress and we seemed happy with it and confident that he was recovering well. We found a dedicated and committed carer and sitter for Wiggley who could help us look after him while we were away. She’s exceptional is all I can say — very attentive and she loves Wiggley to bits.

With a heavy heart, we packed Wiggley’s bag and boarded him with his carer before we caught the plane to Wellington the next day. He’s one guinea pig who doesn’t travel light.

By the way, I’ll be away till Tuesday. I promise to make a ‘s’-load of images if you promise to wait for my return!

Recovering, originally uploaded by twoguineapigs pet photography.

Saint Valentine's Day

This year’s Saint Valentine’s Day won’t be any different from the last 6 years except Ginger will not be with us.

Every year on this day, I give thanks and love to my partner and friends (and to you my online friends), and let them know how special they are in my life and how grateful I am for their friendship, love, support and kindness. And I also celebrate this special day with Wiggley, Mr Big and PF where they each will get a special treat and extra big cuddle.

I always wish Valentine’s Day was a public holiday, so I’ll make up the lost time by celebrating it a day before. Be kind to each other.

Would you be my Valentine?, originally uploaded by twoguineapigs pet photography.

The favourite spot

It has been over 1 month and 5 days since we moved to our new place in Potts Point.

I found out that Wiggley has a new favourite spot apart from his ‘first class’ TV lounging seat — the Chaise Lounge. The lounge sits in one of the coolest spots in the flat which also happens to be the cats’ and our favourite spot. And, he likes resting beside the Damask pillow that accompanies the Chaise Lounge.

Sorry if I ever interrupt your rest or deep thoughts!

Cinematic pig, originally uploaded by twoguineapigs pet photography.

I should make an image of this popular Chaise Lounge and its accompanying Damask pillow while I still can - such popular household items.

Christmas

Christmas to the pets in our household means Mr Big snoozing throughout the day under our bed in the far corner after having pigged out on his Christmas dinner, PF being mesmerised by the Christmas lighting we picked up from Ikea at the last minute, and Wiggley having all the cherries to himself.

starry, originally uploaded by twoguineapigs pet photography.

.divine cherries., originally uploaded by twoguineapigs pet photography.

Season's Greetings

I was told a long time ago (and am still being reminded constantly) never work with children or animals.

Well, this year’s Christmas shoot has proven that the guinea pig is the pro! Wiggley is also the oldest amongst the remaining furballs we consider as kids in our household. (Ginger would have put the cats in their places). At least the cats didn’t mind wearing a Christmas collar for the shoot.

The Pro, originally uploaded by twoguineapigs pet photography.

2 more sleeps to Christmas!

Here’s wishing you all a Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukkah, and a Happy New Year!

Thank you all for your constant support. Have a safe holiday.

Season's Greetings, originally uploaded by twoguineapigs pet photography.

In the meantime, here are some behind-the-scenes shots that I saved for this post that included my faithful staff assisting me with the shoot:

{behind-the-scenes}, originally uploaded by twoguineapigs pet photography.

{behind-the-scenes}, originally uploaded by twoguineapigs pet photography.

{behind-the-scenes}, originally uploaded by twoguineapigs pet photography.

Jelly bean

The shape of Wiggley's body in this shot reminds me of a jelly bean.

Jelly bean, originally uploaded by twoguineapigs pet photography.

When I'm lurking behind him, he often turns around and checks if I'm watching his back. Not that he has anything to fear.

Have you got my back?, originally uploaded by twoguineapigs pet photography.

The dirty spot

It's officially Summer in Sydney. Yet we have been having almost non-stop rain for the last two days. I'm not complaining. I like the rain. I like cold weather.

Back to my series on Wiggley — a continuation from my last post.

Apart from his crest (and his sizeable derriere), there are a few other things I like about this particular guinea pig.

I like his nose. I like to run my finger along the front of his nose and down in between his whiskers to his upper lip. It feels spongey and velvety. Wiggley always goes into this 'translike' state whenever I do that.

Top lip, originally uploaded by twoguineapigs pet photography.

I also like the marking on his left nostril that I affectionately call the dirty spot.

The dirty spot, originally uploaded by twoguineapigs pet photography.

{ISO 500 | f/2.8 | 1/200 }

The crest

Following up on my last post.

Going by the American Cavy Breeders Association or the Australian National Cavy Council Inc, Wiggley though sporting a crest on his head, is not considered to be  crested. He has too many colours (not his fault)! Wiggley would be called a tri-colour or broken colour cavy because his coat has three colours.

It's complicated. I'm no guinea pig breeder so I'm not concerned about the standards.

I love this little guy the same. To me, he's one special guinea pig with a crest on his head — like he's wearing a crown. Did I mention also that I see a bald spot coming up... poor old little thing.

Crested, originally uploaded by twoguineapigs pet photography.

So, for those who haven't thought about it — what close-up part of your furball do you like to see?

Crazy over guinea pig derriere

I like making images of close-ups that don't lose the context of the subject. By that I mean my intention is to showcase the subject in an aesthetic way so that it is still recognisable in an non-abstract way. Nor do I require a macro lens for this to be effective. This is why I normally photograph in a documentary style — to show details without losing too much of the context.

I like this vantage point. Perhaps I'm bias. Wiggley is my pet (although he thinks he owns me) so I love every millimetre of him, including his sizeable derriere!

Derriere, originally uploaded by twoguineapigs pet photography.

Summer is here and he's shedding his Winter coat.

More of him to come.

So tell me — what close-ups of your furball do you like looking at?

Apple and the boys

The boys have been especially good lately, I'm speaking of the guinea pigs (not the cats). I rewarded them each with an apple.

The unsuspecting apple, originally uploaded by twoguineapigs pet photography.

(I'm speaking about the fruit, not Apple computing. And I don't normally give them each a whole apple — usually I de-core: the seeds are not good for them).

Ginger's, originally uploaded by twoguineapigs pet photography.

Wiggley's, originally uploaded by twoguineapigs pet photography.

Oh yes, they each can eat an apple no problem.

This one's better, originally uploaded by twoguineapigs pet photography.

I’m liking the after rain late Spring afternoon light.

Two different perspectives

One of the two guinea pigs that I live with can be considered plump, or chubby, as Wiggley's Vet puts it.

He usually appears 'larger' than the other guinea pig when photographed, or perhaps it is the way I portray Wiggley knowing that he's the slightly larger guinea pig of the two.

A large perspective, originally uploaded by twoguineapigs pet photography.

However, if a chubby guinea pig is placed on a deck chair and photographed in the context of the environment, he too can look tiny.

In context, originally uploaded by twoguineapigs pet photography.

I made these on an overcast Saturday afternoon which also gave it a slightly dusk-like atmosphere when compared with images I have made on Winter evenings.

Technical specs:
f/2.8 | 1/400 | ISO 200

Scrubbed and cleaned

I had have never lived with guinea pigs until I adopted these two. I must say I am amazed by how much these boys enjoy their baths. It makes us all look forward to their next one bath — as we have done for the last 5 years.

Bath No. 1 - can I please have a bit of privacy?, originally uploaded by twoguineapigs pet photography.

Scrubbed, originally uploaded by twoguineapigs pet photography.

Bath No. 2 - it's like going for a swim!, originally uploaded by twoguineapigs pet photography.

All fresh and clean, originally uploaded by twoguineapigs pet photography.

Shadowy pigs

I prefer to photograph animals candidly. However, I thought I would try something different and made some low key chiaroscuro images.

I often wonder what tunes they would sing to if the boys could play the cello.

Beethoven, originally uploaded by twoguineapigs pet photography.

Mozart, originally uploaded by twoguineapigs pet photography.

Mozart, originally uploaded by twoguineapigs pet photography.

Erratic weather

We've had a number of sunny days in the last week. Though I can't say the weather has improved much.

For every sunny day we get half to a day's worth of rain in the next. I'm not impressed. Every time it rains, the garden gets wet and it takes ages to dry up.

I took advantage of last Friday's good clear weather plus a reasonably dry lawn and let the guinea pigs out for a little run. Both boys haven't had a chance to head out into the garden this Winter.

Plus, I got to work on my 85mm f/1.2L lens in the dusk light. I must say I was happy with the result as I wanted to create a sort of dark-mystical feel. Stephen said like in the L.O.R. And the boys played and acted out their parts too - I wonder who was Frodo and Sam. I think Ginger watched too much Twilight with me and at some stage as he seemed to have missed the plot.

1/80  |  f/2.8  |  ISO 200

Lord of the grass, originally uploaded by twoguineapigs pet photography.

Wiggley, originally uploaded by twoguineapigs pet photography.

Ginger the new Edward Cullen, originally uploaded by twoguineapigs pet photography.

Hide and seek, originally uploaded by twoguineapigs pet photography.

Love is

...when Uncle Les visits. The boys, especially the guinea pigs, get lots of pets.

A tree had fallen in our backyard in the middle of a Sydney stormy night on 3rd August. It was actually windier than anything. None of us heard it and slept through the entire night. My landlord has called in a tree removalist and he'll be here tomorrow. I hope he brings a chainsaw.

I thought it would be a pretty quiet week this week but turned out to be busier than I had anticipated.

Love is..., originally uploaded by twoguineapigs pet photography.

Triumph

I am curious about the chair, whether it attracts critters or it's just pure chance.

Apparently, a certain guinea pig also took a liking to the chair.

Triumph, originally uploaded by twoguineapigs pet photography.

Triumph, originally uploaded by twoguineapigs pet photography.

My other boy

He's a bit bored lately having to stay indoors all the time. I'm starting to get tired of this wet and cold Winter weather.

I can't decide which one of the two high key images is better:

My other boy, originally uploaded by twoguineapigs pet photography.

My other boy, originally uploaded by twoguineapigs pet photography.

Excuse me?

Remind me next time never to work with animals when the tele is still on and is showing Wallace and Gromit.

Excuse me?, originally uploaded by twoguineapigs pet photography.

Picking on Wiggley

I'd like a challenge — especially working with uncooperative animals.  

Wiggley, one of the two guinea pigs of mine, isn't exactly the perfect pet model. He runs about, faces his butt to the camera, pays more attention to the grass, poops, and does almost everything else but model for the camera.

I shot these one late afternoon. I backlite the subject, I set my white balance to 'daylight', spot metered Wiggley and shot in burstable mode because I didn't just want a silhouette but details of his face (silhouette shots wouldn't be attractive for guinea pigs as you'll just see a blob, especially with Wiggley). No flash was applied.

In post production, I lifted the contrast and mid-tones, and added black points, vibrancy and vignette — very minimal adjustments needed if you shoot it right from the start. Still, I would like to make my images the best that they can be.

Wiggley, a slightly 'dreamy' image.

Wiggley.

Wiggley.

Wiggley,.