Hazel was a very independent guinea pig with a temperamental (maybe even shy) personality.  She generally liked to be left alone, but when she did feel like being held, she could be the sweetest thing ever!  Hazel used to live with Muffy, but the two of them were separated when they started not getting along.  They still visited a lot, though, and loved to look at each other through the divider separating their cage.  She was a real sweetheart and was also the only pig that didn't wheek for food or bite on the bars - which we really appreciated!

       We first got Hazel along with Muffy back in 2001 when I saw them together in Petco.  They were both in a separate cage from the others because they were up for adoption (free with cage) from the manager of the store.  I fell in love with them instantly, although we originally got them with plans to give them to our relatives.  Needless to say, that never happened because we couldn't see ourselves parting with them after we brought them home.  Muffy and Hazel enjoyed several years as best buddies before Hazel passed away.


       Hazel was always more independent than the other guinea pigs because she preferred to not be held or handled whereas the others loved the attention.  She was a very quiet guinea pig who was usually overshadowed by Muffy's large personality.  Hazel really began to thrive once we separated the two of them.  They could still see each other through the bars and Hazel really seemed to appreciate that her food would not disappear if she didn't want to eat it all at one time like Muffy did.


       Hazel led a pretty healthy life up until September of 2006 when she suddenly stopped eating and drinking.  Her weight dropped quickly and we brought her to two vets, desperate for an answer.  The first vet thought it might be kidney failure and the second (our usual vet) thought it could be related to her heart, when she noticed Hazel had a heart arrhythmia.  Both gave us medicine to ward of an infection in case that was the problem.  We diligently forced the Critical Care into Hazel a few times a day along with her medicine and syringes of water to keep her alive.  After about two weeks of being completely off her regular food, Hazel began to eat and drink again.  Her normal personality showed through and we all were thrilled at her unexplained recovery.  However, the joy was short lived as she went downhill quickly again at the end of October.  We could tell that this time was different and that it would not be long until she left us.  We checked her several times on the 23rd, knowing that it would be soon.  Sadly, one of the times we checked on her we found her dead in her little log cabin.  At least we could rest easy knowing that she went peacefully and had several extra good weeks before it happened.