Our darling Hillary, born 3rd June 2000, has passed on to the rainbow bridge on 11th August 2006 at 6.2 years old. For a change, I'd like not to speak of the conditions initiating her departure, but take this moment to give Hillary her final goodbye.
I was just 12 years old when I was blessed with Hillary, and I remember it like it was yesterday. Her mother was given to me pregnant, and I had had quite a rocky start to Guinea Pigs in my frist two years or so of caring for them. Lucy was my third piglet in two years and to get a blessing like Hillary was just that - a blessing. When I found her nestled under her mother 6 years ago I was absolutely thrilled. She was the only surviving baby of three and the only sow.
Hillary grew into a confidant little bundle with a personality all her own. She was so tame and wonderfully friendly we couldn't pass her on to another family. She became the "last" of the 'Three Fat Ladies' - Minky, Lucy and Hillary. She is the last of my original pigs and I can't say things will ever be the same again without her. She had such a vibrant personality - she knew and would come to her name, you knew exactly how she was feeling because of her little expressions and whistle developed to communicate with us. She would keep any youngsters in line and was the perfect judge of character.
I've had Hillary throughout my entire teenage life (excluding this year to come of course), and has been with me through every single trial and tribulation. She's been such a wonderful companion and I can't thank her enough for all that she's been through and still been the bright, happy little face every single morning.
Sleep well my dear friend, and we shall meet again over the rainbow.
