My Precious Peaches

Peaches and Patsy, a pastel and a tan, were born to Sandi and Punkin on
May 29th, 2003. They were premature and weighed 27 and 28 grams.
They would fight to live and their mom and I were there to help them,
though the odds were against them.

Kits born under 32 grams rarely make it past a few days old, and if they
do, something usually shows up at a later date that can not be seen at the
time of birth ... an internal malfunction or defect that will take them
without notice.

Why even try to save them? Because they are one of God's creatures and
they are alive and are trying, if for no other reason. Because of possible
internal problems they will never be put into breeding, but will be kept to
love and be loved as long as they live. Patsy left this earth due to a bad
heart at 4 months of age, but we treasured each day we were able to
spend with her.

Peaches is still with us. At the age of 6 months, she weighed only 301
grams ... the normal size of a 2 or 3 month old chin. Below is a picture of
her having her belly rubbed and being rocked by me ... a favorite
pass-time of hers.  
Rubbing her belly would also get her bowel system stimulated so that she
could pass her poos properly ... a part of her that probably had not yet
developed properly. We are in hopes that it will someday develop
completely.
The pictures above, while they may appear 'cute', are one of a chin that is
not healthy. A healthy chin will not allow you to lay them on their back
and hold them, let alone eat or sleep in this position.

Peaches is now 7 months old and will no longer allow us to lay her on her
back ... a great milestone showing us she is getting better. She also poos
on her own without outside stimulation, another milestone for her. She
has gained 33 grams this month and is now at 334 grams. She still loves
to be rocked, but not on her back, and will let me know this by rocking
back and forth on one of her shelves. She also enjoys sitting on my
shoulder while I am on the computer.

Each evening, she and her cage mate, Betsy, will hold on to the bars of
the cage, poking their little noses through the cage with their very best
begging faces. They know Bill can not say 'no' and will promptly give
them their treats.
One day, one of us will probably find her in her hut or in her cage, our
hearts will broken, but knowing our lives were enriched because of her.
We will always have the many memories of all the days and nights spent
sharing her life with her.
Peaches will eat her papaya and chirp sweet little 'thank-yous' between
each bite. Such sounds are among the sweetest on earth that you can
hear. Peaches, after enjoying her treat would promptly fall asleep in your
hand.