Guinea Pigs at Brightwater

Bertha is the boss. Bought from a Bob's Birdz-N-Pets in Wagga Wagga in September 2017, Bertha was the first of the Wagga pigs. Friendly, but precocious, no-one messes with Bertha.

Charlie was a gift in November 2016, so at two years of age he is the oldest pig by a fair margin. He has struggled with mange in the past although he is looking fine now. He is the squeaker of the crew, letting you know that he wants food as soon as you go near the back door.

Martha thinks she is top pig and makes sure the others know it, except for Bertha, who scares the bejesus out of her. While she pretends to be wild and tough, she is really a softy.

Samantha came from Wollundry Fruit Barn and Pet World in Wagga Wagga, along with Martha in September 2017. She turned out to be pregnant and quickly gave birth to a clutch of three, two of whom survived. She is the quietest, softest pig imaginable.

Arriving in October 2017, Pinky was one of Samantha's first and only (so far) brood of piglets. The reason for the name is obvious, although I originally thought he was a she. I thought about more masculine names, but he doesn't seem to be bothered. His official name is now Pinkerton, that seems slightly more masculine.

Pinky is very high strung and desperate to do what male guinea pigs do, threatening to tunnel or chew his way out of cages and boxes for five minutes alone with the girls.

Also known as Lucky Chucky after a near fatal cage-moving episode, Chucky is short for Charcoal. It was the best name I could come up with at the time, obviously an infertile period in my guinea pig naming career. Chucky turned out to be a girl, so not only was I in a lame name rut, but I couldn't tell one pig from another. Chucky takes after Samantha and is very placid.