Sad day: Raymond dies...

After a short but severe illness, our Raymond (Raymond von Piccolinos, 30.03.2003 - 28.08.2008.) died today. He was born in Germany, bred by Christina Gätjens. Raymond was a nice and gentle boar, always very kind to sows and babies. Just like the character in the sitcom where he got his name from: "Everybody Likes Raymond"...

This is his last daughter I kept: Volver at Brentwood Hotel. She has grown up since these photos were taken, and already had her fist litter: a beautiful boy from Salvatore vom Hohen Stein

Picco - our hero!

A few day after our V-litter was born, a tragedy happened: their mother Boshoi died. The three babies were too young to get on well alone, so I had not other choice but to put them to their grandma, Picco. Picco was still taking care of her 5 (!) babies at that time. So, she was with 8 babies for almost 2 weeks! I certainly took off her 5 babies as soon as they were 3 weeks old, so Pico is with her grandchildren only at the moment. She is such a good mother, she accepted the three "additional" babies from the first second, and takes really good care of them since that.

I am very proud of her!

This is Picco earlier:



... and now: thin and tired:

Stacy's second litter

Just a few days after the first, Stacy's second litter was born. Their mother is Bolshoi Theatre at Brentwood Hotel (Berlin vom Hölkenbusch - Xtra Piccolino at Brentwood Hotel).

Thank you Ioana for letting me have Stacy here!!!

Vienna Calling at Brentwood Hotel (boar):

Vita di Pasolini at Brentwood Hotel (boar):

Versace Dress at Brentwood Hotel (sow):

Stacy's first litter

After such a long waiting, Cavatina's Stacy's first litter here was born finally. Their mother is Xtra Piccolino at Brentwood Hotel. Something special happened: 5 babies were born! I am very proud af all of them:

Transformer at Brentwood Hotel (boar):

Tornado at Brentwood Hotel (boar):

Time to Remember at Brentwood Hotel (sow):

Time Flies at Brentwood Hotel (sow):

Twice as Nice at Brentwood Hotel (sow):

Trip to Salzkammergut (Austria)

Last Sunday was a great day for a trip: some cavy friends and I visited the region called Salzkammergut. It is in the neighbouring Austria, near the beautiful old city of Salzburg.
There are huge mountains with beautiful little lakes and friendly villages in the valleys here, a great place for relaxing.
We also took the "Seilbahn" (suspended cable railway) to get on top of the mountain near St. Wolfgang. Not an easy trip for someone like me with fear of hights...
But the sight was worth it (click on the picture to make it bigger!). The village down there is St. Wolfgang. We left with the Seilbahn from there! :




Typical tourist again... :o)

An "unofficial" group photo: Laci and Erika ("Lunabakelo") + Péter and Ildi ("El Cobaya") on the mountaintop. And another cavy breeder who you can not see: Ági ("Cobre Verde") on the cell phone calling Ildi, reporting on the leatest litter! :o)))

My favourite place in St. Wolfgang: a park near the lake with lots of flowers and a small pond:

We saw some animals, too

On our way onto the hilltop, we noticed some animals down there...

This was a run made for a bunny near a restaurant:



How to keep a pig nicely... :o)

No paintings : just a simple sunset with clouds

We saw this when we stopped on our way home in Austria last Sunday. I just had to take photos.
Nice, isn't it?

Congrats to the first two Polish Champions!

With the certificates won in Gdansk last Saturday, two cavies have become champions! They are the first to carry this title.
Both are great animals, it was a joy to judge them.
Congratulations to their breeders and owners!

PlCh. Baron von Sandokans Loveparade - black-white alpaca boar
Breeder: Silvia Schenk (Germany)
Owner: Karolina Kozaczynska (Pinacolada Caviary)



PlCh. Cara vom Wuschelland - lemon-agouti peruvian sow
Breeders: Sabine and Peer Mannheim (Germany)
Owner: Monka Spychala (Wolf&Gang caviary)

Greetings from Missy

I received some great photos from Vivien Fonó (Blue Sky) today.
This is Miss Sixty at Brentwood Hotel (UK Retro at Brentwood Hotel - It's Ironic at Brentwood Hotel).
A face, for which we all like cavies, don't we.. :o)))

Perfect Long Weekend in Poland

For their show in Gdansk on 2. August, the Polish Club (Cavies Club of Poland) invited me to judge. The show was really nice, I hopefully will receive photos of the winners soon, so you will see my report on my site then.
I had a chance to see the sea (!), the wonderful cities Gdansk and Sopot, three excellent caviaries, and to talk about lots of things with my friends.

Many thanks to the club for the invitation and the hospitality!

That was my sign on the judge's desk. Now a souvenier at home. :o) :



Some great woodcarvings in Gransk. They are happy, aren't they? I definitely will have to buy one next time... :o)