Good bye Martha

[Catherine]

Martha and her daughter the Muffin were left behind in an apartment with no food or water when the people moved out about 2 1/2 years ago. I ended up taking them. Martha has been so much fun. She is a character. A few months ago I bonded Martha and Muffin with Biscuit and Cinnamon. Martha was already aging fast so I am glad I did that for the Muffin's sake. It meant she wouldn't be left alone when her mother died.

Clearly she has been dying for weeks now. She would fall asleep while she was eating and she has lost so much weight. She has shrunk to half her size. I have known the end was near, it was just a matter of time.

Saturday morning Martha had a great breakfast and some of her favourite hay. Later I cleaned their enclosure so it was all fresh and nice. Then I gave Martha and all the other piggies fresh corn husks, a real seasonal treat. Before I went out they all got half a cob of corn and a full bowl of pellets. When I left Martha was happily munching on all her favourite things.

When I got back home, I checked the piggies right away. Martha was lying down again, but she was more still than usual.
I think she lay down for a nap and just didn't wake up.


Martha is the piggie on the right. The dark faced one in the middle is the Muffin. Cinnamon is on the left and biscuit is the white and cream one at the back.

I am glad I gave her such a beautiful last day. She did love to eat. The little Muffin is happy with the other two piggies so they are still a herd together. They miss Martha, but she was so frail towards the end that they have seen her slipping away.
Martha was so frightened after her experience of abandonment, but I think I gave her a real sense of safety and security.
She always knew there would be food. I am going to miss my little Martha. She has been such a character.  
It is going to seem quiet without her larger than life personality.