Hammy in October, one of the several photos taken during a short poo, wee, and health quarantine session

Miriam Ruff, the author of this article, enjoys being a dedicated HappyCavy.com visitor and provider of treats for her favorite Herd, as well as serving as a volunteer writer and editor for HappyCavy and other guinea pig rescue blogs. She holds a degree in Zoology (cell biology), has worked in the movie industry, and has published several books of poetry and a number of short stories. Her company, Bumbershoot, Inc., provides a wide range of professional writing and editing services. You can find out more about her and the services she provides at BumbershootWriting.com.

It takes a lot of grit to be a “spokespig,” but Hammy, the face and voice of HappyCavy.com, certainly had plenty of that. The senior member of the HappyCavy Herd kept us informed and entertained with her videos, her blog, and her “Ask Hammy” column since her debut on the website in February 2009, and it with great sadness that we report her passing on December 29 of this year.

The Humans have already posted information about her cage-mates’ strong and amazing reaction to the event, and there is nothing I can add to those fine words. But Hammy was an enormous personality that all of us visitors to the HappyCavy site came to know so well, and that story bears telling.

Hammy was a doer. She ran zoomies around the cage every morning when the lights went on. She still tried to popcorn when she was happy, even though she was of a senior age. She interacted well with the other members of the Herd, and she even protected her sisters during the stressful period when Dot, now also passed, was first introduced to them.

She appeared as the representative of HappyCavy when The Humans posted to Facebook or Twitter. She “authored” blog after blog after blog. She advocated for rescue. And, perhaps most importantly, she ran the “Ask Hammy” column, where people could write in with questions about guinea pig needs and care and have them answered by an expert.

And, through the guinea pig webcams, she was forever in the limelight, taking it like a real pro. There were many days when I felt stressed or down and turned to the site to watch Hammy and the others go calmly about their daily routines. It was familiar and comforting, and she never failed to impress me with her reaction to all the attention. She even took it in stride when the site’s treat feeder went live, allowing those of us who lived vicariously through the Herd to actually interact with her and the others. We will miss that.

To others who feel her loss as keenly as I do, I say be strong. Remember the exuberant personality that was and help keep that memory alive. We will all miss you, little one. We wish you a safe trip over the Rainbow Bridge and the knowledge that you will always have a special place in our hearts.

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About Miriam Ruff

Miriam Ruff holds a degree in Zoology and is the owner of Bumbershoot, Inc., a writing and editing services company, She is also a guinea pig enthusiast who likes to blog about all things GP.