[mignon ledgard]

Dear Fliss,

What a wonderful photo of Mr Patch! I'm no expert on guinea pigs, but I know they can be very attached to their owners, and that they are individuals, each with a personality of their own.

I had never seen one the color of Mr Patch, not with such a thick, beautiful coat. And, pardon me, but it amuses me, to see how the top of his head is a different color--is this so?

What size is he? He does look like a friendly giant!
I smile,
~mignon

[F.F. Teague]

Dear mignon,

Many thanks for your kind comment. Yes, guineas can become very attached to their owners and they certainly have distinct personalities. That comes out in the stories I've written, I think.

Mr Patch has been very well cared for throughout this life. He was one of three boys in a litter of four. My mum kept only the little girl from that litter, so Mr Patch and one of his brothers went to live with a rather famous man and his family, as it happens (a knight). The remaining brother went to live with a vet's assistant.

Yes, Mr Patch has an amusing head. Often, with this type of colouring, there are solid patches of colour amidst the mixture of two tones.

Mr Patch weighed approximately 3 pounds and 8 ounces at the time of taking this photo. That's a superb size for a boar. He is very friendly; I visited the knight and family last Friday and Mr Patch sat happily on my lap. He also has a lovely voice; it's clear and fairly loud.

Many thanks for your interest, mignon; I'm pleased the image raises a smile :-)

Best wishes,
Fliss

[John Isbell]

Hi Fliss,

It is good to see one of the beings that lives with you. Mr Patch seems amply equipped to fill that role, and I am glad of it.

Cheers,
John

[F.F. Teague]

Hi John,

Thanks for enjoying the photo. Alas, Mr Patch does not live with me (see my response to mignon, above), but I like to keep in touch with him. He is handsome and dignified :-)

Best wishes,
Fliss

[John Isbell]

I’m not sure I’ve ever met so dark a guinea pig.

Cheers,
John

[F.F. Teague]

John, one of Mr Patch's brothers was a self black and so dark that his coat had a blue tinge. His owners called him 'Midnight' :-) (he died last year, alas)

Best wishes,
Fliss

[John Isbell]

I am sorry to hear of his passing.

Regards,
John

[Ramya Sadasivam]

It looks very beautiful <3

[F.F. Teague]

Thank you, Ramya. I love guinea pigs; they usually have such lovely laidback temperaments

Best wishes,
Fliss