Our beloved Sir Harry Oakes has passed away. It happened last night. He hadn't been feeling well for a few days and we figured he would go. Harry was an old piggy, though we aren't sure how old. We think he was between five and six years old and that's about the life span of a piggy. It was as if he had been waiting for us to come get him and hold him one last time so he could die. I'd been checking in on him all day and was glad each time that he was still alive. Then Adam came home from work and we were going to force feed him again, but he was going and we knew it, so we just sat with him. He did one last snuggle and run up my shoulders before breathing his last. Then, we buried him in our backyard at 9:30 at night. I felt like I should have been on an episode of Soporanos and hoped our neighbors weren't watching.

We purchased Harry along with Moxie and Malty from a pet store near Fairview Heights. They were our one year wedding anniversary gift to each other. Harry's name was to remind us of that... Oak is a tree and paper comes from trees and paper's what you're supposed to give on that first anniversary. Anyway, Sir Harry Oakes was a famous Bahamian baronet and he was originally from Maine. Harry was OUR piggy, while Moxie was Adam's (named after a horrible Maine drink) and Malty was mine (named after a yummy Bahamian drink).

The remaining pigs are divided among us. My Moose died last year. We still have OUR Chesterand Goldie, Adam's Bear and Moxie are still around and I have my Malty. I considered Harry MINE, though I knew he was OURS. He was my buddy and I will really miss him.

When Moose died a year ago, we wrote an obituary that we posted on the Cavy Forums. I have posted one there for Harry also. We tried to make them fun, as if they were human. They were both part of the family. Anyway, I am putting Harry's here so you can read that too. It gives a sense of who he was and what he was like.

Sir Harry Oakes, Maine

Sir Harry Oakes died on Sunday, July 9, 2006, at 7 Piggy Lane, McGee Residence, Maine.

Sir Harry Oakes’ birth date and place of birth are unknown, but to us he was born into our family shortly after June 8, 2003, when we rescued him from a local pet shop. Harry was the husband of Moxie and he remained faithful to her for the three years we owned him. Sir Harry Oakes was employed as a psychologist, often listening to the problems and good events that took place in his human parent’s lives. Harry first lived with Moxie and Malty until the discovery that he was a boy and he was moved to his own apartment. He later lived with his two sons, Moose and Bear. After the boys grew up, they moved to their own place and Harry once again lived alone, though his house was just next door to Moose, Bear, Moxie and Malty’s homes. He spent a short time living with Bear and Chester, but decided he liked living alone and moved back to his house where he could see all of his family, but still live in peace. Harry loved floor time, cuddling, and nipping human face parts as a sign of affection. As a younger pig, he did lots of popcorning and as an older pig he did a lot of running to show his enjoyment of time on the floor. Harry loved food. Some of his favorites included parsley, carrots, apples, strawberries, grapes, oranges and green peppers. On warm days he enjoyed lying in his hammock. And on cold nights he enjoyed snuggling in his pigloo.

Harry was preceded in death by his son, Moose.

He is survived by his wife, Moxie; son, Bear; daughter, Goldie; sister-in-law, Malty; and adopted son, Chester, all of 7 Piggy Lane, McGee Residence, Maine; two human parents, Adam and Kris; and a newly acquired human brother Ryan.