Goodbye Max

It is with great saddness that I have to announce the passing of my gorgeous guinea pig, Max.

He left this world at 3:45pm April 12th 2011 with the help of our vet, Paul.

Max had a brilliant day April 11th. He ate all of his food, ate lots of grass and enjoyed the sunshine.

He went down hill very fast and I knew it was his time to go. He went very peacefully.

Whilst I am devistated that he has gone, I take comfort in the fact that he is no longer in pain. For nearly 3 months he battled the illness and he was brave till the very end.

I cannot put into words what he meant to me. He was there when I passed my exams, he was there when I got into college and he was there when I got my job working with animals. If it wasn't for him 6 years ago, I doubt I would be working with animals now.

Mindy, his friend for the last 3 years is depressed.
The most upsetting thing is seeing her looking everywhere for him, tipping up his house and pacing back and forth. I don't know how she'll cope over the next few days but we'll being going through it together.

Goodbye my handsome little boy, I hope you know how much I love you and I always will. Sleep tight, darling.

Those inbetween days

I can't make up my mind if I like them or not. The day before I go back to work always feels weird because I try to get as much done as possible. I'd usually clean the cages but I cleaned those yesterday so today, I've not got anything that needs to be done.

I have thought of rearranging my models, as my new ones are just put on a shelf together, but it'll probably take me hours and I'm not sure if I want to be stuck doing that.
I started to update my catalogue but about 50 animals in, I felt overwhelmed and like it would never end so I gave up, for now.

I wish the weather was better because I've got quite a few Breyers that need to have their photo show pictures taken but it's quite cloudy. I could take the pictures outside but it is windy and I dare not take my models outside !

Yesterday I had a look on eBay and ended up winning an auction. I wasn't looking to buy anything, as two of my pets are currently a little unwell, but they were really cheap, I'd been looking for them for a few years and I had some Paypal balance that would pay for them. I really can't wait for them to arrive now :) It'll complete my little family that I've dreamt of for a few years.

So what do you do on the in between days ?

Take care
~Rio

Penblwydd hapus i chi

That's right, today is my birthday :)
I was very lucky as I recieved a lot of models ! Two Equorums, some AAA models, a Schleich and some Breyer Stablemates. I also recieved some money and I have bought another Equorum. Can't wait to get her, she is beautiful !

Thank you to all my friends on various forums who wished me a happy birthday. I am celebrating my birthday on my own this year so I felt very loved from all of the messages.

I may just have a little bit of money left over for a couple of Schleich, although that depends on how much I need for one of my rabbits.

I may be 20 but I don't feel any different. Maybe because I am alone today or maybe because 20 is not of the "big" birthdays. I hope that next year I can celebrate my birthday with my family.

I have had fun today :) opening the lovely surprises and also taking photos of my new models. They are already catalogued in my folder so I hope to work on my online catalogue this week. It's a little hard because I have two cages in my room, a rabbit in one and a guinea pig in the other, and I can't actually get to the keyboard, lol !

Once again, thank you for all of the birthday wishes, 50% of the enjoyment that I get from this hobby is because of the wonderful people on forums.

Take care
~Rio

And I said I wouldn't get that obsessed

It's happened. The whole made in China, made in Germany or Made in Portugal option.

I said I wouldn't get that obsessed because the models look the same and with online shopping, you can't really tell which one you are getting unless you ask the seller, not all are willing to be that helpful.

However, on Saturday I went into town and straight to ELC. As I suspected no new 2011 models, just what they had last time, but I was able to pick up a really nice Arctic Fox female.
I was happy with my choice but my mum thought it was a waste of time just getting one model, so she offered to buy me one. Well how can I say no !

It was actually a lot harder than I thought. Which to choose ? Should I try and get the last horse I need from 2010 ? Another 2011 model ? How about one of the cows that I've been saying I'll get next time.

It was none of those, in fact it was the Rooster. What drew me towards this Rooster was his colour. He is just so vibrate compared to the others on the shelf. After a closer look, I saw that the vibrant one is a "Made in China" and the duller coloured one is "Made in Germany" The China one has made it's way into my collection but next Saturday I hope to get the Made in Germany one.

:o that means I'll have doubles in my collection !!!!!
My opinion use to be, whats the point in having doubles ? That space could be used for another model. That money could go towards another model and I don't want two the same.
They are so different though that I can warrant having two the "same".

I will limit myself. I won't get a model just because it was made in another country, after all it is just a change on one word, but if the painting style is drastically different, colours are different or a totally different pattern, then they will make their way into my collection.

Here are two models to illustrate my point.


Left - Germany, Right - China

 On the left is the made in Germany cat and on the right is the made in china cat.

On this occasion, the made in China cat is more realistic and my favourite of the two.






So, I'll be keeping my eyes open for any variations, there are already quite a few that I have spotted.
Happy collecting everyone !
~Rio

Just two weeks to go

That's right, just two more weeks and it's my birthday. I've already got my eye on a few models I'd like to get.
I also know what models I'll be getting because I bought them lol !

I've not been in work for a while so I've had plenty of time to sort out my collection. I've taken photos of them all and been working on records. Tomorrow, I hope to start on another diorama.

Take care
~Rio

First post of the new year

A little late, I know, but I've been so busy.

I don't think I've mentioned it yet but I have two more rabbits. My neighbour was unable to look after them anymore so Mollie and Mia have joined the McLoughlin family. Cute little things they are but naughty at the same time. I'll be saving up some money for them soon to get them spayed, hopefully that'll sort their fighting out.

Mia

Mollie

After Christmas is almost always a difficult time for people. All the excitement is over and life goes back to normal. Bills need to be paid, work goes back to normal and there are no real holidays to celebrate until Valentine's day, if you celebrate that.
I do like February though, as it is my birthday ;) and I can treat myself to a few more models than what I usually would.

 After the new year I always question my collection. Should I collect something new this year ? only collect OF's ? Start collecting CM's ? Resins ? Tack ? Props ?
So many questions !
And I usually have the same answer, stick to what I'm comfortable with. And what I'm most comfortable with is OF's. They are relatively easy to get, except Breyers are a little harder to get now, but then everyone has nearly the same looking model. The other price difference should be if there is a slight variation which makes it more collectible. 

This year, I've decided to start collecting customs too. I have got a few, maybe 20 horses, but I was never really fussed by them because they are unique and that's what attracts people to them. If you are bidding against people and you don't win, you'll never get that version of the model again unless the winner sells it.
I know I should selfish.
I've seen various models over the past few days that have made be change my mind and they are affordable too ! Ok they are private sales but I can actually afford these and I'll be able to grace my collection with unique pieces of art.

I think everyone has that thought every once in a while regarding collections. I'm happy to collect two types of finishes even if it may be more expensive !

You clear a shelf and then models take it over

I hope everyone had a good Christmas.

I did :) Amongst the many models that I got, I also received socks for work (really thick ski socks), DVDs, chocolate, a Dremel (watch out models!!!!), a couple of books and a memory foam pillow (which is like sleeping on a cloud). I was also "gifted" two rabbits that my neighbour no longer wanted. Mollie and Mia live outside out they are great little rabbits.

My guinea pig, Monty, is a little unwell today. I'm hoping he feels better tomorrow or he'll be straight to the vets.

I have plenty of models to share and take pictures of. Lots of work ahead.

Have a happy new year everyone !