western australia

News from our niece

@JudyEv (382343)

Rockingham, Australia

April 29, 2026 2:20am CST

One of our nieces emailed me last night. We house-sat for them last year, looking after two cats and some guinea pigs. Among other news was that the male guinea pig had escaped from the ‘monastery’ and had been living in the ‘convent’ with the ladies for three days. You can imagine what this might mean! I am awaiting developments with great interest. She also included this beautiful photo of two brushtail possums which frequent their area. They have no neighbours to one side so see quite a few bush creatures.

19 people like this

21 responses

@DaddyEvil (174590)

• United States

29 Apr

I hope your niece is prepared for a whole bunch of new convicts for her monastery and nunnery. OH, I mean converts...

Your possums look a lot cuter than ours do!

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@JudyEv (382343)

• Rockingham, Australia

29 Apr

Yep, I think there will be some new kids on the block soon. I do like our possums more than yours.

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@DaddyEvil (174590)

• United States

30 Apr

@JudyEv You could always ask your niece for a sweet pair of males or females for you to raise and enjoy.

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@JudyEv (382343)

• Rockingham, Australia

1 May

@DaddyEvil They thought the original 3-4 were all females but one was a male so then they separated them.

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@rebelann (117259)

• El Paso, Texas

29 Apr

Those kritters are adorable. My community is now a suburb, not what I wanted but they call it 'progress'

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@rebelann (117259)

• El Paso, Texas

30 Apr

I miss seeing eagles and hawks overhead @JudyEv

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@JudyEv (382343)

• Rockingham, Australia

1 May

@rebelann Some of our wild creatures have become quite urbanised. We see crows and black cockatoos here sometimes.

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@JudyEv (382343)

• Rockingham, Australia

30 Apr

You can't stop progress. So much land around here was once farmland of one kind or another; now, it's all housing.

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@Juliaacv (56354)

• Canada

29 Apr

They look quite stunned and surprised to be looking into the camera. I remember you house sitting for her and her family while they were away. You and vince cleaned up the back porch area so that they could sit and enjoy a sunset together.

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@Juliaacv (56354)

• Canada

29 Apr

@JudyEv I remember because I thought it was such an unselfish and kind gesture, not just repairing it, but providing them with a place close to the home that they could easily hear if anyone inside of the house needed them.

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@JudyEv (382343)

• Rockingham, Australia

29 Apr

Yes, that's right. We repaired the balcony for them. Fancy you remembering.

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@JudyEv (382343)

• Rockingham, Australia

30 Apr

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@rakski (156552)

• Philippines

30 Apr

there might be an addition to the family soon

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@rakski (156552)

• Philippines

1 May

@JudyEv oh wow

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@JudyEv (382343)

• Rockingham, Australia

30 Apr

Several additions I would think.

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@Ronrybs (21492)

• London, England

29 Apr

They are quite cute, not that I've seen possum in real life. Sounds like a guinea pig explosion could be on the cards!

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@JudyEv (382343)

• Rockingham, Australia

30 Apr

I think our niece needs to start canvassing pet shops.

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@JudyEv (382343)

• Rockingham, Australia

5 May

@Ronrybs I think my nephew might have nearly that many by now. They make no attempt to limit their numbers.

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@Ronrybs (21492)

• London, England

4 May

@JudyEv I think it was The Simpsons where the local petshop owner was trying to shift 500 of them

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@Ineeddentures (35088)

•

30 Apr

Oh yes Little guinea pigs What fun Do they eat guinea pigs in Australia

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@JudyEv (382343)

• Rockingham, Australia

30 Apr

Not in Australia. I know they do in South America. No reason why we shouldn't. They don't require a lot of space and would be quick breeders.

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@Ineeddentures (35088)

•

30 Apr

@JudyEv I don't think I could eat them Not having had a few as pets over the years

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@LadyDuck (502653)

• Italy

29 Apr

Your possums are really cute, we have small rodents that look like them, dormice. They are a bit of a problem now because they eat hazelnuts and Ferrero needs hazelnuts to make Nutella.

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@JudyEv (382343)

• Rockingham, Australia

29 Apr

Possums are a nuisance too as they get into the roof space and make a mess.

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@LadyDuck (502653)

• Italy

29 Apr

@JudyEv The dormice do the same.

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@RasmaSandra (98072)

• Daytona Beach, Florida

29 Apr

Cute possum looks different from the white one that comes here ar night,

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@JudyEv (382343)

• Rockingham, Australia

30 Apr

I think yours are more accurately opossums. I don't think they're related.

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@Marilynda1225 (91127)

• United States

29 Apr

She caught a really nice picture of those possums. Our possums here are quite ugly

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@Marilynda1225 (91127)

• United States

30 Apr

@JudyEv you are definitely right about that

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@JudyEv (382343)

• Rockingham, Australia

30 Apr

I've always thought our possums are much prettier than your opossums.

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@DianneN (254926)

• United States

29 Apr

Oh, my!

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@JudyEv (382343)

• Rockingham, Australia

30 Apr

Oh my indeed!! Would you like a guinea pig or three in a few weeks? They would make a nice addition to your garden.

@Traceyjayne (11437)

• United Kingdom

30 Apr

The Possums are beautiful. Better get ready to be busy if you have to go house sitting again ….there are likely to be many more Guinea pigs this time x

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@JudyEv (382343)

• Rockingham, Australia

1 May

I think if there is a next time we might be too busy!!

@freelancermariagrace (29342)

• Philippines

30 Apr

So adorable! My first pet was a guinea pig. He was really cute. However, guinea pigs have relatively short lifespans. :((

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@JudyEv (382343)

• Rockingham, Australia

30 Apr

They are also very quick and prolific breeders which is what is worrying my niece.

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@Wrexxo (1975)

•

29 Apr

Look at the cute eyes

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@JudyEv (382343)

• Rockingham, Australia

30 Apr

Possums were hunted for their pelts once.

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@Jehanne (2047)

• Philippines

29 Apr

the guinea pig family is getting bigger, huh

I'm not familiar with possums, are they like cats?

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@JudyEv (382343)

• Rockingham, Australia

30 Apr

Not really. More like squirrels. I don't know what country you're from so I'm not sure what to compare them to that you'd recognise. Maybe a bit like lemurs?

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@Jehanne (2047)

• Philippines

30 Apr

@JudyEv I'm from Philippines. Ah! yes, I'm familiar with lemurs it is a bit similar with possums. Thank you

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@snowy22315 (209080)

• United States

29 Apr

Apparently, there will be some new editions to the family. I like the bush critters.

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@JudyEv (382343)

• Rockingham, Australia

29 Apr

I very much think there will be some new babies.

@toniganzon (77247)

• Philippines

29 Apr

There's gonna be an over population of guinea pigs!

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@JudyEv (382343)

• Rockingham, Australia

29 Apr

I think that is a distinct possibility.

@wolfgirl569 (135910)

• Marion, Ohio

29 Apr

Your possums are cute. How many girls do they have? It could be a lot of new little ones

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@JudyEv (382343)

• Rockingham, Australia

29 Apr

There were four when we were there but I think they bought two more later.

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@xFiacre (14787)

• Ireland

29 Apr

@JudyEv Guinea pigs don’t need any encouragement! Nice possums.

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@JudyEv (382343)

• Rockingham, Australia

29 Apr

I think my niece needs to start talking to pet shops! lol

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@LindaOHio (222623)

• United States

29 Apr

Cute photo. Oh no! about the guinea pigs. There might be a ton of them coming.

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@JudyEv (382343)

• Rockingham, Australia

29 Apr

I think they might have 5-6 females and they could all be pregnant!

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@MarieCoyle (59273)

•

29 Apr

Oh, dear. A rogue runaway guinea pig! Sounds like he wanted to chase the ladies! I don't think I have ever seen a picture of brushtail possums. Very interesting looking, thanks for posting that.

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@JudyEv (382343)

• Rockingham, Australia

29 Apr

I was always on the lookout to make sure the little pigs stayed in their proper enclosures.