I am an ALL IN kind of person. It is imbedded deep into my personality. Now, if I am your employee or your friend, this personality trait is golden. If I believe in something or someone, there is NOTHING that will stop me from supporting it or you. However, this personality trait can also be a flaw. Sometimes a humorous flaw nonetheless.
Let me share with you our experience with Guinea Pigs:
When Mackenzie was about 2 1/2, we I decided she needed a pet. Now at the time, we were living in a very small two-bedroom single wide trailer house. This meant not a lot of room for a cat or dog. I wanted something that she could interact with so a fish was out. I decided on some type of small and furry creature. So began my internet search.
I searched all kinds of small animals. I looked mainly at their interaction with children and their cost. It was decided that we would get a guinea pig.
Now remember, I told you earlier that I am an ALL IN kind of gal. This meant our guinea pig would only get the best of the best!
Therefore the above pictured cage would NOT due!
Our pig deserved the best and that is just what he would get!
And so my research continued. I stumbled across some awesome webpages that gave step by step instructions on how to make your own cage using the grids you could pick up at Target and coroplast, a cheap sign making material. So the construction began! Now, I don't have pics of our exact cage, but it was very similar the the one pictured below.
Now remember, we lived in a very small trailer at the time, so this thing took up a quarter of the living room.
(Should have gone for the cat)
We even bought a special "play yard" for when I had to clean the cage.
So now that we had everything we needed, we decided to go to Southern Agriculture and let Mackenzie pick out her furry little buddy.
We found a super cute little guy. He was light brown and white. Short hair, "normal" looking guinea pig. She named him Snickers.
Snickers was a delight. He squealed and squeaked when he wanted fed or held. But soon he started to just be...well...boring. He didn't run anymore. He didn't squeak as much. He just laid there.
So the research began again! Upon my internet searching, I discovered that guinea pigs are in fact social creatures. They like to be around other guinea pigs! I also discovered that they multiply like rabbits and males are very territorial.
What were we to do? Snickers was lonely. But we couldn't get a female or we would run the risk of having 100's of pigs. We couldn't get another male because they could kill each other fighting for dominance. What to do? What to do? I know----research some more!
Then I came across a guinea pig rescue facility in Texas. I was certain that this was the answer. We could drive down to Texas with Snickers and he could have mini playdates with other male pigs to see who he would get along with. And that is just what we did! We loaded up the car with our small family of four (don't forget Snickers), and we drove. We drove HOURS!
When we arrived at the rescue we couldn't believe our eyes! This couple had turned their house into a guinea pig and small rodent zoo. I would say there were probably hundreds of guinea pigs.
The search for a playmate began. After a few hours of "testing" playmates, we found one. Spike would come home with us because they seemed to get along well.
HOURS back home.
Weeks go by and we discover that the two do not get along. Fights are split up. Hair is lost. Tears are wiped from our poor baby girl having to watch all this fighting.
We call the rescue to describe the situation. Upon much conversation, we decide that another male is not going to work with Snickers. However, there is another solution! We decided to get Snickers "fixed" and get a female. (Yes, they do neuter guinea pigs)
The rescue has a doctor down in Texas that they highly recommend and the rescue knows how to handle healing after the surgery so down to Texas we go. We take Spike back to the rescue and leave Snickers there for his surgery.
After a few weeks, we return to pick up Snickers and his lovely bride Ginger whom he has been sharing a cage with. They are a delightful couple and get along quite nicely we are told.
After this second day-long trip to Texas, our guinea pig problems have seemed to come to a close. We are all happy. They two pigs are quite a lovely couple. They squeal. They squeak. They cuddle. They eat. And eat. And eat!!!!!
All is good.
UNTIL......(to be continued)
No comments:
Post a Comment