People and their fall into a routine as time passes.  Many pets seem to have an internal alarm that goes off when it’s meal time.  Based on my past experience, I believe that guinea pigs have the strongest and most accurate “Meal Alert System” (MAS) of all of the domesticated animals.  If you shake a bag, open a container, or open the refrigerator it sets off a false alarm of the MAS for almost all guinea pigs.  I fully expected Turtle Fitzgerald and Clapton to come with a pretty strong MAS that would grow stronger and more accurate as we fell into our routine with each other…

As many of you know, I am a high school teacher and my wake-up time ten months of the year is six am.  Even during the summer, I am usually up at six am, feed the boys, eat breakfast, and then go back to sleep if I’m tired still or don’t need to be up that early.  Since the Monday they have arrived, Turtle Fitzgerald have been fed at that early hour.  So, by now, I’d expect them to be in sync with my routine.  *Insert expectation versus reality paradox here*

The other morning was pretty typical… I got done making the boys breakfast by 6:15 am and went upstairs to feed them.  As I entered the bedroom, I turned on the overhead light to illuminate the dark.  Turtle Fitzgerald and Clapton did not stir from their hiding places in their huts.  “You two did a good eating all your dinner last night,” I told the quiet as I removed the old plate.  “Okay, here’s breakfast…” I informed my guinea pig boys as I put the plate down. 

Silence.

“Not a creature was stirring, not even a guinea pig?” I rephased the famous quote in the form of a question to the huts on the far side of the cage and giggled to myself.

Silence.

“Fine, fine, fine,” I sighed as I grabbed the treat bag from under the table where their cage sits.  “Here you go,” I declared as I shook the bag, “You win, you can have your treat before breakfast.”

Silence.

“Boys?” I called to huts.

Silence.

“Boys, come on…” I said with growing tension  in my voice.  “This is breakfast.” I added, “Boys?” at a higher and more nervous pitch than my previous tone.

Silence.

I had a lightning bolt of anxiety strike through my entire body.

Now, I’m going to stop here to explain myself a bit.  I believe that I am a typical pet owner… The moment I don’t hear my pets respond or they are too quiet, I just assume the worst.  Doesn’t everyone do that?  So, thoughts of ‘the boys are dead,’ ‘the boys are sick,’ and ‘the boys have run away’ all flooded my mind at once when I did not receive an immediate response to my calls from Turtle Fitzgerald or Clapton.

Now back to the story… Needless to say, I was concerned about the boys.  So, I went over to the huts on the other side of the cage.  I carefully tilted up the first hut and saw Turtle Fitzgerald sleeping on his side like a fuzzy bean.  “Awwww…” came out of my mouth at the sight.  TF started out of his sleep and jumped up into a standing position ready to run.  He looked around in a panic saw that I was the source of the disturbance.  He made a big production of stretching and added in a large tooth revealing yawn. 

“Nice,” I told him.  Turtle Fitzgerald didn’t care about my presence.  He turned towards the neighboring hut and let a bunch of bean fly in my general direction.  “Okay, not so nice then,” I laughed.  He walked into the other hut and laid down.  A small pink foot popped out of the other hut as he stretched out and got comfortable again.  “Fine,” I told the foot, “I’ll let you sleep in.  Where’s your brother?”

Silence again.

“Turtle Fitzgerald?” I asked the foot.

Silence.

I put the first hut back down being carful that it did not rest on TF’s foot.  I grabbed the second hut and slowly tilted it on to its front legs.  Clapton was facing back side of the hut on his side looking like the most perfect bean there ever did exist.  Turtle Fitzgerald was laying right up against Clapton in the exact same position.  They were two perfect beans sleeping away.

I really struggled to stop myself from saying or doing anything that would wake them.  I put the hut back down carefully and quietly backed away from the cage.

As I left the room, I looked back and saw the still cage and silence. ‘What sweet boys,’ I thought to myself.  I went downstairs and laid down on the couch, turned on the television, and quickly drifted off to sleep. 

I was rudely awoken at ten am by a text from work. “Augh,” I moaned.  Forgetting where I was, I rolled over to grab my phone and fell off of the couch flat on to my back.  “Ouch,” was all I could wheeze out. Apparently, the thud from my fall managed to set off Turtle Fitzgerald and Clapton’s Meal Alert Sytem (MAS).  (Yeah, remember, that’s what this blog was supposed to be about.)  I listened intently and confirmed that the boys were wheeking for food.  “Really?” I asked the empty living room.  “My voice, your food plate being put in the cage, and a shaking bag didn’t set you off.  I fall off the couch and THAT sets you off?” I asked still staring up at the ceiling.

The wheeking continued.  The boys were clearly wheeking out their little hearts to the song of their people. “How did you even hear that?” I asked sitting up and then felt the brunt of the fall in my back as it cracked. “Oof.” I grunted, “That must have been loud.”

I got up and went upstairs.  As I opened the door, Turtle Fitzgerald and Clapton fell silent and bolted for their huts.  They left a trail of beans in their wake.  “Uh, huh,” was all I could say as I grabbed the treat bag.  I shook it.  Turtle Fitzgerald and Clapton both stuck their heads out from their huts but refused to leave the shelter.

“Oh, so we’re demanding room service this morning?” I asked the boys as I gave them a treat and they ducked back into their huts to eat it.  “You two may want to have your Meal Alert Systems looked at the next time you’re at the vet,” I giggled, “It may need a bit of a recalibration.  Much love. – KA

Author’s note:  I joke about Turtle Fitzgerald and Clapton not getting up right away to eat their breakfast.  This isn’t odd or worrisome behavior.  They are eating all of the fresh items I offer (except bell peppers), eating hay like it’s going out of style, drink plenty of water, and graze on their pellets.  They just like to sleep in…

See? I’d run towards this if I were Turtle Fitzgerald and Clapton! – KA

*phone ringing*

Women’s Voice: “Yes, hello, this is the ‘Guinea Pig Help Line’.  How may I direct your call?”

Me: “I’m not sure who I need to speak to…”

Women’s Voice: “Okay, tell what seems to be the problem and I’ll direct your call the best I can.”

Me: “Well, it’s sorta embarrassing…”

Women’s Voice: “Ma’am, all of our calls are held in the strictest of confidence.  We’ve heard it all here.  You’ve taken the first step reaching out to us.  Let us help you…”

Me: “Okay.” *take in deep breath* “My guinea pigs, my new guinea pigs, Turtle Fitzgerald and Clapton don’t like green OR red peppers…” *small sob*

Women’s Voice: “Oh, my…” *computer keys clicking in the background* “Okay, I’m going to transfer you to one of our non-medical emergency specialists… Please hold.” 

Me:  *now full-on crying* “Thank you…”

*clicks over the phone* *one ring*

Man’s Voice: “Non-Medical Emergency Department, this is Brad speaking, how may I help you?”

Me: *sniffling* “Hi, Brad, my name is Kerry Anne.”

Brad: “Yes, Kerry Anne, thank you for your call.  How may I help you today?”

Me: “Well, my new guinea pigs, Turtle Fitzgerald and Clapton don’t like green OR red peppers… and that’s not normal…” *lets out a large sob*

Brad: “Oh,” *furious clicking of keys in the background* “Let me just look up something here…”

Me: *continues to sob*

Brad: “Okay, I think I’ve found something here that may help… Kerry Anne?”

Me: *attempting to pull self together* “Yes, I’m here… give me a minute.” *blows nose*

Brad: “Okay, are you sitting down?”

Me: “Yes, why?  Is it that bad?”
Brad: “Not bad, just unusual…”

Me: “Okay, what is it?”

Brad: “My reference book says, ‘Although unusual, some guinea pigs may not like green or red peppers’ and it continues with, ‘these guinea pigs are extremely rare and must be given extra vitamin c to compensate for loss of the vitamin usually obtained from the vegetable.”

Me: “Unusual?  That sounds like a nice way of saying ‘defective’!”

Brad: “No, not at all!  Let me read you this part, ‘These rare guinea pigs are not defective as some might think.  They are simply picky eaters that do not like green or red peppers.’”

Me: *scoffs* “So, you’re telling me that I’ve adopted TWO super picky eaters?”

Brad: “It appears so…”

Me: “TWO?  What are the odds?”

Brad: “Well, these are guinea pigs we’re talking about… So, the odds are pretty good…”

Me: “Uh-huh.”

Brad: “So, it’s unusual and rare but not an emergency…  Just make sure you give them plenty to vitamin c from another source…”

Me: “Uh-huh.”

Brad: “Your guinea pigs can have a long and healthy life without green and red peppers!  All you’ve got to do is believe!”

Me: “A long and healthy life… with no green or red peppers…  Okay, I can accept that.  They are guinea pigs after all…”

Brad: “That’s the spirit!”

Me: “I guess I need to go and apologize to my picky eaters for calling them defective…”

Brad: “Yes, that’s always a good idea.  Is there anything else I can help you with today?”

Me: “No, that was my only concern…”

Brad: “Great!  Thank you for calling the Guinea Pig Help Line this is Brad from the Non-Medical Emergency Department.  I hope that I answered all of your questions and was able to provide all of the answers you needed.  I’d appreciate it if you’d hold for a short survey. Have a good day.”

Me: “Thanks.” *waits for survey to begin*

*after the survey*

Me:  *turns towards cage* “Well, Turtle Fitzgerald and Clapton, it seems that I owe you an apology… You’re not defective… you’re picky!  Like I’ve never heard of that before from a guinea pig…”

And, if you haven’t figured out that this entire piece is satire, please let me show you a bridge I’m selling… cheap…  Much love. – KA

Turtle Fitzgerald and Clapton arrived at their forever home last Monday.  The boys needed to adjust to a new place with new smells and new sounds.  I even went through an adjustment period.  The noise, the sound, the smells, and raves at 2 am were all familiar and new at the same time…

Yes, 2 am is when it started on Friday morning.  The zoomies, the popcorning, the grunting, the rumble strutting, the pellet dish digging, the hay spreading, and yes, the wheeking.  It was a full-on guinea pig rave at 2 am.  “Oh,” I said as I turned over in bed hearing the commotion across the room that woke me up, “You two are party pigs.”

The sound of my voice set off the emergency guinea pig alert system.  “Wheeekkkk, whhheeeekk,” yelled Turtle Fitzgerald and Clapton at the top of their lungs.  They were singing me the song of their people… at 2 am!

“No, no, no, no snacks at 2 am… I’m not going to bribe you to be quiet.  I’m not rewarding this behavior,” I moaned from under the pillow I had moved to hold it over my head and stifle the noise. 

Apparently, the boys took muffled responses as a, ‘I’ll be there a minute…’ and let out loud in unison, “Whheeeeeeeeeeeeek!”

“Fine! You win!” I yelled into the pillow and threw it off of my head.  “I’m up now!” I added when my head was extricated pillow.  Turtle Fitzgerald and Clapton went quiet.  “Oh, no,” I scolded them from across the room as I sat up in bed, “If I’m up, you’re up too.  You’re getting treats and you’re going to like it!”  Have I mentioned before that I’m a bit grumpy when I’m woken up in the middle of the night?  Yeah, you could say I was a bit grumpy that night…just a bit. 

As my feet hit the floor and I stood up, the bed creaked a bit.  I heard both boys bolt for cover…  I felt like I was the police busting an illegal underground rave.  I switched on the light, walked over the cage, and saw both boys were laying in their huts sprawled out as if I had awoken them from their peaceful slumber.  “Uh, huh,” I said bending over to grab the treats, “like I don’t know what you two were just up to in the middle of the night.  That’s not fooling anyone…”  I pulled two treats out from the bag and laid them at the noses of the boys.  There was no reaction.  “Fine,” I yawned, “I’ll be getting back to bed.”  As I left the room to use the lady’s, I heard furious munching behind me in the cage.  “Sleeping?” I asked over my shoulder, “you two aren’t fooling anyone.”

When I walked back into the room, both boys were laying on their sides in their huts.  They looked like two sweet, perfect, and innocent beans.  I got back into bed and turned off the light.  I snuggled back into the covers and pillow.  A bit later, as I was starting to fall asleep, I heard the zoomies start up again.  I began to giggle to myself as I drifted off.  As I faded into sleep, the racket of the 2 am guinea pig rave sang me a lullaby that only a guinea pig owner will recognize as sweet music to the ears… Much love.  – KA

Sometimes a beginning is an ending…

I was supposed to wake up at 9 am on Monday to prepare for my meeting with Aunt Becky from MGPR to adopt the two new guinea pigs.  My nerves had different plans and I was up at 6 am sharp.  Unable to return to sleep, I walked around the cleaning things and checking on the new boys’ cage.  As I cleaned, I dusted Fred and Lamont’s ash holders that still sat on the bedside table.

“You know,” I told the boxes, “I’ll never be able to thank you two for what you did for me during your lives.  You weren’t just pets; you were my family.”  I took the boxes and held them to my heart and began to cry. “I really miss you both…” I sobbed, “but it’s time for a new adventure…”  I sat down on the bed and cradled the boxes for a long time remembering my two sweet boys. 

When I was ready, I stood up, cradling both boxes in my arms as if they were still with me, and took them to my office.  In there, I have a small memorial for all of my pets that have passed away.  Nibbles, the rat; Petey, the guinea pig; and infamous Alfalfa, the guinea pig all sit in a place of honor on my book shelf.  I knew it was time for Fred and Lamont to join their siblings.  As I put their boxes down and rearranged them, I said, “My loves, these are Fred and Lamont” and broke off with a sob.  After several moments I continued, “They are your brothers.  I loved them, like I loved you, with all of my heart.” 

I kissed my hand and touched each of the boxes, once three counted now five counted.  Before I left the room, I added, “Do not wait for me; be free and joyous… If there is an afterlife, I promise I will find you and we will be together again…” 

I returned to my bedroom with a heavy heart and went to the bedside.  There were two rectangular outlines in the dust where the boxes had sat just moments before.  I started to cry again as I sprayed and wiped the dusk marks away.  At about 7:30 am, I went downstairs and fitfully fell asleep on the couch.

I was rudely awakened by my alarm at 9 am, went though my morning routine, made breakfast, and was at the door at 10:30 am ready to go.  As I shut and locked the front door, I took a moment to pause and reflect.  ‘This is it,’ I thought, ‘both an end and a new beginning. Funny how that works…’  I got in the car and as I started it, I said to the universe, “Turtle Fitzgerald and Clapton, your mom is on the way…” and pulled out of my parking spot to go and meet my new loves.  I was on my way to a new adventure.  Much love. – KA

So, it with a heavy heart that I write this blog post. I need to update you on what has been going on over the past couple of weeks. It has taken me that long to come to terms with it…

I welcomed Orbit and Drogon into my life at the end of January. I was joyous at their arrive and we entered a short honeymoon period. Drogon developed watery stool and diarrhea. Both her and Orbit were treated with strong antibiotics. Orbit’s treatment was preventative. Drogon quickly recovered and thankfully Orbit didn’t catch what she had.

After both guinea pigs were better, I was laying on the bed with both of them on my chest. All three of us were chilling and bonding. It was very nice. That’s when I noticed that Orbit sounded like he had a stuffy nose. I called and got him a vet appointment. It turned out his teeth were causing irritation and he needed to have a dental procedure. So, the next Thursday, I dropped them off at the vet so Orbit could have his procedure done on Friday morning. It was a success and they both returned home. Orbit was on pain medicine but was eating and drinking. Both guinea pigs popcorned when they were placed back in their home cage. I was nice to see them both so happy.

Soon after Orbit’s dental procedure, his stool became loose. I was giving him probiotics twice a day. One weekend, I noticed some blood in the cage. It appeared to be coming from Orbit due to his worsening diarrhea. Aunt Becky thought that Orbit might have a bladder stone. On a Monday, he was put on prednisone to help with his diarrhea. By the same Wednesday, Orbit’s diarrhea was much worse.

Orbit and Drogon staying with me as fosters had always been contingent on Orbit’s health. If it continued to do well, they could stay. It was clear by then that my house was not the best place for them both. It was on Wednesday night that I made the difficult decision to return both Orbit and Drogon to the rescue to be with their Aunt Becky. Based on his medical condition, I felt that he needed more expert care and one on one attention than I could give him.

I cried myself into a fitful sleep on Wednesday into Thursday. Knowing in your brain versus your heart that you are making a decision that is best for a pet are two different things. My brain knew it was right. But in the process of making the right decision, my heart was broken.

On Thursday, I got home after school and saw that Orbit needed a vet appointment. The vet saw him that afternoon. He checked out at the vet but was diagnosed with a bladder stone. His surgery was scheduled for the next Tuesday. Another member of the rescue picked up Drogon and Orbit and they were transferred back to Aunt Becky.

I texted the next Wednesday to find out how Orbit’s surgery had gone. I was informed that prior weekend Orbit passed away. My heart broke even more.

I offered to give Drogon a home. I was super happy with her and Orbit. However, it was not mean to be… Another guinea pig from the same situation Orbit had come from, had passed the same weekend. Drogon was alone and this other male pig was alone. So, Aunt Becky decided that the best thing for both of them was to see if they were a match and go from there. The next Thursday they met and it was love at first site.

Aunt Becky sent me a picture and if you look closely, you can see Drogon with a bit of a smile on her face. She and the her new partner “Mint” are now a bonded pair and went home with Mint’s humans. I’m told they are getting along like two peas in a pod. It’s the perfect outcome for her.

Now, I’ve got an empty home waiting for two guinea pigs that I can spoil and love. I’m just waiting for the heavens to align and for them to come into my life. Until then, I will take this time to heal my heart. I know there’s a pair waiting for me. – KA

Drogon and Mint

Back at the end of January, I became a foster mom to two guinea pigs. Their names are Drogon (female) and Orbit (male). They are a bonded pair and quite lovely. I never expected to have guinea pigs back in the house soo soon. Their Aunt Becky made the offer of the foster and sent me a pig-ture of them. I couldn’t resist… who could? I call Orbit “my fluffy cloud” because he looks like a cloud in the setting sun and feels like one too. Drogon has an attitude. She quickly earned “Miss D” as a nickname when she’s behaving and “Sassy” when she’s not. Can you guess which one comes out of my mouth more often than not?

The other day, I took the lovely couple to their vet. Orbit’s nose was running and I needed to get that checked out. Both guinea pigs got nail trims. All in all it was a very successful trip. We got home the other night and the couple was rewarded with dinner.

When I was finished teaching today, I had to take a trip to the Vehicle Emission Inspection Point or VEIP for short. So, I jumped in my car and set off. After a quick stop to get gas, I wound up in a 15 car line at the inspection station. I put my audiobook on and sat in line. I was finally able to pull into a stall 20 minutes later…

“May I have your inspection notice?” I was asked by the working employee as I rolled down my window.

“Oh, sorry, I thought it was done by license plate number. Let me grab it,” I responded as I reached over to the the glove box, opened it, and grabbed the top paper out of it. “Here you go!” I cheerfully said while handing the paper to employee.

The employee looked over paper and then down at me sitting in the car. He asked, “So, you’ve got two guinea pigs named Drogon and Obrit?”

“Yes!” I responded in awe of the employee’s information, “but…” I didn’t get the chance to finish.

“And they had nail trims yesterday?” he asked.

In complete and total shock I responded, “Yes! Wow, are you a fan of my page or blog?” I will be the first to admit that I was feeling a bit proud of the fact that I may have been recognized by one of the blog’s fans. I was floating a bit on that feeling.

He then added, “And Orbit had a bit of a clear discharge but he’s feeling better now?”

I was complete shock, “What? How did you know…” I asked trailing off. My floating feeling turned to one of dread. This guy knew too much.

“Well, you gave me the bill for your guinea pigs’ visit to the vet yesterday,” he informed me while holding up the bill so I could see it and added, “and not the inspection notice…”

“Uhhhhhhh…” I groaned as I blushed bright red in embarrassment. “Sorry about that…,” I tried to giggle but it came out as a nasal honk. “Let me find the correct paper for you…” I leaned over and started to tear apart glove box throwing most of it on the car floor in order to find the inspection paper. All I could hear was the sound of the employee giggling at me. I called out, “I’m normally more organized than this,” as I was hanging over the shifter and half in the footwell. After looking through another set of papers, I finally found it. “Here!” I declared in triumph throwing myself back up to a sitting position in the driver’s seat. With the momentum, I managed to throw the paper at him.

“I’ll give this back to you,” he giggled and handed the vet bill back to me. With the correct paper in hand, he turned and walked back over to the computer.

“Listen, I’m super sorry about that,” I called to the employee as I popped out of my car. I desperately needed to salvage some of my dignity.

“Don’t worry about it,” he laughed. He plugged my car into the system. We both stood there quietly as the computer counted down from 60 seconds. After the test was done he asked, “So you like guinea pigs?” He stamped the inspection paper and handed it back to me.

“Oh, yes,” I said taking back the paper, “These two are a trip!” I gestured at the vet bill, “Such personalities!” The employee opened the car door for me. “Thank you,” I said with a nod while getting back into my car.

“So,” he explained, “you’re good to go… I mean if that’s all you need…”

“Thanks!” I called as I started my car.

“You know,” he added out of the middle of nowhere, “you’re phone number is on the vet bill.”

“Oh, thanks!” I cluelessly replied, “Wouldn’t want to lose that,” I added with a giggle. “Am I good to go?” I asked again as I started the car.

“Yeup,” the employee said. I put the car in drive and pulled away slowly. “You’ve got your paper?” I heard him ask the backside of my car.

As I pulled up to the stop sign and stopped, I grabbed the vet paper on the seat next to me and giggled. “That was stuu…” was all I got out before I realized what happened. “OH, MY GOD!” I shouted as I pounded the steering wheel, “I’m a frigging idiot! Oh, my god!” I turned to look back at the garage and quickly considered my options. I thought about turning left and just getting back in the inspection line or pulling into the parking spots and running in.

A car horn broke my train of thought. “OY!” I heard come from the driver behind me. Reluctantly I put the car into drive and pulled away from the stop sign and towards the exit. As I drove home I grumbled to myself at the lost of a potential adventure that I had missed.

Life is an adventure and you need to pay attention for those small opportunities… Even if they come in the form of a vet bill. Much love. – KA

It’s taken me some time and even more tears to be able to write this post. For such small pets, they do leave a big hole in your heart when they are gone.

Fred – June 1, 2013 to August 23, 2020 – Fred was the the brave and fearless one of the pair. Nothing bothered him… except nail trims by the vet techs… but, besides that, he was fearless. He was truly his brother’s keeper. Fred was always first to try everything and explore. However, he never forget about his brother. Fred would let out a small squeak to let Lamont know “the coast is clear”. Fred loved to have his head scratched. He hated to be picked up and held without his brother. If I had Fred out for a nail trim, Lamont had to be really close to him or he’d panic and cry out for Lamont. He was my love.

Lamont – June 1, 2013 to December 16, 2020 – Lamont was the timid one of the pair. But, if his brother went first, there was nothing he couldn’t do. Throughout his life, Lamont struggled with a chronic upper respiratory infection. He was in and out of the vet for treatment. However, he was always brave at the vet. Lamont loved to be snuggled. He loved his brave brother even more. Lamont followed Fred everywhere because ‘if it was safe for Fred than it was safe for him’. Lamont turned to me even more for companionship when his brother passed. I’d put in in a snuggle sack and tote him around the house. Lamont spent many hours sleeping on my lap in his snack as I taught from my home computer. He was my love.

As I sit here and try to finish writing this for the dozenth time, I have started to cry again. I sit here and remember all of the adventures I have had with them. I remember all of the love I had for them. But most of all, I remember how lucky I was to have them in my life.

Popcorn free, my loves. I promise, I will meet you at the rainbow bridge.

Love, Your Mom, KA.

Time sure flies when your having fun. And boy, has it gone fast with Fred and Lamont. I can’t believe they are 7 years old today! I’ve been with them for close to 6 years now! Amazing.

Originally, I thought that Fred and Lamont didn’t have an exact birthday. I knew that I adopted them on August 1st and they were about a year old. So, I went with it! And, I went with it for Birthday’s 2 through 6.

When I found the adoption paper, I decided to look at it closely. It had the day of their adoption, August 1st 2014 and their Birthday, June 1, 2013! “Whaaattt?” is all I got out when I read the paper. I had to tell the boys!

“Boys,” I called when I walked into the bedroom. “Did you know you were born on June 1st, 2013 NOT August 1st?” I asked them both. Fred looked up at me blankly as he chewed some lettuce. Lamont let out a small chatter with his teeth. “Yeah, no need to talk back,” I told Lamont as I walked back over to the office with paper in hand. I ran multiple calculations through my mind. WOW! The boys were older than I thought! WOW!

Today, I spent some time reading though old blogs and old Facebook posts to reminisce about my time with Fred and Lamont. They truly have been such wonderful companions. I know that they won’t be around forever. I will cherish each day they are with me.

So, on this very special day, let me just say: Happy Birthday, Fred and Lamont! I love you both! – KA

Fred and Lamont waiting for a treat!

One of the nicest things about having two old men guinea pigs is the time I get to spend with them.

Night I have give Fred his medication for his arthritis. He used to hate that. After a while he tolerated it. Now, he loves taking the meds. I think / hope he realizes that it’s helping him. He likes the medicam the best. He won’t let go of the syringe.

Lamont is still skittish about taking his medicine. He’s on shilitong mixed into water. He was peeing some bladder sludge. This and a small change in diet has worked very well. The sludge is down to all most nothing. Just what I wanted to see.

The best thing about giving the boys their meds is the extra time I get to spend with them. I always cuddled with them. But in their younger years, I had to respect the ‘nudge’ they’d give me when they had enough. It was never more than 5 or 10 minutes at a time.

These days, the boys don’t give me a nudge. They will happily sit in my arms and cuddle. It’s wonderful. Of course, I always respect them and won’t hold them for too long.

My heart is so full when I have them in my arms each night. It is the perfect way to end each day. They bring me peace and joy.

I know one day I’ll have to say good bye to each of them. But, I have time now and I’m going to take full advantage of that. I will appreciate every day, every minute, every second.

As time goes on so do we. It is way we spend that time that determines its quality.

The boys and I are living the highest quality of life. – KA

Those of you that haven’t had a herbivore in your life have most likely heard of Oxbow’s Critical Care. It’s a life saver to help rehabilitate heal all types of herbivores. Don’t freak out; it’s not bad. Let me explain…

So, Lamont managed to get hay in his eye on Tuesday. I got it out and cleaned up the eye. But, that meant a trip to the vet. Thankfully we were able to get in on Thursday. He managed to scratch up his left cornea. He’s on a pain medication, an antibiotic eye drop, and a gel of some sort. More importantly, the boys have lost some weight…

I’ve noticed that both boys were not as interested in their dinners over the past three weeks. I’ve been watching them. Why the past three weeks? That’s when the scare over romaine and spring mix ended. Before that, they were eating really well. Green, red, and butter lettuces were the most common on their plates.

So, when the scare was over, I switched them back to their normal spring mix. Apparently, they don’t like it as much as the premium blend I’ve been serving. Shocking, huh? The two of them spoiled? Never… *cough, cough*

So, now they’ve lost weight. Oy! I talked to the vet last night about it and we came up with a plan. I’m going start giving them a bit of critical care each night. This will help them put on some weight, introduce them to the taste, and get them used to taking it. If something does happen, this will be a ‘normal’ thing for them.

Fred, of course, was the better of the two tonight. Once he decided that I wasn’t trying to kill him but feed him, he greedily ate up a 1/2 tube. Wonderful for the first time at it. Lamont whined the whole time. I gave him about 1/4 of the tube, feed Fred, and then went back and gave him the other 1/4. Done.

I’ve got to say that both of the boys really didn’t mind the process as much as I thought they would. I just had to be careful to let them chew and swallow between squirts. It went well. Fred didn’t spare a drop. Lamont is a bit of a sloppy eater.

So, that’s the current drama for the week. Old men = old men problems. Old, spoiled, rescued pets are the best kind. And, I love my two with all of my heart! – KA

This isn’t a sponsored post. But here is the link to the product I’m talking about: https://www.oxbowanimalhealth.com/our-products/professional-line/critical-care/