Happy Thanksgiving! I hope you and your family are having a great Thanksgiving.

I’m writing this blog today to talk about one of the things that came to mind after dinner today…

My friend has two cats at their house. But it’s how she and her husband treat their cats that not only stuck me as special but, also felt really familiar. You see, they treat their cats as if they were part of the family.

Now, this isn’t a revelation for most of you reading this. “Of course, pets are supposed to be a part of the family!” your thinking. That’s not always the case during the holidays when lots of people are visiting.

Some families will treat their pets differently when company arrives. No, I’m not taking about pets that have to be treated specially due to their needs. No. These are the people that banish their pets, yell at them, and ignore them when company arrives. You know the people I’m taking about…

This friend introduced her cats to me, didn’t yell at them when they were curious about the visitors, and gave them a treat when we were at the dinner table.

When I was sitting at dinner, there was a natural conversation about pets in their family. Everyone at the table talked about their pets like they were part of their family.

On the way home, I reflected on the dinner. It’s then that I realized something… I could go through my phone and Facebook list of my very diverse friends and find one common thread… They all considered their pets a valuable member of their family.

That realization was and wasn’t a surprise simultaneously. It’s not like when I’m forming a friendship, I screen people for how they treat their pets. Who does? What I find remarkable is that I have surrounded myself with those types of people.

I guess what I’m saying is that I am amazed and grateful for all of the friends that I have in my life. They are some of the most amazing people in the world. Their compassion and love for their pets is just one of the things that I love.

Look around your world. Are the people in your life ones that have the qualities that you support? Do they lift you and inspire you? Are you proud to have them as your friend?

So, on this Thanksgiving, I’d like to say that I’m grateful for all of my friends out there. Thank you for your values and love. – KA

PS – I’m always grateful for Fred and Lamont. They are my loves.

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When you live with animals, you get to know them and they get to know you.  That’s the deal with me and the boys.  I know their schedules, food likes, sleeping spots, and grooming habits.  However, in their old age, somethings have changed.  Here’s a list of some of those things that have changed with them:

1) Only the freshest food – Oh, heaven forbid, I give the boys slightly wilted lettuce…There will be heck to pay!  They demand only the best lettuce.  They will pick through and eat all of the ‘good lettuce’ and ignore the less than perfect ones.  Before they became old men, they’d eat anything.  Not anymore!

2) Only the mixed blend – The boys used to love timothy hay.  Then I made the mistake of giving them a mixed blend of timothy hay and orchard grass.  They won’t eat anything else!  And it’s more expensive.

3) Eating times – I have Fred and Lamont on a regular feeding schedule.  If I know I’m going to be late coming home, I will give them extra food.  However, I always face their wrath when I come home.  They will squeal and complain at me for being a half hour late.  Do they have a hidden clock in that cage?

4) Are you up? – I swear with this one, the boys are trying to kill me.  They have begun to call out for me at odd hours of the night….at the top of their lungs.  NO, it’s not them singing me the song of their people!  They whine and whine until it wakes me up.  They get louder when they realize I’m up.  In order to get them to stop, I have to call out something to them.  This happened last night three times.  I’m exhausted.

5) Poop sitting – Most boy guinea pigs like to sit on their poop.  My two have taken it to a new level.  They will get up and have several beans stuck to their side and butts.  I’ve had to use a damp washcloth to clean their backsides up at least once a week.

So, is it true that guinea pigs age like a good wine?  Only getting sweeter, more robust with age? Perhaps, but they are most definitely more stinky… pe-yew!  – KA

It’s a spooky Halloween Day,

Someone is out to get Fred and Lamont in some way!

“Boooooysss!” a voice from the stairs called.

The sound it made had them appalled!

“I’ve got dinner for you!”  

Nope, they didn’t need to think it though!

“That’s not our mom!” they said

As it climbed to stairs to Lamont and Fred!

“We must run, hide, and go away!”

“Take shelter and keep out of the fray!”

Both boys took shelter under the cover.

It felt like they would both smother!

“GO AWAY!” both boys pleaded.

Their mom is what they needed.

“Mom, oh, mom!” they screamed.

This was worse than they ever dreamed.

“Yes, my boys,” the voice choked out.

The voice was ugly without a doubt.

A hand lifted the blanket as a voice said,

“Why are you two so filled with dread?”

Fred didn’t want to look see,

Lamont let out a little wee.

“Boys, oh, boys, my voice is thick.”

“Can’t you hear that I am sick?”

Then the creature let out a honk.

Fred jumped and hit is head with a bonk.

Lamont mustered up all his wit.

He declared, “I’ll be the one to put an end to it!”

Lamont popped his noise of cover.

He was not a fighter but a lover.

“That’s mom’s smell!”

Lamont let out with a yell.

Fred swallowed his fright

To look out took all of his might.

“Mom!” Fred let out with a gasp.

“Yes, Fred,” mom replied with a rasp.

The boys shouted out, “We thought you were ghosts or ghouls!”

“No boys, I’m just sick you fools!”

So we over here all want to say,

Happy Halloween, and have a spooky day!

– Kerry Anne, Fred, and Lamont

I’m exhausted.  It’s senior letter of recommendation time.  I’ve written a grant in less than 48 hours for my classroom.  And my graduate class is working me to death.  So, I’ve been busy.  Then I realized it was Thursday…blog day.

So, I walked upstairs and asked the boys what I should write about.  They didn’t say anything but “Wheek!  Wheek!  Wheek!”  But I heard, “Treat!  Treat!  Treat!”  “Fine,” I told them, “I’ll give you treats…”

I sat down next to the boys’ cage and began to feed them treats.  Lamont set up shop right in front of me.  “Typical,” I told him as he grabbed another timothy hay treat.  Fred walked up and grabbed another treat.  He then walked to the other side of the cage to enjoy it in private.  “Lamont, why can’t you be more like your brother?” I asked him. 

Lamont let out a long “Wheeeeek!” in my general direction. “Yes, yes, yes,” I sighed, “more treats; less talk.”  I handed Lamont another treat.  “Listen, dude,” I told him plainly, “You’re getting pretty demanding in your old age.” Lamont just huffed at me to signal he was doing being ‘treated’.  “See?” I asked, “you’ve just dismissed me.” 

Lamont paid no attention to what I told him.  As he walked away, he left several beans in his trail.  “And now you’ve just pooped in my general direction,” I sighed. 

Fred took the opportunity to walk over to where I was sitting.  He clicked his teeth at me to tell me ‘Treat me now, lady.’ “Oh, oh,” I said stumbling over my words, “Now, I’m not quick enough for you?”

Fred ignored me, turned and planted several larger beans as close as he could get them to me.  “Thanks,” I sighed as he walked away.  “Should I take that as a compliment or an insult?” I asked Fred’s receding butt.  He didn’t respond. 

So, I was sitting her pondering what to write for tonight’s blog.  I went to YouTube for some inspiration and a Monty Python skit was on my recommendation list.  Then it hit me… I wonder if my guinea pigs have been watching Monty Python when I’m not home? Are they taunting me?

To put it in context, I’ll leave you with this infamous quote: “I fart in your general direction!  Your mother was a hamster and your father smelt of elderberries!” – The Guard from “Monty Python and the Holy Grail”

– KA

Since school has started, I have been coming home at between 3:45 pm and 5:30 pm.  The exact time most days varies.  Last year the slight variety in times didn’t bother them.  This year, they are being incredibly picky.

Yesterday, I got home at 4:30 pm.  I put together the boys dinner and went upstairs to feed them.  As soon as I stepped on the bottom stair step, I heard the complaining from the bedroom.  “Boys?!?” I called from the steps.  The noise stopped and then got even louder. 

When I opened the door and walked into the room, Fred and Lamont sprinted from the bedroom area to the kitchen area of their cage.  Lamont tripped himself up over the wooden bridge between the area and faceplanted into the kitchen area.  “Ooof!” I said in reaction and then added, “You okay, dude?” Lamont didn’t even skip a beat he sprinted to the empty dish. “He’s fine!” I told the room.  I put down the dish and the boys went to work on it. They were eating like they hadn’t been feed in weeks.

On Monday, I got home a bit early at 3:40 pm.  So, I went through my routine and got the food ready for the boys. As I went upstairs, it was dead quiet.  “Boys?” I called from the stairs as I do every day. Again, it was very quiet. 

When I walked into the bedroom, the boys were nowhere to been seen.  I went over the cage and saw two pairs of feet sticking out from under the side of the snuggle sacks.  “Sleeping, I see,” I told the feet.  I put the new food down and went to change.  When I was done, I told the boys, “Okaayyyy, time to eat.” There was no response.  Both boys were still out cold.  “I shook my head, “I can’t win,” was all I could say to them. 

So, the fall time change is coming up soon.  I don’t look forward to what’s going to happen to the boys’ feeding schedule. Grumpy old men… – KA

Fred had an appointment at the vet last Wednesday.  He was seen because I noticed that he was slowing down and having difficulty walking.  Thank goodness for his vet.

When we got the vet, I was very nervous for Fred.  He and his brother are old men… 6.25 years old to be exact!  So, I expected them to slow down and have some old man problems.  However, this had occurred since their last visit in June.  Remember that visit?  The one where the vet complimented me on how good the boys looked?  Yeah, that’s why I was so concerned about Fred.  This downturn happened in less than two and a half months.

In the examination room, Fred went through an extensive evaluation.  The vet commented that his knees seemed a bit enlarged.  He recommended an x-ray to determine if Fred had arthritis or something else.  The x-ray was the only way to get a good diagnosis.  SO, off he went with the technician…whining all the way.

Lamont herd his cries and started to whine back.  I went over to the carrier and got Lamont out of it.  I put him on my left shoulder…Fred’s side… and told him that his brother was going to be fine.  Lamont snuggled into my shoulder and let out a little shudder at Fred’s protest from the back area.  “I know,” I comforted Lamont, “it’s scary for me too.  This is the best way to help your brother.”  Lamont sighed and snuggled in a bit tighter into my neck.

Five minutes later Fred was back.  As soon as he and the vet tech entered the exam room, he called out for his brother.  Lamont answered back and began to struggle.  “Okay,” I sighed, “the moment is over and you want your brother.”  I put Lamont back in the carrier and then took Fred from the vet tech.  Lamont squealed in protest from the carrier.  “Fine,” I told him, “You can have your brother back.”  I gingerly put Fred back into the carrier.  The two of them began to chortle and squeak at each other.  They were happy to see each other.

After about five minutes, the vet came back in with a diagnosis.  Fred had osteoarthritis and it was bad in his knees.  He was prescribed an anti-inflammatory and a supplement for his joints.  As the vet and I talked about Fred’s care, the two of them continued to greet each other and make happy noises.  “They are really bonded,” the vet remarked.

“Yeah,” I said, “They are brothers.  That’s why I was so worried.”

“Because you think Lamont will develop this too?” the vet asked.

“No,” I explained, “If Lamont develops this, I will get him treatment and do what’s best for him.  It’s just that if I lose one of them, I know the other one isn’t going to hang in long…  The left behind brother’s heart will break…”

“You can get another one to bond with the survivor…” the vet said trying to comfort me. 

“I know.  I will,” I said through tears, “My heart literally broke when I lost Alfalfa and my heart is big…  How will a tiny heart like their’s be able to survive such a loss?”

“Right now, other than his knees, he’s very healthy.  Actually, they are both doing remarkably well for their age,” the vet reassured me.  “Take it one day at a time and enjoy them both… they are old men.”

I giggled at his comment. “You mean grumpy old men?” I asked with a smile.

As I drove home with the boys in their carrier, I listened to them talk with each other. Lamont was clearly comforting Fred.  Usually, Fred comforts Lamont as Fred’s the brave one and Lamont’s the sissy.

When we got home, I started Fred on his medicines.  Today it has been a week and a day since I started Fred’s medicines.  He’s doing much better.  He is eating more, walking better, and just seems to be in a better mood.  Back to the usual grumpy old man. 

I don’t know how much longer I’ll have the boys in my life.  I do know that I will love, cherish, appreciate, spoil them each and every one of those days.  They, like my other pets, have changed me and taught me so much about pure love.  That is a lesson I will never forget.  – KA

Time flies when you’re having fun.  Where did the summer go? And where did the years go with the boys?  I still can’t believe that they have been in my life over five years! At six years old, they are starting to slow down a bit.

One of the biggest changes that has come with old age is picky eating.  Fred and Lamont have always been a bit ‘food spoiled’.  But recently, I had to experiment with what they are eating in order to see what they will actually eat now.  It’s been an expensive experiment.  We’ve settled on less spring mix and more fresh green lettuce (not the bad kind).  They want more tomatoes and cucumbers and less carrots.  Phew!

Fred has been showing his age a bit more than Lamont.  I think his back hips are bothering him.  He is walking a bit stiff now.  I’ve got an appointment next Wednesday for him to see if putting him on some anti-inflammatories or pain medicines will help him.  He’s always a bit stiff when he wakes up.  Once he’s been moving a bit, he’s usually better.  I will let you know.

Lamont could star in the movie “Grumpy Old Men” right now.  Boy, has he been impatient with his brother!  Lamont nipped Fred in the butt to move him out of the way when Fred was too slow moving to the food dish.  I’ve admonished Lamont but he just won’t listen to me. Augh, boys!

So, as the days go on, I consider each one of them I spend with Fred and Lamont a gift.  I know one day I will have to say goodbye… But until that day, I will love them with my whole heart like I have done every day since I became their mom.  – KA

I’ve gotten several PMs about my (and the boys’) lack of presence on Facebook.  Two factors lead to my impromptu leave of absence:  First, I’ve been really busy with school work.  I’ve got a difficult schedule at school and need to make sure I’m prepared before school starts.  When I’m not working on school items, I’m working at my summer job.  Second, I’ve received some incredibly nasty comments on PM towards me and the blog.

No, I’m not going to post them here and a name.  That’s petty and won’t resolve the issue.  I have blocked and reported the person.  If it continues, I will continue my reporting and consider legal action.  Enough said.

I do want to address an issue that was brought up.  The person wanted to know why I moved because my blog had become ‘really boring’.  So, I took some time to look back and reflect.  I disagree with the person and told them.  I explained that it was true that the nature of my life adventures with the guinea pigs had changed; however, the change was for the better.  (The person disagreed and got nasty with me.)

A good example of this is Lamont.  When I lived in my apartment, he was getting sick every 2 to 4 months.  I was constantly at the vet with him.  In that apartment, I did everything to keep him healthy and it didn’t work.  I finally figured out that the multiple floods I had in the apartment from an uncapped pipe behind my apartment must have caused unseen mold.  It was that mold that was causing the issue for him. 

Since we have moved, he has gotten sick several times.  However, the time between them has gotten longer and longer.  Last year, he was only sick twice.  This year, it’s only been once so far.  I’m okay with have a few less adventures to the vet if it means that Lamont is healthier.

My baby boy deserves to be in the best environment I can provide.  If there’s an air quality issue at the house (which there isn’t) I can fix it.  I don’t have to file a ‘maintenance request’ and wait for the correct specialist to be on property to make a decision if it will or won’t be fixed…  That’s what I had in my apartment.

I’ll give you an example with Fred.  He’s loves his brother but needs his space.  Here the boys have a larger cage that better accommodates them.  In fact, their cage is large enough for 4 guinea pigs!  Fred is a lot happier with the larger cage.  He has the space to be near Lamont but also to be away from him.  Lamont is a bit of a handful for myself and his brother. 

So, yes, we are back.  However, things are going to change around here a bit.  I may start sharing some of my personal adventures when we have a ‘dull’ week.  Also, I am tightening up some of the comments and PMs I’m allowing.  Thank you for your support.  – KA

In two weeks, I will have been the boys’ mom for five year.  I adopted them when they were just 1 year old…  I will never forget meeting them for the first time…

I arrived at an address at about 5 pm in the evening.  Their rescue aunt invited me into her house.  She had several cages set up as she was in the process of getting ready for a big adoption event.  She brought me over to the cage where Fred and Lamont were staying.  Fred stuck his head out immediately and sniffed at me.  Lamont bolted and hid in the nearest hut.

She explained that Lamont was extremely shy and might need some extra care when it came to holding him.  I didn’t care.  All I knew was that I was in love with them both when I first looked at their picture on the rescue website.  Seeing them in person only confirmed my feelings. 

Their rescue aunt had me sit down on her couch and sign some adoption papers.  Once done, she asked if I wanted to hold both of them.

“Both?” I asked.  And added, “At the same time?” I remember realizing that I was going to have to figure out how to handle two guinea pigs at one.

I was handed Fred first.  I scratched the little rosette in his hair at the top.  “You wanted to be a crested guinea pig but only got half of the proper genes,” I told him and kissed the top of his head.  He chortled softly. 

Lamont came out of the cage with a bit of a whine.  “This is Lamont,” his rescue aunt told me, “he’s the skittish one.” 

She placed Lamont on my right chest.  He climbed immediately climbed up to my neck and buried his head there.  Lamont began to softly whine.  With my right hand, I softly petted him.  “It’s okay, dude,” I told him.  Fred must have sensed Lamont wasn’t too happy and he climbed up the left side and put his head in the crick of my neck.  I kissed the part of his head I could reach.

I began to cry.

“Hey, guys,” I told them, “I’m going to be your new mom.  I promise I will take care of you today and every day.  I always make sure you have what you need and you two will be the most spoiled guinea pigs in the world… I promise.”

I think the ride home with the boys was one of the longest in my life.  I had their cage set up, food in the fridge, and lots of new things for them to try.  I sat and stared at them for hours that night and slept next to their cage.  If one of them moved or made a noise, I was up to see if they needed anything…  I was a bit of a nervous new mom. 

It is almost five years since that first meeting.  Today is August 1^st, their assigned Birthdays.  (No one knew the exact dates so; I gave them one!)  If I had to go back and make the same decision, knowing what I know now, I’d do it all again…a hundred times.  – KA

P.S. – People always ask me about Fred and Lamont’s breed type. “Oh, what kind of guinea pig is that?” they will ask of both of them.  My response is always the same, “The best kind: Rescued!”  If you’d like to wish Fred and Lamont a Happy Birthday, please honor the rescue organization that saved them and brought them into my life: http://mgpr.org/newsite/Donate/Donate.htm .  Thank you.

No matter how you say it “tomatOOOH” or “tomAAAto” or “tomOOOto” or “maaateer”, all I hear is one word:  PROBLEM.  Yes, the tomatoes that I have in two pots as ‘decorations’ at the front of my house have become a large, errr, number problem.

I have two plants out front.  The first is a pink tomato plant.  It produces large, pink, sweet tomatoes about once every other week.  They are great for grilling and putting on burgers.  I am happy to consume them and don’t wind up with extra.  The other plant is a completely different story.

The other plant is a variety of a plum tomato called a Sungold.  That thing is out of control.  Yes, I know the tomatoes are small and sweet but I’m not a fan of tomatoes in general.  I’ve figured out that if I grill the big one and put it on a burger, I’m good.  However, these can’t be grilled and I’ve got waaaaay too many.

The boys have graciously offered to help me with the consumption of these tomatoes with one stipulation:  they always have to be the perfect ripeness.  Too ripe or not ripe enough, they will outright refuse to eat them.  I have collected plates from them that are completely clean but for the tomatoes that are not to their liking.  I’ve had to resort to extreme measures.

I have taken pictures of several tomatoes at different ripeness and tried to compare the left overs to those pictures.  There’s only one problem, I can’t tell what is what when I examine the leftovers.  *sigh*

I did come up with a new solution: I started cutting each of the ripe tomatoes differently.  That way when I examine the leftovers, I can tell what the boys did and didn’t eat.  I’ve got a picture of an ‘example’ of the perfect ripeness on my phone that I have to compare to every tomato I put on their plate.  It’s a pain in the rear checking those tomatoes.

I have tried to pawn some of the tomatoes off on my neighbors.  The only problems is that I’ve given the neighbors: boxes and boxes of butter lettuce, jars of homemade pickles, a jar of pickled jalapeno peppers, and tons fresh cayenne peppers.  There’s only so much a neighbor can take off of my hands.  I’ve also pawned many of the same things on my parents.  Don’t worry, my refrigerator is FULL of pickled everything!  I’m up to my ears with this stuff.

To make matters worse, people have stopped accepting my hot peppers (and I’ve got a ton of those).  Apparently, I’ve got a knack for growing them “hotter than they should be”.  I’ve texted two people offering to give them some of the hot peppers.  Alas, no one’s responded.  Perhaps they’ve gotten wind of my proclivity for growing super-hot peppers.

When I bought my house, I thought it would be fun to plant somethings.  So far, it’s been more work than fun…  Now I know why – KA