Normally I blog about gadgets and games. This one’s a unique topic since…I’m a new owner of a Guinea Pig, “FINALLY!” I’ve wanted one for a few years and almost brought one home last week. The very next day, my wife surprised me when she came home with a baby Guinea Pig!
She had returned from grocery shopping. Next thing I knew, one of my kids brought me a cardboard box with holes in it. I was like, “Whoa, did you do what I think you did?” My wife walks in; she couldn’t keep a poker face. Her smile confirmed my suspicion. Oh boy! I opened the box carefully, looked inside, and…a streak of black and white fur whisked by my hand. A Guinea Piggy!
Over the weekend, I started getting to know my piggy. His name is Bon-Bon. Though we assumed we likely got a girl, I did some research, looked at its hind parts, and am almost certain it’s a boy. That’s fine. Now I just want a forthcoming second Guinea Pig to be a boy too, not a girl. Else I’ll end up having way more piggies than I can handle.
I’m still learning to manage one Guinea Pig for now. As the baby piggy gets used to me and my family, I’m getting used to gently picking him up, holding him, petting him, having cuddle time, and enjoying floor time. This last one is where we set up some barriers and toys and let the piggy explore and get exercise while we watch and interact.
Of course, there’s also the fun of learning to clean the Guinea Pig’s cage, provide proper food and diet, and maintain a safe and cozy habitat. For such a small creature, there’s quite a lot of care and stewardship required. This was one reason to hesitate buying a Guinea Pig; I wanted to be ready for the responsibility. Another reason: we have cats and a dog — safety first.
One of the biggest things I’m learning are the meanings of all the sounds Guinea Pigs make. My favorite is the loud happy “Wheek” when the piggy wants or expects food. My piggy, though, hasn’t done that yet. I think babies make less noise in general; Bon-Bon is still quite timid. I’m trying to learn the sounds so I can ensure my piggy is happy. If I hear teeth chattering or other upset sounds, I’ll take note and avoid their cause.
Owning a Guinea Pig was a longstanding wish of mine. I’m reminded of when I was around 5 or 6 years old and my parents owned a piggy or two. I’ll never forget one morning when I went downstairs and discovered two or three babies, seeming to come from nowhere; what a surprise! I also fondly remember their cute squeaky sounds.
So my Guinea Pig “parenting” adventure has begun. I hope to become proficient at caring for these precious little creatures. Maybe someday I’ll even breed them. I’m officially a “Guinea Dad.”