"But its ONLY a guinea pig...."

Status
Not open for further replies.
It really gets up my back when people say "it's only..." when talking about an animal. Don't they understand that to some of us our animals are more important than some people! :x
 
None of my relatives, or friends have ever made such a comment! I realise that I am very fortunate in this respect! However, I do think they become concerned when I remark that 'money is never an issue'!

However, I rarely talk about my animals - I treat them as my guilty little pleasure!
 
Woodrite said:
Hello Everyone,

I just got my first guinea pig yesterday and am checking out different websites. Seems I have landed in England. I live in Montana, USA, about an hours drive from Yellowstone National Park.

I got a young boar from a fella who had two and this one was getting chewed on, so I adopted him. Today I made a better cage for him and found a plastic tube so he can hide out.

I have not told my friends and family yet and imagine i will get similar responses as what you all have shared in this post. I come from a ranch background where animals are for consumption or utility. Since this little guy is too small to pull a plow, they might ask how it tastes. Somehow this little creature has made it 5000 years and finally finds a home where it doesn't get eaten. I suppose that nervousness will take a couple thousand more years to ware off!

I held him a couple times now and he seems to be pretty happy. He likes apple slices. I pruned an apple tree and chokecherry bush for some twigs to chew on. He's got me thinking of him, how do they do that? My dogs are jealous and nervous I might trade them in...ha ha.
Click to expand...

Hi, sounds like the little guy has landed on his feet with you. Some people do not understand loving and caring for a small animal. Luckily all my family are guinea pig lovers both my sisters and sister in law are come on this forum. Thing is one piggy always leads to another as you have probably already found out your little guy would need a piggy friend.
Back when I only had 3 piggies (I have 7 now) the cat we had then was jealous of them and would jump out from under the table and swipe your ankles if you had been out to cuddle the piggies.
 
I really do hate this to the max, its a family pet its actually part of the family so its not just a guinea pig!
I ignore people who say this now!
 
At times like that, I know it's horrible but I really hope there is such thing as a reincarnation, and the people who say it come back as a Guinea Pig who's owners say "oh, it's only a Guinea Pig (just let it get ill etc)".. see how they bloody like it!

People just don't understand that they are actual living things with feeling and emotion.
x
 
My OH acts like he dosnt care, he says I'm sad when he sees me reading stuff on here n buying things and making things!
but then he asks after them like on christmas day he asked when i was getting them out to open their presents :))

alot of random people at work ask me how are the piggies?! when I have posted up pics n stories on facebook lol
 
I get this a bit, but when I explain they are my children equivalent (I have no interest in human ones!) then people tend to be a little better. I try to be a little patient and explain their little characters and most people are surprised at how interactive they are. Sometimes its just ignorance and lack of understanding plus that human need that some people seem to have to wind others up! mallethead

I also find now that people ask me how the piggies are and when I lost two recently in quick succession people were genuinely upset and very sympathetic.

I thought this article (link below) was really interesting......and I also remember an old boss of mine who appeared to be one of toughest business people I know, telling me that he had had to present at a Board meeting with tears in his eyes as he had his dog put down the day before. I do think and hope our cultures love of pets is starting to be accepted socially....

Its an interesting read:

http://goodgriefpetloss.wordpress.com/2010/02/22/taking-time-off-for-your-pet/
 
Last edited:
On 8th August 2010 we suddenly and tragically lost one of our guinea pig's Honey, leaving her (nuetered) husband and 2 daughters, one of the daughters also hanging on by a thread, on the 9th August we had to make the heart renching decision to have the poorly daughter put to sleep, that's 2 piggies in 2 days, all very suddenlty, my OH's mum called just as we were leaving the vets with our "sleeping" piggy, we were both in tears, very very upset, as my OH answered crying she asked what was wrong, he told her and she burst out laughing and said oh dear, trying to be sympathetic, but just not getting it. I will NEVER forget that.

I dont get the whole its just a guinea pig line, but when i talk about them, i can tell people just want to be swallowed up as they dont care, so i dont bother anymore.

The only person who understands my love for my piggies is my OH as he feels exactly the same only a little less over protective, and of course everyone on this forum.
 
Toffeewoffee said:
On 8th August 2010 we suddenly and tragically lost one of our guinea pig's Honey, leaving her (nuetered) husband and 2 daughters, one of the daughters also hanging on by a thread, on the 9th August we had to make the heart renching decision to have the poorly daughter put to sleep, that's 2 piggies in 2 days, all very suddenlty, my OH's mum called just as we were leaving the vets with our "sleeping" piggy, we were both in tears, very very upset, as my OH answered crying she asked what was wrong, he told her and she burst out laughing and said oh dear, trying to be sympathetic, but just not getting it. I will NEVER forget that.

I dont get the whole its just a guinea pig line, but when i talk about them, i can tell people just want to be swallowed up as they dont care, so i dont bother anymore.

The only person who understands my love for my piggies is my OH as he feels exactly the same only a little less over protective, and of course everyone on this forum.
Click to expand...

Thats horrible I would of given her a mouthful afterwards. you dont need that.

when i split with my OH my mum and nan both said to me rehome 4 of your piggies (i have 8 in 2 groups of 4) i said no they're my babies i could never choose, i wouldnt want to, and its like asking you to choose which of your children to keep. they shut up after that.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Back
Top