How piggies changed my life - what about you?

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squeakysmallpaws

squeakysmallpaws

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So I was reading a thread where someone asked - 'so what's wrong with breeders I'm new to this site'. And it made me smile because it was exactly the same question I had back when I was kat04kt and found this site. I started writing a response, but decided I was totally hjacking the thread and going off topic, but it made me think about how my two boys have changed my life. Here's what I wrote:

I was exactly the same before discovering this site. I thought that by going to a breeder I was being responsible because I wasn't going through a pet shop. I also naively believed every word this breeder woman told me. Here's just some of the highlights of exceptionally bad advice that I would have believed, if it hadn't of been for this site.

- guinea pigs make great pets you can leave them for the weekend with some dried food and they'll be fine
- it doesn't really matter if you take just one, just give them lots of attention (this was because she wanted me to take one there and then)
- boys get on better than girls they never fight, girls are stroppy and just want to have babies (this was when I said, I heard that boys can sometimes fall out)
-bed them on straw it's the best thing
- you can take, 'my boy now called Manny', you can take him now if you like, you can just put him in a box he'll be fine (I said I couldn't because I was going on holiday - hence when she told me he'd be fine left on his own.........)
- my babies are all really tame - they've been handled alot by my grandkids (given what these two are like, doubt they'd been handled at all! And if they were it was badly!)

Also about 10 days after having my piggies I discovered they both had fungal infections.....

Basically, I'd been reading about what great pets guinea pigs made so I'd looked for guinea pig breeders, she lived close to me, I called and she invited me over. I was thinking this woman knows everything about guinea pigs, that she was some sort of guru, so I put down a deposit, then went away to do more research on what they needed, I had three weeks to prepare - discovered this site and I can only say I wish I'd found it sooner. I love my lads dearly but it's been a world wind of aganst, vet appointments, tearful conversations, bites, and now two boys don't seem to like each other very much... I've had them for about ten weeks and it's been none stop stress.

The one positive I can say, is that I've learnt so much, met some truly amazing people, here on the forum and elsewhere and been on a sort of life journey with it all. In some bizarre unexpected way it's changed my perspective on everything, from work, to my relationships - not only with my OH but my family too, to my home life, and my every day routine. They threw challenges at me that I couldn't call home and get my Mum to fix- and they made me realise how ridiculous I am as a person. I'm horribly spoiled, pretty lazy and believed if you threw money at a problem, it went away....not so in this case. Patience has never been a virtue of mine, if something wasn't going my way - just give up! Why not, life's too short? Well these little guys threw my world upside down! Nine months of CBT therapy to overcome a phoebia of germs, (I'm basically like an obsessive clean freak), and in come two little piggies, poo'ing and peeing all over the place, making me ill and giving me ringworm, I'm pulling pieces of hay out of my hair and finding poop in my bra.....! and it was like, hang on they were meant to be cute furry little things that don't require the same level of commitment as a cat or a dog but I can still cuddle them and the whole thing will just be some fun - ermmmmmmm, how wrong was I? The reality is - ok so these guys are highly infectious what you going to do leave them to suffer for fear of touching them? No. So roll your sleeves up and get down in the dirt squeakysmallpaws! On top of hours and hours worth of time spent sitting with cucumber in my hand just trying to earn some tiny piece of their trust (and then having to put them in the bath and start all over again) and I wish after all of this I could say I was there and it was all over and I have two cuddly little piggies......I'm not even close. I'm not sure they ever will be, but it doesn't matter because for the first time in my life someone needs me, someone (albeit a short legged variety of being) is completely dependant on me being organised, financially responsible, caring and willing to do whatever is necessary.

Two tiny little beings have me now saying.

'drinks after work' - sorry guys I gotta go home and feed the guinea pigs.
'you want to go to xyz this weekend' - Sorry, I can't leave the guinea pigs.
'That dress would look great on you, you really could do with a new pair of winter boots' - yeah I know but I just spent £200 on vet bills this month, these ones will have to do and I will just wear that other dress.
'you really don't have enough space' - yeah but I can leave my flat - these guys have to spend all day every day in that space, I have to reorganise/throw out my furniture.
'let's just go to bed and watch a film' - I can't, the guinea pigs need to be cleaned out
'you've taken on too much, can't you just give them back? you're not the same anymore' - I don't know why you're in my life or why I ever thought I was friends with you.

These are typical things that I'm saying or thinking almost everyday.

My boyfriend bought me a diamond bracelet for my birthday, something previously I would have been thrilled about - I told him to take it back, I need a decent handheld hoover not a diamond bracelet....who knew it would take two guinea pigs to finally make me grow up.....

So, if anyone is still reading to the end of this essay.... how have piggies changed your life? Or is this profound effect just me? lol.
x
 
I made it to the end, well currently my guinea pigs are stopping me from sleeping besides that I'm sure they have some positive effects.

I must say I was never one for diamond bracelets, they have made me learn a great deal, mainly about medications and what tests I can do to find out what's wrong. I remember once thinking how do people know if they urinate if they are in the cage, will I be able to spot something that's wrong. I now have a stupid amount of experience it's really sad but each time I'm right and there is something wrong I think ah I'm not crazy just many people think I am. One of my pigs literally sent me to hell in back and then she had the cheek to die, but before that she taught me so much about piggies obviously in preparation for what I had to come. .

Oddly enough I was watching my boy tonight he has a trick where he pushes against the door of his c&c cage - if only one bulldog clip is on it will open, tonight he was attempting his trick. I walked over and spoke to him rather than jumping back and running away he just stayed put and when I removed the clips came running out. This pig is by far my most neglected pig trusts no one, it's things like this that really make me appreciate something that tiny is able to recognise I'm not going to hurt them. Patrick my other pig will jump onto my lap and come take his med's. They may only be guinea pigs but they certainly do appreciate there slaves in there own way.

I have learned not every vet is good, where to go to the supermarket for the reduced veggies and on occasions I have been known to say I can't go out the guinea pig needs fed. They really do wrap you around there little paws.
 
That's a lovely little post.

My boys have taught me quite a bit.

I suffer/ed horribly from social phobia. When my first piggie, Itchy died when I was young, I had always wanted another guinea pig. Well, after being barely unable to leave my room for almost two years, too scared to go downstairs if 'anyone' was home and especially if guests were round, I pushed myself to try and get better. Mum eventually decided I could have a guinea pig. Delighted, we went out to buy one and I saw three adorable little boys together. I couldn't bare to split them as they seemed such good friends. Sadlym we returned the next day as I had to think it over and the third little guy was gone. Two beautiful boys were still there, two albino abbys and I bought them, unable to bring myself to seperate them when they had just lost there other friend. Because of these two guys, I had to force myself out at least once a week to buy them food and some bedding every other week.
It forced mt to try and talk to people more and despite still suffereing from social phobia, I put my guinea pigs above myself in everything. I couldn't bare to see an animal suffer because of its owners cruelty.

I was also never good at looking after, or cleaning things. These boys taught me to clean their cage, feed them, train them and before I bought them I was also terrified to touch animals. I never picked up my old guinea pig. I knew I had to learn with these boys and now I have no problem picking up a guinea pig at all.

I've never had to look after anything in my life and I'm glad its helping to teach me to be a good carer. If anything I'm a bit over protective now. :))
 
Julesie said:
That's a lovely little post.

My boys have taught me quite a bit.

I suffer/ed horribly from social phobia. When my first piggie, Itchy died when I was young, I had always wanted another guinea pig. Well, after being barely unable to leave my room for almost two years, too scared to go downstairs if 'anyone' was home and especially if guests were round, I pushed myself to try and get better. Mum eventually decided I could have a guinea pig. Delighted, we went out to buy one and I saw three adorable little boys together. I couldn't bare to split them as they seemed such good friends. Sadlym we returned the next day as I had to think it over and the third little guy was gone. Two beautiful boys were still there, two albino abbys and I bought them, unable to bring myself to seperate them when they had just lost there other friend. Because of these two guys, I had to force myself out at least once a week to buy them food and some bedding every other week.
It forced mt to try and talk to people more and despite still suffereing from social phobia, I put my guinea pigs above myself in everything. I couldn't bare to see an animal suffer because of its owners cruelty.

I was also never good at looking after, or cleaning things. These boys taught me to clean their cage, feed them, train them and before I bought them I was also terrified to touch animals. I never picked up my old guinea pig. I knew I had to learn with these boys and now I have no problem picking up a guinea pig at all.

I've never had to look after anything in my life and I'm glad its helping to teach me to be a good carer. If anything I'm a bit over protective now. :))
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I never picked up my old guinea pigs lol, i have always been scared of little things with teeth, i guess guinea pigs have taught me not to be scared as i now hold my daughters 2 dwarfs and 1 syrian and i also now have a rabbit.

In a funny way i guess they taught me to sew too:))
 
I'm not sure I have ever loved anything in my life where I don't expect anything in return... it's incredibly lovely and has taught me a lot about how capable I am of love - and to what depths. My heart could explode with the love I have for them sometimes. I never thought I was capable of that, and that's what they've taught me :)
 
BeautifulBoyz said:
I'm not sure I have ever loved anything in my life where I don't expect anything in return... it's incredibly lovely and has taught me a lot about how capable I am of love - and to what depths. My heart could explode with the love I have for them sometimes. I never thought I was capable of that, and that's what they've taught me :)
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I couldn't have put it better myself :))
We have turned down wedding invites, nights out, holidays abroad because I can't bear to be away from them for too long :{
My store cupboard is brimming with piggy food, hay etc. currently rammed with their Christmas pressies as well waiting to be wrapped x) We bought them their own fridge this year to keep well stocked with all varities of veg :))
Just total adoration for them all ^)
 
I agree. They change you, for the better. I have spent the past four years unable to go out or do anything because of a seizure disorder, but being stuck at home, I got to spend time with my piggies and they helped me get through all of it.

I know they say you shouldn't get children pets to teach them to be responsible but it worked with me and my brothers even though that wasn't the reason for getting them. My 9 year old brother just came and asked me if I needed help cleaning out the piggies later. I said yes and he just phoned his friend to say he couldn't go to the park because he had to clean out his pets. If that isn't love and responsibility, what is? :)


Amy
x
 
*Nibbles&Nugget* said:
I agree. They change you, for the better. I have spent the past four years unable to go out or do anything because of a seizure disorder, but being stuck at home, I got to spend time with my piggies and they helped me get through all of it.

I know they say you shouldn't get children pets to teach them to be responsible but it worked with me and my brothers even though that wasn't the reason for getting them. My 9 year old brother just came and asked me if I needed help cleaning out the piggies later. I said yes and he just phoned his friend to say he couldn't go to the park because he had to clean out his pets. If that isn't love and responsibility, what is? :)


Amy
x
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Aw, that's wonderful :)) What a lovely young man he is xx>>>
 
How have piggies changed my life?

Well...

I can no longer turn the light on if I get up in the middle of the night, or they start demanding breakfast...

I can't enter or leave the room without a chorus of WHEEK WHEEK WHEEK!...

My vets account hasn't been at £0.00 since February last year...

The quality of my diet has dramatically decreased as they get all the good veg!...



It's a good job I love the hairy little mosters!
 
Sounds like you have found the true meaning of LIFE,and how to appreciate little things ,and I dont just mean GP,s!!
 
This is a wonderful thread. I have suffered with depression on and off for years and last year was truely terrible I felt worthless, I didn't want to live and I kept coming down with every virus etc going round. I was constantly ill and threatened with the sack.

I got my first two GP's last Jan and have learnt so much about them since then (GP's in general). I now have 5 and wouldn't change it for the world. I have progressed to a stage (not just down to the piggies) where I can see an end to my medication in the future and I have come on in leaps and bounds. Like I have for my niece and nephew I feel full on unconditional love for my animals and they have truely been a light in my life for the past year (and many years to come).
 
i was just thinking that the other day. its hard for me to believe but about three years ago i had no interest in animals, i thought they were cute but never really had a fascination for them. then i got two dwarf hamsters who showed me responsibility for cleaning and feeding, showed me what affection they can be capable of. then came guinea pigs, more hamsters and i ended up being the animal enthusiast, the guinea pig guru of my school and the owner of 11 wonderful fury little creatures. i'm now, only 13, absolutely fascinated by every creature big and small. on holiday i just casually picked up a mantis :S i now want my whole life to be about animals, be a rescuer, own a guinea pig rescue, be a zoo keeper, vet and even an evolutionary biologist because now thanks to them i love evolution. animals is now such a huge part of my life then i wouldn't be the same person without them. i love them so much :)
 
Lady Kelly said:
This is a wonderful thread. I have suffered with depression on and off for years and last year was truely terrible I felt worthless, I didn't want to live and I kept coming down with every virus etc going round. .
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i have the excact same thing as you (past and present) and i know excactly how you mean
 
I just wanted to add as well that my GP's forced me to be responsible for myself. I can't believe I was 27 and not taking care of myself properly, not eating or not eating well. Having piggies gave me something to get up for in the morning and come home to. I would have to feed them and would have to have veggies in the fridge so gradually started having proper meals again. Now I eat healthily and love my life with my pigs and in a way they will never understand they have brought the old Kelly back
 
Kat that was such a beautiful piece of writing. You have indeed been through so much with your boys but you have learned so much too. They will soon love and trust you. I think it will be very different when their ringworm goes.
 
Reading through this thread made me part of me wish that there would be a lot more guinea pig owners in my country, but seeing how cats and dogs that have been around for a long time are treated locally, I'd rather not see more guinea pigs here unless there are more exotic animal vets and responsible owners. I was initially looking for a Philippine forum about guinea pigs, but the last posts were months ago. Questions were left unanswered and that's why I posted on this forum instead.

Taking care of a guinea pig has definitely changed my life. I've learned to watch what my cats and dogs eat, similar to how a guinea pig should only be fed certain food. I've gone to many different pet supply shops, some farther than I've ever gone before, in search of guinea pig food and in my travels I've found healthier types of pet food for my cats and dogs. I've also learned to be more vocal about what I want for my pet when I am seeking vet help, and in turn I am also more inquisitive about the medicine that doctors give me when I'm sick (what is this medication for, is there an alternative, etc).

Lastly, it really feels good to know that someone really needs me. My guinea pig will be absolutely ecstatic when I give it carrots and won't waste any bit of it. When I come into the room, he wheeks and popcorns until I pick him up, then he popcorns more on my lap. And my boyfriend also noticed how awesome guinea pigs are, so he got two of them for himself and we exchange ideas on how to make our piggies' lives happier every day :<>
 
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