[SnowFlower]

I actually rescued my first 2 girls who were retiring from the classroom (not so good) but they came with quality pellets (yay!), a C&C cage (gasp!!), and cozies, pigloos, and thier nails were even properly trimmed. I got lucky. I actually didn't give them anything but iceburg lettuce and carrots for about 3 days, then while doing what I do everytime something new happens in my life, I was researching our new loves online. I found guineapigcages.com. I was so happy that I had a proper cage, although I had taken my little car to get them and had left the coroplast behind because it didn't fit in my car. So I went out shopping, got more Oxbow pellets from the feed store, got a new sheet of coroplast, and veggies suggested in the charts.

This site has been wonderful for my guinea pigs and me. I have learned of the plight of guinea pigs and other small animals. I had actually worked in a little "mom and pop" pet shop in town about 5 years ago, so I am guilty of giving bad advice on guinea pigs as well. My thinking has done a 180. I am very concerned about thier wellfare and actually went back to the pet shop and talked to my old boss. He had a soft spot for me and was glad for the visit. I told him what I had learned, and while he will not be taking the small animals out of his shop - I get to make care sheets (the right way) and post them near the cash register and the guinea pigs themselves! This site has also given me alot of information and resources about starting a rescue. I had been having stomach issues and ever since I decided I wanted to do this rescue thing they have all but disappeared.

We are up to 4 permanent residents (the girls will forever be my family) and 2 rescues that may stay or go to wonderful forever homes, not sure yet! My neighbors say I'm crazy sometimes, but they are pretty supportive and are now used to the piggies having thier one on one time with me under the tree in my front yard!

Sorry so long, but this site has truly been a God-send and a wonderful place to come for ideas, info, and yes even a little bit of healthy critizism!