What are these forums really for?

[PiggyDaddy]

I found this site to be a great resource for guinea pigs and guinea pig care. There is great information for the new guinea pig owner or even someone who has had several pigs for several years. My current piggy was rescued from a shelter so I thought I'd treat her right and make her a Cavy Cage. That's how I ended up here at this site and I made her a pretty awesome habitat.

Then I stumbled upon the forums.

1) What is more important to you people (Mods especially)? Guinea pig care or imposing your views on others? I've seen a lot of posts where the initial question is completely ignored while you all try to tell them what they're doing wrong. Maybe, just maybe, the question will get answered 10+ posts later.

2) You say that you hope people stick around who don't necessarily agree with your views so they'll "come around" or see your side of the story. Do you honestly believe they'll stay on these forums when they are belittled and not even remotely helped? I wonder what the average "lifespan" is for a member of these forums. I bet it has a few people who have been here for a long, long time, and a ton who last less than a month.

3) I'm a member of many forums throughout the internet (and a Mod on some) so I have somewhat of an idea how forums are run. I have to give you all props for having active forums and people who are passionate, but I thought the Mods were supposed to set the example and control the forums. It seems like the Mods are more concerned with telling people what they're doing wrong over and over and over again (in a less than friendly tone) than actually caring about the content. This should be a resource that guinea pig lovers can access to have their questions answered. Unfortunately, they'd have to sort through piles of threads that ignore the original question. In every forum I'm a member of, the Mods are there to watch over things and make sure things don't get out of hand. They post from time to time with answers to questions in a very professional manner. Here, that couldn't be further from the truth. Mods belittle users, they repeat themselves as they impose their views of adoption over purchasing, they may answer the question on page two or so of the thread. Then they ask you to stay with the forums and don't leave. I guess this is a good tactic if you're looking to create a community of people who agree with everything you say, and then have hundreds (thousands?) of ghost accounts.

I think a huge disservice is being done to those who love guinea pigs and come here for help only to be told they're doing things wrong. Thanks for the advice, but that kind of advice doesn't help anybody. People come here with legitamite questions because they're concerned about their guinea pig's life, yet you tell them their cage is too small or they need another guinea pig. What's lost is the actual problem that needs solved. It seems you're more concerned with getting your message out there than actually helping the people with their guinea pig-related problem.

If this forum is truly for animal rights and adopting pets rather than purchasing them from a pet store, you should get another domain. If you need help getting that set up, send me a PM. I've been a webdev for over seven years. I'm deeply saddened people think this is a place to get help with their guinea pigs when they register.

I actually came here and registered because I have a question, but I doubt I'll even ask since I'll be told I'm raising my piggy wrong or that I need more.

If you need examples of what I described above I can include them in my next post as this one is getting way too long already.

These are all very serious questions that I'd like to know the answers to, but feel free to flame away or ban me since I don't see things your way.

Trent

[Susan9608]

This post was really long. My comments are the ones in red.

Originally Posted by PiggyDaddy

I found this site to be a great resource for guinea pigs and guinea pig care. There is great information for the new guinea pig owner or even someone who has had several pigs for several years. My current piggy was rescued from a shelter so I thought I'd treat her right and make her a Cavy Cage. That's how I ended up here at this site and I made her a pretty awesome habitat.

Then I stumbled upon the forums.

1) What is more important to you people (Mods especially)? Guinea pig care or imposing your views on others? Gee - I guess I'd have to say that imposing my view on others is the most important thing to me. After all, my view is that guinea pigs need lots more space than people think; they need better food than people have traditionally been feeding them; and that guinea pigs are not disposable animals, as people have generally seen them. I've seen a lot of posts where the initial question is completely ignored while you all try to tell them what they're doing wrong. Yes, this forum is for LEARNING. People don't learn by just being patted on the back. Someone's question may not be the most urgent issue that needs addressing. If someone's guinea pig has been purchased from a pet store, that issue is slightly more important - for many reaosns - than whether or not they should have 1 cozy or 2 in the cage. Maybe, just maybe, the question will get answered 10+ posts later.

2) You say that you hope people stick around who don't necessarily agree with your views so they'll "come around" or see your side of the story. Do you honestly believe they'll stay on these forums when they are belittled and not even remotely helped? Actually, I do believe that, because it's happened. Quite a few times. I wonder what the average "lifespan" is for a member of these forums. I bet it has a few people who have been here for a long, long time, and a ton who last less than a month. We have some where in the neighborhood of 5,000 members. We must be doing something right.

3) I'm a member of many forums throughout the internet (and a Mod on some) so I have somewhat of an idea how forums are run. I have to give you all props for having active forums and people who are passionate, but I thought the Mods were supposed to set the example and control the forums. It seems like the Mods are more concerned with telling people what they're doing wrong over and over and over again (in a less than friendly tone) than actually caring about the content. This should be a resource that guinea pig lovers can access to have their questions answered. Unfortunately, they'd have to sort through piles of threads that ignore the original question. In every forum I'm a member of, the Mods are there to watch over things and make sure things don't get out of hand. They post from time to time with answers to questions in a very professional manner. Here, that couldn't be further from the truth. Mods belittle users, they repeat themselves as they impose their views of adoption over purchasing, they may answer the question on page two or so of the thread. Then they ask you to stay with the forums and don't leave. I guess this is a good tactic if you're looking to create a community of people who agree with everything you say, and then have hundreds (thousands?) of ghost accounts.

I think a huge disservice is being done to those who love guinea pigs and come here for help only to be told they're doing things wrong. Thanks for the advice, but that kind of advice doesn't help anybody. People come here with legitamite questions because they're concerned about their guinea pig's life, yet you tell them their cage is too small or they need another guinea pig. Of course we tell them their cage is too small! This site is called GUINEA PIG CAGES. Obviously the most important focus here is the cage. The size of a cage has a lot to do with every other aspect of a guinea pig's life. What's lost is the actual problem that needs solved. It seems you're more concerned with getting your message out there than actually helping the people with their guinea pig-related problem. A lot of problems with an individual's guinea pig are directly related to the size of their cage, or the material a cage is made of. We also, in case you haven't noticed, give a lot of advice about diet, illness, grooming, etc. etc.

If this forum is truly for animal rights and adopting pets rather than purchasing them from a pet store, you should get another domain. Thanks for your opinion. A site can have 1 name and serve many purposes; while the name is guinea pig cages, we can talk about cages here while also supporting - and encouraging - animal rights. If you need help getting that set up, send me a PM. I'm pretty sure we've got it covered, thanks. I've been a webdev for over seven years. I'm deeply saddened people think this is a place to get help with their guinea pigs when they register.

I actually came here and registered because I have a question, but I doubt I'll even ask since I'll be told I'm raising my piggy wrong or that I need more. Then why in the world did you join and post? Just to point out what you think our flaws are? That's mature.

If you need examples of what I described above I can include them in my next post as this one is getting way too long already.

These are all very serious questions that I'd like to know the answers to, but feel free to flame away or ban me since I don't see things your way. I don't know why you seem to think you'll be banned, but for the record, we don't ban people for having a different opinion.

Trent

[CavySpirit]

Originally Posted by PiggyDaddy

...I've seen a lot of posts where the initial question is completely ignored while you all try to tell them what they're doing wrong.

...If you need examples of what I described above I can include them in my next post as this one is getting way too long already.

I'm looking forward to a lot of links.

Originally Posted by PiggyDaddy

...I bet it has a few people who have been here for a long, long time, and a ton who last less than a month.

Well then, you'd lose that bet. Just scroll down to the bottom of the page. A full 25% of our members are very active, and given that we don't delete accounts and have quite a few accounts that are just inactive for technical reasons, it's probably more like 33% of our possible accounts are extremely active on the forum. I think that's quite a bit. And our membership continues to grow.

And Susan is right, we do not ban for opposing viewpoints.

[Percy's Mom]

Originally Posted by PiggyDaddy

I actually came here and registered because I have a question, but I doubt I'll even ask since I'll be told I'm raising my piggy wrong or that I need more.

If you only have one pig, yes, you should adopt him/her a guinea pig friend. They're herd animals, and no matter how much love and attention you give, they still do better with another guinea pig. Of course there are the exception loner pigs.

Susan covered everything else, so I'm not going to answer all of your questions, but I have the same one that she did. If you're not going to ask your question because you're scared of us, why did you post at all? If you would take a deep breath, calm down, and read the threads on the forum, you'll find a ton of information to help you out. Please go ahead and ask your questions. I'd love to see the reason you came here if it was something other than bashing back at something you haven't taken the time to read and understand.

[VoodooJoint]

Originally Posted by PiggyDaddy

1) What is more important to you people (Mods especially)? Guinea pig care or imposing your views on others? I've seen a lot of posts where the initial question is completely ignored while you all try to tell them what they're doing wrong. Maybe, just maybe, the question will get answered 10+ posts later.

Please give me some links to threads where this has happened. you cannot make such a generalization without showing were the problems lie.

Originally Posted by PiggyDaddy

2) You say that you hope people stick around who don't necessarily agree with your views so they'll "come around" or see your side of the story. Do you honestly believe they'll stay on these forums when they are belittled and not even remotely helped?

If they don't agree with our views then they should stay out of the debates and discussions that they do not agree with. We have a very high standard of care here and there is no reason that people cannot alter the way they care for their pets to meet our standards.

If their issue with us is our stance on breeding and they feel they must discuss the breeding of animals then there are plaent of other forums to do so. This isn't one of them though. We have many members here that are breeders and they simply do not discuss their breeding ways.

Originally Posted by PiggyDaddy

3) I'm a member of many forums throughout the internet (and a Mod on some) so I have somewhat of an idea how forums are run. I have to give you all props for having active forums and people who are passionate, but I thought the Mods were supposed to set the example and control the forums. It seems like the Mods are more concerned with telling people what they're doing wrong over and over and over again (in a less than friendly tone) than actually caring about the content.

We need to repeat ourselves because sometimes people just don't listen. We also get new members everyday.

We run a rather unusual forum here. We are one of only 3 P forums that are rescue oriented. Our rules and standards are strick because we firmly believe in what this forum stands for.

The owner of this site seems to think that we mods do a good job.

Originally Posted by PiggyDaddy

I'm a member of, the Mods are there to watch over things and make sure things don't get out of hand.

That is exactly what we do here on this strict rescue and high standard of care forum.

Originally Posted by PiggyDaddy

Mods belittle users,

Once again. please provide links to where this has happened

Originally Posted by PiggyDaddy

they repeat themselves as they impose their views of adoption over purchasing,

Once again. This is a RESCUE oriented forum. Buying from petstores defeats what we are trying to accomplish.

Originally Posted by PiggyDaddy

I think a huge disservice is being done to those who love guinea pigs and come here for help only to be told they're doing things wrong.

Would you rather we tell someone who is neglecting to give their pet quality care thay they are doing everything right? There are other forums that will do that--this isn't one of them.

Originally Posted by PiggyDaddy

People come here with legitamite questions because they're concerned about their guinea pig's life, yet you tell them their cage is too small or they need another guinea pig.

Once again, link please.

It is not uncommon for one problem or question to be answered but for there to be a whole host of other problems revealed and addressed.

Originally Posted by PiggyDaddy

If this forum is truly for animal rights and adopting pets rather than purchasing them from a pet store, you should get another domain. ...I'm deeply saddened people think this is a place to get help with their guinea pigs when they register

This site and forum is run by a rescue. People do get help for their animals here. In fact they get quality help not "breeder standard" help.

Originally Posted by PiggyDaddy

I actually came here and registered because I have a question, but I doubt I'll even ask since I'll be told I'm raising my piggy wrong or that I need more

We will be happy to help you if we can. We will also help you learn how to care for your pet better if there is something more you could/should be doing.

[CavySpirit]

4 out of 6 of the moderators/admins have responded to your attack and are waiting for your reply.

This thread is on moderation. I am not going to approve any other member's posts until he responds. I know some of you want to post, but since this was an attack on the leadership of the forum, I'd prefer we address it. Thanks for your patience.

[Ly&Pigs]

What is more important to you people (Mods especially)? Guinea pig care or imposing your views on others?

I want to ensure that all slaves give proper care to their guinea pigs. If that means telling them that they would benefit from adopting another pig or building a larger cage then that's what it means.

I am not going to sugar coat my posts nor am I going to sit and tell someone their pet store cage is just fine and dandy when it's not. I am not going to let someone give their pig a dangerous antibiotic just because the vet says it's ok to give it when it could kill their pig. I am here for the animals, not to please the members of this forum or give them pats on the back for a too small cage, no veggies, no hay, a crappy pellet mix or not taking an obviously sick pig to the vet among all the various things that newbies to guinea pigs do or don't do.

You say that you hope people stick around who don't necessarily agree with your views so they'll "come around" or see your side of the story.

That's not why we tell them to stick around. We tell them to stick around so they can learn how to properly take care of their guinea pigs. Sometimes our responses may come across as rude but they aren't intended that way, people can read whatever they want into some words written on a forum online. I could take your post as a belittlement to this forum.

I have to give you all props for having active forums and people who are passionate, but I thought the Mods were supposed to set the example and control the forums. It seems like the Mods are more concerned with telling people what they're doing wrong over and over and over again (in a less than friendly tone) than actually caring about the content.

As both an Administrator and a Moderator here, it's my job not only to help run the forum but to help educate people on the proper way to care for their guinea pigs. When a member asks for advice and we give it but they don't read the posts and keep asking the same things, we often have to repeat ourselves.

If this forum is truly for animal rights and adopting pets rather than purchasing them from a pet store, you should get another domain.

This may be your opinion but frankly, I think we have a great forum here and we don't need another domain. And if we did, since we don't know you or anything about you, I doubt we'd take you up on your generous offer. This site originally was just about cages but over the years has evolved into all areas of proper guinea pig care, animal welfare and so much more.

If you need examples of what I described above I can include them in my next post as this one is getting way too long already.

I too look forward to lots of links.

Also, have you even bothered to visit our Community section and read what this forum stands for? Here is a link to our Principles and Philosophies if you care to read them. Maybe you will learn why we are so passionate about guinea pig care once you read this. http://www.guineapigcages.com/forum/...-philosophies/

But you know, I really wonder why you actually posted what you did. Most people who don't like our forum and what it stands for simply either don't join or don't stay. Of over 5000 members, you're probably about the 3rd person who's ever posted this type of post.

[PiggyDaddy]

Wow, lots of comments very quickly. :) I'll try to address as many as I can.

Sure, this forum is for LEARNING, but don't people learn when their questions are answered? Sarcasm isn't a very good teaching tool. It turns people away.

So you're admitting to belittling people, as you say you did before and they haven't left?

I had a question, joined, read the forums, then opted to not post the question. I was more intrigued as to why some questions are handled the way they are. I guess I'm posting out there for those who are too afraid to post after seeing some of the unhelpful/belittling comments. Plus, I'm afraid you all would tell me my piggy (in a 2x3 grid cage) needs a bigger cage or that she needs a roommate when one pig is perfectly fine by me.
I am a mature 29 years old, thank you.

I absolutely do not think everyone who visits these forums is doing everything right and should be patted on the back. I just think that people come here for help and there are a lot of good and helpful posts, but there is a lot of posts that don't help anybody.

Here is one example.

The poster had a question concerning the shelf/perch in her guinea pig's cage. The next two posts told her she was doing everything wrong. Finally, in Post #10, she got an answer. And then the next few posts continued to state and restate that her cage is too small, guinea pigs shouldn't be in the classroom, etc. To me, it seemed like she was getting attacked, too. I don't blame her for reacting the way she did. She posted an honest question and the next thing she knows is there are Mods and Cavy Stars telling her that everything she's doing is wrong. Why not give an answer and then probe a little more?

Here is another example.

The sad thing is that she knows she's going to get railed on. Susan9608's post was more interested in assigning blame and telling her she did wrong than actually helping the problem. Ly&Pigs' entire post is dripping with sarcasm and assumptions. Perhaps the petstore thought they sexed the guinea pig correctly and made a mistake? Mistakes happen, even to experts. I also think it's a bit harsh to use "buy" and "convenient" in quotes, as if Ly is the parent and knows the exact situation the poster is in. And I think the death sentence commentS are over the top. How is that helpful? All that does is turn people away. Finally, in Post #15, she gets a suggestion as to what she can do.

There are a lot of good and informational posts, but posts like the ones above turn me (and possibly others) off to the forum.

Don't get me wrong, I support going to the rescue league. I have a rescue league guinea pig and cat. And it's very evident this forum is pro-rescue, but to me, and this is just my opinion, it seems like you're more interested in seeing where the guinea pig came from than helping the guinea pig. Why not answer the immediate question first and then dig for history afterwards? Both examples above could have been answered quickly, then more info could have been gathered.

[Ly&Pigs]

So you're admitting to belittling people, as you say you did before and they haven't left?

Excuse me here for a moment but can you quote in this thread where one of us have stated we are belittling the members? I said you were belittling this forum by your post.

The sad thing is that she knows she's going to get railed on. Susan9608's post was more interested in assigning blame and telling her she did wrong than actually helping the problem. Ly&Pigs' entire post is dripping with sarcasm and assumptions.

Then why is it that 18 people thanked me for my post if it's so sarcastic and assuming?

Is this all the posts you can come up with? I mean 2 posts don't set the overall tone for the forum.

[VoodooJoint]

Originally Posted by PiggyDaddy

Wow, lots of comments very quickly.

As you noticed this is an active forum. Personally I take that as doing something right even with our strick rules and views. There are even a couple of posts you can't see because for now this thread has been moderated so only the mods/admin can reply since your original post was aimed at the staff.

Originally Posted by PiggyDaddy

I'm afraid you all would tell me my piggy (in a 2x3 grid cage) needs a bigger cage or that she needs a roommate when one pig is perfectly fine by me.
I am a mature 29 years old, thank you.

Your cage sound fine. I do however thing you should have a second GP.

As a "mature 29 year old" I'm certain that you don't spend all of your time only sociallizing with your guinea pig. You sociallize with other humans as well, correct? Well, your guinea pig only has you. It is not given the chance to sociallize with others of it's species and as a social animal that is a very sad state to be in.

Originally Posted by PiggyDaddy

Here is one example.

The poster had a question concerning the shelf/perch in her guinea pig's cage. The next two posts told her she was doing everything wrong. Finally, in Post #10, she got an answer.

She is asking how to make an unsuitable cage better. The fact is that no matter how many perches she adds the cage is still unsuitable. It's like putting a band-aid on a broken arm. In the end you aren't fixing anything. Why in the world would anyone who knows better overlook the glaring problem to help her fix a minor one?

I can feed my GPs birdseed and ask what brand is best for them. Members *could* tell me which birdseed brand is best but wouldn't the animal be better served if I was educated on a proper diet instead?

Originally Posted by PiggyDaddy

Here is another example.

The sad thing is that she knows she's going to get railed on.Susan9608's post was more interested in assigning blame and telling her she did wrong than actually helping the problem. Ly&Pigs' entire post is dripping with sarcasm and assumptions...

I think most of us have a hard time swallowing the "I bought from a petstore even though I know I shouldn't/I can't afford a vet/I can't build a bigger cage/etc but please don't yell at me anyway" posts. It's not that easy. That girl needed a little education and it became quite clear that she was going to do whatever she wanted anyway, including trolling the forum and flouncing off.

Originally Posted by PiggyDaddy

There are a lot of good and informational posts, but posts like the ones above turn me (and possibly others) off to the forum.

You provided 2 posts out of...how many?! I'm certain you could find more but in all honesty you would not be able to find enough to justify your accusations in my mind. In fact the two you produced simply don't convince me.

The world of animal welfarism is not all sunshine and roses. People who come onto a forum that is A.W. oriented and try to fight it should expect to get dirty.

[Percy's Mom]

Originally Posted by PiggyDaddy

Why not give an answer and then probe a little more?

Because the issues that were addressed, namely getting the pig in question in a proper sized cage, adopting a friend for her, and getting her out of a classroom were more important than worrying about a little perch shelf.

The sad thing is that she knows she's going to get railed on.

She knew this because she read enough of the forum to know what we stand for and that the fact that knowing this and going back to buy another pig from the store and thereby handing money over to breeders to perpetuate the severe overpopulation was going to raise a lot of red flags.

when one pig is perfectly fine by me.

Believe me, your pig wants more than you for company. Essentially, we're here for the wellbeing of your pig, not for what you think is perfectly fine by you.

I am a mature 29 years old, thank you.

If you were, you would be researching how to better your pigs life instead of starting threads like this one.

[CavySpirit]

Wow, 2 whole threads. That's lots? Out of 18,662?

Of ALL people who ever come here looking for advice, the ones who SHOULD be paying the most attention to the 'experts' are the teachers. It all starts with them and rolls downhill from there. IF she insists on having animals in the classroom, which is NOT a good idea, then she absolutely should be doing it right--110%. She should be the highest of role models and care. Unfortunately, with the vast majority of teachers that also call to adopt, they just don't like to hear that they aren't already doing it perfectly. They already think they are the experts. And basically, her question WAS answered in the first post. It just wasn't the answer she was looking for. Her cage was too small and inappropriate. The shelf won't work. She needs a bigger cage. She was advised to go with a bigger cage. The replies were factual and respectful. She just didn't want to hear it.

Your second example.... Come and post that you are an irresponsible owner, but ask not to be jumped on. Okay. THIS is the person you are defending as an upstanding member of our forum? And regarding her question, there was no answer. You can't tell if a guinea pig is pregnant at two weeks.


Anyone can learn a mountain of information from the site and forum without ever registering if they decide that we are too tough on our positions. Nothing is lost. If they have the capability of figuring out how to register, they also have the capability of figuring out how to search.

Despite assumptions to the contrary, we don't necessarily want every warm-blooded, guinea pig-totin' person who can access the internet as members of our forum. Once again, I invite you to read our mission statement. http://www.guineapigcages.com/forum/...r-mission.html

Well, we're all saying about the same thing in our own ways and hopefully as a team we're rounding out the response for you.

[salana]

I'm still not seeing the belittling. I'm also not seeing where we don't answer questions. Please provide some examples. Actually, I think my whole identity as a mod is bound up in (1) imparting knowledge of a specific genetic condition, and (2) professionally giving warnings for flagrant misconduct. So I'm a little puzzled by your denigration of us mods.

Originally Posted by PiggyDaddy

one pig is perfectly fine by me.

I'm a little puzzled by this, actually. See, my idea of keeping animals is providing them with the best environment to make them happy. So being "fine by me" is way far down the list of my priorities. The fact is that guinea pigs benefit in so many ways from having a same-species friend. They show more signs of happiness and contentment (popcorning, running laps, less fear), and it also improves their diet (as they're more willing to try new things when they see someone else eating them) and exercise (when they have someone to run around with).

I'm wondering what kind of convenience for you outranks your pig's happiness, contentment, dietary and exercise needs.

[PiggyDaddy]

I'm still a newbie and I haven't read all 18,000 posts on this forum. I read around 12-15 posts, the two above included. Those two are very recent, have many mod posts and the set the tone for me. If mods reply like that to those two users, they can reply to anyone like that.

Ly, this is what I was referring to:
Do you honestly believe they'll stay on these forums when they are belittled and not even remotely helped? Actually, I do believe that, because it's happened. Quite a few times.

Percy's mom,
She knew this because she read enough of the forum to know what we stand for

Exactly, she knew she was going to get railed on for posting that type of question by reading the forums. Yet she still posted! Doesn't that tell you how much she wanted/needed the help?

CavySpirit, I didn't call anyone an upstanding member of your forums. Do not put words in my mouth, or on my keyboard. All I'm defending is someone coming here for help, and then getting railed on. If that answer was so easy, as in not being able to tell, why in the world didn't you mention that in the first post?

What about all the belittling going on in this thread? More or less calling me immature because I started this thread rather than doing research? Or calling me a "mature 29 year old" with quotes. Are the quotes really necessary? Am I supposed to read that as a compliment? That's what I'm talking about.

Originally Posted by salana

I'm wondering what kind of convenience for you outranks your pig's happiness, contentment, dietary and exercise needs.

This right here isn't belittling, either? What makes you think my pig isn't currently happy or content? All you know is that she has a 2x3 cage and she's the only one. My pig eats spinach and carrots and pellets and hay and lettuce. Sometimes even a green pepper. She has chew toys and a wooden house that she likes to nibble on. I've spent more on her in vet bills than I've spent on myself in doctor bills since I got her (check ups, nail clippings, etc). She does the whole popcorning thing every day. She even does laps where she tears around her cage. Daily. Is that an unhappy pig? Am I not providing an environment to keep her happy and content and healthy? If every single guinea pig out there is not happy then they should just adopt out pigs in pairs and be done with it. One pig is fine by me because I see her being happy and running and eating like no other. Gosh, people, don't assume I have a miserable piggy just because I'm happy and she's the only one I have.

[salana]

Originally Posted by PiggyDaddy

If every single guinea pig out there is not happy then they should just adopt out pigs in pairs and be done with it.

They do. If by "they" you're referring to reputable rescues.

Since you have a single pig, though, I'm not sure you are.

Yes, your pig sounds somewhat happy. If you lived alone in a large-ish cage with a benevolent alien feeding you, you'd be somewhat happy too. But if the alien wasn't going to find you a friend because it was inconvenient for the alien, and you never had anyone human to talk to, wouldn't you be a little annoyed?

(I think if you feel belittled by a question about your motivation for not providing social interaction for your guinea pig, that isn't really our problem.)

[Ly&Pigs]

You say that you hope people stick around who don't necessarily agree with your views so they'll "come around" or see your side of the story. Do you honestly believe they'll stay on these forums when they are belittled and not even remotely helped? Actually, I do believe that, because it's happened. Quite a few times.

You are taking Susan's answer and twisting it around to suit your own needs. She wasn't answering the second line in the quote above but the first sentence. The sentence that I have put into bold.

CavySpirit, I didn't call anyone an upstanding member of your forums. Do not put words in my mouth, or on my keyboard.

You are doing the same thing, putting words in our mouths, or on our keyboards. Taking things that have been said and totally twisting them around for your own benefit to make us look bad. Are you one of those disgruntled compendium members?

For the record, I haven't called you anything or made any statements about you personally. The only statement that I really made was about your post and how belittling it seems both against the staff members here and to the forum. You come here and the very first post you decide to make is accusations against the staff of this forum and you tell us we need another domain among other things. If you don't like our forum and how we do things there are many other forums out there. Maybe you could go to them and tell them what they are doing wrong.

[PiggyDaddy]

Originally Posted by salana

They do. If by "they" you're referring to reputable rescues.

Since you have a single pig, though, I'm not sure you are.

I am referring to reputable rescues. That's where I got mine.

[VoodooJoint]

Originally Posted by PiggyDaddy

What about all the belittling going on in this thread? More or less calling me immature because I started this thread rather than doing research? Or calling me a "mature 29 year old" with quotes. Are the quotes really necessary? Am I supposed to read that as a compliment? That's what I'm talking about.

You are reading meaning into it that is not there. I put quotes around it because I was quoting you.

I can see no one belittling you. You are having your questions and accusations answered.

Originally Posted by PiggyDaddy

This right here isn't belittling, either? What makes you think my pig isn't currently happy or content?

I'm sure she is fairly content and happy. You sound like a decent caretaker. We think your friend could be happier though. We want what is best for her. Don't YOU want that for her as well?

Originally Posted by PiggyDaddy

If every single guinea pig out there is not happy then they should just adopt out pigs in pairs and be done with it.

This was already answered but I'll back it up.

Reputable rescues that know about GPs DO only adopt out pairs. The only time they will adopt a single GP out is if the adopter already has a GP. Go here Special Adoption Requirements at Cavy Spirit

Originally Posted by PiggyDaddy

One pig is fine by me because I see her being happy and running and eating like no other. Gosh, people, don't assume I have a miserable piggy just because I'm happy and she's the only one I have.

No one is saying she's miserable. We are saying she could be happier. GPs are social, herd animals. Like other herd animals they do better if they have same species interaction.

Like so many others you are coming here and telling us we are wrong. THEN when we try to correct your misguided thinking you get defensive.

The fact is you can do better for your friend. You have no valid reason not to get a second GP. You are choosing to deny her a friend. That choice may be conveniant for you but is a diservice to your guinea pig.

[PiggyDaddy]

Originally Posted by Ly&Pigs

You are taking Susan's answer and twisting it around to suit your own needs. She wasn't answering the second line in the quote above but the first sentence. The sentence that I have put into bold.

How can you say what she was replying to and what she wasn't? My question was "Do you honestly believe....." and her reply was "Actually, I do believe that, ...." I am NOT putting words in people's mouths or on their keyboards. I'm just reading the questions and answers. I'm not totally twisting anything.

I don't even know what a disgruntled compendium member is.

[Ly&Pigs]

How can you say what she was replying to and what she wasn't?

Because I know Susan very well. Most of us mods can finish each others sentences.