Howdy! My name is Kristi and I have such a compassion for all animals especially guinea pigs. I was first introduced to guinea pigs on my 23rd birthday which was in October of last year. My good friend that I have known for 7 years gave them to me as a birthday surprise and the 4 months of having them...they have been nothing but a joy in me and my boyfriends lives.
It was so sudden...if anyone has experienced such healthy, playful, enthusiastic, social and loving guinea pigs...then, one thing leads to another. Me and Matt introduced the two to some new dry berries that the company conveyed was harmless to our little friends. Little did we know, they had hidden deadly chemicals that caused one of the boys to suffer illness. We are still not sure what actually happened...it was just so unexpected and scary. We felt like it was our fault that he became so sick.
Botan...named after a Japanese character; was normally a very shy but loving little friend. He enjoyed gentle rubs on his lower back and under his chin. He always enjoyed curling up on my lap and then would sometimes rest his head on my shoulder after I got home from work. He enjoyed swimming in the tub on occassions and especially loved making big messes in his cage and hiding the evidence. His favorite foods consisted of eating spinach, carrots, apples, cabbage and parsley.
What were the odd's though, I never would of thought that dry berries from Petco would change everything one day later. Matt, my boyfriend of 1 year and 4 months saw early signs before he fell deathly ill. He wasn't as social as he normally was, every time we wanted to hold him...he squeeked higher pitches and tried to bite us. However, the x rays from the vet did not show any visible evidence of major health problems. We knew after he pooped abnormal discoloration in his bowels with one drop of blood...that the promise of keeping him there with us that night would be very unlikely.
He looked so helpless just laying there with his goopy eyes half shut. He hardly moved that night...he pained me greatly with his helpless gestures. I held him while the doctor examined him and he let out small noises as if he was in great danger or pain. When I received the phone call at 4 am...I just stood there in silence just waiting for the tears to run down my face. He was really gone...
We stayed up that night for over 24 hours with no sleep in between. Eating was very little. Stellar the 6 month old playful runt that we still own and treasure today survived the berries. He has been depressed since his brother passed on this morning. Hasn't been eating a lot of hay like he usually does but his poop looks normal which is a good sign. I just hope that we don't lose him too because he has made such a difference in our lives.
Stellar, was named after a star from the modern times. He is considered the most outgoing of the two. Enjoys being scratched behind the ears and under the belly. Also can curl up on your shoulder for hours. He loves little kisses and squeeks playfully whenever a song on the radio comes on. His favorite foods consist of carrots, nuts of all sorts, spinach, and romaine lettuce. He devours his nut bars when he behaves himself. Stellar, was born with a black tinted nose which caught my eye when we picked him out in the litter. He was the loudest and smallest of the batch and I fell in love with him the first time our eyes met. I call him the rebel...he loves getting into mischief and burrowing himself under blankets and bedding. He loves chewing on anything he can get a hold of including my boyfriends head set cords...he wasn't too happy about that. Despite his aggressive tendencies at times...he is a darling, humorous and pretty well behaved boy. There is never a dull moment when he popcorns happily around his cage. With Botan gone though...he is lonely as ever. We will be getting him a new friend in a week or so. Though, Botan will never be replaced in our hearts.
Growing up, I endured so much but it made me the strong woman I am today. I faced numerous hardships battling foster care experiences, abuse of all forms and surviving the suicide of a bipolar, schitzophrenic, alcoholic father. My mom currently lives in Northern California and we have been establishing a closer connection in between the lost years. We reunited 4 or 5 years ago after never knowing her throughout childhood/adolescence. Regardless of all those experiences...I stand my ground every day and never let the circumstances define who I am as an individual.
When I see the unconditional love that animals have for humans. It reminds me that the embrace, compassion and loyalty of their companionship is even more precious and you carry the memories of them throughout the rest of your life journey. This world, nonetheless is full of cruelty and uncertain encounter but we bring what we got to the table and enjoy the little things that matter most. For me, it is that love that I receive from animals that awakens a light in my heart. Even though I mostly had cats growing up, Guinea pigs are also that exception They truly are God's little wonders.
It was so sudden...if anyone has experienced such healthy, playful, enthusiastic, social and loving guinea pigs...then, one thing leads to another. Me and Matt introduced the two to some new dry berries that the company conveyed was harmless to our little friends. Little did we know, they had hidden deadly chemicals that caused one of the boys to suffer illness. We are still not sure what actually happened...it was just so unexpected and scary. We felt like it was our fault that he became so sick.
Botan...named after a Japanese character; was normally a very shy but loving little friend. He enjoyed gentle rubs on his lower back and under his chin. He always enjoyed curling up on my lap and then would sometimes rest his head on my shoulder after I got home from work. He enjoyed swimming in the tub on occassions and especially loved making big messes in his cage and hiding the evidence. His favorite foods consisted of eating spinach, carrots, apples, cabbage and parsley.
What were the odd's though, I never would of thought that dry berries from Petco would change everything one day later. Matt, my boyfriend of 1 year and 4 months saw early signs before he fell deathly ill. He wasn't as social as he normally was, every time we wanted to hold him...he squeeked higher pitches and tried to bite us. However, the x rays from the vet did not show any visible evidence of major health problems. We knew after he pooped abnormal discoloration in his bowels with one drop of blood...that the promise of keeping him there with us that night would be very unlikely.
He looked so helpless just laying there with his goopy eyes half shut. He hardly moved that night...he pained me greatly with his helpless gestures. I held him while the doctor examined him and he let out small noises as if he was in great danger or pain. When I received the phone call at 4 am...I just stood there in silence just waiting for the tears to run down my face. He was really gone...
We stayed up that night for over 24 hours with no sleep in between. Eating was very little. Stellar the 6 month old playful runt that we still own and treasure today survived the berries. He has been depressed since his brother passed on this morning. Hasn't been eating a lot of hay like he usually does but his poop looks normal which is a good sign. I just hope that we don't lose him too because he has made such a difference in our lives.
Stellar, was named after a star from the modern times. He is considered the most outgoing of the two. Enjoys being scratched behind the ears and under the belly. Also can curl up on your shoulder for hours. He loves little kisses and squeeks playfully whenever a song on the radio comes on. His favorite foods consist of carrots, nuts of all sorts, spinach, and romaine lettuce. He devours his nut bars when he behaves himself. Stellar, was born with a black tinted nose which caught my eye when we picked him out in the litter. He was the loudest and smallest of the batch and I fell in love with him the first time our eyes met. I call him the rebel...he loves getting into mischief and burrowing himself under blankets and bedding. He loves chewing on anything he can get a hold of including my boyfriends head set cords...he wasn't too happy about that. Despite his aggressive tendencies at times...he is a darling, humorous and pretty well behaved boy. There is never a dull moment when he popcorns happily around his cage. With Botan gone though...he is lonely as ever. We will be getting him a new friend in a week or so. Though, Botan will never be replaced in our hearts.
Growing up, I endured so much but it made me the strong woman I am today. I faced numerous hardships battling foster care experiences, abuse of all forms and surviving the suicide of a bipolar, schitzophrenic, alcoholic father. My mom currently lives in Northern California and we have been establishing a closer connection in between the lost years. We reunited 4 or 5 years ago after never knowing her throughout childhood/adolescence. Regardless of all those experiences...I stand my ground every day and never let the circumstances define who I am as an individual.
When I see the unconditional love that animals have for humans. It reminds me that the embrace, compassion and loyalty of their companionship is even more precious and you carry the memories of them throughout the rest of your life journey. This world, nonetheless is full of cruelty and uncertain encounter but we bring what we got to the table and enjoy the little things that matter most. For me, it is that love that I receive from animals that awakens a light in my heart. Even though I mostly had cats growing up, Guinea pigs are also that exception They truly are God's little wonders.