The Little Guys

Along the way, we met the acquaintance of a few little guys. Each of our guinea pigs possessed their own personalities. And, each were very intelligent. Cute, as well.

Our association with guinea pigs began in 1967. Our friends had a blonde guinea pig as part of their family (along with two dogs). When they were reassigned in 1969 to Ft. Rucker, in Alabama, they asked if we would be interested in taking in their guinea pig, affectionately known as "Pig-Pig." We said we would. Caring for the little guy would be relatively simple. Fresh bedding everyday. Enjoys eating lettuce, grass, and rabbit pellets. We asked if they knew whether Pig-Pig was a boy or girl. Our friends didn't know, but that was okay.

After moving in, Pig-Pig integrated easily into daily life. He had full run of the house while his enclosure was being cleaned, which only took 5 minutes. But, Pig-Pig would stay out for about 45 minutes before deciding it was time to go back into his enclosure for nap time. (No prompting required.) He also enjoyed being cuddled everyday for about an hour or so. Pig-Pig stayed with us for two years before passing away. He had a full life by guinea pig standards, living for nearly six years.

A few weeks after Pig-Pig's passing in 1971, we decided to take in another guinea pig. The new little guy was a blonde guinea pig as well. Since Pig-Pig was a good name, that became his name also. Like the first Pig-Pig, he had full run of the house while his enclosure was being cleaned. He would stay out for nearly an hour before entering back into his enclosure for a nap. Being in earshot of the kitchen, this Pig-Pig knew when the refrigerator was opened. Open the fridge, you needed to take some lettuce out for the little guy. This Pig-Pig stayed with us until 1974 before passing away.

Pig-Pig II on his nightly sitting session
on the rocking chair.

Several weeks had passed after the second Pig-Pig had died before deciding we needed another guinea pig. This time, we brought home two guinea pigs. Two females, a black and white tuxedo and a red-hair. The tuxedo was named Panda, and the red-haired was named Red. These two little ladies enjoyed running around the house while their much larger enclosure was cleaned. They stayed out longer, and sometimes napped outside the enclosure. They, too, learned the refrigerator cue. Moreover, these two ladies enjoyed their evening cuddle sessions. Sadly, Panda and Red passed away within a week of one another in early summer 1976. (Red, of illness. Panda, a broken heart.)

Red and Panda on their nightly sitting session
on the couch.

It was in early fall 1976 when we brought home our last two little guys, Liberty and Calico. Liberty was a gray, brown, and white tricolor, and Calico had tortie-shell colors. These two were also little ladies, but were quite different. Liberty was an outgoing type. Calico was more reserved. They learned all the cues about kitchen activity - people in the kitchen meant lettuce and apple time. They stayed much closer to their enclosure while it was being cleaned. Soon as their accommodations were clean, they were ready for a nap on their fresh, cedar chip bedding. When it came to cuddle time, they enjoyed it very much - cuddling for two hours or more. They both passed away in 1981.

Liberty checking out the rabbit pellets, and Calico
munching on lettuce in their enclosure.

All of our little guys were very sweet and loving. A little love bite here, a love bite there. Sometimes a hard bite. But, that was okay. We remember them with much affection and fondness.