Are you sure you're a guinea pig? The only time I've ever had to worry about math was to make sure I got my equal half of a carrot.
Dear Lilac,
I am a silkie guinea pig. My owners have been adopting cavy after cavy after cavy. They have texels, mutts, abbysinians, teddies -- you name it, they have it. I was their first guinea pig, and now I am insanely jealous. What should I do? Jealous Piggy
Dear Jealous,
What you need to do is something totally outrageous to get the attention of your owners -- to really stick out. I suggest learning to do back-flips, but if that doesn't work you can always cut your hair into a mohawk.
Dear Lilac,
I am very upset! I am so upset! My owners keep saying, "oh, he is sooo cute, he is sooo cute. You could just hug him to death the little oogy-woogy shmoopsie sweetie-pie!" It's nauseating. I'm a boy. People should say that I'm handsome. Handsome Piggy
Dear Handsome,
And you're modest, too.
"Here's a picture of my guinea pig Stimpy on a piece of wood (he kinda looks like he's giving a speech). He likes to perch on top of it and look around the room and watch everything :)" (Stimpy, owned by Heather D.).
Kelsey M. shares two "vintage" photos of pets: "Sir Galahad the dog drooling over daddy Ginni, mommy Spottie, and four babies -- Smiley, Beeper, Color and Whitey."
"This other one is Ginni and Blackie the bunny, though you can barely make her out. She's leaning on Ginni; they were good buds."
"Henna Brenna Tribbles (tortoiseshell and white Peruvian) on March 19, 2002 at about five weeks old" (Henna, owned by Melissa).
Exclusive Feature! Guinea Pigs and the Stuffed Animals who Love Them!
"One of these things is not like the other"
(Minerva, owned by Heather S.).
"Oh Romeo, Romeo, wherefore art thou, Romeo?" (Lilac, owned by Melissa).
"I think we have the same barber" (Houdini, owned by Heather S.).
Violet's Scrapbook
Violet's scrapbook is a non-fictional account of the two weeks following a pet guinea pig's death, written by me (Melissa Taylor) when I was eighteen. Where "..." appears, portions have been removed from the original. Violet was nearly nine years old when she died. After she died, a plant grew over her grave. It reminded me very much of Where the Red Fern Grows.
August 7, 1995
...3:10 P.M.
I found out my dad had buried Violet -- not even in a box. My mom dug her up, held her, brushed her off, and gave her the proper burial she deserved. She put a marker there, flowers, and made a "V" with stones. Thanks, Mom!
Oh, Violet -- you didn't deserve to be buried in the dirt [without a box]!
8:05 P.M.
...
I'm so glad God blessed my life with such a beautiful, cheerful, and special friend named Violet Butterscotch...I only wish we'd had more time together.
10:41 P.M.
I got Violet as a Christmas present in 1986. She was a total surprise! I got the cage (I wondered what it was, since my mom had made it), and got her the day after Christmas.
I didn't even like Violet at first, believe it or not! Well, actually I loved her, but she was so flighty! In fact, I was never able to pick her up -- I scooped her out with a makeshift scoop made out of a milk carton.
Violet should have been played with more...She always stayed around me! Oh, she loved me so much! When I let my rabbit out, she runs away from me. Violet would run towards me, literally.
Oh, Violet! I miss you so much! It still seems like you should be in your cage by the hamster -- taking your medicine -- eating as best as possible.
When I took her to the vet at least two months ago (probably more), he said she was way too happy to put to sleep! That was the epitome of Violet's life. Too happy! She was the sweetest little girl. I miss you...
Snooky's Escape
by Mary Ann Moore
Snooky would get out today. I'd finished packing and was rewarding myself with a Mr. Goodbar, crunching the chocolatey peanuts, when I remembered: Snooky needed food.
I scooped a handful of yummy olive-green guinea pig pellets out of the brown paper sack, and unlatched the cage door. Streak! Wood chips scattered as the marmalade-and-white fluffball leaped past my hand and shot under my bed, sending a forgotten tennis ball thudding against the wall. Guinea pigs may look plump, but those stubby legs can fly.
From Snooky's previous adventures under my bed, I knew I was in for a long chase.
"Katrina! Bring down your luggage. Aunt Charlene will be here in fifteen minutes."
I opened my door a crack. "Just a minute, Mom." I clicked it closed. At least Snooky couldn't get into the hall. Telling Mom about Snooky's escape wouldn't be smart. Mom liked to be on time and she liked for me to be on time, and little problems like loose guinea pigs stressed her out.
Snooky peeked, her face framed by one yellow ruffle of my bedspread, as if she were wearing a flowered sunbonnet.
"I'll get you my pretty --" I croaked, crawling toward her.
One last sniff, nose in the air, and the ruffle settled back on the floor. She was starting to have fun. I heard the pitter-patter of little paws as she scampered under the furthest corner of my bed, bumping the tennis ball again.
Tennis! That was the answer. I retrieved my tennis racket from where it had fallen between my desk and music stand, and blew off the dust. Flopping belly-down on the daffodil rug by my bed, I growled, in my best bass, "I'm done playing, now, guinea pig." I flipped the flowered ruffle up on top of the bed.
Once my eyes got used to the darkness, I saw her nestled against the left wall. I pushed the racket handle behind her, then brought it forward to shoo her out.
She leaped it. She not only leaped it, she turned around and hopped back over it. Guinea pig ballet.
I raised it slightly and she cleared it again. Her cheerful clucks seemed to say, "What a nifty game!"
Maybe I could lift her out with the net part. I turned the racket around, setting the net beside her. She obediently hopped on and rode the racket to the edge of the bed. Dust bunny wisps trailed from the blond rosette between her ears: Snooky the dust mop.
Plop! She was off, waddling, dawdling back to her corner.
Depressing. A guinea pig could outwit me at tennis! During tennis lessons last summer, the instructor paired me with a seven year old boy. Even a klutzy eleven year old should be able to handle a second grader, right? Wro-ong. He skunked me. Not once. Repeatedly. All ten days of the course.
"Katrina! Get down here! The plane leaves at 4:05! Charlene will be here any minute!"
No time to answer her.
I spied the corner of my pillow under the turned-up bedspread. The pillowcase... Guinea pigs love to burrow, to cuddle in the dark. That's the attraction of under-beds.
After dumping out the pillow, I held the case down, inviting Snooky into the open end.
A pink nose lifted and sniffed, and a pair of bright black eyes asked, "Do I look that stupid?" Snooky yawned and flattened into a fuzzy crescent.
So now I was boring her.
"KATRINA ELIZABETH SCHWARTZ!!! Aunt-Charlene-just-
pulled-into-the-driveway!"
Oh-oh. Mom's voice had reached siren level, and she wasn't breathing between words. Red Alert!
My Mr. Goodbar wrapper crackled underfoot as I jumped up. Inspiration! Mr. Goodbars were my temptation. I needed the guinea pig version of an irresistible chocolate bar!
Quickly I unplugged my lamp, CD player and clock, putting the cords up away from Snooky's gnawing teeth, and raced out the door, slamming it behind me. I flew downstairs, past my fire-breathing mother and amused aunt, and smacked into the refrigerator. I yanked open the fridge door and the crisper drawer, grabbing what I needed. Shoving both closed, I tore back upstairs.
Once the door shut behind me, I dropped to my knees. "Here, Snooky," I cooed. "Here, Snooky, Snooky, Snooky."
The lettuce leaf ripped with a satisfying crackle.
A nose poked out from under the bed.
The lettuce leaf sauntered to the door of Snooky's cage, just ahead of a marmalade-splotched guinea pig who trumpeted "WINK O-WINK!" as her ears flattened in rhythm. Within seconds her jaws were munching merrily, inside the cage with the door latched; and I was carrying my luggage downstairs.
"Sorry I was late, Mom. Snooky got out."
Dramatic pause for a big breath. (My voice teacher would be impressed.) "KATRI--"
"Katrina, you're so grown up!" Aunt Charlene leaped in for the save, hugging me. "Your hair has gotten so long." She glanced down at my luggage. "Hmmm. Looks like you've forgotten something."
I frowned, examining my well-stuffed suitcase and overflowing backpack.
"Your racket!"
Did I forget to mention that Aunt Charlene was a tennis instructor? At tennis camp?
I wonder if any five year olds have enrolled...
Cave Ees
Long, long ago, at the very beginning of time, there were furry little animals called "Cave Ees" who lived in caves. This story is about them... (Story by Melissa Taylor)
"Horace, you get yummuns carrots. Collectums from garden," Hagatha the guinea pig instructed her husband, deep within their cave home.
"No know what is garden," Horace replied. "What means word, 'garden?'"
"Father, me want broiled asparagus for din-din," Horace, Jr. added. "My stomach gurgle."
"Will not work," Hagatha said. "We no invent fire yet. Not know how to broil."
"Oh," Horace, Jr. replied. His stomach gurgled hungrily. "Me go find food for din-din," he said to his surprised parents. Normally Horace, Jr. just stayed in his room and played with rocks and sticks. However, today he appeared to show some sort of inclination to work. Perhaps their species was evolving! Perhaps their brain capacity was expanding! His parents were quite proud of their exceptional son.
Horace, Jr. quickly set out on his quest to find food for his family (when a guinea pig is hungry, it doesn't waste time). He came across a tall, hairy caveman, and said, "What be good food to eat? We out of yum-yums at home."
"I'm sorry, my dear chap. I'm quite afraid I can't hear you. You're terribly short," the man replied. He stopped eating leaves off the tree, squatted, and put his head down closer to the ground. "Do you mind repeating what you just said?"
"What be good food to eat? We out of yum-yums at home."
"Well," the man answered, "I have always quite fancied the leaves and fruit off this scrumptious tree. If I close my eyes, the leaves almost taste like broiled asparagus, and the fruit tastes even better. I'm collecting some now to take home to my family."
"Tree too high," Horace, Jr. replied. "Me need low food. Low food like carrots."
"Hm. That is a problem. I'm afraid I can't help you, dear chap. I don't eat carrots myself, and I don't know where to find any."
Horace, Jr. went back home and explained the unfortunate situation to his parents. "No find food," he said.
"Me be very hungry!" Hagatha said, trying not to cry.
"Me be very hungry, too! More hungriest, even," Horace, Sr. sighed.
"Wait! Me have idea," Horace, Jr. said. "We make trade. We give man something, he get us leaves and fruit from asparagus-tasting tree."
"It good idea," Hagatha said. "But me have nothing to give."
Horace, Jr. smiled. "Leave up to me," he said.
He went back to the tree and found the man there still eating and collecting leaves and fruit.
"Man," Horace, Jr. said, "Me make offer."
"Yes?"
"My family be hungry. Take us in to your home and feed us."
The man stopped chewing on his food for a moment. "Why would I ever do something like that? It sounds like you need to learn some manners, my dear boy."
"No, it not like that. Me think we be nice to cuddle. Nice and soft. We talk to you and keep you company."
"Hey, now that's not all that bad of an idea..." the man trailed off in thought, considering the proposal.
And now you know how guinea pigs and man first became friends.
By the way, Horace, Jr. also gave the man his collection of sticks and rocks, and this was the very man who invented fire. (He was quite bored that day, and had nothing better to do than strike sticks and rocks together.)
Cavy Rescue
Interviewer: Melissa Taylor
Interviewee: Brook Shaffer, Chapter Leader (Founder) of the Florida Gulf Coast Cavy Club (website at http://members.aol.com/_ht_a/fgccc/myhomepage/profile.html?mtbrand=AOL_US).
Melissa: How and when did you first get interested in guinea pigs?
Brook: In 1998 I adopted a guinea pig from a co-worker who was moving and didn't want to take her with them. Pooh was already 3 years old when I got her, and I soon learned she had ovarian cysts. She underwent a complete hysterectomy soon after. That was followed by the removal of bladder stones, a heart tap, and treatment of seizures from what we believe was epilepsy. She lived to 5 years of age and got me hooked forever on guinea pigs. I adopted Elvis from the SPCA the same year I got Pooh, and soon after adopted Toby from another rescuer whose foster pig had babies.
Melissa: How did you get involved with guinea pig rescue?
Brook: Through Elvis' story (brought to the shelter at three months of age because "he smelled" where he lived until I adopted him at 8 months of age) I realized there were pigs out there who needed help. I was dating a vet at the time who got a pig in his clinic (Milo) whose owner wouldn't pay the mere $60 to have a back lump removed. He abandoned Milo and I fostered him, until he went to a loving family in Georgia. I then took in Cali, Beethoven and a couple others, adopted them out, and the Florida Gulf Coast Cavy Club (FGCCC) was formed.
Melissa: What reasons have you found are the most common for people giving up their
guinea pigs?
Brook: Many people don't realize that guinea pigs DO take more care than many small animals. And most pet shops manage to mislead buyers into thinking these animals take little to no time and do well on their own. In truth, guinea pigs need regular bedding changes, fresh water, and of course, fresh fruits, veggies, and hay. And guinea pigs are VERY social, so bonding with their owners and/or other pigs is important as well. I also find the parents saying the animal smells or bites or whatever the story is, but if the parent won't take responsibility for the child learning to care for a pet, who's to blame? The pet is neglected and ultimately dumped.
Melissa: What happens to the typical guinea pig when brought in to your facility?
Brook: A guinea pig brought to me (or to one of my foster parents, such as Jahcqui) is quarantined from the others until we are as positive as we can be that it doesn't have any colds, bugs, etc. that may be passed on. If the pig seems listless or distressed or injured, it is seen by a vet soon after arrival.
We spend time with the new animal, trying to learn its personality, so that when we have a potential adopter, I can tell them if this animal tends to be skittish (which many rescues start out to be), timid, a lap lover, a kisser, or a real character.
Once I have determined that the animal is healthy and ready for adoption, I will start posting to places such as PetFinder, Guinea Pig Adoption Network, and other such sites. I will also send out a mass e-mail to the club members, letting them know a pig has come into our care and to please pass the word. Most of my adoptions seem to come from club members telling others about available animals.
I first do a phone interview with the interested party. Then an interview is done with the perspective adopter, in my home, with the animal. I feel it's better to hold the interview in my home where the animal has spent a good amount of time rather than take them to the new home, as the guinea pig won't be as skittish or afraid. It's more apt to interact in a normal fashion when it's in comfortable surroundings, someplace it knows.
If the person can show they have taken sufficient steps to ready themselves for a new pet, has good knowledge of the kind of care a guinea pig may require, and I feel comfortable with the new slave, I may adopt on the spot. Many times I require a home visit first to see the set-up for the new family member. An adoption contract is completed and if they have a carrier on the spot, the piggie may leave for its new home at that point.
Once adopted, I contact the new family a few times over the next few months to be sure all is working out well. At some point I leave them alone, as there is only so much I can do. They are all told if there are problems or concerns, they may contact me at any time, and if the animal isn't working out in the home, it is to be returned to me and I will refund their adoption fee. I've only had one pig brought back to me, as he didn't bond with their current pet, but another was adopted to the family and worked out just fine. The one returned was also adopted out shortly soon after, where he became the sultan of a harem :)
Melissa: On the average, how many animals do you have at one time?
Brook: On average I have six to eight. Lately I have been down to four, luckily. Last year I had between 10 and 25 at any one time. And that was only in my home -- the wonderful fosterers who work alongside me also had 10-20 in their homes. Between March 2001 and March 2002, I figure we rescued close to 500 guinea pigs. Most have been adopted out at this time, but some are still with one fosterer in the Midwest.
Melissa: What is your best success story?
Brook: Probably Rini. Rini and Stumpy came from a rescue together. We believe they were brothers in the initial litter. Stumpy's back paw had been chewed off or lost somehow, probably from overcrowding, but he got around wonderfully well and had a great personality. Rini had horrible ringworm and at one point the vet working with him wasn't sure he would live through it. Rini (short for Tangerini) was VERY skittish and shy, and didn't want to be held at all. Understandable when all he probably ever knew was sore skin and open wounds. After months in my home and a LOT of vet care, Rini recovered enough that he started to become more sociable. He would approach me and sit in my lap. He would let me wash him and clip his nails without screaming. And he LOVED a good chin rub! He and Stumpy were finally adopted out to one home together, and last I heard they were doing fabulously.
Melissa: Are there any online databases where people can learn of guinea pig shelters/rescue groups in their areas?
Brook: PetFinder http://www.petfinder.org/ is probably the best shelter/rescue listing I have found. Cavy Madness http://www.cavymadness.com also has a good list, as does Cavies Galore http://www.caviesgalore.com.
Cavy Shopping
Interviewer: Connie Blue
Interviewee: Melissa J. Taylor, guinea pig illustrator
Connie: Hi Melissa, you gave me the web address to your guinea pig store the first part of this month and I have had a chance to look it over pretty well. Do you mind if I ask you a few questions? First of all, would you give the web address for the store so all our readers can check it out for themselves?
Melissa: It's www.cafepress.com/cavy.
Connie: What prompted you to create the guinea pig store in the first place?
Melissa: I think it's very hard to find guinea pig merchandise, though there are a few great stores online. With CafePress stores, the store owner really doesn't earn much money, if any. People are often just there to share their hobby or interest with others. I love guinea pigs very much, and wanted to be able to offer people silly and fun guinea pig illustrations on merchandise. However, my first intention was going to be to only offer five designs -- one of each of my guinea pigs -- on the merchandise.
Connie: When did the store open?
Melissa: In April of 2002. During the week of June 10, 2002, it was the profiled store on CafePress' site [see following article].
Connie: Can anyone buy the products they see featured there?
Melissa: Sure! Even if you don't have a credit card, you can order through mail-order by check or money order. You can also place an order over the phone if you prefer that method. Items can be shipped to people all over the world.
Connie: Are your own personal pets featured?
Melissa: There are three guinea pigs that aren't my pets (an Abbysinian, Dutch and Dalmation). However, the rest are my guinea pigs. Since all of my guinea pigs past and present have been named after flowers, a flower is always present in every illustration. I've drawn over one-hundred pictures of these guinea pigs, and every drawing contains a flower.
Connie: How long have you been doing drawings of them?
Melissa: I've been drawing guinea pigs since I was little, but I didn't attempt to draw more realistic- (yet cartoony-) looking ones until April of 2002, so it has only been a few months. In the original five drawings I tried to capture my guinea pigs' personalities or the unique traits they have or had. For example, Lilac is "reading" a book she's holding upside down, and wearing glasses. Lilac has a condition known as "fatty eye." Although it doesn't hurt her and she can still see very well, this condition leads to a visual eye abnormality, and this is why she wears glasses in the illustrations of her (though, not in real life!). The name of the book is "War and Peeps." Basically that's what my guinea pigs spend their time doing -- squabbling and talking.
Connie: Where did you get your ideas for the drawings that are featured on the merchandise?
Melissa: Some of the merchandise is limited edition merchandise, and for that I made very special illustrations. The apron, for example, has a drawing of a Peruvian guinea pig at the barbecue. The flying disk has an illustration of three guinea pigs playing with a flying disk. The clock has my favorite design and is for anyone who can't get enough guinea pigs. It has thirteen images on it -- one at each hour and one large image in the center. The standard merchandise generally just has "standard" designs -- but with future limited edition products I hope to continue featuring special illustrations that apply directly to the product theme. With the large mug, I'm trying to do a seasonal design that changes periodically, but we'll see how long that lasts.
Connie: Are there certain breeds of guinea pigs that you use exclusively in your illustrations and if so, why?
Melissa: The following breeds are included: Abbysinian, Teddy, Peruvian, Dutch, Dalmation, and the beloved "mutt." I wanted to try and feature many of the major breeds so that everyone can find a guinea pig that looks like his or her own buddy. There are eight different main guinea pigs -- three mutts and five purebreds. There are also some minor characters.
Connie: Are there any other illustrations that you are noted for and if so would you mind sharing them with us?
Melissa: I'm a cartoonist for Modern Ferret magazine. The magazine's official website can be viewed at modernferret.com. You can find Modern Ferret in your local bookstore. My ferret cartoon site is online at http://emptyonline.tripod.com.
Connie: And finally, you seem to enjoy your work so much. Do you have any future projects planned for them, and if so would you mind talking about them for just a minute?
Melissa: After drawing my five guinea pigs, I decided that with more illustrations added and text it might be possible to turn the illustrations into stories. I did that and am in the process of circulating this proposal with publishers. The book would hopefully be a collection of ten long stories, a total of 100 text pages and 100 illustrations. I've also turned the stories into PowerPoint Presentations (sort of like movies) with special effects, moving pictures, and guinea pig voices -- just for fun and to watch with a young friend. I hope everyone can sense my love for guinea pigs when they look at my illustrations. They are very special animals and wonderful friends. I'm so glad I received one as a present from my parents when I was nine years old. Back then my first guinea pig Violet instilled in me a love for all living creatures and especially for all guinea pigs!
Connie: Thank you for your time, Melissa.
Guinea Pig Stuff Store
Melissa J. Taylor
The Guinea Mag
www.cafepress.com/cavy
My guinea pig designs came about as a result of a pet's death. Though she had always been an active and happy animal, the images that stuck in my mind of my guinea pig Chloe were of her when she was ailing.
I'm a published cartoonist, and had planned on drawing a humorous picture of Chloe in an effort to remember her in a much more positive way. Looking at photographs of her for inspiration, I drew a picture of her playing jump rope with a smile on her face. The results encouraged me to develop a series of drawings based on other guinea pigs I had owned. I have since developed stories around these and other drawings, which I am currently circulating in an effort for publication.
Guinea pigs/cavies are wonderful first pets. I got my first "all to myself" pet when I was nine, and she lived more than eight years. She was one of my comforts in life during situations when I needed an unconditional friend. Even though we don't speak the same language, animals often seem to have an unique way of sensing when we need a listening ear. Since then I have owned four more guinea pigs, and in the nature of my first guinea pig "Violet" each one has been named after a flower. And, each one of the drawings contains at least one flower as well.
I hope that my illustrations will remind you of the love you had for your first pet. Whether or not you had a guinea pig, I'm sure you know all about the special feelings and adventures a child and a pet can share.
The above article was posted on CafePress.com (partially on the main page with the full article on a click-through link) the week of June 10. Guinea Pig Stuff Store was the featured store for that week out of 250,000 CafePress stores.
When I was a little girl I took my new guinea pig, by the name of Violet Butterscotch ("Violet" for its meaning of "shy" and "Butterscotch" for her color) to a pet show at the library. There I met another girl and her mother with guinea pigs in tow. My mom asked them what they were going to enter the guinea pigs into. They replied that their guinea pigs had a special trick they could do, and they were very enthusiastic about it. My mom, very interested, asked, "wow -- what trick?"
"Well," the mother replied, "they are so smart! When I rustle a plastic bag, they whistle!"
My mom and I tried not to giggle, but have often chuckled over this in the many years since it happened. You see, we all know that this isn't a trick -- every guinea pig does this when it wants some food. I could have entered Violet into the contest with that trick, myself. As it was, I think their guinea pigs got nervous and refused to perform in front of the crowd, and they didn't win that contest. However, Violet left the pet show with a reward for having the strangest pet name at the show.* I must say, I wasn't very thrilled with that.
What I didn't know was that Violet did have a very unique talent for a guinea pig. You see, ever since she had been a baby I had made her beg for her food. I don't mean by whistling, but rather by begging the way a dog begs. I thought all guinea pigs did this trick and didn't realize until I had subsequent guinea pigs that this is somewhat a rare occurence. Guinea pigs are rather heavy animals and do not like to get up on their hind legs. (Teaching a rabbit to beg, for example, is much easier -- all three of my rabbits taught themselves this trick.) My three guinea pigs after Violet never learned to beg on their own. I never made them, and so they never learned.
Keeping in mind that this was a very cute trick, and that Violet lived nearly nine years -- which I believe was in part to her athleticism -- I decided that my new baby would learn Violet's trick. I don't claim to have made up this trick, however. I've seen guinea pigs performing it in guinea pig care books ever since I was nine years old -- which is why I thought it was "normal." Guinea pigs shouldn't have any trouble doing this if you encourage the behavior from an early age. However, I do think that it's a trick some others may not have thought of and, if only they knew about it, would like their guinea pigs to learn. Here are my best tips.
Does your guinea pig qualify?
As the saying goes with dogs, "you can't teach an old cavy new tricks." Young guinea pigs who have never been given many treats as of yet will do best with this trick. Older guinea pigs (such as my Muffy) will get frustrated if they are not given a food right away. Some guinea pigs (such as my Lilac) are elderly and have lost some motor-skills, and this trick will be too much of a challenge. This doesn't mean that older guinea pigs need not apply; but you should keep in mind that they may not learn it as readily, or that it may not be something they can do at all.
Active guinea pigs are the best candidates. This is why junior piggies are great to start with. They have a lot of pent-up energy! Both of my guinea pigs who have learned this trick were exceptionally active for guinea pigs.
Happy and easy-going, non-nervous piggies seem to respond best to learning tricks. They're eager to try new things and won't get frustrated as quickly!
Let's get started
To begin, hold your guinea pig's absolute favorite treat above her head, just out of reach. She will stretch and stretch and find that she can't get the treat. Continue with this until she decides to experiment and reaches up and puts her front paws in the air. Once she has done this, immediately let her have the carrot while she is still on her hind feet. (No teasing or taunting allowed!)
From the beginning, you have set a precedent. Never just give your guinea pig a treat. She must always make an effort and reach both paws from the ground to get the treat. Always be consistent -- do not allow her to put her paws on something for balance and do not give her a treat if she won't beg. This may sound very, very mean -- but it's not. Being consistent is the only way she will remember that she must beg in order to get a treat. Will she be upset if you have other cavies who don't have to beg for their snacks? No. Henna has never noticed that her two "sisters" get food even without begging.
If your cavy does not respond well to this trick, such as replying with chattering teeth and lack of enthusiasm, it is a good idea to stop. Try on another guinea pig or wait until you adopt another one.
A trained guinea pig will get on its hind legs at the slightest suggestion of receiving a treat. This is really begging -- it may be accompanied by wheeking and running about the cage, floor, or wherever the guinea pig is -- and all-around extreme hyperness. It's quite fun! And aside from that, it also helps your guinea pig stay in shape throughout its lifetime.
* Violet's award's text:
This award goes to Melissa and Violet Butterscotch Taylor,
Violet for the most unusual name. [What about mine? My full name means "happy sewing honeybee?!"]
...and this little piggy went wee, wee, wee all the way home
My mom was very intrigued by my friend's guinea pig -- after all, seeing him led to her and my dad getting me my very first guinea pig as a Christmas present when I was nine.
Anyway, my friend asked my mom if she wanted to hold her guinea pig, and my mom agreed. She lovingly and proudly placed him in my mom's lap. My mom asked, "Does he ever go to the bathroom on people?"
"Oh, no! Never!" My friend said innocently. "He would never do that. He only goes in his cage."
Well, you can guess what happened next. Apparently he thought my mom was his cage! And ever since then she can't hold a guinea pig without having a nagging sensation that her lap is wet! (Melissa.)
~
I was at my friends Bonnie and Dave's house one evening. My husband Rick
worked second shift back then, and once in a while Bonnie would have me over for
supper. This was one of those evenings. She was out in the kitchen working
on the meal, Dave was sitting at the piano attempting to play "Time in a
Bottle," and I was sitting there listening to him play and petting little
Geno. Well, you know with all those smells of veggies, and the music and the
massage I was giving him...poor little guy didn't have a chance. That was
when I started feeling this warm sensation. At first I thought it was just
his body temperature, but that warm sensation seemed to be spreading...
Seems I just got the little guy too
relaxed. I said something to my friend about feeling just a bit wet and she
said, "Don't worry, he doesn't go much."
Well, that was before I put Geno
down and discovered that I was wet from my waist down to my knees. I walked
into the kitchen where my friend was and said to her, "He doesn't go very
much? What would you call this?" She is a giggler and all she could do was
giggle and point at my wet lap. (Connie.)
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