Site hosted by Angelfire.com: Build your free website today!

Summer 1999 -- Premiere issue!


Welcome to the premiere issue of The Guinea Mag! I would like to take this first issue to introduce you to my guinea pigs.
My life as a guinea pig owner began as a surprise. My parents gave one to me when I was only nine years old, as a Christmas present. Because Violet lived nearly nine years (December 5, 1986-August 5, 1995), I could fill a book (and literally did -- 165 pages) with all of my special memories of her. I hope to share those in upcoming issues of the magazine, to show what a special friend she was to me.
I remember how she would push all of her toys and bowls into the center of her cage to leave a "track" for running at full speed. She did this pup-like behavior into adulthood, which I've learned from guinea pig books is not too common.
I remember how she would follow me everywhere I went if I put her on the floor...something my guinea pigs since have never done.
She was also the "subject" as a real "guinea pig," helping me with two science class projects, and helping a young friend with one as well. Of course, these were all very humane. My friend's test involved finding out which foods Violet liked best, while my tests involved turning over cups to remove treats, or running through a maze to, you guessed it, find a treat.
When I was eighteen years old, one day I took Violet out of her cage and, to my horror, saw that she was unable to move her hindquarters. A trip to the vet showed that she was retaining fluids, and soon her heart would give out. We asked the painful question of whether or not she should be put out of her misery. To my surprise, the veterinarian said she was extremely cheerful and showed a zest for life. He recommended letting her die naturally, and we did.
When Violet did die, as anyone who has loved a guinea pig can imagine, I was heart-broken. But even more than heart-broken, I promised myself I would never, ever get a guinea pig again. To me the relationship I had had with Violet was so special that I didn't want another guinea pig, which would just act the same way and remind me of Violet and make me sad (of course, I was wrong). In fact, while Violet was still living, I "replaced" her with a rabbit, Lady.
Of course, I was just dreaming to think I could live my life without a guinea pig around! I joined the GPDD (Guinea Pig Daily Digest) and marveled at how everyone claimed their guinea pigs were so different. I was bitten by the bug again, and after a year of being cavyless I found a breeder through the GPDD, and adopted the cutest little "mutt" I've ever seen. Lilac was originally named Hershey by the breeder...I'm assuming because she looks like milk and chocolate swirled together. But I already had a name chosen, which was Lilac la Gorda. I name all of my rabbits and guinea pigs (a total of six at this time) after flowers. In addition, I liked Michael Bond's Olga da Polga books, and wanted a similar name for my piggy. "La gorda" means "the fat" in Spanish, and she is living up to her name. She outweighs and oversizes one of my rabbits. She is an obsessive-compulsive cuddler with humans who hates to be petted while she's inside her cage. The breeder tamed her to like to sit inbetween shirts (example: inbetween a T-shirt and flannel shirt) on people, and she still prefers that to this day.
When my sweet hamster died, my second hamster to die in a short time, I decided I needed a somewhat larger and hardier animal for my next pet. This led to me searching far and wide for a female guinea pig to live with Lilac. Finally I found the sweetest little guinea pig (shown here as a baby), whom I named Clover, or Chloe for short. She was an unwanted "mistake" guinea pig I found in a pet store. I sexed her about twenty times to make sure she was female!
Chloe is pure white, but the skin around her eyes is dark and gives the illusion of being caked in mascara. Don't let this fool you -- Chloe is anything but lady-like. She's very tiny and wirey, and tells me she never plans on growing up.
Guinea pigs are very special. Each one is unique, and each one has his or her own personality. The joy they bring to our lives, and the special relationships we can form with them, are priceless. This magazine is meant to be a celebration of these special animals. I hope you will help me by sending in submissions. Visit http://www.angelfire.com/mi/FAST/guineamag.html to do so.
Thank you, and welcome to the premiere issue!

P.S. You'll notice that a lot of the articles in this issue are by me. But my real goal is to have most of the contents by the readers. So please send in your submissions!

"One especially nice thing
about guinea pigs is that
if you make a fuss over
them, they become really
fond of you."
- Dick King-Smith,
popular children's writer.
Excerpt from the book
I Love Guinea Pigs
















"The most wonderful
animals in the world!"
- Peter Gurney, in his
book The Proper Care
of Guinea Pigs, published
by t.f.h.
















"Guinea pigs are likened
to wigs, mops, and short-
eared rabbits. Whatever
the comparison, guinea
pigs are charming creatures
and pets."

- Carolyn Ruf in Guinea
Pigs, published by t.f.h.
















"The first pets I ever
had as a child were a pair
of guinea pigs. I saw these
dear little creatures at a
neighbor's and was
enchanted. When she
laid two of them on my lap,
I felt I'd received a splendid
present."
- Katrin Behrend, author of
Guinea Pigs: A Complete
Pet Owner's Manual,
published by Barron's.
I think that this is a great idea! I can't wait for the premiere issue!
- Michele Lipson

I'm going to be the cover-girl? Cool!
- Lilac

There are some who say they wish
 They could hear a guinea pig speak
I suppose they have never heard
Their beautiful little "wheeek!"
With a cuddle and a popcorn jump
They can cheer up any grump
Which is quite an amazing feat!
- by Melissa Taylor

Special Summer Treat
by Melissa Taylor
One of my favorite memories of childhood summers past was spending time with my guinea pig Violet in our backyard. Her cage was made specially by my mom so that the wire rectangle could be removed from the plastic bottom, and put on the grass for an outside enclosure. I would sit outside with Violet and let her get her fill from the green delicatessen.
Unfortunately, now we get our lawn treated in the summers, and I don't trust it to be safe enough for my guinea pigs to have a salad feast. However, I know other guinea pigs across the country would love to have this special treat.
In order to let them, clean off an area of grass (I always kept her away from dandelions and other weeds, just to be safe), let it dry, and then enclose it with wire (not on the bottom). Put your guinea pig in the enclosure. Remember to keep an eye on him or her, just in case other animals come into your yard.
Caring for a Handicapped Guinea Pig
by Melissa Taylor
Twice I have had to care for a handicapped guinea pig, and on both occasions it was a time of great bonding between me and my cavy.
My first handicapped guinea pig was Violet. In her old age she became unable to move and started balding. After being put on a diuretic, her mobility and fur quantity increased, but so did her urine and breathing difficulties as her problem progressed. Ultimately her heart gave out. But feeding her medicine every day via a syringe made me quite grateful for the last moments I spent with her. Toward the end she couldn't even drink on her own, so I fed her water via the syringe as well. I was so sad to see her go, but so happy that our friendship developed before she died.
At the end of April of this year, my dear Chloe adopted the saying "All I want for Christmas is my two front teeth" when her two top teeth broke out. I still have no idea how it happened, but suspect it happened while I was at school. She's a tom-boy who will jump, run, and otherwise wreak havoc without realizing there are dire consequences. If she were a human, I feel she would be diagnosed with Attention Defecit Hyperactivity Disorder.
From her problem, I would like to share a few tips for others whose guinea pigs lose their teeth for whatever reason.
* Don't panic. Your guinea pig has more than just their front teeth. They can chew with their hind molars, which are teeth that you never see. So, technically, your guinea pig can still eat.
* Take your guinea pig to the veterinarian if it refuses to eat, if the remaining teeth begin to grow too long, or for any other reason that you feel a trip there is necessary. Don't wait if there is a problem!
* You can mix your guinea pig's pellets with water, and grind them up in a blender to make a special food your guinea pig can eat. Serve this away from the other guinea pigs, or they may eat it rather than their regular food (remember, guinea pigs need hard food to wear down their ever-growing teeth).
* Oatmeal (recipe included in this issue under Cavy Cooking) is also a loved treat by guinea pigs who are missing teeth. Don't put in fruit slices though, as they cannot be chewed with no teeth.
* Applesauce (apples run through a blender) and mushed carrots (carrots run through a blender) are also great treats for the toothless piggy. Don't overfeed on treats, though. The pellets are the main thing that should be mashed up.
And don't forget -- unlike humans, the teeth should grow back in.
How the Guinea Pig Got its Rosettes
by Melissa Taylor, 1997
Once upon a time there was a guinea pig named Abby. Her mom groomed her... a lot.
"Aw, Ma!" Abby Sinian the guinea pig groaned. "Would you stop parting my hair?"
"Come now, Abby. You are such a dirty little girl. Always getting into mischief. I wish your hair would stay parted. I have company coming over and I cannot have you looking like a fright," Mrs. Sinian scolded.
"Ma!" Abby was very upset with her mother, but she could not argue. It was true that her hair was constantly a mess and never parted. Her mama always parted it directly down the middle with some licks here and there to keep it down, but after only about an hour of play, the hair would be back to its muddled state.
A few days later Abby again remembered the problem with her hair. How she dreaded getting her hair groomed day after day, hour after hour! Mama was too picky. She thought and she thought and she thought. Finally she decided to go to the wise owl and ask him for some advice.
It took her a few minutes to get there...she realized her tummy was getting a bit too big, but how she loved Timothy hay! Anyhow, that wasn't the impending problem at hand.
"Hello, Mr. Wise Owl!" Abby craned her short neck to see the owl, who was aloft in the tip-top of a tree.
"Why, hello there, little guinea pig!" He called back. "How may I help you?"
"First of all, promise you won't eat me. I'm not a mouse."
"Yes, I know that. I said you were a guinea pig, didn't I? You see, I'm Mr. Wise Owl."
"Yes, I know. I'm sorry. Anyway, I am a little guinea pig, and my mom always tries to part my hair directly down the middle and keep it looking nice."
"Oh, she does, does she? Does she do a good job?" He eyed her suspiciously.
"Yes, Mr. Owl. And I do believe it is getting rather annoying to have her picking over me! And it never, never lasts."
"Yes, yes, I don't doubt that," he replied.
"Well, I was wondering if you could help me."
"And how would I do that, dear child?"
"Just tell me some way to get my hair to part, and stay parted," Abby replied.
"Oh, now that's easy. All you need to do is go to the bees and ask them to spare you some honey. Then you can put that on your hair and it will stay put."
"Thank you very much, Mr. Owl!" Abby grinned and rushed over to the nearest beehive, which was in a tree a few yards away from the very wise owl.
"Dear bees, could you spare me any honey?"
A little bee came out and looked at her sternly. "BUZZ!!! We can't spare you any honey! Guinea pigs don't even eat honey! BUZZ!!!"
"Oh, but I don't want to eat it," Abby laughed. "I just want to put it on my hair."
The bee looked at her strangely, but then handed her a bit of honey.
Unfortunately for Abby, the honey was very, very sticky. She had a very hard time getting it on her fur. And when she did, it was clumped in multiple spots all over the place, in little rosettes.
"Oh, dear! Ma will be so mad! And aside from that, I'm late for school!" Abby decided to rush to school, and went chattering nervously all the way there. When she got in the room, all the guineas' eyes turned toward her.
"Abby Sinian! My goodness! What have you done to yourself?" The teacher scolded.
But all the young guinea pigs looked at Abby, their eyes wide.
"Oh, Abby! How did you do that? Why, that's going to be all the rage!" One little guinea pig said.
Abby was shocked. "Oh, it wasn't much," she said, "but I can show you all how to do it after school."
And that's how the Abby Sinian got her rosettes.

Easy-to-Clean Cage/Bedding

I've tried almost everything for my guinea pigs, from cedar shavings (now considered dangerous) to pine shavings (possibly harmful, way too messy) to litter-training to what I use now, which I consider the easiest. It takes me between three to five minutes to clean out the entire guinea pig cage (which is currently habitated by two guinea pigs and a teeny-tiny rabbit). I know it probably won't work for everyone, but I decided to share my guinea pigs' habitat anyway.

You will need:
Wrapping paper storage plastic container (under-the-bed-box)
Newspaper
Paper shredder
Timothy hay (optional)

Spread whole newspaper thickly on the bottom of the plastic container. Cover this with shredded newspaper (run through a paper shredder), thickly. Be careful with your paper shredder. I learned the hard way ($80 worth) that it can short out or blow up other appliances if plugged into the same outlet. Optional, but all of this can be covered with Timothy hay.
Your guinea pigs will tunnel under the shredded newspaper and hay. They will make themselves beds and hide-aways.
If your guinea pigs attempt to climb out of the container (mine don't, not even my rabbit does, even though it is only about 5" high) you can purchase netting or wire to put around it and make it taller.
If you used enough bedding material in the first place, no urine or droppings will have gotten into the plastic bin itself. Redo the cage as you initially set it up.
Drawbacks of this method: This is not suitable for white guinea pigs, unless they will be bathed or you don't mind them looking a little grungy. The newsprint does tend to wear off slightly onto their fur. Also, some guinea pigs may chew on the newspaper, so it's a good idea to place hay on top of it. If you're worried about ink, please contact your newspaper and see whether they use soy-based (safe) or some other method. Also, you can purchase blank newsprint to use.
Cage idea by Melissa Taylor
Do you have a great habitat idea that you use for your guinea pigs? Send it in to the magazine, and it may appear in this column!

TCC's Algernon, a Himmie American Boar. Photo courtesy The Cavy Castle Caviary.

"If you can see me, you're standing too close." Guinea pigs' largest cousin, the capybara, looks at photographer Nancy.

Lilac and Chloe lazing about on the couch.

These guinea pigs' namesakes seem to be rebelling, telling their mother "No, we are NOT going to sleep the same direction as you. So there!" Photo taken by Melissa Taylor at a petting zoo.

"Capy, I will nevah speak to you again. You stole my rubbah ducky!" (Picture by Nancy.)

Dear Chloe

Dear Chloe,

My big sister (well, we're adopted sisters) keeps pushing me around. I am really tired of it. What should I do?
Helpless
Dear "Helpless,"
Don't worry, that's just the way we cavies can be sometimes. Unless she is beating you up, don't worry about it. As time goes on you will become better friends. It happened between me and Lilac, so I know it will work for you, too. If she starts beating on you, though, make sure you complain to your mom or dad and cry a lot and put on a really good puppy-dog face. You can practice puppy-dog faces when they aren't home to make sure you get good at it.

Dear Chloe,

I get really mean when I am in heat. I'm grumpy and temperamental, etc. toward the other guinea pigs. My parents asked me to write in for some advice for them.
Sick
Dear "Sick,"
They need to have another cage where you can be off by yourself for some quiet time, so you won't bother the other guinea pigs. I get REALLY grumpy beyond words, and am for one to two days (how embarassing!), but I'm nice to my mom (just not any other animal). But my sister usually doesn't get mad or anything when she is in heat. So we are all different. But it's really nice to be in a cage by yourself away from all the noise when you aren't feeling well.

Dear Chloe,

My mom is going to buy me a boyfriend to marry. But I don't want to be married, and I don't want to have any children. Is this wrong of me?
Beau-less
Dear "Beau-less,"
I believe that it is perfectly okay for you to protest. There are many single female guinea pigs out there today, and all are living very productive lives without husbands and children.

Dear Chloe,

My fellow guinea pigs and I are fighting about something and we want to know the answer. Which are smarter, unicolor guinea pigs, bicolor guinea pigs, or multicolor guinea pigs?
Blackie
Dear Blackie,
Oh! Unicolor guinea pigs, without a question. I know this because my sister Lilac is really dumb, and she's two colors.

Dear Chloe,

I don't get enough treats! I am telling you!!! My mom and dad only feed me pellets, Timothy hay, alfalfa, bread, strawberries, a few baby carrots and an apple every day. How can I get more treats?
Fatty
Dear Fatty,
I bet I can guess your weight! What are you, like ten, twenty pounds? You are eating too much! I happen to be a very svelte guinea pig, and compared to my obese sister Lilac, I have much more energy. Whereas she wheezes and gets asthma sometimes, I'm always running around at full-speed almost all the time.
Treats are great, but I think you need to learn a little moderation. I'm betting you have the best puppy-dog face and "wheeek" in the world to get that much junk-food!

Dear Chloe,

I heard that you lost your top two teeth! What is it like to have that happen?
Toothy
Dear "Toothy,"
It's fun to have something like that happen! I know that sounds crazy. It wasn't fun when they fell out (that hurt, and I kept rubbing my mouth because it was sore). But what came AFTER that was the tops! I got fed yummy mushed up food like apples and carrots and pellets and got to be babied, babied, babied. I don't recommend trying it to see for yourself, but I would be willing to do it all over again.

Guinea pigs: Do you have a question for Chloe? If so, visit The Guinea Mag website to submit it!

Toy Oatmeal Container
Although it may not sound too exciting, guinea pigs love to have old oatmeal containers as their toys. Here is how to turn a cylindrical oatmeal container into a fun cavy toy: Eat all of the oats first, and share some with your piggy. Remove lid and rip out circular plastic ring (the lip of the carton). Cut out the other end of the cardboard. Remove the label from the oatmeal carton. Put in the guinea pig cage. Your guinea pig will love to run through the oatmeal carton, gnaw on it, and put his or her feet on top.
Review by Lilac La Gorda ("the fat") Taylor (Abby mix)
I Love Guinea Pigs by Dick-King Smith and illustrated by Anita Jeram, published by Candlewick Press is super-dee-dooper. I think Dick King-Smith is right-on when he says Abbysinians are "the best" in this kids' book. I can tell he is a very smart man. Everyone should read this book, so that they will find out that they love guinea pigs, too!
I give this book five wheeeks, and that's the tops!
Send your guinea pigs' book picks to the magazine!

Violet's Scrapbook

As I mentioned in the welcome letter in this issue, I have decided to share my very private journal which I wrote following my guinea pig Violet's death. The journal shows all the phases we go through when a pet dies -- such as wondering if our pet is in Heaven, blaming ourselves, and finally acceptance over what has happened and the chance to move on.
Of course, I will be removing excess comments and things that are not fully related to the subject of the loss of a pet. Any time you see "...", that means a portion of the original text has been removed.
August 5, 1995, Sat.
Violet's lifeless body remains in my room. My mom is in California, and I don't feel like telling my dad. I have to take care of all my other animals, but I don't want to!
My poor guinea pig! She was born on December 5th nearly nine years ago. I've known her about half of my life. And now she's gone.
---

Now there's an empty spot in my room. I took her out. She looks so peaceful, but I wonder if I caused her pain. I was the one who didn't believe in euthenasia.
Yesterday, and maybe the day before, she refused to drink from the syringe I used to give her water. She wouldn't eat. Worst of all, she wouldn't take her diuretic, which was to cut down on the water in her that could cause a heart-attack.
Oh, Violet! Violetta Butterscotch (who once won a "strange name award"), you've really meant a lot to me -- and always will -- whether you knew it or not.
She would have died sometime early this morning. I know, because I was awake quite late.
I wish my mom were here. I really miss her right now (meaning my mom!), because I know she'd help me in the mourning process. [My mom was on a rather long vacation, and my brother and dad are not very supportive when it comes to animal deaths.]
Animals are a critical part of my life,and this really dealt me a blow. I expected it to happen soon, yet I know I was somehow denying it...
I wonder if pets go to Heaven....
The rabbit I got about two weeks ago is meant to "replace" Violet. I hate that word, but my parents use it all of the time. You can't ever "replace" an animal. And there could never be two different dispositions -- Violet, sweet, calm, nice; Babs [now called "Lady"], boisterous, loud (non-verbally)...
I've never liked Saturdays too much. Now I guess I'll hate them.
I've had many pets die before, my favorites including my budgie Chloe, and goldfish Bud and D.J. Though they all died at least a year ago, I'm still mourning for them! [The goldfish lived approximately 8 and 11 years, respectively].
All died painful deaths -- but at least at old ages. All but Chloe -- she was only three (nearly) years old.
My mom says that death is a part of life, and that if I can't handle it I shouldn't have pets. I answer "It's better to have loved and lost than to never have loved at all." It's true. But it still hurts.
Since I knew it was going to happen (for months), I guess I'm taking it pretty well...Now I'm watching a movie on TV called The Geisha Boy with Jerry Lewis. It's really stupid, but it has a rabbit in it. Best of all, it's keeping me from crying over Violet. I have to remember that she's all better now.
I watched a rerun of Doctor Quinn: Medicine Woman. Actually, I only watched the ending. Anyway, it meant a lot more the second time around. It was about a woman who died from excess of fluid (ironically, Violet's problem). She was elderly, too. Anyway, what she said just seemed like Violet speaking directly to me (although, I know she wasn't). Still, it made me really listen, and I really felt like she was with me. It was so sad! Now I'm watching something a little less emotional -- A National Geographic special.
Melissa
by Melissa Taylor

Cereal

Guinea pigs like whole-grain cereals such as Cheerios or Barbara’s Breakfast Os.

Oatmeal

Put about 2 tablespoons oats and 3 tablespoons water in the microwave and cook for 1 minute. Add very tiny pieces of apple and stir well. Store in the refrigerator until well cooled, and then serve to the guinea pig in a clean bowl (not on the floor of the cage). This is enough to serve about three guinea pigs. Remove uneaten portion within two hours.

Wheat or Oat Paste

Mix a small bit of water and wheat or oat flour (grind oats well in a blender) together in a bowl, until it obtains a paste-like texture (this is the same paste used to make piñatas). Serve in a clean bowl. Guinea pigs love to lap this up, but make sure you provide water to help wash it down.

Popcorn

Popcorn without any seasoning (no butter, no salt) is loved by guinea pigs. Pull off any corn hulls first, though.

Next issue:


In the Fall 1999 issue: litter-training, story: "How the Peruvian Came to Be," more of "Violet's Scrapbook. Send in your submissions today! The purpose of The Guinea Mag is to offer a fun, seasonal magazine for guinea pig owners. If you question or disagree with something in an issue, please send in your comments to "Mailbag." And remember to double-check everything with your veterinarian to make sure it is safe.
I hope to see you for the next issue!