Grateful for Rodents

  

  
Cumquat and Babushka have been members of our house for well over a month now, but we are still getting acquainted. Holding them on your lap is a special treat for all the Bowerbirds, mum and dad included. 

What's to love about guinea pigs

• They make the best noises when they are happy, and chat away with adorable squeaks and rumbles. Think Zuzu pets only better.
• Their fur is wondrously soft and so soothing to pat.
• They can be trained.  The big Bowerbird is having some success teaching them to come to her lap when called.
• They are seriously cute - those big whiskers and little button noses are so sweet.
• They are cheap to feed - we have abundant excess produce to share with them.
• They are fun to feed. They will happily be hand fed, and the little Bowerbird loves going on a garden hunt to find them new things to eat. They make gorgeous happy sounds when you put some fresh greens in their cage.
• They are very forgiving.  The little Bowerbird is not always the best guinea pig handler but they have never responded with a scratch or nip.
• They lick - those little tongues are forever seeking salt.
• They are wonderfully social. They talk to each other, snuggle together, jump and dive with each other, and huddle in their bark cave together when frightened.
• They are making great material for our compost bin.
• They are teaching a great lesson to our eldest, who is their owner, in how to care for pets and be responsible. She is now a walking encyclopaedia of guinea pig facts. Did you know they are a species of rodent?

  

  

  

What's not to love about guinea pigs. 

• They have absolutely no qualms about weeing and pooing on you. I managed to get wee on my back during our first patting session - thoroughly unexpected and not a pleasant experience.  A towel is necessary to have around at all times. Fortunately this is a rarer event now that we know their ways - note to self, do not let a guinea pig climb around your top.
• Cage Cleaning. It's remarkable how much wee and poo two little critters can generate. The big Bowerbird has stayed true to her word and has cleaned the cage every couple of days since their arrival. There are a few extra old towels to wash, and a few extra clothes that have suffered their mishaps, but nothing major to add to the housework.

source

Did you know there is a Peruvian Guinea Pig Festival where they dress the guinea pigs up in fancy clothing? I won't show you the pictures of what comes later.

Grateful for our new additions.

Linking up with Maxabellas 

Meet Cumquat and Babushka

 Cumquat

 Babushka

  

First came the hutch after much nagging and many promises from the biggest Bowerbird. Dad, who has had a past life as a Cavie Club member, didn't take long to soften on the idea. The biggest Bowerbird has spent months researching every fact about guinea pigs, the different breeds, what they eat, what their noises mean..... Then came the Guinea Pig hunt - I thought these guys were everywhere, apparently not when you are looking for one. The place for them seems to be all on the Eastern side of town, a good hour and a half long mission away. So we put off getting our little friends, until finally an add came up on Gum Tree for two female guinea pigs, free to a good home. They were housed in a shelter in our town and had been given up by someone who said she would release them into the wild if the shelter didn't take them. Fortunately the shelter owner agreed to house them.


We are all smitten.  I just love there squeaky little voices and the way they chat to each other. Hopefully we will have the added benefit of free manure for our compost bin, and they might do some weeding along the garden paths. Mostly they are purely for joy, for teaching little ones responsibility, and for cuddles. When your feeling a little blue, a pat of their soft fur coats and a little natter from them is the perfect remedy.


Now I need to sew some guinea pig sleeping bags - I kid you not.