laura
Newborn Piggy
Posts: 14 
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Post by laura on Jun 9, 2013 23:12:39 GMT
I want to introduce ourselves. I am Laura, a 49 year-old kindergarten teacher who recently added a new member to our family. JellyBean is our class pet. He was dropped off at the pet store where my son works, no longer wanted. I can't for the life me figure out why. He is the sweetest pig! I live him dearly and he is already quite spoiled! I have no idea how old he is. He is solid black and looks just like a jellybean to us!
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Post by popcornpiggy on Jun 10, 2013 5:40:56 GMT
Hi and Welcome to the forums  Jellybean sounds like a lucky piggy to have found you all ! Lot's of great advice on here ! Why do are people so short sighted when it comes to buying pets ? |
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Post by wiggypiggys on Jun 10, 2013 6:55:14 GMT
Hiya and welcome! It's just a sad fact that people are very uneducated when it comes to animals and I have found through the years that they are really uneducated on guinea pigs a lot of people underestimate that they take as much looking after as they do and the old folks tale of guineas are more unlikely to get ill than most animals is just a tale to. People buy them for their children thinking the child will look after them and in the end they don't and the parent is not willing to look after the animals, so the poor guinea pig suffers and gets thrown back into the pet shop. (Of course poor Jellybeans owners may have generally not been able to look after him but for the most part that is what usually is the case.) That is why when I used to breed I would sit down with someone for a good hour and a half at least and explain different facts and so on and I would always be a 24/7 hour helpline. (I think sometimes I put people off  Because they fault guinea pigs were just a rat in a cage) But for the most part a lot of people wanted to know and still contact me with stories about my guinea pigs. I think a lot of giving back pets etc would stop if they just educated people on them. But no it is just another fast way to pile up the money as most pet shops see.  Anyway besides my rant I'm so glad that you took Jellybean in! And You will definitely find some great tips and guides on here to help you if you need it. Also I would love to see some pictures of him when you can  . |
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laura
Newborn Piggy
Posts: 14
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Post by laura on Jun 10, 2013 13:34:52 GMT
Thanx so much for the warm welcomes!!
It's funny, I had been talking about having a class pet, but hadn't made a decision on WHAT yet. Fish, reptile, etc. he was meant to be!! He didn't have a name, so the kids threw out some names and we voted onJellyBean!!
He seems well cared for, nails were just a tad long, weight seems good, temperament excellent. He really didn't know what to do with fresh food though!! At first I was disheartened because he didn't like it, come to find out, he just wasn't familiar!! If I walk away before giving him (what HE thinks) is his fair share of corn husk, or parsley, he lets me know about it!!
Now that he is more familiar with fresh food...
Crazy Favorites
Corn husk/silk, parsley, carrot tops, beets (treat only, it's a shame!), apple, celery leaves
Will eat
Carrots, cucumber, coriander,
Wants NO part of (yet!)
Bananas, oranges, tomatoes, peppers, Brussels sprouts, kale, kiwi, mango
I love going to the produce stand these days, it's funny when they look at he with one sprig of asparagus (going to try that today!), one Brussell sprout,, one green bean, etc!! Of course I have to explain!!
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Post by Orlaith on Jun 10, 2013 14:48:20 GMT
Welcome to the forum I'd love to see a pic of JellyBean if you've got one |
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Post by wiggypiggys on Jun 10, 2013 15:05:13 GMT
It's great that he is doing so well But yes I agree with Orlaith we need to see some pictures!!! |
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laura
Newborn Piggy
Posts: 14
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Post by laura on Jun 10, 2013 15:46:21 GMT
Lol, I want to!! I'm trying to get my photobucket working!! Update... He doesn't like bananas, but he likes the stringy stuff inside the peel!!
AND sunflower leaves!!
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Post by wiggypiggys on Jun 10, 2013 15:51:42 GMT
You need photobucket? I just add an attachment in reply and put my pictures up that way it is so much easier if you just have them already loaded onto your desktop. Go to reply> Look to the right hand side and it should say "Add Attachment"> Then find the picture click and then it will give you the option to add it. That is how I do mine at least!! I need to see pics xD I love to see a new picture of a guinea pig <3 |
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laura
Newborn Piggy
Posts: 14
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Post by laura on Jun 10, 2013 15:59:58 GMT
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laura
Newborn Piggy
Posts: 14
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Post by laura on Jun 10, 2013 16:01:53 GMT
That was easy!! BTW, that plate of food wasn't for him!! We have lunch together at my desk, and he got curious about mine!!
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Post by wiggypiggys on Jun 10, 2013 16:22:35 GMT
Yeah it is a lot more easier than fussing with photobucket. And he is stunning!!! His coat is so shiney! He's a "self black" guinea pig and such a pretty boy! Aww i'm glad he's around so many people that love him, and he looks like a cheeky boy I see him going in for a second lunch  . Well I hope you continue to keep us updated on him and I know he is going to have a good life with everyone. |
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laura
Newborn Piggy
Posts: 14
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Post by laura on Jun 10, 2013 16:37:25 GMT
I am so glad that he is a good boy because that means he can have plenty of attention at school! As the students come in, they race me to the fridge to get a little something for him! He is SOO gentle!! Here he is, a bit confused as to what kind of pig he ISN'T!! Attachment DeletedAttachment Deleted |
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Post by popcornpiggy on Jun 10, 2013 19:12:16 GMT
He really is gorgeous, he has a lovely face - gentle eyes |
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laura
Newborn Piggy
Posts: 14
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Post by laura on Jun 10, 2013 19:23:40 GMT
Thank you!! He is such a good pig! Given a choice I would love a fluffy one, maybe he needs a fluffy friend!!
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Post by wiggypiggys on Jun 10, 2013 20:12:41 GMT
It's great to have them in pairs as they love company! And you get to watch them do so many new things it is really quite interesting. If you ever do think of getting him a friend I would suggest a very young boy pig that has not gone through maturity as they tend to partner up better where as a adult boy would most probably fight for dominance. Or the other option would be to get a neutered female. But if you do find him a fluffy friend let us know I would love to see them together, he is such a happy boy you can tell just from the photo's. |
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laura
Newborn Piggy
Posts: 14
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Post by laura on Jun 10, 2013 20:50:12 GMT
He is definitely spoiled and gets lots of company and attention for now. I worry about the future. No idea how old he is, but he Is definitely a developed adult!! I guess I could google local rescue. Surely one exists here...
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Post by wiggypiggys on Jun 10, 2013 21:09:16 GMT
Indeed, rescues also neuter all of their animals so you may be able to even find a female for him to be partnered with and he will live quite happily with a lady friend. Or they may have some young boys; rescues usually always have the odd guinea pig but of course some rescues won't give sow's (Girls) to live with boars (boys) because they think the boy will stress the girl out to much ...Of course they will be bashful at first but they soon settle down; so yes be prepared to be rejected sometimes from rescues as they can be very picky well at least the ones near me are...My cousin wanted to take some pigs in from one close to us but apparently because her cage wasn't like a rabbit hut (You know the ones which have a blacked out space on one side and a see through on the other) they wouldn't let her have them, bearing in mind they were to be in a shed with a 6ft cage which had a wooden house in and was kitted top to bottom for guinea pigs but apparently that isn't good enough... So yes just a warning to not get too disheartened if they turn you away (We know they are doing it for the animals but sometimes it just gets a little too ridiculous!) But if all else fails maybe you can find a nice breeder of a certain pig you would like and they can sit down with you and tell you more about the breed and hopefully you could get one from there. But yes I'd go to a rescue first and see if there is any you can help out if you are interested in getting a new guinea pig to pair with him. (Heheh you already want 1 more...Trust me it gets worse don't get too carried away it can get very addictive! Good luck!) |
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laura
Newborn Piggy
Posts: 14
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Post by laura on Jun 10, 2013 21:50:12 GMT
I DID look up some rescues in my area, Crazy Cavies. It will take a good bit of thought. They do require a 7ft cage and I am not there yet!
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laura
Newborn Piggy
Posts: 14
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Post by laura on Jun 10, 2013 22:39:53 GMT
They really ARE like little food processors, aren't they?? Lol
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Post by wiggypiggys on Jun 11, 2013 7:26:25 GMT
Hahah, yes they are! They have an easy life sleep, eat, poop oh what I would do for a life like that!  Well I'm sure when you are ready to find a new guinea pig friend for him you will but I'm sure at the moment he is getting a ton of attention from the pictures I can see! And on the rescues side of things I know they are just doing it for the animals good but exstream can cross the line sometimes. Like I said you can have a special room all for the guinea pigs; all kitted out but because your cage is a half a foot smaller etc. They will turn you away...Just makes me sad as the person has taken the energy to make an effort to go to a rescue and then because of a silly reason like that they turn people away. And then that person will go to a pet shop and buy a guinea pig and that rescues will preach to high heavens about how evil that is. ( Of course I am not speaking about all rescues, some are really good and actually understand that people can't have 7ft cages in the garden or don't have a shed they can put them in.) But really some of these rescues make their own grave by turning away people and then they say "We need your help rehoming please help". I just wish that they could be a little more understanding of people's situations and of course if there cage is too small then sure say it but if a cage is 6ft and not 7ft...I just find that silly to say no to that person, especially when most people have runs for guinea pigs? Oh and to top the rant off, breeders then get the blame because apparently we are making more guinea pigs to go into rescues when in actual fact if you look at a breeder who is really passionate about their guinea pigs they usually will make sure that guinea pig goes to people they think will look after the guinea pig and they will also inform them of the different facts about pigs i.e. Health, eating, bedding etc. also I know many, many breeders that would have their guinea pigs back if that owner couldn't care for them anymore. So targeting breeders also is just a silly mistake that some rescues make. So yes you have seen it, the way I feel about some rescues. ( There is a few I have came across that are so pleasant! And understanding also that understand breeding isn't bad and that they shouldn't target breeders. But instead the public that are buying and then putting the guinea pigs in rescues. Because if you think about it, if you educated the public on matters they most probably wouldn't buy from pet shops (Which rescues say are evil). And instead give a second fault on guinea pigs and understand they are just as much of a commitment then a dog or cat. Sorry I got a bit into the subject but now you all know how I feel about it.  I'm sure other people have different views and I respect that honestly. But just though my experiences I feel this way. Also if you do get some more pics of him and you put them up? I'd love to see more! |
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laura
Newborn Piggy
Posts: 14
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Post by laura on Jun 11, 2013 23:18:52 GMT
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Post by wiggypiggys on Jun 12, 2013 7:39:38 GMT
Sooo cute! It made me laugh that they both look the same color wise. And if either one of them was the opposite animals that would be what they would look like! Glad you are having so much fun with JellyBean! And seems like your dog is a fan of Jelly Bean too! |
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Post by Orlaith on Jun 13, 2013 13:15:02 GMT
That's sweet!
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Because they fault guinea pigs were just a rat in a cage) But for the most part a lot of people wanted to know and still contact me with stories about my guinea pigs. I think a lot of giving back pets etc would stop if they just educated people on them. But no it is just another fast way to pile up the money as most pet shops see. 
. Well I hope you continue to keep us updated on him and I know he is going to have a good life with everyone. 
I'm sure other people have different views and I respect that honestly. But just though my experiences I feel this way.
