My DS, Mike, is away at camp this week. He made Eagle Scout last year, so he is helping as an assitant leader. We got "Patch" for him in 2003. That was all he wanted for his birthday. He had only been with us a little more than a year. He said that he always wanted one, but had so many foster placements that it wasn't possible. I went to Petfinder and found one at our local shelter. They gave me the cage and everything.

He was a sweet little thing. He LOVED Mike. Whenever he walked in the room, he'd start sqealing. And when you ate fruit around him, he was SO noisy.

I don't know what their average life span is. We've had him for four and half years, and I don't know how old he was when we got him. I think that the heat got to him, even though he was in Mike's room with plenty of ventilation.

I'm glad that it happened while Mike is away. I wrapped him in a plastic trash bags tonight. He didn't look like he had been gone too long. I have asked DH to bury him tomorrow on his lunch hour. Poor little baby. At least we gave him a new life, taking him from the shelter. I dread telling Mike.

By Bobbie~moderatr on Tuesday, July 8, 2008 - 08:11 am:

Oh, Hol... As someone that has five Guinea Pigs, I so understand what you mean. I am so sorry Mike has to experience this loss, and that he can't be there to "morn" his dear friend properly. I hope telling him goes well, hun.. Poor little fella (the pig of course), poor big fella (to Mike).. Much strength to you... Many hugs to you and Mike... (((HUGS)))

By Karen~admin on Tuesday, July 8, 2008 - 08:56 am:

I'm so sorry. :-(

By Colette on Tuesday, July 8, 2008 - 09:00 am:

I am sorry Hol.

By Luvn29 on Tuesday, July 8, 2008 - 10:39 am:

Awww, I'm so sorry. We've owned many guinea pigs and just love them. They are so interactive and become such a part of the family.

The average life span of a healthy guinea pig is 5 to 7 years, so it seems he was at that age.

By Dawnk777 on Tuesday, July 8, 2008 - 10:45 am:

I'm so sorry. Guinea pigs are so cute! I'm sorry that you have to tell Mike such bad news. The piggie had a good life with you! I'm sure Mike spoiled him well.

By Rayelle on Tuesday, July 8, 2008 - 12:56 pm:

I'm sorry.

By Mom2three1968 on Tuesday, July 8, 2008 - 03:27 pm:

I'm sorry to hear about your ds's guinea pig. My dd had one and he would hear you coming downstairs to the basement where we kept his cage and he would be squeaking his head off! He loved his kale and carrots, his name was Howard. Dd got to the point where she didn't want to take the time to care for him, just growing out of taking care of him and so recently I found him a new home with a ten year old girl. I think it hurt me more than it did dd because he was a member of the family after that length of time but I felt that he deserved better.

By Hol on Tuesday, July 8, 2008 - 06:29 pm:

Thank you all. I had to call Mike early this morning at camp and tell him. He took it well. He said, "Well, at least he had a happy life."

I, too, think I took it harder than he did. I thought about him all day at work. I will miss his little "greetings". He was so sociable.

I hope that DH buried him today so that I don't have to go home and do it. We have lived in our home for thirty three years so we have a real pet cemetary on our land. We have three dogs, several cats, a couple bunnies, goldfish, a parakeet and now a guinea pig buried there. We have also had a couple pets cremated in a private cremation (as opposed to a mass creamtion with other animals) and we have their ashes. I want those buried with me when my time comes.

It is so sad because they DO become a part of the family. And many times, we Moms get so attached because the care of them falls to us.

Anyway, thank you all for your kind words.

By Dawnk777 on Tuesday, July 8, 2008 - 07:44 pm:

{{{HUGS}}} to you and your family.

By Marcia on Tuesday, July 8, 2008 - 11:32 pm:

Sorry to hear about Patch, Hol. I'm glad Mike took the news so well. We have also had many piggies, and still have 3. They are such sweet little pets.

By Pamt on Wednesday, July 9, 2008 - 10:09 am:

So sorry. Having just lost my cat I totally understand. It's probably easier on Mike because he's not there and is busy. Hugs.

By Angellew on Wednesday, July 9, 2008 - 10:21 am:

{{{Hugs}}} Poor Mike.

Why do these things always happen when the kids aren't around??

When I was a kid (WAYYYYY back when), I lost a guinea pig and a hamster while I was at camp (two seperate summers). The first time, with my hamster, my mother tried to get another one and pass him off!!! Obviously, didn't work! I took one look at him and knew it was Sniffles!!! And would never play with the darned thing, I was so mad!!!

By Mrsheidi on Thursday, July 10, 2008 - 12:32 pm:

So sorry, Hol.