Our New Addition

My youngest daughter has always been an animal lover. She just has a way with dogs, cats, fish or any animal she comes in contact with. My oldest daughter also loves animals. We had a cat until about 2 1/2 years ago and had to have her put to sleep. She was 17 years old and like my 3rd child. Since then I had kind of sworn off having pets for all sorts of reasons. I think deep down it was just the thought of losing an animal again that I couldn't stand. But about 3 or 4 months ago, I bought a couple of goldfish and a bowl for my kids. They thought this was the best thing ever. We added a few goldfish along the way. We lost a few also. My parents then bought my girls a fish tank and several different fish. They loved the aquarium and the idea of having a pet. They wanted to hold the fish...YES seriously! And then my oldest began the quest of a guinea pig. Where this idea came from is beyond me. But she tells me that her dad said he would buy a guinea pig for her birthday, if I agreed to it. Now, let me just say this....I hate mice and anything that resembles mice. I will run and scream like a maniac at the sight of a mouse. I had in my mind that guinea pigs were a little too mouse like. But I began reading about them, we visited the pet store where my daughters would hold guinea pigs (and name them as if they owned them), I looked online at pictures of guinea pigs and decided for the sake of my kids that I could handle the idea of a guinea pig taking up residence in our home. I told my daughter that she had to clean up after the animal, feed it, buy it's supplies with her money and be totally responsible for the animal. Of course, what 9 year old won't agree to it? So, for her 9th birthday her dad bought her a cage, the food, hay, water bottle, food bowl...everything she would need for her new pet. And some other family members gave her enough money to go pick out the animal she wanted. (after all, I had requirements for this animal...no slick fur, no mousy colored animal, no rat like features, no red eyes, lol) One Monday afternoon we made our way to a pet store that we hadn't yet visited to see if they had a guinea pig that would fit our needs. We were rather disappointed at first because unlike the other pet store, these guinea pigs were contained and could not be picked up and held unless a worker assisted you. Also, we only saw 2 guinea pigs, in 2 different cages, one was marked male. From what we had read, we knew we wanted a female. So there in the other cage is one multi colored brown female guinea pig. My daughter ask if she could look at it, hold it and decide if she wanted it or not. I agreed. The lady working there opened the cage and there was 3 guinea pigs in there. One looked just like a huge rat, red eyes and all!! YUCK. My daughter picked up the first guinea pig we had seen and fell in love. I was unwilling to touch this animal but willing to allow my daughter to purchase her. That day we welcomed Peanut into our home. The next day I was able to touch Peanut. She's so gentle, furry and soft and sweet at can be. She's a little furball. A couple of days later, I held her while she wrapped in a towel. And today was monumental....I held her as is. No towel, no little bed, nothing...just me and Peanut. I am already attached to this little animal that I had swore to dislike. My daughters love her, hold her frequently and Peanut loves us too. She purrs like a cat. She also makes a squeaky noise, almost like a dog's squeaky toy. And she makes a gurgling noise as well. From I've read this is a sign of contentment. I hope so.
So Peanut....welcome to our family! We hope you're with us for a long time.