Guinea Pig Connection

Guinea Pigs On Alltop

On June 24, we learned that our humble guinea pig blog had been added to the Pets category on Alltop, a prestigious content aggregation site founded by bestselling author and former Apple Evangelist Guy Kawasaki. We are pleased and excited to be the first guinea pig blog -- and the first dedicated small-and-furry exotic pets blog -- to be included in their Pets category.

If you haven't heard of Alltop yet, it's like an online magazine rack that points you in the direction of good content for a specific topic category, like small business, public relations, human rights, Buddhism, and much more. Where a search engine throws everything at you in response to a search word or phrase you entered, and a blog directory lists thousands upon thousands of blogs without telling you which ones are good, Alltop wrestles with the overload of online information by selecting what it regards to be the "best of the best" blogs in a topic category.

One social media advisor calls Alltop the "go-to source for finding blogs within specific topics." Another columnist says it's a "simple entry path into a few carefully selected top RSS feeds (i.e., blogs) in several key categories. ...One thing radically different, however, is that Alltop is putting up a selection of blogs. It isn't the whole Internet, it is a listing of top blogs."

So, if you haven't checked out Alltop yet, it's absolutely worth doing so. You're guaranteed to find some real gems up there.

6 Things Your Guinea Pig May Not Go Wild For

Until they've spent some time with a guinea pig or two, most folks don't know that these little guys are almost as finicky and unpredictable in their diet as cats. The fruits and veggies lists on sites like Guinea Lynx would make a new guinea pig owner think guinea pigs will eat anything they're offered. In reality, finding out what your guinea pig does -- and does not -- like involves a fair amount of trial error.

With all the pigs that have come through our doors, we've noticed that the same few things have a hit-or-miss appeal -- very often miss -- to the guinea pig palate:

1. Cilantro
2. Strawberries
3. Blueberries
4. Oranges
5. Grapes
6. Kale

What will your guinea pigs simply not eat?

Pig Notes Gets A New Name

Whether you read us here on the blog itself, through an e-mail subscription, or through a RSS aggregator, you're likely noticing that something is different today.

We've renamed Pig Notes.

Mostly, it's about making it easier for guinea pig owners and enthusiasts to find us through search engines and blog directories. We review our site statistics frequently, and see the kinds of search terms that folks around the country and around the globe have used that have led them to us. Plus, Guinea Pig Connection will end any initial confusion for searchers about whether this blog is about guinea pigs or...well...the other species of pig that likes to play in the mud.

You won't see a change in the focus of the blog's content. For some, the name change might not have registered for a few days. But we knew it would be most visible to those who subscribe by e-mail, and wanted to avoid any confusion about the new Subject line you'll be seeing in your inboxes.

The Piggies Need Help!

We hope you'll forgive us as we briefly interrupt our "regular programming."

Over the years that we've been running this blog, we've always kept Pig Notes first and foremost an educational resource. We've sprinkled in bits of rescue-related news -- public appearances, press mentions, the debut of new resources, the rare mention of some no-pressure fundraising ventures. Our e-mail subscriber counts and site statistics tells us that the formula has been working for you.

So, please know that the decision to post this article did not come easily to us. We need to say this. We thank you in advance for your attention and compassion, and want to assure you that this kind of post is NOT going to become a regular, or semi-regular, thing on Pig Notes.

The rescue is having trouble. We need help in order to continue doing what we're doing. We're hoping that, somewhere out there, there are some guinea-pig-loving guardian angels.

Since 2004, we have worked on several large cruelty cases and hoarder situations. Some of those guinea pigs that we rescued are not easily adoptable due to health or behavioral issues. Their quality of life is very good, but they have issues that make them less attractive to new and inexperienced adopters, such as:

• recurring eye problems that need to be treated with vet-prescribed eye ointment
• occasional recurring upper respiratory infections that need to be treated with vet-prescribed antibiotics
• arthritic joints
• nervous and skittish temperaments that respond well to loving and patient care by adults in kid-free homes

Experienced owners will recognize that these are not difficult issues -- just things that need a watchful eye and a gentle hand. Because we are a no-kill rescue, we keep these guinea pigs with us and give them the best food and medical care available. While we're committed to giving them love, care, and attention for their entire lives, we've always hoped that some experienced guinea pig owners would come along and adopt them.

With 24 permanent residents that include seniors and special-needs pigs, plus 10-15 adoptable pigs (at any given time), we are struggling. The economy is compounding our troubles, as some pigs we adopted out in 2004 and 2005 have returned to the rescue as financially struggling families have had to surrender pets. Because these pigs are seniors (5+ years old), they will be difficult to place with new families and will likely remain with us for the rest of their lives. The more sanctuary pigs we have, the less space we have for more easily adoptable guinea pigs; the fewer adoption fees we bring in, the less we have in available funds to care for all the pigs in the rescue.

The rescue's operation depends primarily on donations and adoption fees. These funds are supplemented in smaller ways through other channels, including C&C cage sales, vacation boarding fees, iGive earnings, Zazzle and Squidoo royalties, occasional donations of supplies and fresh produce, and the occasional grant through corporate giving/matching programs.

As a result of our growing sanctuary and decreasing donations, the rescue's bank account has been drained, Cindy (the rescue's owner/founder) is having to tap into her personal finances (again) to care for the pigs, and the rescue's board is fighting to find ways to keep the rescue open. We badly need donations of any size to help with the approximately $800 in monthly expenses for food, hay, cage bedding, fresh veggies and fruit, and medical care.

An additional help would be to find loving homes that understand 4- and 5-year-old guinea pigs can still offer loving, charming companionship for potentially 2-3 more years. We know there are people out there who recognize the unique blessings that senior pets can give their families. Over the years, we've found a few who deliberately sought out senior animals. We hope this posting will find a few more.

There are several ways you can make a donation to the rescue, including PayPal. If you are interested in adopting, please check our adoptables list or contact us directly, as some of our pigs are not listed on our Petfinder page. (For those of you who read our posts through e-mail, all those phrases in blue are hyperlinks to pages on our Web site with additional information.) All donations are tax-deductible, and gratefully received.

We thank you again for reading. We'll be back to our "regular programming" after the weekend.

Help For Arthritic Guinea Pigs

A while back, my middle-aged male guinea pig started slowing down -- way down. He didn't move around a lot, didn't like to be touched on his lower back, and didn't appear comfortable when he was held, unless he was on a thick towel and cozy sack on my lap. Cold days, and damp days, made the symptoms even more pronounced.

The vets at South Wilton Veterinary Group examined and X-rayed him, and discovered he had arthritis in his hips. For a while, daily 1ml doses of Vitamin C (0.5ml twice a day) seemed to manage the inflammation of the arthritis because his activity level visibly increased. But with time and age, Vitamin C alone didn't do the trick as well.

Then, Dr. Sitinas suggested that we try Cosequin, a nutritional supplement for joint health in cats that contains chondroitin sulfate and glucosamine hydrochloride. He had me open a capsule, dump the contents out onto a flat surface, divide the powder into four parts, and give one part to my little guy once a day. In less than a week, I saw a visible increase in his activity level, a decrease in his general fussiness, no objections to being petted, and no discomfort while being held. The longer he was on Cosequin, the better he got. Upon seeing these results, I started giving my two elderly females -- who both have mild to moderate arthritis in their back legs -- Cosequin on a daily basis.

Cindy also worked with the vets at Pieper Olson to put the rescue's most elderly sanctuary pigs on Cosequin and saw a visible change in their behavior and demeanor. Like me, she now makes sure she always has Cosequin on hand. In all cases, the vet-prescribed daily dose for an adult guinea pig weighing 2 pounds or more has been 1/4 of a capsule's contents. 

I put the powder on the center of a slice of cucumber, because it doesn't fall off onto the cage bedding or the towels on the bottom of the play area. Although Cosequin for Cats comes in chicken and tuna flavor, none of the guinea pigs has objected to the flavor; in fact, mine inhale their cucumber chunks even faster than without Cosequin (so something is tasting good to them...perhaps it tastes a little salty).

The Cosequin powder doesn't stay on carrot chunks or lettuce leaves; so much of it drops off that you feel all you've done is waste it. The pigs have turned away when Cosequin has been offered on chunks of sweet bell pepper or any kind of fruit (so something is not tasting good to them).

So if your middle-aged or elderly guinea pig is acting achy and creaky, talk to your exotic vet. We recommend you consult with a vet before starting your guinea pig on Cosequin. A thorough exam, a quick X-ray, and a detailed health and diet history compiled by you and your vet will be able to confirm whether arthritis is, indeed, the cause of the observed achiness and creakiness -- or if something else is afoot. Once arthritis is confirmed, Cosequin can become part of your pig's daily routine.

Guinea Pigs Gone Wild

This Jerry Bruckheimer guy isn't so bad. First, he gives us "CSI". Then he gives us "Eleventh Hour" (though I'm really peeved CBS didn't have the good sense to renew it for a second season, in spite of it attracting millions of viewers a week).

Now, Bruckheimer gives us...guinea pigs.

Watching TV tonight, I saw the first promo for "G-Force," a 3-D animated movie featuring the voices of Oscar-winning actress Penelope Cruz, Oscar-winning actor Nicholas Cage, award-winning comedian Tracy Morgan, and others.

The movie's tagline is "Gadgets. Gizmos. Guinea Pigs." Think James Bond meets Disney digital animation. The guinea pigs work for the government, and are armed to their plump rumps with high-tech spy equipment to help save the world. (Okay, so as with the plot lines of a lot of children's books and movies, all adults need to just suspend disbelief, tap into their inner child, go with the flow, and have a couple of hours of fun.) The G-Force trailer promises a colorful, fun, imaginative romp just in time for school summer vacations (the movie hits theaters July 24). The clandestine espionage team includes Darwin (the leader, who looks kind of like our Minerva), Blaster (a weapons expert), Juarez (a martial arts expert), and Mooch (the recon expert). The team also has the help of a mole (who is the computer expert...someone clearly having some fun with the stereotype of computer geeks), a cranky and territorial hamster, and a "peanut gallery" of helpful mice.

Like most guinea pig lovers, I'm delighted to see our little friends featured prominently in two theatrical releases in a 12-month period (the last one was "Bedtime Stories" with Adam Sandler. I sort of agree with the folks over at Teaser Trailer (where I found the copy of the movie poster above), one of whom wrote:

I think some movies should never be released… G-Force, the latest Disney movie directed by Hoyt Yeatman, is one of those. Not because because it’s bad, not at all, but rather because I expect my kids to ask for their own team of rodents at home after watching this movie…There is no denying that those rodents are cute though...Fortunately we’ve got a cat at home, so still have an excuse for vetoing the adoption of any guinea pig!

(Kudos to Teaser Trailer for saying "adoption" instead of "purchase"!)

We can only hope that if there's a surge in kids asking their parents for guinea pigs as a result of this movie, the parents will all do their research before bringing any critters home. Otherwise, when the novelty wears off (which, sadly, it too often does), rescues everywhere are going to have their hands full with surrenders.

Pets On Oprah

This past Friday, Oprah devoted her entire show to all things "pets". The show started off with a profile of Puppies Behind Bars, which demonstrated a point I blogged about last week, then proceeded with some unique don't-try-this-at-home wildlife adoption stories.

At the end of the show, she brought some two dozen pet owners and their pets out on stage to help show her huge viewing audience all the kinds of animals that can be adopted: cats, dogs, disabled/special needs animals, guinea pigs, rabbits, hedgehogs, birds, turtles, snakes, and more. Kudos to the show's producer and camera crew for making sure that each animal on stage got camera time. I liked what one owner said about how their pet "filled a space in my heart I didn't know I had."

I liked what Oprah said even more, stressing that we should only adopt pets when we're confident that we have the time, space, budget, and commitment to do so. Gesturing to the people and pets on the stage behind her, she encouraged the adoption option "if you're ready and committed...and it takes commitment, does it not?"

Bravo, Oprah. And thank you.

She's featuring pets in her June issue, which is on newsstands now -- and is pretty hard to miss with the pack of puppies that join her (including her newest pup, Sadie). Oprah's Web site also features a great article titled, Pick the Right Pet for You. Be sure to share the link with anyone you know who is considering bringing home any type of pet!

Final Thoughts On Be Kind To Animals Week

Last month, Nicholas Kristof wrote on The New York Times site that the U.S. and Europe appear to be on track for providing broader protections and rights to animals, in order to legislate more humane treatment of animals. His post, naturally, sparked debate from people on all sides of the issue. One commenter wrote:

I’ll never understand why human beings get passionate about animal issues when 2/3 of our own species live in abject poverty. Pampered pets in Beverly Hills and the Upper East Side live better than the millions of slum dwellers throughout the developing world. Who cares if a cow can sprawl out in a pen when babies die routinely because they lack clean water, and are malnourished from birth? I say let’s take care of our own, and when all of humanity is healthy and secure, then we can turn to protecting and improving the animal kingdom.

I would suggest that, perhaps, in improving protections of and respect for the animal kingdom now, we humans might remind ourselves how we should be treating each other — and should have been treating each other all along.

I’ve read about abused children and children from crime-ridden neighborhoods transformed by relationships they develop with animals. In caring for animals in health and in sickness, in being there when one is born, in being there when one dies, these children find generosity, compassion, responsibility, a sense of stewardship, and the respect for the sanctity of life—any life. Similarly, prisoners involved in training or rehabilitation programs for dogs and horses also report transformations in themselves as a result of their interactions with animals.

On the flipside of this, there is extensive documentation that domestic abusers and violent criminals can trace their paths back to a point that started with tormenting and killing animals. It all suggests to me that regard for human life and regard for animal life are inextricably connected. One does not come without the other. One can strengthen the other.

It is a sad commentary on our civilization that so many view animals only as commodities — for food, for circus acts, for pet store stock, for vanity collecting, and much more. It is a sad commentary that these people dismiss that animals have intelligence, emotions, the capability to form bonds, the capacity to feel pain and fear and sadness. When we finally get it through our thick heads that dominion and dominance are not synonymous, when we finally get past our selfishness and arrogance and get it through our heads that we hold one of many places in this world but not the whole world, maybe then we can start effecting some real change.

With effort, I can see why someone (like the commenter I quoted above) can't understand why some folks connect with animal causes before people causes, why they think there needs to be some kind of pecking order in who gets helped first. I see a planet with 6.7 billion people living on it -- which is a lot of people to help simultaneously divide and conquer the problems in all corners of life on Earth.

The important thing is that we humans find something that helps us reconnect with -- and stay connected with -- compassion, mercy, and generosity. For some, they may start with animal causes and eventually expand to people causes. For others, they may start with people causes and eventually expand to animal causes. It's not for any one of us to judge what inspires others to take action, to plug into the world around them, to care.

The specific route to compassion, to me, seems irrelevant. What is important is that we're all walking in compassion.

Be Kind To Animals Week

As Be Kind to Animals Week starts today, I'm reminded of a conversation I recently had with a friend.

I'll be honest, I don't like snakes. Have a profound fear of them. The bigger they are, the more I'm paralyzed by fear. Can't look at a photo of the truly big ones (e.g, the pythons) without shuddering in fear, can't be in the same room as one...even when they're in a tank made with thick glass.

To be clear, I wish no harm to reptiles. I think they all -- especially the big ones -- should be left out in the wild. I doubt The Universe ever intended for boa constrictors and the like to be brought indoors. I would just prefer it, and be profoundly grateful, if The Universe could arrange it so that my path crossed with those of snakes as little as possible. So far, It's been doing a decent job of it since I was in the 8th grade.

So, given that fear, you can imagine what went through my mind when I read this article from Australia about snakes on a plane. When I shared the link and the shudder with my friend in Western Australia (who is not keen on snakes either), she made this comment:

How would you like to be a baby, get taken from your home in the desert, put in a box, transported on the back of a truck, get handled numerous times along the way, get put in a plane -- the noise of take-off alone would've freaked them out. NO wonder they escaped.

Hmmm...hadn't thought of it that way.

During Be Kind to Animals Week (May 6-12), let us remember that kindness needs to be extended to all animals -- even the ones we don't like.

No Matter What You Rescue, The Emotions Are The Same

A while back, "60 Minutes" did a story titled "Poachers Leaving Elephant Orphans," a simultaneously heartwarming and heartbreaking profile of an elephant orphanage in Kenya. You can read the transcript of the story, but it's a poor substitute for the touching images in the video.

When I first watched the story in December 2008, there was an exchange between Bob Simon (the reporter) and Dame Daphne Sheldrick (the orphanage's owner) that made me think of The Critter Connection's owner, Cindy Kuester.

"How do you manage going through this all the time?" Simon asked.

"Well, you don't have much option, do you? There's another one to look after, and then another one coming, and, you know, you just have to turn the page," Daphne replied.

"And you get attached after one..." Simon commented.

"But I'm not very good at it," she admitted.

"And you're not going to get any better, are you?" Simon asked.

"No, not after 50 years," Daphne replied.

As I've watched Cindy over the last months, dealing with heartbreaking abandonment cases and the heart-shattering losses of some of our oldest sanctuary pigs, I think repeatedly of Sheldrick's words. Cindy's and Sheldrick's charges are thousands of pounds apart in size, but have all suffered disrespect, neglect, and cruelty. It never stops boggling my mind that there are so many humans who don't understand that animals are our co-habitants on this planet, and deserve the same respect and regard that we demand for ourselves.

Thousands of pounds apart, elephants and guinea pigs have something else in common.

Ultimately, Daphne finds elephants more sympathetic than people.

Asked what the most extraordinary thing is she has learned about elephants, she told Simon, "Their tremendous capacity for caring is, I think, perhaps the most amazing thing about them, even at a very, very young age. Their sort of forgiveness, unselfishness. So you know, I often say as I think I've said before, they have all the best attributes of us humans and not very many of the bad."

May 6 through 12 marks not only National Pet Week, but also Be Kind to Animals Week. Please help spread the message of kindness, compassion, responsibility, and stewardship. Drop some supplies off at a rescue or shelter, donate money to an animal organization, and talk on your own blog, MySpace page, or FaceBook profile about the animal causes closest to your heart.

Maybe...just maybe...we can start making some changes on this planet we call home.