When you live with a couple of guinea pigs (or more), you inevitably learn a lot of things about communal living, sharing, sticking together in good times and bad, and so much more. The photos on the Web of happy guinea pigs cuddled together are so commonplace that they risk being perceived as cliche if people miss the fact that each photo is like a nudge from The Universe to remember what's truly important: love and peace.
So, to drive the point home that things like harmony, tolerance, and acceptance are possible if we can get past labels and appearances and learn to see the spirit that lies within, we guinea pig folks have to look to other species with legendary "animosities." Author and artist Cecelia Soprano recently sent me a video link of a pet cat and pet rats that begs the question, "Well, if they can get along, what's everyone else's problem?"
I love cats. I have a hard time warming up to pet rats (but wish them no harm). Even if the cat is really just tolerating the rats, these furry teachers should be able to persuade at least a few humans to re-evaluate their perspective on their own "sworn enemies."
Catherine:
Caretaker to guinea pigs, or slave of guinea pigs? (chuckle)
Kidding aside, all animals...when we have the opportunity to bond with them...have the power to transform the way we see the world around us. Guinea pigs, although humble and unassuming, are no different. But I know what you mean about the groundhogs...
Thanks for stopping by,
Whitney
Posted by: Whitney | August 25, 2009 at 09:03 PM
Since becoming caretaker to guinea pigs, I find I'm much more drawn to all little animals. Birds became guinea pigs with wings, groundhogs are large guinea pigs, etc! Well, not exactly, but I suddenly saw them in a different way.
Posted by: Catherine | August 21, 2009 at 09:39 PM