A So Cal Girl in the Desert

Yesterday afternoon we brought home a new addition to the family...Introducing Rosie Rose the guinea pig! She's four months old, so she'll get bigger. How much bigger, we're not entirely sure.

It all started when Little B came home from his first day of school telling us that his teacher was giving guinea pigs, rats, and hamsters away to good homes, as long as the parents said it was okay. It seemed strange to me. This would never happen in Los Angeles...people would be too afraid of getting sued because the rodent caused psychological damage to the child when it wouldn't be petted, or some such thing. I didn't truly believe the teacher would give his students a pet. But then the next day when the note came home, we started to consider it. It said that he was giving these rodents away to "a good home" with "a note from the child's parents" and "a cage." Little B wanted a guinea pig very badly.

So for the last two weeks, we've been doing guinea pig research. We went on the internet, talked to the guy in Petsmart, and bought a guinea pig book. It turns out that they're super social animals. They love to have a cage mate, but will be happy alone if you give it lots of attention and exercise. You have to give it toys and keep it entertained so that "it doesn't lead a dull life." We learned about all the gear they need. We learned about their diet. We learned about guinea pig disposition. We talked with Little B about how the guinea pig would be his responsibility...blah blah blah. Cage cleaning, feeding, watering, etc. He still wanted one, and so far has done well. He even picked up pellets off the carpet this morning! We'll see how long his eagerness for care taking lasts. I'm determined not to be one of those parents that takes over the duties!

When my husband and I went into the school to pick up our son and Rosie Rose yesterday afternoon, the ladies in the office said "Oh...another pet going home! That's one less guinea pig we have to worry about." I guess the whole school is in on the rodent giveaway. When we got to the classroom, Little B was holding Rosie Rose in a cardboard box with holes provided by the teacher. Little B and some of the other kids had decorated the box top with things like "fragile," "be careful," "my guinea pig," "RR" for Rosie Rose, and a little drawing of her. Too cute! Little B was so proud as he carried the box down the hallway and to the car, with all the children buzzing around him asking what was inside.

Once we got Rosie Rose into the car, Little B insisted his dad turn the A/C on full blast so she would be comfortable. After we got on to the highway, he suggested that we "drive in the left lane because it's smoother and the bumps scare Rosie Rose." He kept her in the shade in the hallway of the apartment building because he said it would take too long for us to get the keys out and open the front door, which was in the sun. I'm so glad he is thinking about how to take good care of his new pet. It's nice to see and eight-year-old boy be thoughtful every now and then.

We put her in the cage to get used to her new environment. Dad said we had to leave her alone for a while, but we wanted to play! After about an hour of that nonsense, I got Rosie Rose out of the cage. Dad gave me a disapproving look, but once I made him hold her, his heart melted. She is so cute! Even Kermit the Dog seems to like her...a little. He's very curious and very jealous at times, but we're trying to give him as much attention as possible. I hope he will be a good big brother.

You may be asking "Why 'Rosie Rose'?" I, for one, thought the poor girl would be named after a video game character or something. I was pleasantly surprised. We were all driving around in the car the other day trying to think of guinea pig names. I was trying to think of something that would relate to the desert but be feminine and pretty. "Desert Rose, with Rose for short" was my suggestion. Big B then immediately suggested "Rotisserie! Get it...pig...rotisserie?" Um, no. So then Little B said "Rosie! Rose for short." We asked if he was sure, and he was. The cage we purchased a few days later has a little name tag you can clip to the cage. It says "my super pet," and then there's a spot to write a name. Little B said "I'm gonna put both her names on there." So he wrote "Rosie Rose." Now we all call her Rosie Rose. And that's the truth.

We plan to stay around the house for most of the day so Rosie Rose can get to know us. Research says that guinea pigs are super shy at first, then very interactive once they get to know you. She doesn't like us to pick her up, yet, but once we have her, she enjoys cuddling. She also loves carrots and hay. They say you have to hold them and play with them a lot so that they get used to you. I should have her kissing by the end of the day!