Saturday, March 21, 2009

Tiny pigs don't last forever

Good evening, readers

Several days ago I took a pleasant bike ride through construction-ridden downtown St. Catharines to a local pet sore. Flora needed more hay, and I also enjoying seeing the guinea pigs they have there (even though I HIGHLY recommend adopting an adult pig from a humane society).

The babies there were just tiny!

Obviously, I understand that every creature, even elephants, are once very small beings. But I feel these little gals may be misrepresenting the guinea pig species. Guinea pigs are not what I would call "pocket pets" (unless you have extraordinarily large pockets). Although some of the young pigs were only marginally bigger than a large hamster, they definitely won't stay that size for long.

Although it's hard to tell with the images I have, Flora is quite a significant size (especially when you factor in all her wild fur). For a relative example, I would say she's just a bit shy of being as wide as a widescreen laptop computer; definitely not something you can squish into a small cage. And according to a former-pig-owning friend of mine, she is on the small side of the species.

I have found many pet store employees to be very helpful in the past, and I sincerely hope they are informing people of the size these pets will become. For instance, many sources I've found recommend affording two guinea pigs atleast eight feet of living space.

Readers, if any of you or a friend are considering a pet guinea pig, please consider carefully. Although they are wonderful, pleasant animals, they won't fit in a shoebox. Realizing this sooner than later will keep more pigs out of animal shelters.

Yours truly



Sarah

Thanks, readers!


Flora and I wish to thank everyone that has stopped by to check out our blog. The time has "squeaked" by! (Tee hee)

This photo was taken with my boyfriend's laptop camera. As you can see, by the end of our little photo shoot Flora was less than impressed. Such is the glamourous life of a much blogged-about guinea pig.

Saturday, March 14, 2009

Pigs & strangers

Good evening, readers

Over the past two days, a friend of my boyfriend came to visit. Flora's response to his presence was very interesting. When he first came into the apartment, I watched her listening intently to his voice. She rarely displays this concentration except when something is really interesting her (like when the fridge's crisper drawer is opening!).

I'm not sure if her reaction was true or coincidental, but it was definitely intriguing. Do you find your pets (or pets you have met) behave differently toward strangers?

Sincerely



Sarah

Sunday, March 8, 2009

Sisterhood of the Travelling Pig

Dear readers

Following the end of the school term, the lease in our apartment will expire. This will mark our first relocation with Flora.

A lot of the apartments we've been looking at seem to not allow pets, though I'm not sure this applies to cage pets like guinea pigs.

I'm hoping Flora won't be a turn-off to landlords, because she really is very quiet and not messy at all. Have you ever experienced problems finding a place to live that allowed your pet? Hopefully our experience will not be too complicated.

Yours truly



Sarah