Saturday, September 13, 2008

Please Help

One Fish wants a guinea pig for her birthday.

She's not begging. She's not pleading. Mostly because she knows it won't work and the chances of me allowing another animal with legs (read- another creature who can poop or pee in my house) into this house are slim to none. But, that really just makes me want to get her one all the more. She has been saying for years that she really wants a pet she can "pick up." Is this the time?

Or, is this just a knee jerk reaction because we're now missing Rosie's four little legs around here? Or, is 8 years old enough to take responsibility for cleaning and feeding a very small creature? Do they smell? Do I know anyone who would know? Am I crazy?

The Scientist will let just about anything that breathes and isn't human in this house. Sucker. And he doesn't know why I'm even asking his opinion on this (or yours, for that matter). He says I'll just end up doing what the heck I want anyway.

The problem is that I really don't think I know what I want in this instance. Vote in the poll and help me out.

13 comments:

Marian said...

how about a cat? or a chinchilla?
hmmm...i have a friend who babysat her son's guinea pig while he went to washington dc for an internship and when he came back, she didn't want to give wilbur back--so her son just now have visitation rights to wilbur.

don't know if they stink...i know hamsters do!

Marian said...

how about a cat? or a chinchilla?
hmmm...i have a friend who babysat her son's guinea pig while he went to washington dc for an internship and when he came back, she didn't want to give wilbur back--so her son just now have visitation rights to wilbur.

don't know if they stink...i know hamsters do!

The Coleman Chronicles said...

Okay-- we had one and he learned the sound of the fridge opening and would squeak for lettuce. We kept him for many years until he died. As far as stinking, you must clean their cage about once a week and use the cedar chips-- lots. Keeps it smelling nice. If you keep on top of it, then it is not a problem. He/she will pick a spot in the cage to poop and pee-- so you will know when it needs to be cleaned.

Anonymous said...

a friend has a guinea pig and they seem to like it. it is very laid back and doesn't do much. we have a rabbit which is a little bigger. it was already trained to use the litter box so that was a plus. we keep it in the playroom and it has free reign as long as the door is closed. after some training, the dog can even be in the room, too...with supervision. the oldest got it from santa and she does a great job of taking care of it. I help clean the cage on sundays by scrubbing the bottom of the cage but she does the rest. as for smell, i do keep 2 air fresheners in the room so it doesn't stink. otherwise, i guess it would smell like any litter box. email me if you want more info. i think it would be a great time to look into it. maybe get a book on the animal of choice and learn some about it first. then go and see the different choices there are.

Anonymous said...

and what was the menu last night???

Anonymous said...

Is Rosie the German Shepard? Sorry to hear...I think a guinea pig is a great idea!

YKW...maybe I should call myself "Sonic Girl"

Anonymous said...

I had a guinea pig growing up. call me if you want to chat about it.
Miss you,
Katie

Melissa said...

I had a guinea pig. It was adorable and I promised to take care of it. I was around 10. I never cleaned the cage alone once. My mom always did it and I helped on occasion. It was super gross and difficult to clean! They poop a lot and it does get very smelly if you're even a day late cleaning it. I don't think I'd ever let any kids I have someday get a guinea pig. I'd probably allow a hamster tho...

Joy said...

we had one when I worked at the animal hospital, then we got another and then the inevitable happened we had lots! and on more than one occassion.

They don't stink if you clean the cage about once a week or so. Us the cedar chips or they make this kinda paper like stuff it works well also.

I agree they do learn the sound of the fridge ours would squeal like crazy when he heard the veggie drawer. He loved carrots & green bell peppers the most. He never bit and was very snuggly. I like the crazy hair ones the most.

Get him a little hutch to sleep in and some stuff to chew on cause they like it. This would be my choice of the "pocket pets" I had a hamster once and that darn thing was always escaping.

Anonymous said...

No experience with guinea pigs. Ask your mom about that. But hamsters? As you know, we had a string of them: all with names beginning with "A." As soon as one died, we'd buy another. Harmless enough, but no personality--and needing regular housekeeping. A guinea pig will be yet another critter for you to clean up after. But less trouble than a dog, for sure.

Anonymous said...

I adore One Fish--I think she is one of the sweetest, most polite and smartest little girls I have met, seriously. HOWEVER, NOOOO! We have a firm no rodent rule in this house. Also, I am repulsed by fish. I seriously would vote for a small, non-shedding dog that she can pick up. You can find one on www.petfinder.com. Our neighbors just got a poodle/pom mix that is a really smart, cute and non-shedding dog. Bonus that she was rescued from the pound and pretty housetrained when adopted. Poodle mixes and schnauzer mixes generally shed little to none. You asked!
STK

Ashley Smith said...

We have 2 guineas. They are not bad to have at all. The only time they smell is if you don't clean their cage. That is about a week for us. I do the cage cleaning and my daughter does the feeding/water bottle filling. They are super easy to feed too: fresh spinach, baby carrots, some red bell pepper and they are happy. They are great too because they don't require a lot of attention if you have a busy family.

Ashley Smith said...

Also, if you aren't going to "play" with the gp alot, they recommend getting 2. They are social animals and like to have a friend.