As it turns out, Miss Ericka has the perfect guinea pig for us at PetSmart (the name is important here) and we may take her home free of charge (adopt) after she is discharged from the pet hospital. "Roxy" as Riley has named her, had a rough start in life. She was the runt, had a tough time growing, and at one point lost all of her fur. (* If after reading this portion of the blog and are doubting our choice, just wait, there is more). Riley and I made several trips out to visit Roxy prior to bringing her home and fell head over heals in love with her. Roxy had been held and loved frequently in the hospital and was used to be held. She even purred for Riley boy.
Fast forward to last week just prior to Easter, Roxy was being discharged and we were clear to come and pick her up. We had already purchased and put together (with Papa's help) her top of the line guinea pig hutch, food, hay, bedding, igloo, holding pad, treats, water bottle, food dish, hay ball . . . .
We were prepared!. And yes, so on to guinea pig #2. Guinea pigs are social animals. We did not want our Roxy girl to be lonely when we were out running to and fro with doctors appointments, OT, PT, school, Friendship Builders, Language Builders, Leaps N Bounds, etc. So we were determined to find Roxy a sister friend (we DO NOT need baby guinea pig breeding going on). PetSmart was out of girl guinea pigs at this time and the PetCo down the street had one female left. "Will you please hold it for us until tomorrow?" "No. We cannot hold 'pocket pets' . It is not our policy. But, I think she will still be here tomorrow . . ." Freakin liar.
Onwards and upwards we drive to Irvine PetCo where according to their directions we get lost 3 times before our arrival. Riley at this point is quite concerned that we are buying a pet from PetCo because they are not "smart". Clever little man. Anyways, here we find two very darling and very skittish little girl guinea pigs. I fall in love with the brown one with the white nose and one white foot who squeaks and squeals like a pig. Riley instead chooses the white and brown one to be his Olivia (* name chosen after a classmate :)). We purchase Olivia and head back down to PetSmart to introduce her to Roxy. Ericka helps acclimate the two guineas while Riley and I fill out Roxy's adoption paperwork (very official). It is Ericka who notes Olivia's extra toe! Yea, two special guinea pigs have found the perfect family. Onward home to introduce them briefly to the triplets and then whisk them into Riley's room until they have settled down. A week of bliss follows as the girls adjust to being home with us. Daily holding and loving with Riley and Michaela. Little treats here and there- oranges, carrots, broccoli. We are in love.
Monday, I worked. Grammie Girl says that something is not quite right with our Roxy girl. Her feet are cold and she is super easy to pick up- no running around and trying to escape. Knowing Grammie can sometimes be an alarmist, I assure her that I will check on her. Roxy and I settle down to watch a show on the couch. Her breathing seems labored, but shows no other symptoms of illness- no runny nose, crusty eyes, sneezing. She wants me to hold her close and tries to nestle against my neck. Damn. I start calling after hours vets. Casey looks at me as if I have lost my mind. It will be $73 for an urgent care visit with a vet that does not specialize in guinea pigs. Casey looks at me point blank and says, "I know that look. You are going to drop a $1,000 on trying to save this thing. Promise me you will be sensible." Fine. My mom and I drive Roxy to the vet at 11:30 PM.
The vet on call is fabulous. He tells me everything they can do for her and yet breaks it down to reality. We agree to start her on antibiotics and discuss in depth on how to rig an isolette as we are lucky enough to own a home oxygen blender (thank you Austin and thank you Dr. Lana :)). $100 later, Roxy is no longer a "free" guinea pig and is the proud owner of antibiotics that are prescribed in her name to Roxy/Rodent (perspective). I am confident that I can at least tell Riley how hard we tried to save our Roxy Girl. Morning comes and Roxy is still alive. I struggle with telling Riley but decide that I had better do it before school, just in case, and so if anything he can again know that I tried. He is concerned but takes it rather well. Stating that he feels the medicine will help save her. I then explain that medicine does not always work, but I am hoping (for his sake and for mine) that she will be ok.
After school Riley rushes out of class and inquires about his Roxy. He is happy to hear that she is still alive but devastated when I tell her that she is in fact dying. He holds her quietly in his lap with the oxygen held up to her nose (because she turned blue when I tried to force feed her the vet stuff) and sobs. I join him. Papa comes and digs a hole for her in the garden. Roxy has a lovely (Catholic) burial service joined by Grammie Girl, Mommy, Riley, the triplets, and Riley's new ABA therapy aids (it's their 1st day here- joy). Horrible.
The next morning Riley is sad and Michaela is sobbing. She wants Roxy and she wants her "NOW!". Austin attempts to comfort her as only a three year old boy can: "She is in the hole Mitch and you can't go you are too big!" Hell. So now our attention is poured out onto Olivia. Checking her frequently for signs of infection, etc.
We need to get a second guinea pig for her so she is not lonely . . . (Yes, I did think about a 5150 for myself, truly. But my psych hold is in all honestly my house.) So I call PetCo. My favorite little brown guinea pig, Olivia's sister, is still available. Given my sob story they agree to hold her. Pippi "Squeak" Longstocking is ours. Mitchy, Riley, and I pick her up and rig a second cage to isolate her until we are sure that Olivia is well (1 week). Story not over.
Two days into having Pippi holed up in Riley's room, Grammie Girl and I are convinced that something is not right. Round 2. I rush her back to PetCo where I am assured that she is quite fine and that her nose is brownish in color like her feet and she is not "dusky". I am a freak.
Tonight Oliva and Pippi have been reunited. I am hopeful that they will last at least a year until Casey agrees to a dog . . . it could happen AND pigs could fly . . .
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