The Will of a Guinea Pig

I was lucky enough to grow up around a decent array of animals like our family dogs and a handful of cats. As well as some beta fish that were a constant staple in my young life. That was until an extremely extraordinary creature found his way into my life, my interest in animals never stopped at the conventional cat, dog, or fish.

Snakes I’ve always loved snakes when I saw a baby corn snake with my dad and brother in a reptile store I had to have one. At the time I was no more than twelve. So my dad made me a deal, he said “keep your room clean and you can get one.”

I definitely did not keep it clean for the right amount of time but my kind family caved, it was only fair nearly everyone else had their own creatures, my mom, her cats my dad the dog, and my brother had a bearded dragon of his own. It was only fair for my time to have something other than a fish which I loved and still do very dearly.

Unfortunately, you can't cuddle a fish.

When the day came for me to get my own critter my mom tried to persuade me into getting something other than a snake. As we soon found out that those tiny corn snakes I was promised did not stay so tiny. We agreed that I wouldn't be able to in good conscious feed the snake when they grew to their full size.

My mom did not give up on me having my own animal though. We scoured the internet for an excellent small pet that we both would be okay with. Since rats and mice were also out of the question on her side. I was very discouraged and almost gave up. Then there he was, no picture or anything, just a small description posted on Craig's list, a guinea pig in need of a new home.

Before this despite my love and long knowledge of a vast majority of animals I have never heard of a guinea pig before. We looked it up and I was in love instantly with their tiny paws and loving little eyes.

There was no name in the description so I being so young wanted to name him cupcake if he was a girl.

My mom soon took to setting up meeting the guinea pigs family behind my back to surprise me for Christmas. A very unselfish young girl had decided to give the guinea pig up since she felt she wasn't giving the little guy enough love and attention due to her school activities. The guinea pig had made his way into my grandparent's house since they were the closets and the best place to keep him until Christmas.

My grandpa when my mom told him about the guinea pig only heard the pig part. He is a huge animal lover as well and invited all his friends over to see my new “pig.” Imagine the confusion when my mom came with a standard cage for a guinea pig instead and a little ball of fury inside.

They managed to hide him from me for weeks just behind a door in the basement. until the day came when we all finished opening presents. I looked around a little confused and sad feeling like I got a lot less then my siblings did.

That is until I got handed one last one. A little fluffy grey bed warped up neatly for a little creature to lay in.

But I didn't have an animal so why was I being given a bed for one?

Completely unseen by me my dad slipped downstairs and when he came back up carrying something large and long hidden under a blanket. My confusion only grew when I took the blanket off and finally met him.

Unknowingly at the time, he was going to be the best animal and best friend I would ever have.

He had come with a name a good name. It was Cookie pus and my grandmother soon told me that it meant cookie face. He was a Cookie face.

Being in a completely new place with some crazy kids around Cookie was truly exceptional. He never bitcnever ran away from me he came up to us with curiosity. He was the gentlest of spirits.

That Christmas day we sat around and watched a movie Cookie of course in my lap very content on his new bed. I rubbed his little forehead very gently to my shock he laid down!

It was at that moment I knew he was something special. For a tiny prey animal that he was as well as being in a completely new place he trusted and loved me without second thought.

The years passed on as we both grew older and closer to one another. To my astonishment and of many others as well we soon found out that Cookie was not any ordinary guinea pig. He was smart, smarter than most people I would say.

My mom always said and continues to do so “that pig is not normal.” but she meant it in the best of ways. He had a favorite game with my younger sister. She would set these convoluted traps for him, usually just a box on a string with bate under. He somehow always knew exactly what was going on and he always got the bait and was never trapped. There are thousands of stories I could say about Cookie but the one that stands out more than anything is the day I knew just how much he meant to me and I to him.

It was the day he was dying.

I was rushed out of school confused and scared. My dad told me “that no one is hurt it’s okay” He said, “but Cookies sick.”

I was young but not stupid I knew what that meant. We rushed back and when I got to him. my mom held him utterly limp in her arms in the PetSmart parking lot. I gently took him from her as he lay there completely motionless even unable to speak which he nearly never stopped.

This was more than him being sick . . . Cookie was dying in my arms.

As we rushed to another vet I held him and pet him and I told him it was okay that he was okay but I didn't know that. So I told him the truth that he already knew but refused to accept.

“Cookie it's okay it's okay Cookie,” I told him through pouring tears and hiccuping sobs “if you have to go it's okay.”

I have never seen defiance like I saw that day in his eyes and what he did astounded me then and even now. Nearly ten years later.

He lifted his head and he squeaked at me. A clear and defiant NO!

I had no words after that I just sobbed and held him. Until we got to the vet and they knew exactly what to do I sat with my family in the cold small room as they took him limply from me.

Just a mere few minutes later they opened the door to what I was sure was going to tell me he passed. Was my defiant extraordinarily strong-willed guinea pig that couldn't wait for them to open the door more to practically jump out of their arms.

I broke down with such relief and happiness his tiny little orange and white body squirmed and his small feet swam in the air. When he was placed on the table he wobbled so fast and straight into my arms.

He was alive, they told me he would be okay. That my special extraordinary smart little guinea pig who had surprised us every day at something else he learned.

Was also diabetic!

He went into a diabetic shock and only had a few minutes before he would not be able to come back. They saved his life and he went on to live a good few more years that I will forever and always cherish. Cookie not only changed my life in many ways but he also helped me figure out what I wanted to do. I decided that I was going to become a Veterinary Technician and maybe one day an exotic vet. So thank you Cookie in ways I can not describe you are the other part of my heart until the day I meet you again forever and always I love you my Cookie pus.