Guinea Rescue #6 – Ghost, Hero & The Species

Over the last five posts in this short series of Guinea pig information both crucial and casual, by now if you have kept up with my ongoing waterfall of advice you will know everything, I could divulge from Guinea companionship to nail clippings and all the way to dietary habits. If I have missed something specific that you have come searching for in regard to Guinea pig behaviour then please message me using the site or my social media at the bottom of the page, I will help anyway I can if it means making a Guinea pigs life that much better. But for the final piece in this short series, for now, I wanted to go into detail on what inspired me to right this series in the first place my two wonderful Guinea pigs, Ghost and Hero. 

For the majority of their lives my two Guinea pigs had their own story, away from my spoiling and overprotective hands, they endured being handed over from location to location before finally arriving at the animal rescue centre in Watford. It pains me to think of how they had been neglected in the past that led them to arrive at a facility for adoption with overgrown nails, clumps of missing fur and Ghosts prior condition with his sensitive rashy underbelly that pushed me to choose fleece liners over sawdust or shavings for their bedding. But alas, when you agree to rescue an animal, it can come with the unfortunate learning of their past before they arrived in what should be their forever home with you and your family. 

Ghost & Hero

Big reveal time, Ghost and Hero once went by another name, queue dramatic music. When I found them online advertised for adoption/rescue, they went by the names Eddie (Ghost) and Freddie (Hero), the names given came from either their first or second carers. When we got them home, we did not really know what to call them, I was adamant that we changed their names to shed off any inclination that this was just another stop off on their displaced journey, they had found their forever home, their forever family and they needed their own forever names. Ideas floated around such as “Dwight & Jim” “Merry & Pippin” and even “Salt & Pepper” came up at some point, but nothing felt right. They deserved names that befitting of their unique personalities, names that showed their steely resolve and determination that got them through their past life and into our cosy odd family. Watching them behave in the early stages and watching Heros bold, almost cocky, attitude as he defended Ghost from our hands at all costs (another indication they had a rough go of things in the past), Hero was the little protector of the pair and Ghost used him as such. That was when we landed on the name, Hero, protector of Guineas. 

Now Ghost was a different little timid soul altogether, his careful silent steps and fleeting appearances during the day for the first few days, maybe even weeks, it was fitting that he had a name that could bare the journey he has been on. Now watching this little lover of the night time on a regular basis appear as Tanya and I went to bed, his name was obvious, and he would from then on be known as Ghost. With a name fitting of his, at that moment, fleeting presence in the day and also a badge of his growth in the months that would come it felt right that this fluffy white boar will go one to become a braver soul than I could have imagined when I first saw him scuttle off into his hide. I am remarkably proud of the progress both boys have made since they came to be in my life, Ghost especially, and I am grateful to say that I have now seen the real personalities, the real spirits, of these two piggies in the flesh. 

My two boys are estimated to be between 3-4 years old, now Guinea pigs in general can live in some circumstances to be 8 years old, in an ideal world in which I can keep these two outstanding lads alive they are roughly at the middle of their lives. If I have the pleasure and the turn of fate on my side, I hope that I will have them in my life and family for another 3-4 years to come. It will be my absolute privilege to be the larger portion of their life and put their unknown past behind them as a mere footnote on their path to a happy life.

Think Of The Unlucky Ones

Before I wrap up this short series, I want to mention some serious issues within the world of this incredibly special species existence. Guinea pigs are bred for sale, they are forced like all animals in the pet trade to breed and then have their little ones ripped away from them before they are often times even finished nursing. By actively going into a pet store and purchasing Guinea pigs that have been bred for sale, people are essentially funding this act of emotional and sexual manipulation of a gentle species that has the ability to feel emotion, pain, sadness, and sorrow just like us. My plea to you reading this with potential aspirations of owning a Guinea pig or perhaps you might know someone who is looking to take in a Guinea pig themselves, please choose to adopt or rescue. Purchasing an animal only leads to the ongoing financing of a vicious cyclical system of abuse that WE are consumers and caring compassionate people can change. Rescue. Adopt. Don’t Shop.

That was merely the tip of the iceberg when it comes to the sad suffering lives that these creatures can endure at human hands, as an easily obtained animal they are at the mercy of any individuals or organisations that get hold of them. What I am skating around is the notion of animal testing, perhaps not as frequently mentioned in the bubbles of outrage, Guinea pigs are used for the testing of medicines, cleaning products, cosmetic products, and the cruel case studies for other overtly harsh experiments. Several organisations exist that are tasking themselves with the mission to stop animal testing across the board, The Humane Society and PETA are two massive advocates for the ending of animal testing and I hope that anyone reading this will agree that this practice needs to stop, we judge ourselves by how we treat the most vulnerable beings in our society, I think it is time that as a community we rally around our helpless animal friends and help make their existence mean more than just a lab experiment for a brand of makeup.

Finally, and most likely the topic that will make your eyes roll even further back than they already have, I believe that we need to address the glorification in consuming Guinea pigs as a food source. I have come across multiple episodes from highly trafficked YouTube channels in which Guinea pig parts are eaten for shock value, as a carer of two of my own, this breaks my heart to see Guinea pigs reduced to simple ingredients for entertainment. Consuming Guinea pigs is unfortunately common practice in many parts of the world, once again they are forced to breed to produce the numbers required and eventually killed. What I am asking for from anyone looking to help these little animals out is when travelling to cultures that do consume Guinea pigs, do not participate in the tourist trap indication that it is “part of the experience”. Glorifying the forced breeding and killing of innocent sentient creatures should never be lightly labelled as “an experience”.

So, there you go, I have had my vent and spent 5 of these 6 parts giving out information that will hopefully lead to a happier life for both your Guinea pigs and also your family. Caring for Guinea pigs can be a testing experience and requires patience along with a gentle hand, but after you have gained the trust and reliance from your pig it will all be worth it. I want to close out with a message I saw posted on a small plaque at the Hopefield Animal Sanctuary in Brentwood, I believe it has helped me keep the motivation to push for the betterment of all animal lives. 

“Saving one animal won’t change the world, but for that animal the world will have changed forever”