The more things change, the more they stay the same...

Hello everyone,

Well, it's been just over a week since I lost Buttons. Every day, I can't get used to not hearing the single, loud squeak he gave just for me when I entered the room saying, "There he is!" I also used to really enjoy seeing his white 'Woody Woodpeckerish topknot' as he walked around in the outside pen. It was quite visible, as he was mostly black. The morning after he died, I felt like getting out of the house, so I took a drive down to the shelter where I adopted him & Daisy. One of the fellows there remembered when I took them both home, so we had a nice chat. He mentioned that there was a guinea pig available for adoption right now, although not in great shape. I had to take a look...

There she was, a very skittish black & white Peruvian, about 1 yr. old, with matted fur, who also had lice. The previous owners brought her in because they were allergic. They didn't know her age. Her prospects for adoption were dim in this condition, as they were expecting 3 more healthier ones to be brought in, the clock was ticking, so... I adopted her. This was a couple days ago. What a sweet creature she is. Before I picked her up, I had them shave off the worst parts of her fur. I gave her a bath, and judging by her behavior & the color of the water, she hadn't had one for a very long while. To illustrate - the bath water was nearly like that of my son's after a weekend at Scout camp! She scuttles back to a corner of the cage when I approach, but now she no longer bolts when I reach in. She permits me to pet her & seems to enjoy it. She is still unnamed. I'd appreciate any suggestions - I'm stuck. We can only refer to her as "the mop", poor thing. Any tips on grooming a Peruvian, and on battling the lice, would be great. Please write!

She has inherited Buttons' cage. I did not bring her home to replace Buttons or to take my mind off my grieving. I did it because it needed doing. I was worried that it might have been a mistake, as it was so soon after losing Buttons. Time was not on her side, however, and I'm afraid I would have felt terrible if the unthinkable happened. If I find it is one guinea too many for me, I will take the time to find her a good home, after she's in good shape.

I have had some difficulty wanting to be close to any of the other guineas, but I'm assuming this is still part of the grieving. The night before Buttons died, I spent a very long time with him in the evening. I was very concerned that he had begun to dislike me with all the unpleasant things I had to do to him. I put him on my chest, as usual, and after a few minutes he began shuffling closer & closer. He pressed himself into my neck & wrapped himself around like a fur collar. Then he started making his contented sounds, so all was right again.

I'm so glad I spent that time with him, because that's foremost in my mind - the pleasant time - that's what I choose to remember first, not the time nearing the end, when he was in so much pain. Unfortunately, when I pick the others up like this, I'm reminded a little too much than is comfortable for me right now.

One thing that comforts me, as I hear of other little friends lost, is that even though there seems to be many losses, I think of all the very many other, happy, wheeking, popcorning little characters still out there. Speaking of which, there is a chorus of them calling me right now, from the next room. The members of the group have changed from a week or so ago, but they all need me just the same...I think I'll go to them now.

Buttons (R.I.P. - I love you)