I just got chastised in Office Hours for not properly introducing my guinea pig when I got him this spring! And it was indeed a terrible oversight. So, here is the tale of Mr. Truffle:
In May I bought a guinea pig. I was only going to visit the pet store to look at the pigs, but when I got there there was a clearly adult fellow sitting in a fishtank barely larger than himself with a big sign above him that said "75% off to a good home"
I inquired what was wrong with him, and they said that he was an albino, and his red eyes made some children cry. As such, he had been living in this fish tank for over a year and was now very depressed and the staff just wanted to see him get a chance at starting his life. He looked it, too. I have rarely seen a pig look that sad. He was nearly unresponsive.
As it turns out, I am not in the least bothered by his red eyes, I do not mind adopting an adult animal, I could not stand to think of him spending another night in such a horrible enclosure, and $9 was a price that could not be argued with.
I brought him home and set about converting an under-the-bed storage container into a cage for him by wrapping the outside in chicken wire and filling the bottom with bedding. He seemed stunned at first to see so much space, and within minutes he was running, jumping, throwing hay in the air, spinning, stretching, shaking himself and squeaking with excitement. He ran for more than an hour, until he wore himself out and started to doze off, only to shake himself awake and start again for a few minutes. When I rested my hands on the wire of his cage he kissed my fingers.
Since then we have been best friends. He is still obsessed with running, and goes for a daily run around my apartment, often while squeaking about how wonderful life is. His favorite food by a lot is parsley, and he thinks celery is some kind of joke. He likes head scratches and the sound of human (female) laughter. On tabletop nights he likes to run around under the table and comment loudly on everyone's RP.
Here is a video of how he spends most of his waking hours.
Last month, I almost doubled the size of his cage again.
He is the best.
In May I bought a guinea pig. I was only going to visit the pet store to look at the pigs, but when I got there there was a clearly adult fellow sitting in a fishtank barely larger than himself with a big sign above him that said "75% off to a good home"
I inquired what was wrong with him, and they said that he was an albino, and his red eyes made some children cry. As such, he had been living in this fish tank for over a year and was now very depressed and the staff just wanted to see him get a chance at starting his life. He looked it, too. I have rarely seen a pig look that sad. He was nearly unresponsive.
As it turns out, I am not in the least bothered by his red eyes, I do not mind adopting an adult animal, I could not stand to think of him spending another night in such a horrible enclosure, and $9 was a price that could not be argued with.
I brought him home and set about converting an under-the-bed storage container into a cage for him by wrapping the outside in chicken wire and filling the bottom with bedding. He seemed stunned at first to see so much space, and within minutes he was running, jumping, throwing hay in the air, spinning, stretching, shaking himself and squeaking with excitement. He ran for more than an hour, until he wore himself out and started to doze off, only to shake himself awake and start again for a few minutes. When I rested my hands on the wire of his cage he kissed my fingers.
Since then we have been best friends. He is still obsessed with running, and goes for a daily run around my apartment, often while squeaking about how wonderful life is. His favorite food by a lot is parsley, and he thinks celery is some kind of joke. He likes head scratches and the sound of human (female) laughter. On tabletop nights he likes to run around under the table and comment loudly on everyone's RP.
Here is a video of how he spends most of his waking hours.
Last month, I almost doubled the size of his cage again.
He is the best.
He's so cute! 
Glad you found him and gave him a good home
Glad you found him and gave him a good home
I think we should be content for now 
I think I may have missed the answer during Office Hours, so I'll ask it here!
How old do you reckon Mr. Truffle is? I didn't know he was already an adult when you adopted him. He's adorable, and it's a shame people's kids were scared off by him.
As someone who was always awestruck by 'em, more folks ought to know about albino animals.
How old do you reckon Mr. Truffle is? I didn't know he was already an adult when you adopted him. He's adorable, and it's a shame people's kids were scared off by him.
As someone who was always awestruck by 'em, more folks ought to know about albino animals.
Oh, I must have missed your question, sorry!
The pet store said he came in at about four weeks old, and they'd had him for not quite a year when they discounted him. Which turned out to be the same day I walked in and bought him. So, about a year and a half!
And since it's most people's next question: Domestic guinea pigs can live up to five years.
The pet store said he came in at about four weeks old, and they'd had him for not quite a year when they discounted him. Which turned out to be the same day I walked in and bought him. So, about a year and a half!
And since it's most people's next question: Domestic guinea pigs can live up to five years.
Kudos on adopting an adult animal, Kim. Not many people would do that, and it is vividly obvious that you care A Lot about Commander Truffle. Perhaps one day he could be promoted to Colonel Truffle :B.
Kim u r a gud person
Kim u r a gud person
I am not sure if you can technically "adopt" from a pet store, but he for sure needed a new home! I wuv him to bits.
I wuv him to bits.
OMG IT IS ADORABLE KIM
So energetic, so fluffy, so cute overload...
You are an amazing person for giving this guinea pig a home, and the world loves you more than it already does for it.
So energetic, so fluffy, so cute overload...
You are an amazing person for giving this guinea pig a home, and the world loves you more than it already does for it.
Oh noooo :C
Poor Mr. Truffle. What cruel treatment he got at the pet shop. How could they do that to an animal?
I'm so glad you gave him a loving home!
Poor Mr. Truffle. What cruel treatment he got at the pet shop. How could they do that to an animal?
I'm so glad you gave him a loving home!
Awwww... He's adooorraaabblllee!
How precious!
PRECIOUS BABY he looks so happy now!!
i vote mr. truffles for rpr mascot. i vote mr. truffles for president.
(i know we've got doubutt but there can never be enough site mascots. never.)
i vote mr. truffles for rpr mascot. i vote mr. truffles for president.
(i know we've got doubutt but there can never be enough site mascots. never.)
Oh my goodness! He is absolutely adorable! Guinea pigs are the sweetest, most docile creatures in the world, I can not believe that kids were bothered by his eye color and I kind of blame the parents for not informing their children of how sweet they are! A major plus is when they run around and squeak! Ah, how I melt at their adorable antics!
You know what,Mr.Truffle's story kind of reminds me of my beloved kitty-cat, although he was at an animal shelter for about four months. No one wanted to adopt him because he wasn't 'friendly'. Apparently when I had picked him up he instantly purred and shocked the worker. I still have him, obviously, and he is the happiest kitty! I love him with all my heart!
You know what,Mr.Truffle's story kind of reminds me of my beloved kitty-cat, although he was at an animal shelter for about four months. No one wanted to adopt him because he wasn't 'friendly'. Apparently when I had picked him up he instantly purred and shocked the worker. I still have him, obviously, and he is the happiest kitty! I love him with all my heart!
By the way, he's about four years old and to give you an idea of his size I'm about 4'11" and he's standing he comes right below my knee cap,and when he's sitting he comes about mid-knee. His a pretty chunky kitty who sounds like a heard of elephants when runs!
Commander Truffle ready for his debut (and cat-free) mission.
Claine wrote:
Commander Truffle ready for his debut (and cat-free) mission.
KIM! MAKE THIS OFFICAL! PLEASEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE?
OH WOW I SOMEHOW MISSED THAT POST
That is incredible. I ADORE this. Thank you so much!
That is incredible. I ADORE this. Thank you so much!
I love your ginea-pig ^^
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