Poor Garrett. Our 11yr old has had many guinea pigs and the endings are never "she died peacefully in her sleep" happy endings. First one home was a Christmas Eve where we were in a hurry, dropped the cage and guinea pig at the house in a hurry between gatherings and church services. Never had time to properly introduce our boxer, Brutus, to the new pet. He went nuts and protected our home while we were gone. Garrett was crushed. After an introduction, Brutus never messed with them again. Then came more pigs. After figuring out how to sex them (determine male or female) we stopped having babies. Garrett wanted to keep one male and one female. So we had the male neutered. He died the next day.
Brutus the passed last August. After some time we decided it was time for another dog in the house besides our beagle. We introduced Hank to the house this week. He has been doing fantastic. . . . Then he discovered the guinea pigs. So we introduced them and have kept them separated. Anytime he goes near the cage there is a correction and he leaves Garrett's room. This was working as well as the acclimation to our house. Then it happened. . . Kids at Sunday school. Wife getting out of shower, me hopping into shower, and I hear my wife running down stairs and yelling. Oh boy, this doesn't sound good. In a towel I help my wife get Hank booted outside. He had Big Momma in his mouth and was bringing her to us. She didn't die immediately and Garrett was able to say his last words to her. (I dropped wife at church and brought Garrett home.) Well, she passed and Garrett and I held a cremation at our outdoor wood boiler while the rest were at church. He still has one guinea pig. I just hope we can keep Hank away from her and let her die of natural causes. Poor kid hasn't had much luck with the guinea pigs. Not sure Hank will be back in the house soon. Little bugger already killed 5/6 chickens over the summee, and now a guinea pig. His drive instinct is strong and I am not sure it can be changed. It is what he is. Unfortunately, it is tough explaining this to an 11yr old. Ugh. Happy Sunday!