Spy's Story: How Guinea Pig Ownership Changes Lives, Big and Small

Hi, I’m Emma; I’m a blog contributor for Critter Colony Club, and a long time pig parent. Today I have the amazing opportunity to share a little bit about how guinea pig parenting has positively contributed to my life at many stages, and also share my current piggy, Spy’s, story.

Moving Out, Moving In

After having piggies consistently in my family home since I was in the second grade, it was jarring to move to college and not hear the tell-tale rustling, wheeking, and skitters of piggies throughout the day. Throughout my childhood, my guinea pigs had been my friends, supporters, and companions no matter what difficulties I faced; they were a consistent source of joy and fun throughout the standard struggles of growing up. 

Even though I lived off campus and had space for guinea pigs, it felt rushed to go adopt new piggies when I didn’t have an established schedule, routine, or practice living on my own. For the first year or so of my college experience, I would go home to visit my family’s guinea pigs, Chami and Odessa, frequently. They would support me through midterms, heartbreaks, and any other new adventure which college brought to my life. It was on one of those trips home that I met my soon-to-be best friend, Spy. 

Spy’s Story

My mom and I took off on a walk through our neighborhood one day, when out of the corner of my eye, I spotted a black-and-white something darting quickly around our neighbor’s driveway. There were towels and a small plush hidey strewn around- I turned to my mom and said, “Mom, I think that’s a guinea pig.” Sure enough. 

We wandered over, greeted our neighbor, and was introduced to their piggy, Spy. After a brief conversation and lots of gawking at timid Spy, we continued on our walk, commenting on how sad it was that our neighbor seemed so uninterested in engaging with ‘her kids’’ young pig, how neglectful it was that he was set free on the driveway with little to no supervision, and how we were, frankly, uncertain of how well he was being cared for. 

A few days later, I had returned to my college apartment when I got a phone call from my mom. She let me know that our neighbors had left on vacation, texted her saying they ‘didn’t want Spy anymore’ and that he was ‘waiting on the driveway for her to come pick up’. She acted fast, going to rescue him before the California heat or predators got to him. She brought him back to our family home, but knowing she was unable to care for more than two piggies with her schedule, offered to bring him to my apartment. I’ve never been so excited in my life. 

Upon rescuing Spy, it became clear that his situation was far worse than we could have theorized. When he arrived at our house, my mom found maggots and a black widow spider living under the thin layer of shavings in the bottom of his enclosure. He had no timothy hay, and his singular plush hideout was filthy. When my mom reached out to our neighbors enquiring about his history, we found out he was a pet-store piggy, adopted alone, and that he had been living full time in their uninsulated garage. Spy was not only subjected to the heat and cold, but also, my neighbors admitted, frequently left for days without attention or affection when their children 'weren't feeling like playing with him’. Together, my mom and I agreed to completely overhaul his experience; we got him an entirely new enclosure, proper bedding, hideys, appropriate food and hay, and moved him into his new home with me. We worked with a local rescue to attempt to find him a buddy, but we mutually determined that due to his previous experiences, he was much calmer and less anxious without a friend; after multiple bonding attempts with other piggies, Spy made it clear that it was him and me against the world.

Fur-ever Home

While Spy was understandably shy at first, it was only a matter of time before his full personality bloomed in front of us. As we spent dedicated bonding time together each day, we learned more and more about each other - Spy is, despite his early life, the most physically affectionate piggy I have ever had. He loves being loved and expressing love, meeting new people, and playing for literally hours at a time. He has formed unique relationships with all of the important people in our life- he is loud and playful with my partner, cuddly and sappy with my mom, and attached to me at the hip (literally- if he is out, he has to be touching me). It is so impactful to see him happy and thriving nearly three years into our time together; I know that he understands that this is the life he deserves and will have forever. 

Spy has also taught me an incredible amount about myself; how to handle anxiety (trips to the veterinarian are never relaxing), how to prioritize important things (piggy time over party time any day!), and how important it is to eat breakfast (he has always made that VERY clear!). He is also a shining example of what it means to move out of negative situations but maintain a positive attitude; he inspires me to persevere through hard things, as nothing I have experienced has come close to the trials he had to overcome to get here. He is a survivor, a popcorning-powerhouse, and a total inspiration. I truly cannot imagine my life without him. 

While many people think of guinea pigs as ‘starter pets’ or ‘little kid pets’, that really couldn’t be further from the truth. These little guys pack a big punch, and I am so grateful to be a part of a community which understands and reinforces what it means to fight for the small among us. Guinea pigs are truly life changing companions, and I am so grateful to do life with Spy by my side.