Now this is just cruel
I mentioned briefly, a few weeks ago, that I got a guinea pig. I haven’t gotten a chance to say much, or take pictures of her, since I’ve been a little overwhelmed with all the other stuff going on. But she was cute, young, and she needed a home, and I thought she would be a good distraction for the kids- someone for them to take care of.
We debated about names. I vetoed “Cutie” and “Mr. Guinea Pig”, since she was a she, and we all agreed on Ariel. Not being that experienced with cavies, I consulted those who knew more than I and became knowledgeable enough to make do. $100 in equipment later, she came home.
They kids been doing admirably in their role as caretakers. She got pellets and hay and fresh veggies twice a day, Vitamin C, all that guinea pig stuff. She was growing well, chirruping and going to town on her greens.
I spent this weekend in San Francisco with my husband, a much needed weekend to take my mind off of things. I debated canceling the trip, then decided that I could use the distraction. It worked most of the time though I did spontaneously burst into tears on multiple occasions.
I arrived home today, feeling a little less raw. Hung out with the kids, said thank you to the grandparent who watched the flock for the weekend, and went to check on Ariel. Who had, apparently, checked out. She was past the recently departed stage, shall we say. I reached in, looking with dread, and subsequently reacted. It wasn’t pretty.
As far as anyone knows, she was eating and running around last night. Upon further reflection, the grandparent on duty did notice that she was curled up in a corner this morning but simply assumed she was sleeping.
The children took it better than expected, and we had a guinea pig funeral this afternoon. My thoughts immediately went to them, but I have taken it harder than they have. It is beyond comprehension to me how this could have happened like this, other than the universe is just nasty and capricious sometimes. I feel a bit of a failure, to be honest. “Promise me no more animals for a bit,” my husband said upon looking at my dejected face, and I had choice but to nod.
I’m really worried people are going to think I’m some Munchausen-by-proxy animal killer what with all this death and destruction going on around here. Good god. I truly have no clue how this happened.
I didn’t even get to take a picture of her. Goodbye, Ariel. When Kevin picks you up, do me a favor and bite him.
