Rodents, love and sorrow

It is really amazing how much an animal so small can mean to you. I remember when I first got Punky. As soon as I saw her I knew she would be a part of me. Moo was almost as instant. I remember asking the guy at Petco who the friendliest guinea pig they had. She made me smile when I first tried to pick her up, she was so heavy! And she was even more friendly that I could ever imagine. Atari was the last addition to the pack. He was tiny and adorable, so adorable I thought he was a girl... Boy was I wrong. He had to move out of the girls cage after we found out that he was male. That's when my Moo passed away. I will always remember the little sounds she made when being petted, and how she loved laying on my bed. She was by far the biggest guinea pig you would ever find! She would eat anything, even tried to nibble on Punky's medicine. She really had no taste in food, she would down anything semi-edible. Atari was probably the exact opposite. He was always active. He would run around his cage and move his hide-away from side to side. He also had the annoying habit of flipping his plate over. My favorite thing about him was that he wasn't afraid of anything. He loved to explore and chew on everything. As soon as I would come close to the cage he would stand on the door poking his head out and always made hungry noises, even if his plate was full. I think that's what I miss more about him, the constant sound coming from his cage. When he wasn't quing (what I called his hungry noise) he was running around and moving his wood house, two other noisy activities. My room is so much quieter now, it makes me so sad.
Whoever thinks people don't get attached to small animals as some do to cats or dogs they are so wrong. My guineas all had very distinct personalities and were the greatest companions. It is true they don't have the best memories but they knew me well and comforted me every time I needed just by being themselves. I hope they felt as much love for me as I did for them and I hope I gave them a good life. I am grateful I still have my Punky and I plan to make her life as great as she has made mine.
It is really true that the best things in life come in small packages, I am glad I got to share time with three of the sweetest animals I have ever met.