The greatest Christmas gift that someone ever bought me was a guinea pig. Actually, that’s not strictly true. I was bought a cage – the guinea pig and all necessary accompaniments came free. This little squeaking ball of fluff rapidly became my best friend and my owner – I know everyone who has a pet insists that their pet is the cleverest and most responsive animal in the world, but in Squeak’s (yes, very original, I know!) case, it was true. She would sit for hours with me, reading, watching TV – it didn’t matter what – she wanted to be there, involved and interfering. When it came to the fridge, she was like a little dog. She would sit in front of it, grumbling, until you opened the door and handed her a peapod or sprig of parsley. She was particularly fond of Eastenders – the opening notes would be met by a squeak of joy and a long stretch before settling down to watch it – I don’t know whether she enjoyed the programme or whether she enjoyed the apple we used to share whilst watching, but either way, it was a special time for both of us.
 
I almost lost her on one occasion – her teeth overgrew and had to be trimmed by the vet. This necessitated a period of syringe-feeding, which brought us even closer. Unfortunately, she came to enjoy the hand-feeding so much that she wouldn’t begin eating her own food. In desperation, I adopted a second guinea pig to try and encourage her to eat. If I thought she had been animated before – I was wrong! She came so alive and instantly began eating and playing with her new friend. Whether this was through delight at having a friend, or through fear that Yoshi was getting more to eat than Squeak herself, I don’t know, but Squeak was soon well on the road to recovery....and I was well on the road to addiction!
 
I began collecting guinea pig paraphernalia – t-shirts, eggcups, teddies, mugs, postcards, ornaments – if it has a guinea pig on, I have it. I even had a pawprint tattoo with a guinea pig’s name above it after I lost a pig who had been extra-special. I also began rescuing abandoned guinea pigs and learning more and more about their care. Next year I intend to take a rodentology course so that I can help even more pigs in need, and it all started with one Christmas present years ago.
 
Squeak is long gone,  but her memory and legacy live on.

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Everyone at With Love Gifts feel it appropriate to show this video, an online classic from some years ago :)

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