Johnny died

On Dec 3, 10:48 am, Michel Oosterbeek wrote:
> > You're making some pretty broad assumptions. We love our dog like a
> > member of the family.
>
> OK, I stand corrected. But did you ever stop and wonder WHY the pig was
> a biter? In all my years I have only been bitten once, and that was when
> I tried to break up two fighting pigs. So I wasn't even the target, it
> was accidental. What I'm trying to say is that guinea pigs don't bite
> unless there's something seriously wrong. It could be that it was in
> pain, and picking it up might cause more pain. It could also be that
> your ten year old kid simply needed some instruction on how to correctly
> handle the pig.
> Do you see what I'm getting at? People are always quick in blaming the
> animal when biting is involved, but often further analysing the
> situation shows there was more going on then what appeared at first.
>
> When I grew up, there was a man living a few doors away from me, and his
> dog was known to be very mean and dangerous. So all us kids talked about
> it, saying the animal was bad. One day it died, and we were all "happy"
> about it. But then the man got another dog. Within the first year, that
> dog too was turned into a mean animal. It turns out, the sick bastard
> simply got a kick out of beating the poor animal senseless every day.
> The animal protection agency had to step in before it ended.
>
> During that same time, the girl living next to us had a guinea pig, a
> gift from her parents. It is a miracle that poor animal never became a
> biter, because it had hell to go through. That girl was simply too young
> to be left alone with such a vulnarable animal. She even trew it in the
> air (but never caught it). Her parents were never aware, or simply
> didn't care. That's why I think a child should never be with an animal
> without parental supervision. For it's own safety, and for the safety of
> the animal.
>
> Of course I am NOT claiming your guinea pig was being abused. It's just
> that it can really get to me when I hear another story of an "evil"
> biting animal that the world can be happy about to be rid of, while nine
> times out of ten it is the human that simply doesn't understand the
> animals behaviour. It is most likely the poor thing had a reason for
> being like that.
>
> ... just my 2 cts...

I agree with you that most animal behavior problems are human-
induced. I don't think that was the issue with us though. From the
moment we brought Johnny home as an 8 week old, he bit. Not just a
nibble, but hard bites. Despite our efforts to handle him when he was
young, he continued to bite. I don't think he was evil, just
curious. I don't blame my son for souring on him. We made Johnny as
comfortable as possible during his life, but he never became the
cuddly pet we hoped.
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"MidnightDad" wrote in message

> Stiff as a board in his cage. Can't say we'll miss him. It's hard to
> get a 10 year old to love a pet that bites. First and last GP.


Piggies normally don't bite unless they are scared. Hmm, go figure.

Tracie
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MidnightDad schreef:
> Stiff as a board in his cage. Can't say we'll miss him. It's hard to
> get a 10 year old to love a pet that bites. First and last GP.


Spoken like a "true petlover".
I bet your kids are just as good with animals, right?

At least the pig is happy now...
 >> Stay informed about: Johnny died 

> You're making some pretty broad assumptions. We love our dog like a
> member of the family.

OK, I stand corrected. But did you ever stop and wonder WHY the pig was
a biter? In all my years I have only been bitten once, and that was when
I tried to break up two fighting pigs. So I wasn't even the target, it
was accidental. What I'm trying to say is that guinea pigs don't bite
unless there's something seriously wrong. It could be that it was in
pain, and picking it up might cause more pain. It could also be that
your ten year old kid simply needed some instruction on how to correctly
handle the pig.
Do you see what I'm getting at? People are always quick in blaming the
animal when biting is involved, but often further analysing the
situation shows there was more going on then what appeared at first.

When I grew up, there was a man living a few doors away from me, and his
dog was known to be very mean and dangerous. So all us kids talked about
it, saying the animal was bad. One day it died, and we were all "happy"
about it. But then the man got another dog. Within the first year, that
dog too was turned into a mean animal. It turns out, the sick bastard
simply got a kick out of beating the poor animal senseless every day.
The animal protection agency had to step in before it ended.

During that same time, the girl living next to us had a guinea pig, a
gift from her parents. It is a miracle that poor animal never became a
biter, because it had hell to go through. That girl was simply too young
to be left alone with such a vulnarable animal. She even trew it in the
air (but never caught it). Her parents were never aware, or simply
didn't care. That's why I think a child should never be with an animal
without parental supervision. For it's own safety, and for the safety of
the animal.

Of course I am NOT claiming your guinea pig was being abused. It's just
that it can really get to me when I hear another story of an "evil"
biting animal that the world can be happy about to be rid of, while nine
times out of ten it is the human that simply doesn't understand the
animals behaviour. It is most likely the poor thing had a reason for
being like that.

.... just my 2 cts...
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Sounds to me like you will both be happier....
kelvyn

No Guinea Pigs were harmed during the writing or sending of this post.
 >> Stay informed about: Johnny died 

On Dec 4, 3:56 am, Michel Oosterbeek wrote:
> Perhaps in your case it might have something to do with the fact that
> the piggers are living outdoors? I can imagine they have less contact
> with humans as compared to the ones we have in our livingroom. And it's
> true, it can take a long time for them to start trusting their caretakers.
>
> Fortunately, the way to the guinea pigs' heart is easy: it's food! :o)

Where does he say that they're living outdoors?
 >> Stay informed about: Johnny died 

> nibble, but hard bites. Despite our efforts to handle him when he was
> young, he continued to bite. I don't think he was evil, just

> he never became the cuddly pet we hoped.

We have the same problem with our pair of GPs in that one will nip quite a
bit but isn't *too* scared of us, whereas his brother is very scared and
won't be picked up but has never bitten. They aren't thesort of pets we were
hoping but in our case, we are still able to enjoy them for their
personalities (and a bit of handling now and then).

We're inexperienced GP owners so we bought all the books and read lots on
the varioous websites - but have not succeeded in properly taming them after
the best part of 6 months of trying. I suppose they are just the
personalities that won't be tamed - a little frustrating and disappointing
but there we have it. If we had been experts (you know - had lots of
different GPs over a dozen years etc.) maybe we'd have made better progress.

They're still ace though!

DDS
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Perhaps in your case it might have something to do with the fact that
the piggers are living outdoors? I can imagine they have less contact
with humans as compared to the ones we have in our livingroom. And it's
true, it can take a long time for them to start trusting their caretakers.

Fortunately, the way to the guinea pigs' heart is easy: it's food! :o)
 >> Stay informed about: Johnny died 

On Dec 4, 2:10 pm, "poison dwarf"
wrote:
> "Kelvyn" wrote in message
>
>
>
>
>
> > Corn is just coming in to season here (New Zealand)...My pigs love it, all
> > parts of it...the corn part,the leaves and the silk ....which is said to
> > have some medicinal qualities. Corn ,tomatoes and strawberries are three
> > things they never get tired of.
> > kelvyn
>
> > No Guinea Pigs were harmed during the writing or sending of this post.
>
> My ladies hated strawberries and tomatoes. Cucumber, corn and peppers, first
> to go every time.

Johnny hated strawberries (both fresh and the strawberry-flavored
yogurt drops). He also hated brown hay. He would only eat the fresh
green Timothy hay.
 >> Stay informed about: Johnny died 

>> Perhaps in your case it might have something to do with the fact that
>> the piggers are living outdoors? I can imagine they have less contact
>> with humans as compared to the ones we have in our livingroom. And it's
>> true, it can take a long time for them to start trusting their
>> caretakers.
>>
>> Fortunately, the way to the guinea pigs' heart is easy: it's food! :o)
>
> Where does he say that they're living outdoors?

Michel and I have spoken previously on thismatter, so Michel remembers that
our GPs do indeed "live out". They did live inside briefly a copuple of
weeks ago, but that started them bickerig. Now they're outdoors once more
and seem to have largely settled down.

You'll see an earlier thread from me (25/11/07), asking for advice which
several people kindly helped with, including Michel.

DDS
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> Perhaps in your case it might have something to do with the fact that the
> piggers are living outdoors? I can imagine they have less contact with
> humans as compared to the ones we have in our livingroom. And it's true,
> it can take a long time for them to start trusting their caretakers.

I think so - firstly we kept them outdoors but after about 6 weeks of them
being scared of our every move, we then did try them indoors but they seemed
even more scared of us! So they went out after a week or so and were clearly
happier. We'll keep at it though - they may become more trusting as time
marches on.

> Fortunately, the way to the guinea pigs' heart is easy: it's food! :o)

Very true - they love grass more than anything but vegetables in general
seem popular. We're building up a menu of favourites!

DDS
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Corn is just coming in to season here (New Zealand)...My pigs love it, all
parts of it...the corn part,the leaves and the silk ....which is said to
have some medicinal qualities. Corn ,tomatoes and strawberries are three
things they never get tired of.
kelvyn

No Guinea Pigs were harmed during the writing or sending of this post.
 >> Stay informed about: Johnny died 

"Kelvyn" wrote in message

>
> Corn is just coming in to season here (New Zealand)...My pigs love it, all
> parts of it...the corn part,the leaves and the silk ....which is said to
> have some medicinal qualities. Corn ,tomatoes and strawberries are three
> things they never get tired of.
> kelvyn
>
> No Guinea Pigs were harmed during the writing or sending of this post.

My ladies hated strawberries and tomatoes. Cucumber, corn and peppers, first
to go every time.
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