Skunky!

For Ethan's birthday, Grandpa and Grandma Drake wanted to get Ethan a pet! After a little research, we all decided a guinea pig would best suit our family right now. We surprised Ethan and met grandpa and grandma at the pet store to pick out his guinea pig.

Checking out the guinea pigs with grandpa!

He was a bit confused because we had told him we were going to get him more fish for his fish tank and he was feeling some negative side-effects from his vaccines the day before. But he was a trooper and picked out his own guinea pig!

Ethan picked out a black and white male because we need to even out the girl to boy ratio in our house and it reminded him of a skunk!

Skunky is settling into his new home with some yummy kale!

 

 Katelyn was excited about skunky too, as she is an animal lover. She even kissed him a few times!

Ethan is being responsible making sure Skunky's pellets and hay are always filled and giving him fresh water every day. He takes great care of his fish, so we knew he would do great! The other day I caught Ethan praying for Skunky's food, it was the cutest thing... "Dear God, Help Skunky to have good dreams and  help him to enjoy his food. And help Skunky to grow big and strong. Amen."

A make-shift exercise area David made for Skunky.

I guess I didn't do as much research as I should have, because after we brought Skunky home we learned that he needs a constant supply of hay (which we hadn't bought), a few hours of exercise daily, and lots of love. Ideally guinea pigs have a companion because they are so social, so we try to give him attention when we can. It's been a quick learning curve!

 

We did learn that guinea pigs love fresh veggies and their favorites can include carrots, leafy greens, kale, parsley, and beets. Luckily for Skunky we get many of these veggies in our CSA box! Ethan and Katelyn thought it was so fun when Skunky was eating his beets just like them!

When we were checking out the guinea pigs at the pet store the two males started jumpy around in a jerky manner and we instantly thought we didn't want those "strange" acting guinea pigs. The pet store employee told us that they were "popcorning", which they do when they are happy. Skunky was very mellow for the first week after we got him, but he has definitely warmed up to. He popcorns a lot now and it's fun to see him eagerly come to the cage door when we come by.

Now that he's warmed up to his new home, we have learned that he is an adventurous piggy! He had escaped out of his exercise area once and here he is trying to figure out how to do it again.

 

Skunky's new play area could not have come soon enough! He seemed to like it and was popcorning and squeeking immediately.

 

Ethan and Katelyn both really like the new play area better too because they can see him easier and interact with him more.

We are definitely enjoying this new member of our family! Thanks grandpa and grandma Drake!