The Legend of Barry Jenkins

Renonvsparky · Post » Tue Jan 07, 2020 8:05 pm

Adopted Barry Jenkins today. He's a sweet boy. Took to us immediately. His previous owner obviously handled him a lot because he doesn't mind being picked up at all. Doesn't run from us either. No biting or struggling when I hold him. He had been there so long that the staff at the humane society cheered for him when I left with him. They estimate his age at 3-4 years old. He looks very healthy and cared for. Looks like they kept up with trimming his nails too. He's noticeably larger than any of the other boys. Let the legend of Barry Jenkins begin!

Renonvsparky · Post » Tue Jan 07, 2020 8:42 pm

Poor Barry. Went to get the large cage out of storage and I didn't have the key. He'll be in the floor pen for the night. He'll also be on paper bedding in the cage until I get the bumpers that hold the fleece bedding in place cut and covered. I obviously wasn't planning on adopting him today, but the inconveniences are minor and he's much happier with me than he was in guinea pig jail.

Post » Tue Jan 07, 2020 8:43 pm

What a handsome guy! Sounds like he will fit into the household well! (and spend a lot of time getting held ;-).

I trust he will forgive you for being in a temporary cage.

Renonvsparky · Post » Tue Jan 07, 2020 9:55 pm

I'm sure all it will take is a treat and some quality floor time!

Renonvsparky · Post » Tue Jan 07, 2020 11:14 pm

So I was able to get the storage key and the cage for Barry Jenkins. I got him all set up and in his new home. I can tell he has some getting used to things to go through. He sniffed around it once and went into his house to lay. He's not sick or lethargic or anything bad like that. I just thought he'd be a bit more excited and curious about it. I gave him a piece of carrot, some hay and water. He ate the carrot, but wasn't interested in the hay or water.

I wonder if he can sense Scruffy or smell his scent in that cage. I scrubbed it with bleach water and rinsed it thoroughly after Scruffy passed away, plus it's been wrapped in plastic sheeting in the storage shed since that day. His bowl and water bottle are both brand new so I know it's not that. I'm going to give him a few hours to get acclimated and then I'll spend some time holding him and letting him run around some.

ItsaZoo · Post » Wed Jan 08, 2020 12:54 am

He is quite handsome and a very fortunate guy! I'm sure he had a busy day and just wants a safe place to sleep until he can figure out what's going on. New smells, new sounds, different food, and new people looking in on him.

Renonvsparky · Post » Wed Jan 08, 2020 1:01 am

He's going to be ok. He loves to snuggle! I couldn't be happier.

daisymay · Post » Wed Jan 08, 2020 5:30 am

He's going to be ok. He loves to snuggle! I couldn't be happier.

You couldn't be happier? Barry looks like he has died and gone to heaven! Living in the lap of luxury! Soft beds, good food, warm bodies to nestled against. What more could a piggy want? He's even smiling! I want to tickle that foot! Gorgeous boy!

Renonvsparky · Post » Wed Jan 08, 2020 6:44 pm

BJ is a little more active today in his cage and on my lap. He actually climbed around on me and the recliner. He did a bit of that contentment squeaking and he even purred. We're going to get along great together.

Post » Wed Jan 08, 2020 7:50 pm

That is great! He sounds like a special guy. You seem to have several wonderful guinea pigs!

Catie Cavy · Post » Wed Jan 08, 2020 8:07 pm

Does he have pink eyes? It's hard to tell from the photos. I know pink-eyed guinea pigs can be hard to place. Regardless, he is very cute and very lucky.

Sef · Post » Wed Jan 08, 2020 9:14 pm

PEW! I have a huge soft spot for PEWS. :) He is adorable.

daisymay · Post » Wed Jan 08, 2020 10:08 pm

Does he have pink eyes?

They look pink to me. I may be wrong. So calm and relaxed so quickly. What's your secret?

Renonvsparky · Post » Thu Jan 09, 2020 12:36 am

His eyes are pink. It's his best feature! I am the guinea pig whisperer LOL. All it really takes is love and kindness. I show them lot's of both. It's easy to do given how adorable these little guys are.

Sef · Post » Thu Jan 09, 2020 6:42 am

I've had several over the years and think they are gorgeous. It's sad and true, though, that many rescues can't find adopters for them. Glad for BJ (may I call him BJ?) and you that you gave this sweet boy a home.

Renonvsparky · Post » Thu Jan 09, 2020 12:26 pm

You can call him BJ! I adore his eyes. The only guinea pig I wouldn't own is a hairless and that's not because of their appearance (they are as adorable as any guinea pig). It's because of the extra care their skin requires. I'm not sure if I can keep up with it, plus I'm not sure I could get anyone to do it when I have to travel.

I put a hammock in his cage to see if he'll get in it. I have a sneaky suspicion that he might because of the way he burrows into the holding blanket and curls up when I hold him. So far he's gone under it but not in it. Either way it's another thing of interest to him and a place for him to hide if he gets scared.

Renonvsparky · Post » Thu Jan 09, 2020 11:48 pm

I always hold my guinea pigs on a fleece blanket for comfort and to catch their messes. With BJ it led to a discovery of something he likes. He burrows into the blanket and he has a good time doing it. He doesn't mind being in a funny position either, as long as he's under the blanket. I've never had a guinea pig go on his back like that, but he seemed to be comfortable, so I just let him lay however he wants to.

That gave me the idea to put one in his house. That turned out to be a great thing. He loves it and wasted no time in making it comfortable for himself. He still spends a lot of his time laying in his house, but he lets me reach in and pick him up. He also comes out to sniff my hand and nibble my finger. I have yet to weigh him. I've been letting him get use to his new home before subjecting him to that. I have a feeling that he's overweight and out of shape. A couple days more and floor time starts.

Post » Fri Jan 10, 2020 11:14 am

Hopefully he will get much more active! Traditionally, guinea pigs who are easy to catch and lay around might also have health issues (like heart). Lots of exercise will definitely be good for his health!

Renonvsparky · Post » Fri Jan 10, 2020 3:50 pm

BJ doesn't eat much in the way of veggies. He'll eat carrots pretty well but barely touches the lettuce, bell pepper or parsley. He digs the pellets and eats plenty of hay. I don't think there's anything wrong with him. None of the signs of sickness are there. I just have to figure out his eating habits. He does move around his cage and reacts to the other guinea pigs. His cage is right next to Sammy and Dean. I'm getting him a wellness exam as soon as I can. I already know they're going to tell me he's overweight. I'm working on that.

Post » Fri Jan 10, 2020 7:29 pm

Having Sammy and Dean nearby will hopefully mean he will see other guinea pigs eating the green "good stuff" and he will be more interested in it.

I saw a tv clip this evening about a hugely overweight dog that could barely walk. What they did was water therapy for perhaps a year to take the pressure from his legs and get him exercise. That and cutting foods dropped his weight substantially and he is a new dog!

I don't believe we have run across a guinea pig that is so heavy that it has difficulty moving (except for a pregnant female). I have always thought exercise works wonders for good health.

As for evaluating weight, there are some great guidelines written by a vet on this page:
http://www.guinealynx.info/weigh.html