My beloved guinea pig, Squash, passed away yesterday.
He came into our home in February 2022, and it has been four years and two months since then. He was about five years old.
I had hoped that Squash would live until he was seven, but that wish was not fulfilled.

Pinky, who became part of our family together with Squash, is still healthy. However, Squash went through several difficult moments over time. He was always smaller than other guinea pigs his age and was more prone to infections, so I often had to take extra care of him. Last year, he even developed an eye infection and received treatment, but thankfully, he recovered well.

After that, he seemed to be doing fine, but then he suddenly passed away. There were no clear signs that he was seriously ill. For a little while, he seemed to eat less and sleep more than usual. Before we could even take him to the hospital, we found that Squash had quietly passed away.
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He was in a sleeping position, as if resting peacefully, right next to the hay bowl he loved so much.

When I saw Squash sleeping in the morning, I felt an overwhelming sadness. The time we spent together passed through my mind like scenes from a movie. It is impossible to fully express how much joy, laughter, and comfort this small animal brought into our lives.

Before he passed, on a warm day, I took Squash outside to the yard. He listened to the birds, looked at the flowers, and nibbled on the grass. That became his last spring.

During his time with us, he was deeply loved—not only by our family, but also by the students, friends, and neighbors who visited our home. Now, when I look at his empty enclosure, my heart feels so hollow and heavy.

Whenever I moved around the house, he would quietly come forward and look at me. Recently, it felt as though he was watching me even more often. Perhaps he knew he was preparing to leave.
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I want to express my deepest gratitude to this sweet and loving Squash.
Thank you, Squash. You made me so happy.
We made a small grave for him in the front yard and planted flowers. We will remember him for a long, long time. I remember how he used to come out of his enclosure and freely wander around the house while I was cleaning.
Every moment we shared now feels radiant, precious, and beautiful. Because of that, I am reminded that each day is truly valuable, and I am grateful for it.

​When living with small pets, one thing that surprisingly requires attention is securing the cage door.
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Guinea pigs and hamsters are curious and surprisingly strong, so they often open the cage door themselves when pushing or pulling on it. This can lead to escape accidents, so caution is advised.

However, there's a simple solution without having to buy a separate lock or fastener: a bread clip (a bread bag clip)!

As you can see in the photo, simply attach the bread clip to the hook on the cage door.

It prevents the door from swinging open easily,

and prevents escapes while still allowing easy opening and closing.

This is a handy, easy-to-use tip that doesn't require any special tools or investment.

I tried this on my guinea pig cage, and it held the door securely in place, effectively preventing children from getting out. It's a truly useful way to keep your pet safe, even with a simple idea.

​What you need: One bread clip

How to: Attach to the latch of the cage door

Benefits: Prevents escapes + Easy opening and closing

When living with pets, these small ideas can make a big difference in safety. Don't throw away those bread clips lying around the house. Use them as safety devices for your pets!

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On February 18th, two cute furball guinea pigs, Pinkie and Squash, joined our family. The piggies, which used to run away and be wary at the slightest sound, have now become very bold, shaking the fence asking for carrots. In Pinky's case, he grew about 3 inches larger than the average guinea pig, and both dogs gained a lot of weight. They are still adorable and come in a variety of cute ways. We made a carrot and strawberry salad for Pinky and the squash. The two-tiered cages are still separated because they had a major fight once.

They look like South Korea and North Korea. I'm trying to figure out how to get them to become friends, but just looking at them makes the hairs on their bodies stand up and tries to fight. I don't want to stress him out too much for the time being, so I'm leaving him peacefully separated. Squash lives downstairs. He is sensitive, quiet and shy.

Aside from eating and exercising, Squash spends most of his time hiding in a corner. We're trying to get Squash to explore and play more. Squash will have to endure inter-floor noise from Pinky, who lives upstairs, for the time being. However, although they absolutely hate meeting each other in person, they seem to quite like the noise Pinkie makes by shaking the cage. It seems that Pinkie doesn't like the reward given when she shows such effort. We give Pinkie a carrot every time she shakes the fence. He seems proud of his efforts. I feel a kind of fierceness of life in the way Pinkie desperately shakes the cage. So, I have drawn this kind of energy. My husband, who saw this picture, said this. ‘People won’t know that Pinkie has this side.’ But we know it well. The two adorable guinea pigs are now two years old. I am reassured that they are still strong, healthy and active. Although cleaning, feeding, and playing with them every day is hard work, the joy, love, and comfort they give us is the greatest reward.
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Creating guinea pig tacos is a fun and nutritious way to treat your furry friends. Here's a simple recipe using guinea pig-friendly ingredients like carrots, lettuce, eggplant, and cucumber.
Ingredients:

• Fresh carrots
• Leafy lettuce
• Eggplant
• Cucumber

Instructions:

1. Wash and Prepare the Vegetables: Start by washing all the vegetables thoroughly to remove any dirt or pesticides. Peel the carrots and cucumber to make them easier for your guinea pigs to eat.
   
2. Slice the Vegetables: Cut the carrots, cucumber, and eggplant into thin, bite-sized slices. Guinea pigs have small mouths, so make sure the pieces are appropriately sized for them.
   
3. Steam or Cook the Eggplant: Eggplant can be a bit tough for guinea pigs to eat raw. To make it more palatable, you can lightly steam or cook the eggplant until it's soft. Avoid using any oils, spices, or seasonings.
   
4. Prepare the Lettuce: Tear the lettuce into small, manageable pieces. Choose dark, leafy lettuce varieties, as they are more nutritious for your guinea pigs.
   
5. Assemble the Tacos: Lay out the lettuce leaves like taco shells. Place a variety of sliced vegetables inside each lettuce leaf, creating a colorful and appealing mix. You can arrange the veggies to mimic the look of a taco.
   
6. Serve to Your Guinea Pigs: Present the guinea pig tacos in their feeding area. Watch as your furry friends explore the tasty, veggie-filled tacos. It's a delightful and interactive way to provide them with a nutritious treat.
   
7. Supervise and Enjoy: While guinea pigs can enjoy a variety of fresh vegetables, it's essential to monitor their reaction to new foods. Introduce new items gradually, and if you notice any adverse reactions, consult with a veterinarian.
   

Remember, variety is key in a guinea pig's diet. This taco treat can be part of a well-balanced assortment of fruits and vegetables, along with their staple hay and pellets. Always prioritize their health and happiness when creating special treats for your adorable guinea pigs.

 ​Today I want to show you the process of drawing an adorable guinea pig.

​First, I make a simple sketch with an HB pencil.

 ​Then, as shown below, color the guinea pig using the wet-on-wet technique of watercolor paint.

​Then create a medium tone contrast. In my case, I made it dark brown.

​Next is the highlight order. This job is always fun. Because when you do this, the picture comes to life.

Below is the finished look. 

​My guinea pigs love carrots. I enjoy hearing them crunch and make a sound every time they eat a carrot. Small animals always seem to bring great joy.