The way humans can be so cruel sickens me. Even through ignorance there is no reason that such cruelty is acceptable. Especially to animals that are so little and helpless that they rely solely on us to keep them happy and healthy through their life.

I'm sure most of you have been wondering where I have been for the last few weeks or so.

The answer is we have two new additions to our family. Harley and Pepe le Peu are our new guinea pigs. Harley was abused and we adopted her from our neighbors. The conditions they kept her in were so disgusting that just thinking about it makes me angry. They kept her in a WASHTUB. It wasn't a proper cage, but a washtub with a hole cut into the side for a water bottle. They bought her but didn't bother to buy the necessities for taking care of her. Her bedding was shredded newspaper that hadn't been cleaned in at least a few weeks. It was so soiled and stuck to the bottom that I had to scrape it out with a hand shovel.

Not to mention it smelled so bad that my eyes were watering just standing beside it. I can't imagine what living in it was like.

She so scared of people it's heartbreaking. She has certainly gotten better in the last week we've had her. However, that doesn't change how frightened she is. She doesn't squeak when I pick her up, she screams. She acts like I'm going to hurt her just by putting my finger gently on her head. My brother claims that they kept her in a dark closet and chased her to make her run into the sides of the washtub. I think they must have hurt her by pulling her ears too because she hates her ears being touched.

How is this any way to keep an animal? I saw the family this morning and I couldn't help but grit my teeth and just glower at them. If I could I would tell them all off, scold them for the way they kept her. Nothing deserves to live in a place like that.

Those people should be kept in similar conditions until they understand what they did to her. I'm tearing up now with anger and hatred just thinking of what they did to that poor little pig.

But now she's in a better place, a place that loves her. She loves me I think, as I'm the only one she'll sit still for. She'll snuggle right up to me and close her eyes as she squeaks softly. I think she realizes that things are going to change for her. No more stinky cages and no more abuse. Just love and food...lord knows she's already gained a little weight from us feeding her.

And she loves Pepe, our other new little pig. We bought her just for Harley, a little companion in hopes that Harley would warm up to her new home. So far it has worked and they love each other. Hopefully this will be a new page in Harley's life that changes how she looks at everything. Nobody, animals or humans, should have to suffer through abuse and expect to accept it as a way of life. I know one thing for certain - Harley will never be at risk for that again.


If you are planning to buy an animal, go to your nearby shelter and see if there is a pet that will be a wonderful addition to your home. Every day so many animals are dropped off at shelters, and as the number in those shelters grow, the probability of them finding a home goes down. Adopt an older pet as well! The puppies and kittens always get adopted first, leaving the older animals will little hope.

And always research the animal before you buy one. Before I bought my guinea pigs I did extensive research to make sure they would be comfortable and happy with me. Love isn't the only thing they need. Love doesn't feed them, water them, or clean them. We do. Our actions do.

For those who love and take care of their animals, I praise you and cheer you on. For those who see their pets as a glorified one time deal, then owning one isn't for you. Find a home where it'll be happy and cared for. Animals aren't a fantasy story, and they aren't going to be instantly loving and begging at your feet. They are a responsibility, and need to be treated as such.



This is for the abused and the rescued, and for my pigs who will never know that kind of place.