Prince Ollie: The World's Sweetest Guinea Pig

by Caroline Brindle

After several weeks of searching and learning about guinea pigs, I finally had saved enough pet-sitting money to buy one! They cost $29.50 at PetSmart. Mom said she'd take me there on Sunday afternoon to look around and make sure this was the animal I really wanted ... in fact I already knew I wanted to get one!

Once we got to PetSmart, I met a lady named Ms. Gracie. She worked with all the little animals. When I told her I was looking for a guinea pig, she took me straight to the cages where they lived. There were two cute little guinea pigs left, but Ms.Gracie showed me some that were almost ready to be sold! They were all so cute. Ms. Gracie let me hold one. I chose the cute little black, brown and white one. He had a white patch on the top of his head that made it look like he was wearing a crown. I knew he was the one right away, just by the way that he laid on my arm!

Ms. Gracie put the guinea pig back in his cage while mom and I walked around the store to talk about my decision. Mom reminded me that pets are a big responsibility and I would have to clean his cage and feed him every day ... and of course play with him. I was ready and knew I would be a great pet owner. I really wanted that cute little guinea pig that Ms. Gracie let me hold.

We went to the back room and found Ms. Gracie. She got us a special box to put my new pet in. I was so excited. We also bought a cage and some food. When I got home I kept trying to think of a name. I just called him "baby" for the entire day.

I went to school the next day and told all my friends about my new pet. I couldn't wait to get home so I could get my little pet out of his cage. I had thought all day about a name for him. I decided he should be called "Ollie" ... "Prince Ollie" - because of his royal crown.

I was enjoying Ollie so much and he had become like a new friend. He would sit on my lap while I was doing my homework and whistle/purr when he'd see me. He was so cuddly and sweet.

About a week after Ollie came to live with me, I noticed that he had a lump on his side, I was worried and showed it to mom. She said we should call Ms. Gracie at PetSmart and see what it might be. We called her and she said to bring Ollie back to the store so that she and the vet could take a look at him.

The vet decided that they should remove the lump and see what it was. Ms. Gracie was so sweet that she told us that PetSmart would take care of all the charges to get Ollie better! I was so happy when I heard how they weren't going to make us pay because, I'd spent all my money on buying Ollie and had none left over. Ollie had to stay at PetSmart and even though I was a little sad and worried, I knew that Ms. Gracie and Dr. Wally would take good care of him.

Mom picked me up from school the next day and we drove to PetSmart so I could visit Ollie and see how the operation went. Ollie was so excited to see me. He snuggled into my arms and "talked" to me the entire time I held him. It was almost like he was tattling about the operation! Dr. Wally said just another two days and he could come home, but he'd have to come back to get his staples out. All the nurses knew Ollie's name and they treated him so kind that I knew he would be okay there ... plus, they said I could come back and visit every day!

I was so happy the day Ollie got to come home! I bought Ollie some new toys for his cage and some yummy sweet grass. I will always be so thankful to the people at PetSmart and to Dr. Wally at Banfield for the great job he did with Ollie. I gave Ms. Gracie a picture of me and Ollie and I will make sure to take Ollie back to visit her whenever I can because she really loves him too!

PetSmart (& Banfield Pet Hospital)
12264 Chattanooga Plaza
Midlothian, Virginia 23112

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