"Mr T" (With author's licence)

GREETINGS FROM SOUTH AFRICA!

MAXMOM here..

“Mr T”, as he is known, finally landed with his bum in the butter.  He now lives on a plot, in a hand-crafted palace with two new female companions.  And, he has wheedled his way into the heart of an old man who now refuses to part with him.  I am most amused, because I understand how ‘Grandpa’ feels.  But I am also so grateful for how the life of this small Guinea-pig has finally turned out.

This sweet little Guinea Pig, who spent the first 6 weeks of his life with us, was destined for the home of two young children.  By chance or design, we relocated him to the children's care. (Or at least this was the idea) It all happened during their school holiday – a time when they visited their Granny and Granpa.  Of course, “Mr Tot” could not be left behind.  He and his cage were duly loaded up into the car and ferried off to the farm for the family gathering.

The first 24 hours were somewhat awkward.  Granpa’s face was a study of delight as he watched in amazement. “Mr T” was constantly handed from person to person, where he was affectionately examined and cuddled in loving arms.  When he finally landed in the eager Granpa’s arms, his journey came to an abrupt halt.

You see, in all his years of raising exotic animals, Granpa’s had never had the opportunity of scrutinising such a little critter. In his mind, Guineapigs were designed to live outside and observed from a distance.  Although this little creature resembled those blobs that scurried around in the back yard, and who dug holes in which they disappeared, this little thing in his hands was totally the opposite.  This one was tame and affectionate, not to mention extremely pretty. Granpa and Mr T eyeballed each other and a deep, instant bond was magically sealed.

Grandpa hid the little creature in his pocket and fondled him constantly during the weekend.  “Mr T" had the softness of a cotton-wool ball which encouraged the old man’s fingers to explore.  Occasionally Granpa would sleuthfully cut a slice of cucumber and stash it in his pocket.  During all this time, the little Guinea-pig sat quietly and absorbed the fondling; breaking his trance every now and again by reaching for, and shaving off, a sliver of the cucumber.  He giggled and munched with ultimate contentedness.

Who could have imagined that a creature as small as "Mr T" could affect a person’s life so much?

In the weeks that followed, Granpa polished up his carpentry skills and produced a Guinea-pig mansion worthy of a prize. This extra-ordinary little Guineapig had given him a new lease on life.  Careful negotiations with his grandchildren led to each child being gifted with a brand new guinea-pig of his own.  Grandpa’s experienced manipulation skills had effectively secured permanent “Companions for Mr T”. 

Yes, 'Mr T' now belongs to Granpa and his smile is the widest ever!

---xXx---

Some stories do have happy endings.  :)