The Ideal Pet
by Leigh Turpyn

Everybody has their own idea of "The Ideal Pet" or the best pet to own, and I'm sure that everybody believes that their pet is the best.

Well, needless to say, I am one of those pet owners, with a very special pet, and I definitely feel that his story should be shared.

When I was 10 years old, I was going through an extremely difficult time in my life. I had ADD (attention deficit disorder) and I had virtually no friends. I was a very unhappy child. Even at 10, I was getting into fights with my parents and I was on several medications which gave me sleepless nights, an exploding temper, and sometimes severe depression.

One day, I decided that I wanted to have a pet. After begging my parents, looking up information, and writing an essay on the pet I wanted, and how I was going to take care of it, my parents agreed. Well, of course, being a 10 year old child, this made me absolutely ecstatic.

I went to a pet store the first day of my spring break, and fell in love with the first one I saw. He was asleep in the corner of his cage, with his brothers and sisters. I had found "The Ideal Pet" -- an adorable baby guinea pig.

He was tri-colored (tan, black, and white) and had the biggest most loving eyes any little 10 year old could ever want in a guinea pig. It was definitely love at first site. As I jumped for joy at my new, and only, friend, I knew that he would change my life, and I his.

On the way home in the car, I announced that his name would be Sparkey, just because I knew that it suited him. Sparkey and I instantly became best friends. We had perfectly matching personalities. He ate from my hand (even though books warned me that he wouldn't) and even my parents could tell, that from the moment I got him, I became an overall happier child. That whole week I held him for hours, and did nothing else, and I was loving it.

As the months passed, my parents noticed that my grades in school went up. I was almost never depressed, and I was definitely easier to get along with. Everyone in my house agreed that getting me my new pet was a great idea.

As the years passed, Sparkey grew up to be a GREAT pet. He got along with everyone in my house, and had learned several tricks. He would stand up on his hind legs, and walk towards me. He went up 12 stairs on his own. Once, while he was on the floor and I was standing up, he jumped up my leg and shirt, and crawled next to my neck, where he usually snuggled when we were on the couch. He would squeak every time that the fridge opened, and purred every time we fed him. He became a very fat guinea pig, and even more cuddly and lovable.

As I became a young teen (14ish) little things like boy problems made me so depressed I would just hide in my room sometimes. The only friend I ever brought with me was Sparkey. He was always there for me, and I strongly believe that he knew when I was upset. We would sit on my bed together, while I petted his head, and just when I became very upset, he would come up to my face, and kiss my cheek (and if you've never felt a guinea pig kiss, then believe me, it's definitely something new.) As we got older still, Sparkey became fatter, and much lazier. He still would stand on his hind legs, and he ALWAYS begged for some treats, but he didn't go up the stairs anymore. Even though I had many friends by this time, I still made sure I had time to come home and watch TV with my best friend.

On February 24, 2000, Sparkey celebrated his 7th birthday. This year however, he seemed to be a little slower, and lazier than usual, but still the same sweet guinea pig I had brought home with me 7 years ago. The week of May 20th, my Mom and I noticed that Sparkey had a small lump on his left leg. So I took him to Gunston Animal Hospital, where he was diagnosed with a tumor. The vet said that at the rate the tumor had apparently been growing, Sparkey only had 2-4 weeks.

The news crushed me. Because of Sparkey's age, there was absolutely nothing I could do to make him better, and I have never felt more helpless in my entire life. I took him home, and for the next month, I spoiled him so rotten and spent more time with him than I ever did. Sparkey was a very strong guinea pig though, and he not only survived that month, but the one after it also. However, on July 27th, I had to have my best friend put to sleep, and that was the hardest decision I have ever had to make.

I will never forget the love and comfort that my "Ideal Pet" has given me for the toughest years of my life, and he will always remain in my heart. Although most people write in about cats and dogs, I hope they can still imagine what a truly wonderful pet, even a small little guinea pig can be, and I hope that Sparkey has found a place in your hearts as well as mine.

I love you Sparkey!

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