Mr. Happy


An increasing reason for the arrival of guests on Planet Guinea is the ‘last guinea standing one’. There comes a time in lots of Humans lives when they can no longer keep guineas and they are inevitably left with that ‘last lone guinea’. Sometimes these guineas are young, but often they are nearer the older end of the scale.

Ursula returned to Planet Guinea two years after she had been adopted from here. Her friend Maggie had died and Ursula’s humans were no longer in a position to continue keeping guineas. Not long after returning Ursula developed some minor dental problems resulting in having her top Incisor removed. During this time Ursula bonded with the residents on Planet Guinea and at the age of 6 I decided this should be her final home :)

Mr. Happy arrived after the death of his hutchmate. His Human had a young family and felt it was unfair to get more guineas when she couldn’t give them the time they deserve and need. When she got Mr. Happy there were no little Humans and the guineas enjoyed lots of Human attention. However, at 5 years old (nearly 6) Mr Happy is older than the oldest Little Human!

The senior guineas have become wise to the Human in Reading that is an easy catch for them, particularly if they are over two years old and especially if they are boars! It wasn’t long before Mr. Happy had received an invite to meet the Gorgeous Guineas, in particular a certain Mr. Cool, a previous guest on Planet Guinea.

Mr. Happy found found the whole event rather nerve racking yet exciting. His nerves presented as some teeth chattering and ‘on edge’ behaviour’ and the excitement was at the girlies (also past guests on Planet Guinea!) who were living nextdoor.

Three months and bucket loads of patience later and Mr Happy is a whole lot calmer and no longer living off of his nerves. He has realised that he has nothing to prove by chattering teeth and puffing himself up. He has even been reported to have been found asleep on his side with his eyes closed, not something he would have done when he arrived there :)

Older guineas have a lot to give and are generally better suited to family homes than youngsters are. They are bigger making them easier to hold and are, on the whole, better at sitting than babies are. Florence went to be a Gorgeous Guinea at the tender age of three years and eight years old is still there.

Surrendering your last guinea to a rescue might not be best for you or your family, but it can mean a whole new lease of life for your guinea.

Karen (trying not to sound like she’s ‘touting for business’!)