How A Guinea Pig Conquered My Loneliness

Summary

Susie Kearley's guinea pig, Charlie, became an indoor pet to alleviate her loneliness during her freelance writing career, leading to a change in the family's policy on indoor pets and inspiring her to write about the positive impact of animals on mental health.

Abstract

Susie Kearley, a freelance writer with a passion for storytelling, faced the challenge of loneliness working from home. Despite her husband's allergies to small animals, she managed to bring her guinea pig, Charlie, indoors during a harsh winter, which not only helped her cope with isolation but also extended Charlie's life. This experience led to a shift in the family's approach to pet care, allowing subsequent guinea pigs to enjoy indoor living during cold months. Kearley's bond with Charlie and her other guinea pigs has been a source of inspiration for her writing, emphasizing the therapeutic benefits of animal companionship.

Opinions

And got himself a cosy little indoor house in the process

Charlie in the good old days, when cage mate Alvin was alive © Susie Kearley

When I started freelance writing for a living, it was a dream come true. I’d pen stories about animals and holiday destinations. It was fun and I was more successful than I could have imagined. But there was a problem. I was lonely. Spending all day alone writing started to take its toll.

I loved my work, I loved telling stories. But there was something missing. Company. I asked my husband to let me have a mouse to keep me company. But he said no. He’s allergic to small furries, so it’s quite understandable.

We had guinea pigs, but they were banished to the outdoors because of my husband’s allergies. Then one year, after one of the guinea pigs passed away, I argued that his cage mate, Charlie, should be allowed in the house. They always slept together, to keep warm, and now Charlie was on his own, sleeping in the garage amid freezing temperatures outside. It was a harsh winter, and I was worried that out there on his own, he’d perish.

Anyway, to cut a long story short. I won. Charlie guinea pig moved inside, and to his surprise, my husband’s allergies were fine, because Charlie was in a confined space, not running around the house. It turned out that my husband’s immune system can cope.

Having Charlie indoors quickly conquered my loneliness problem. He kept me company all through the winter, gave me someone to talk to, and captured my heart. He also lived longer than any of our other guinea pigs, perhaps because of his mollycoddled indoor lifestyle during his senior years.

Having Charlie around boosted my spirits during the working day, and once Charlie had paved the way, our subsequent guinea pigs were all allowed inside on the same terms in the winter. So he changed the fortunes of his successors too.

Meet Merlin and Pumpkin, the latest incumbents, who’ve just moved into the hall for the night, because of the winter chill.

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