My family had a cat before I came along, but Mutzie was not my cat. When I was in Kindergarten my class had a Guinea Pig named Ruffles. At the end of the year I was allowed to bring her home. She was mine, until my uncle visited with his dog, the dog went into the house and killed Ruffles. I was devastated.
But she was the beginning of a life long love of Guinea Pigs. I have not had one for 30 years, but they have a place in my heart. I love to go into a pet store and get them all whistling.