Miranda Johnson: My Guinea Pig Scout

The following was dictated to me by my daughter Miranda.

I got a guinea pig and I named him Scout.

Isn't he cute?

I got a guinea pig because I can't get a dog (yet) because my mom's allergic and our house is too small.

Scout has two little dots on his head.  I call those merit badges.  And he has a little white mark on his neck that I call a merit badge sash.

Scout makes the cutest little squeaking sound; it sounds like he is so content. 

I got the idea to get a guinea pig when I saw the Zeke and Luther episode about a mouse named Lucky and when my mom and I read Emmy and the Incredible Shrinking Rat; the Chipman's recommended it to us. 

Emmy could understand the rats because one rat bit her.  Scout bit me already -- but I can't yet understand what he's saying.  All I hear is squeaking.  Wouldn't that be neat if I could talk to Scout?

In fact, if I could have a superpower, I would either turn into animals and/or I would talk to them.  If I could talk to Scout, I would ask him:

1)  What's your real name?  (Wouldn't it be cool if he said Scout?)
2)  How old are you?  (Because baby guinea pig doesn't really describe how old he is... I don't know the difference between guinea pig years and human years.)
3)  How do you like you new name?
4) Why do you like tunneling in my blanket?
5)  Do you like carrots or apples better?

***

Is there something that your children really, really want but you have to say no to?  I am allergic to dogs -- and yet Miranda so very much wants one.   We found a 'yes' in a guinea pig.   We have to say 'no' so much, can we find more yes-es?

Even in dictating this to me, it validates her, her ideas, especially because I haven't edited her thought process.   It's important that our girls feel their ideas and thought process can stand on their own.

I believe that Miranda likes to guest blog, in part, because I like to blog.  As you are dreaming, can you bring your children along?

Would your daughter or one of the young girls that you know like to guest blog? 

My one stipulation is that she asks me herself; and then we'll be off. 

Comments

[Laura]

CONGRATULATIONS Miranda!!!
I love the name, I think Scout must like it too, especially with the merit badges and sash...love it!
Good for you~ENJOY!!!

[Rebecca]

Do Miranda and Ashton C. lament together? :) We have had to say no to most pets too, but I think we may have to give our YES to a fish. I love that Miranda can relate Scout to the experience of reading with you.

[Macy Robison]

Miranda - I'm so glad I got to see a picture of Scout. He is so cute. Congratulations! I know you'll be a wonderful pet owner.

[Janna]

Hi Miranda - I think it's great that you are really enjoying your 2nd choice of a pet. You are probably old enough now to know that sometimes we get our 1st choice, but sometimes we get our 2nd choice - and even 2nd choices can turn out pretty wonderful!

I also like your interview questions for Scout. You have a talent for asking really interesting questions (e.g., "What is your real name?") You mom has this idea to ask someone you admire 15 questions - she blogs about it sometimes. Maybe you could do a 15 questions with your mom for Dare to Dream? I would read that!

[Dana King]

My son had to say "no" to dogs and cats because he is allergic. But he will walk the dogs belonging to others. He is does better outside with them and short visits. He has many adopted dogs.
What a nice post. You write so well.
Dana

[Amy Jo]

He's a really cute guinea pig, Miranda. Mine loved to eat lettuce, cabbage, and basically everything from a garden. Ours died because we brought it outside and it got over heated. They're really sensitve that way. David must be working hard on scouts for you to know so much about it.

[Maria]

Having a pet is a bit like being a mom. You'll take care of Scout and he will bring you joy. Responsibility and fun. Enjoy it!

[Chrysula Winegar]

I've tried to say "yes" more recently to a lot of things. Often I find "no" coming out of my mouth before I've even processed the question. It's a conscious effort to stop, think and give a genuinely thoughtful reply. And when I do that, I find myself saying "yes" way more often.

Lucky you, Miranda. The warm furry pet that my children desire has not yet made it into the "yes" category. They are often heard repeating, "My Mummy says she just can't take care of one more living creature right now." But they did get two millipedes recently. I try not to think about.

[Melissa Stanton]

Miranda: Your picture of Scout reminds me of my beloved hamster, Peaches. (Named that because she was the color of a beautiful peach, kind of the color of the back half of Scout.) I'm a grown up--with kids and dogs--but when I saw Peaches at the pet store I just had to have her. She looked so smart (and she was). And she was mellow. We could cuddle together with her and our dog. (We had a mellow dog, too, at the time.) Peaches passed away a couple of years ago. My son and I cried so much at the vet when we had to put her down (she had a stroke) that he gave us a big discount on the office visit. Even little pets--like hamster or guinea pigs--can bring great joy to our lives. Have fun with Scout.

[Jenny]

Congratulations Miranda!
Scout looks like he's layered with sweet things--the colors remind me of my favorite desserts. I hope you enjoy a lot of fun afternoons with Scout.

[Mercedes]

miranda: what a lovely post. i never really thought i was a pet person until my mom and dad got a dog, fernando. fernando is a very naughty dog, but he stole my heart completely. there is something so comforting about the constant, unconditional love we get from our pets. for weeks now i have been trying to convince my husband that we NEED a dog. so far no luck. maybe i should suggest a guinea pig!

[Rachael]

Congratulations Miranda! I am so happy for you--little Scout is a very lucky guinea pig to have you for his owner!
Love, Rachael