Meet Gus!
With his beautiful eyes, Gus is impossible not to fall for. He's a handsome, larger than life gentleman with a sweet, easygoing nature to match. This lovable boy could stand to lose a few grams, but he certainly isn't complaining about the healthy menu that's helping him get there! He absolutely loves his food, enthusiastically munching every fresh veggie that's offered, happily eating his pellets, and never turning down a pile of hay.
Gus has quickly learned the daily routine in his foster home. Every morning he eagerly wheeks for his Vitamin C cookie, and in the evenings he's right there joining the chorus with the other guinea pigs when it's time for veggies. Meal announcements are serious business!
Although Gus wasn't handled much before coming into foster care, he has been attending his 11 year old foster's very own guinea pig socialization "boot camp." With daily patience, treats, and gentle handling, he's becoming much more comfortable with being picked up and enjoys being petted. He'll often voice his opinion when it's time to be picked up, but don't let the protests fool you. Once he's settled into your lap, he relaxes fairly quickly and happily soaks up the attention. He still needs a little more time to continue building his confidence, but he's making wonderful progress every day.
Once he's out for floor time, Gus's curious side really shines. He's a very confident explorer who loves investigating every corner of the room. Turn your head for just a second and he'll already be off on his next adventure!
Gus has also shown us what a wonderful little gentleman he is around other guinea pigs. He enjoys chatting with his neighbours but hasn't shown any dominant behaviours, such as excessive marking or obsessively sniffing anyone who smells like another guinea pig. Because of his easygoing nature, we feel he would make an excellent bonding candidate for a compatible guinea pig looking for a friend.
Gus does have a couple of ongoing care needs. He'll benefit from staying on soft, cushioned bedding while he continues working toward a healthier weight. His teeth will need to be monitored with routine veterinary checks and regular weigh ins to help catch any changes early.
