Barbara rolled off Metro Dial-a-Ride and entered PetSmart on February 14, 2016. She was still sad about having to send her Manx cat, Amber, to live with a friend, because Amber did not adjust well when Barb moved to assisted living.

The plan that day was to look at birds and decide if she could resign herself to a finch as her pet. And then it happened. Near the birds was a lady from TCHS with a blanket-lined basket. It only took one look in the basket for Barbara to recognize that Peanut and Cashew, the guinea pigs, were meant to live with her. There was tan and white Peanut with her cowlick-crested head and sleek tan Cashew, nested next to her, both content together in the confines of the basket. She held the basket and could not take her eyes off of them.

After looking at the brochure from TCHS about caring for guinea pigs with her friend and getting advice on supplies from the TCHS volunteer, the adoption was made. Barbara sent the piggies and cage back to her home with her friend and rolled back onto Dial-a-Ride to join them.

Everything about Peanut and Cashew was a good surprise, from how content they are in their cage to how many sounds they have to communicate — including one that indicates it’s time for a carrot or lettuce. They like to cuddle while their cage is cleaned, too.
Barbara studied up on their special needs, like Vitamin C drops, and enjoys taking care of them. In fact, “the Girls”, as she calls them, are now designated her assistance animals. They help keep her in good spirits.

Although they have a special bond with Barbara, coming close and listening when she talks to them, they are also popular with the other residents at Riverside in Royalton and with visitors. More than one lettuce leaf has been saved from a sandwich for “the Girls” to enjoy.