101 Dalmations

101 Dalmations came out a few years back, the rush to purchase dalmation puppies was at an all-time high. Parents stampeded to scoop up a puppy for their children, only to realize that their new puppy didn’t constantly entertain them with adorable antics and wasn’t even a very child-friendly breed. Unfortunately, many dalmations ended up in animal shelters for reasons that could have been prevented with a little research.

Before you give in to your child’s new dream of guinea pig ownership, it’s important to be realistic. We all know that guinea pigs (commonly called cavies) don’t spout jokes or carry heavy artillery like the stars of G-Force, but what might not be widely known is that guinea pigs are naturally skittish and wary of humans. It takes time and a lot of patience to form a bond between owner and cavy; is your child ready for that time commitment?

Beyond the time required to form a loving bond, there is also the time requirement of basic care. Many kids will swear up and down that they will be the sole caretaker of their new pet, but parents should always understand that they will likely be the ones attending to the pet in the long-run. If your child loses interest, are you willing to care for a guinea pig for the eight years it could potentially live? Sadly, many cavies end up in shelters or passed from home to home for this reason.