Mourning and Loss

    For the first time in six years, I didn't buy parsley and grape tomatoes when I did the weekly grocery shopping this evening.  And that's because the one who would eat them, my guinea pig Barney, has passed away.

    He was my first ever guinea pig. He could've been my 20th and I still would feel this loss.  I miss him. He was a sweetie and would make those Tribble sounds when you petted him. Sometimes he would even lick my hand. I told myself those were kisses.

    I miss hearing him rattle around in his cage, getting a drink of water. I miss talking to him every time I passed his cage.  I don't know if I'll get another guinea pig. I'll have to think about it. That will be easy to do for the foreseeable future. He won't be easy to forget.