I Can't See Me Loving Nobody But You

 This is Pumpernickel.  He has been featured in past entries as being the cutest guinea pig ever.  He loves his vegetables and has different squeaks, purrs, and whistles for veg, a clean cage, attention, calling Nase the dog, and general conversation.  Owen has a certain gift for mimicry, carrying on long talks with Pumpernickel in the evenings while Owen is preparing dinner, as Pumpernickel can hear and see the whole process from his spot in my office when the door is open.  I call their secret language "Guinea Pig-ese" or if you say it quickly:  "guinea piggies"! 

 Pumpernickel is Nase's best friend.  Before Pumpernickel arrived Nase was timid and fearful, and absolutely silent.  When worried, he would run the length of the house trying to jump out of closed windows.  After graduating from dog school he was somewhat braver and would merely steal one of our socks or my bandana and chew it up while hiding under the bed.  But since Pumpernickel has arrived Nase has really found his life coach.  Pumpernickel has his humans (mostly me) trained to deliver fresh veggies whenever he calls with a certain squeak.  Nase has adopted this technique, speaking to us in grunts and mumbles when he wants his evening milkbone.  Sometimes we ignore him, and then Nase runs into my office, conferences with Pumpernickel, and re-emerges talking slightly differently.  If we continue to ignore him, Pumpernickel will hoot from his cage and confirm that Nase wants the milkbone.  This usually is successful.  Guinea pigs, when excited, will "popcorn" around in the cage, bucking and hopping happily.  Nase has also adopted this technique, and it's not uncommon to find both of them hopping around in my office, Pumpernickel squeaking in his cage and Nase barking and jumping on the floor.

 Nase does love his pig, they share vegetables in my lap.  Sometimes if Pumpernickel only eats part of his lettuce or carrot Nase will gently shove Pumpernickel out of the way with his big dog nose, lifting the pig into the air so as to nab the leftover veg beneath him.  When friends come over they will ask Nase, "Where is your pig?  How is your pig doing?"  which prompts Nase to lead them to the office to visit Pumpernickel in his cage.  The dog and guinea pig hang out in the bathroom together (where there are no wires for Pumpernickel to chew) and Pumpernickel will chase Nase around the floor.  Now when there are thunderstorms and Nase gets worried, he runs to the office and Pumpernickel's cage, then stays under the desk while Pumpernickel talks to him to calm him down.  I'm not sure what Pumpernickel gets out of this symbiotic relationship other than company and friendship, but I suspect that when we're not home Nase opens the cage and Pumpernickel climbs onto his back so they can have adventures in the living room.