[Gpdd] [CARE]Shelters, Free Adds, and Teeth

[DL1Bossfan at aol.com]

Hi Friends!
Hope this finds everyone "wheeking" happily.  I have 3 things to cover, I'll 
try to keep it as short as possible. 1. Yesterday, I called the local humane 
society to see if they had any piggies available, and low and behold they did. 
(a male)  I grabbed my carrier and off I went.  When I got there (it's about a 
15 min. drive), I went to the "CAT" room (yes, thats where they keep those 
piggies - even though I have vented my feelings), and immediately found him.  He 
was beautiful and for those of you who have seen pigtures of Leah's "Miss 
Brownie Bear", his color and markings were similar.  Anyway, when I went in I had 
noticed that the adoption lady was busy with a young girl & her mother, so I 
talked to my new friend and held him.  All of a sudden, the young girl runs 
out of the room and says "he's mine and we're taking him home".  My heart sank!  
I was too late.  I asked the girl if she had ever had piggies before, and she 
said no.  I even had to put him in their container because they were afraid 
to handle him!  I did the best I could to give her a crash course in taking 
care of the little fellow, but the mother said they had lots of animals and knew 
what to do.  It seem to me that the shelter worker should have said something, 
but I guess they can't or won't.  I am not a real quick thinker, but on the 
way home I scolded myself thinking that maybe I should have offered to buy him 
from his "new" owners.  I thought about him all night, and put him in my 
prayers.  Maybe he will be okay - I just had my doubts.  I did however put my name 
on a list to contact when they got some more piggies in.  I tried doing that 
when I adopted G.I. Joe from there in April, but was told there was no such 
list.  Apparently there is now!  2. Please, is there someone out there that can 
fill me in on the dangers of getting a guinea pig out of the paper that 
advertises "FREE TO A GOOD HOME"?  I think this was discussed a while back on the 
digest, but I only caught "tail end" comments.  3.  Also, please help me out with 
how to check for teeth problems. ( I've read of people having problems with 
their g.p.'s teeth lately.)  Is this something only the vet can do?, or are 
there some preventive steps you can take to insure that your cavies teeth are 
o.k.?  Hope this wasn't too long, and thanks to all of you for your postings.  I 
really learn alot through this wonderful site!
Piggy kisses to all!  Donna, Spike, and G.I. Joe