[Gpdd] Re: Announcement: The passing of LIGHTENING

[Off1Knight at aol.com]

As I have always tried to do, I want to offer my sincere condolences to 
Lighting family. He was a very bright little guy so his name certainly did befit 
him. Although I pen entirely more of than I would like to regarding the passing 
of our little loved ones, when I must speak of those like LIGHTNING, it 
reaches into my heart and holds it tight, it reminds me of the pain all of those 
parents of our beloved guinea pigs feel when THEY loose that member of the family 
and the specter of those who worry every day about loosing theirs. LIGHTNING 
was about the same age as our little guy, George and reminds me that specter 
of his passing all the more real. LIGHTNING was truly more than just a guinea 
pig, (as if there could ever be JUST a guinea pig), he knew how to train his 
mommy and daddy as no other. I cannot help but wonder if the success LIGHTNING 
had in training his parents OR his parents training him wasn't in fact the 
evidence of the love they shred for each other. As I read how when him mother 
talked to him for lengths of time and how he looked into her eyes as though paying 
absolute attention, I thought, who of us has not done that. Who of us has not 
looked into our little guys/girls eyes with them firmly planted in the center 
of your chest. Who of us has not felt the love WE wanted them to feel at that 
moment returned in their beautiful eyes. I say this because LIGHTING was 
unique in so many ways as was Samoa and Panda and so many others who have passed 
on but the one common thread every one of them is that love we have all felt 
and exchanged. So the tears that fall are for that special love we will forever 
miss and never ever forget and those cute little things they did will serve to 
bring a smile to our hearts. The fact that he lived 5 good years in good 
health and as a happy little piggy is a tribute to his mom, his dad and his big 
brother. As surly as they gave him more than enough vegetables, water, treats 
and hay, they have given him in ABSOLUTE abundance the LOVE that he KNEW was 
only his from each of them. So be at peace LIGHTING and KNOW that your adventures 
have been heralded by those that love you and will miss you. They will one 
day see you again and you will once again feel that special pat and you will 
once again be able to tell THEM as you did with your eyes how much you love and 
missed them and how there are endless adventures ahead. Once again, I am truly 
sorry to hear of your loosing such a special boy, LIGHTING, but it is not 
forever. What IS FOREVER, is the love you have all shared with LIGHTING? THAT will 
always open the bridge for you with him awaiting you with so much to tell you.

Sincerely,

Joseph Petrillo, George the guinea pigs daddy