[Gpdd] [CARE] New guinea pig slave with questions

[Dawn Svara]

Hello GPDD-er's,
My name is Dawn and my family and I just became recent guinea pig slaves.  A
couple weeks ago we adopted a male guinea pig who my son named Rocket.  He
was looking mighty lonely at one of the local pet shops; someone had
apparently asked if they could leave him at the store in the hopes that
someone would adopt him.  We'd been thinking about getting a pig for a
while, and he obviously needed a home, so we brought him home.  Since he was
effectively an owner turn in, we don't know much about him, accept that they
think he's about 6 months old.  He came with a fairly nice cage, although
nothing compared to the C&C cages.  Eventually, when money allows, I plan to
build him a nice C&C cage.  In the meantime, I'm a little worried about him
because he's very skittish.  He runs and hides in his igloo any time we walk
by his cage, and gets practically panic stricken when we try and take him
out of the cage.  We try and get him out every day, giving him floor time
and lap time.  He does well with lap time, at least I think he does.  He
sits quietly, and occasionally makes squeaking noises.  Floor time consists
of him huddling whereever he can find a good hiding spot until we take pity
on him and put him back in his cage.  I haven't found a good exotics vet
yet, so I haven't been able to have him checked out yet.  I'd love to get
him a companion, but I was hoping to get him neutered so we could get a
little girl.  However, in the interest of keeping him healthy and happy,
would it make more sense to find him a male companion now, instead of
waiting until finances allow for us to have him neutered?  How do two boars
do together?  Will I have to worry about fighting?  Any other thoughts on
helping him get over his skittishness?  Thanks for any and all advice for
new guinea pig owners!

Dawn and Rocket (mom, I think I need a friend!)