juushika

I've been putting of saying this, but it really is no secret: I introduced Kuzco to Dink on Monday, and they are now happily living together.

Why did I do it? Because I realized that quarantine wasn't going to work very well in this room. I thought I'd be able to pull it off but in a space this small, it just wasn't going to work. Furthermore, Kuzco was so lonely and so scared that I was worried about keeping him alone—he wasn't eating or drinking much. Regardless, I trust that Kuz is healthy—Pets on Broadway is the only store I would say that about. Even if he weren't, Dink was going to catch whatever Kuz may have anyway in a room this big. I made the decision to introduce on Monday evening (after much wanting to and deliberating), cleaned out some of Dink's cage, set up water bottles and more food, and let the boys meet.

Introductions went spectacularly—they were both very excited. There was some icky humping (more and more icky than I expected) but after that, Dink calmed down and Baby started to behave like a normal pig, eating and drinking happily. A few days later, the humping has stopped and everyone is living peacefully. Baby Kuzco follows Dink around almost obsessively, and Dink panics when I take the baby away, but the newness of it is fading and they're growing into a calmer, less obsessed relationship—which also means that Dink is paying attention to me, again. I missed my boy's kisses. Everyone is also fed, housed, and safe—there's plenty of hay, water, and pellets to go around, more than enough room for two boys, and I can keep the runaround open because, although Kuz could fit through the cube sides if he wanted to, he doesn't know he can—after all, Dink can't, so they both stay inside.

I have no doubt that I chose well. Kuz is more outgoing, now, and not as terrified, but he's still second in the guinea pig pecking order and has no problem with that. Dink is a rumble strutting, patient, forgiving dominant pig with no fear and general love for his little caterpillar shadow. The boys even look good together: Kuz's back end has Dink's coloring, his front end is the same as Dink's underbelly, and they both have white spots—Dink on his head, Kuzco on his front left foot.

Now, pictures!