Disaster

Not a huge one, at least not for most of the family, but this will be a heartbreaker for Kendall. Tia told me she thought Kendall would remember this for the rest of her life.

Last night Kendall went off with her Aunt to the zoo, or was supposed to. I came home, by myself, cut some grass, and was about to head out the door to pick up Tia's prescription before she came home. I knew she'd want it, and Kendall called as I was starting to drive away. She wanted to stay the night and asked if I'd bring her some clothes. I was about to say no since they live way up North, but I remembered Kyle was going that way later, so I said I'd drop off a bag with him.

I ran back to the house, left the truck running, and ran up to her room. I opened the door....

and stopped. Her room was a mess, and I registered the guinea pig box and cage on the floor as I saw Oscar race out between my legs. I couldn't believe it and my brain kind of locked up. I took a step in and saw Roybis, the guinea pig she'd just adopted two days ago from the shelter lying on the floor. I touched him, and sure enough, he was dead. I looked for Buddy, and didn't see him. She's had him since her birthday, and is so attached. She even took him with us this week when we went down to Scout camp.

I frantically searched through the debris, looked under her bed, in the closet, all around. I held out hope that Buddy had hidden himself and survived. Actually I still do since I didn't find him or a body, or blood anywhere in Kendall's room.

I had to leave, so I shut the door, ran my errands, and came back. I dreaded doing it, but I went back into Kendall's room last night and started to clean it out. I pulled out toys and stuff she's accumulated, hoping I'd find Buddy, but no luck. Even today, I left some food and water on the floor there and in the bathroom, hoping he'll come out somewhere.

Kendall is going to be heartbroken. I know it's not the dog's fault, but I'm still mad at Oscar. He is trouble, as far as I'm concerned, and I wonder if Kendall will ever want to pet him again. She's a tough girl, and it's not like anything hasn't died around here before, but this is different. This was her pet.

She's likely going to stay with her Aunt again tonight and we'll get her tomorrow and break the news. I hope she wants another one, and that will help heal her. I'm already thinking that I need to build her a better cage, more sturdy, and I might start on that tomorrow before she comes home.