When a couple from Chicago, Illinois, set out for a hike, they expected nothing more than a peaceful day in nature, certainly no unexpected twists.
But as they strolled through the lush greenery outside the city, a sudden rustling caught their attention. Drawn toward the sound, they spotted a small white dot among the leaves.
It didn’t take long to realize it was an animal, though they couldn’t yet tell what kind.
An Unexpected Discovery
Moving carefully, Carolyn McCabe and her boyfriend, Conor Keeling, crept closer to investigate. When they finally caught a clear glimpse, they were stunned.
A white guinea pig was sitting quietly in the brush and neither of them could imagine how he had ended up there.
After their initial shock, they quickly shifted into action mode, deciding to set aside their hiking plans to focus on helping this little creature.
“We immediately were like … ‘We have to do something about this,’” Carolyn told The Dodo. “He was just so sweet. So it was a very short hike that day.”
At first, the couple thought he might have escaped from a nearby home, so they knocked on doors in the area hoping to find his owner. Sadly, no one claimed him, and it became clear that someone had likely abandoned him.
They knew exactly what they needed to do next.
Settling In
Unable to simply walk away, Carolyn and Conor brought the guinea pig home. They gave him a gentle bath, lining the tub with soft towels for comfort, and then served up a feast of fresh fruits and veggies to help him regain his strength.
They named him Quinn, after the park where he was found. Within hours of eating, resting, and relaxing, Quinn began to settle in, and his sweet personality started to shine.
“[W]hen he first got here, he was a little bit scared,” Carolyn said. “But then, he really opened up and he loved all the fruits [and veggies] we gave him … He was just running around and having a blast.”
A Bittersweet Goodbye
For two weeks, Quinn enjoyed the safety and comfort of his new home. But then Carolyn discovered she was allergic to guinea pigs, and the couple faced the heartbreaking reality that they couldn’t keep him.
Determined to give Quinn the future he deserved, they contacted One Tail at a Time, a respected animal rescue in Chicago.
The rescue quickly matched Quinn with a loving family who had recently lost their own guinea pig and were eager to welcome another into their lives.
Though it was hard for Carolyn and Conor to say goodbye, they found comfort in knowing Quinn was going to a home where he’d be loved and cared for.
“This whole thing [was] so funny and sweet,” Carolyn said. “He’s in a good place [now]. It was a happy ending for everybody.”