While hiking in the scenic greenery of Chicago, Illinois, Carolyn McCabe and her boyfriend, Conor Keeling, anticipated a typical day in nature, unaware that they were about to stumble upon an extraordinary surprise. As they trekked along, a sudden rustling caught their attention, leading them to a peculiar white dot hidden among the foliage.
An Absolute Surprise
With a mix of caution and curiosity, Carolyn and Conor approached the source of the rustling. To their astonishment, they discovered a white guinea pig nestled among the leaves. Their initial confusion about how the little creature ended up in such a location quickly shifted to concern.
Determined to help, Carolyn and Conor quickly shifted their focus. “We immediately were like… ‘We have to do something about this,’” Carolyn shared with The Dodo. After searching for the guinea pig’s owner, they feared he had been abandoned.
He Felt At Home
Unable to leave the guinea pig behind, they took him home. After a warm bath and a sumptuous meal of fruits and veggies, the couple named him Quinn after the nearby park. As he settled in, Quinn’s initial anxiety transformed into joy, delighting Carolyn and Conor with his playful antics. “When he first got here, he was a little scared,” Carolyn recalled. “But then, he really opened up and loved all the fruits we gave him. He was just running around and having a blast.”
Unfortunately, the fairy tale came to an abrupt end when Carolyn discovered she was allergic to guinea pigs. After just two weeks, they faced the heartbreaking task of saying goodbye to their sweet companion.
Heartbreaking Goodbye, But A Happy Ending
Determined to ensure a bright future for Quinn, they reached out to One Tail at a Time, a local animal rescue organization in Chicago. They quickly found the perfect family for him—loving individuals eager to welcome Quinn into their home after losing their previous guinea pig.
Though it was tough for Carolyn and Conor to let Quinn go, they found comfort in knowing he was now safe and well cared for. “This whole thing was so funny and sweet,” Carolyn reflected. “He’s in a good place. It was a happy ending for everybody.”
