Gemma and the guinea pig roundup

by Amber

Several years ago we had a rescue kelpie named Gemma.

[Editor's note: The Kelpie is an Australian dog breed, used for herding sheep and cattle.]

At the time of this story I also had six guinea pigs. During the day I'd take their cage out onto the grass, and at night I'd move them into the garage for safety.

One night I didn't make it back home until late. Mum and Dad were away, so I asked a friend to move them into the garage for me when it got dark. My friend texted me to say that they were all safely put away for the night, so I relaxed and enjoyed the rest of my evening.

I got home around midnight and went to the garage to check on the guinea pigs and refill their feed and water containers.... I was horrified to see that they were all gone! I ran outside and desperately started looking for them.

As I was running around frantically, I noticed Gemma standing very still and focused intently on something I couldn't see in the dark. She was near the gate that led out onto a bushland reserve next door.

I thought one of two things must have happened: (1) she'd eaten them, or (2) she was looking at where they'd escaped under the gate.

Resigned to having lost them all, I calmly walked over to where she stood, so straight and still... To my great surprise and relief, all six guinea pigs were there: alive, rounded up into a neat little 'flock', and waiting to be taken back to the garage.

I don't know how long Gemma had stayed there with them after she'd rounded them up, but I knew she'd been waiting for me. She was so proud of herself, and she stayed in position until I'd picked up every last one and taken them to the garage.

Seems she'd listened to only some of her instincts that night. She'd watched me put them all away every night, so she knew what needed to be done. When I couldn't do it for myself, she stepped in and helped me that night.

The wonderful Gemma (who was quite an old dog when this photo was taken).