RIP: Olly

Oh, our days with new pets are hard, indeed. Today, Addison's guinea pig, Olly, passed away. Olly was in excellent shape, but a little too much rough play was too much for him.

Addison has been the most gentle with the guinea pigs, calming holding Olly and taking him for walks outside. He was proud to be able to carry him downstairs and kissed and hugged him often.

So it was shocking to see Addy running to us with Olly, lifeless, in his hands, yelling "Olly is dead!" When we asked what happened, Addy tried to tell a story about him having dropped Olly - but it was sounded more like his imagination than anything. We told him that it was ok and that we needed to say goodbye ... but a few minutes later, Addy came close and said, "Mama, I need to whisper something naughty in your ear."

He said, "I need to show you what happened to Olly." We walked down the hall to his bedroom and there, he told me that he had taken Olly above his head and then thrown him down on the ground, simulating some of the horseplay we had as a family the night before. (Safe horseplay - no one was injured.) Immediately, I understood what happened.

1. We left him and Scarlet unsupervised with the guinea pigs.
2. He had fun the night before, horsing around with us, and wanted to do the same with Olly.
3. He forgot the mantra we've been saying for a week: The guinea pigs are babies and you need to be gentle.

Tonight, I have such mixed emotions...guilty that I wasn't in the room watching them ... terribly sad for Addy who cried when he said goodbye to his short-lived, but very well-loved friend ... and so satisfied that Addison came to us to tell us the truth, though he did not have to.

Addison made a mistake tonight - and he is well aware. Mistakes are the way in which children learn. But, Fab and I both find comfort in the fact that he didn't make a second mistake - he chose to be honest.

As a parent, I am learning that these are the most important things. That your children will make mistakes but if they do the right thing and make the right choices, especially when the option to go the other way is there - this is what truly shows their value, ethics and compassion.

So, Olly, I am very sorry for your demise. You should know Addy loved you very much and is missing you tremendously. But thank you ... thank you for the opportunity to let us see that our children have good hearts and are making the right choices, even at this young age where excitement and the sheer happiness of a new pet can get the best of them.