When a couple from Chicago, Illinois, set out for a weekend hike, they were simply looking for a quiet day surrounded by nature. They never expected their walk to turn into a small rescue mission.
As they made their way along a wooded trail, a faint rustling caught their attention. Curious, they looked around until they noticed a tiny white dot among the leaves. It was clear something was there — but what?
A Surprising Find
Moving slowly and carefully, hikers Carolyn McCabe and her boyfriend, Conor Keeling, approached the spot. When they finally got close enough to see, they were stunned.
Nestled quietly in the underbrush was a small white guinea pig. Neither of them could believe what they were seeing. How had a guinea pig ended up in the middle of the woods?
After the initial shock wore off, they both knew they couldn’t leave him behind.
“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, they thought he might have escaped from a nearby house, so they began knocking on doors to see if anyone was missing a pet.
Unfortunately, no one recognized him, and the couple started to suspect the little animal had been abandoned.
A Safe Place To Rest
Determined to help, Carolyn and Conor decided to bring the guinea pig home.
They gently bathed him, lining the tub with soft towels so he wouldn’t slip, and then offered a mix of fruits and vegetables.
They named him Quinn, after the park where he was discovered. Within hours of being fed, dried, and comforted, Quinn began to relax. His fear faded, replaced by curiosity and joy.
“[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 Happy New Beginning
For two weeks, Quinn enjoyed a calm and loving environment in his temporary home. But Carolyn soon discovered she was allergic to guinea pigs, and the couple faced the difficult decision of finding him a permanent family.
They contacted One Tail at a Time, a trusted Chicago rescue organization, which quickly found a wonderful match. Quinn was adopted by a family who had recently lost their own guinea pig and were thrilled to have another companion.
Although it was bittersweet to say goodbye, Carolyn and Conor took comfort in knowing Quinn was safe and loved.
“This whole thing [was] so funny and sweet,” Carolyn said. “He’s in a good place [now]. It was a happy ending for everybody.”
