Update: 01/01/08 9:30PM

As of about 3 hours ago, we reached our goal! She is getting an iPod! I will be sure to keep everyone updated, and I will post copies of the receipt(s) to prove that this is all legit.

I am absolutely floored by the response and generosity everyone here has shown. Thank you so very much.

Although our goal of $250 is met, I am still accepting donations on her behalf until tomorrow night (Wednesday, January 2nd). If any additional money is collected, I will use it to purchase her an iTunes gift card and make a donation to Twin Cities Guinea Pig Rescue in her name. Additional donations can be sent via paypal to donations@guineapigipod.com.

Again, thank you.

The Story

This site is not for me. This site is for a little girl I briefly met last week who owned a guinea pig named Cocoa. She and her mom had come to the veterinary clinic at which I work because Cocoa was sick.

After the vet talked with the owners, I overheard the mom and daughter talk about what they wanted to do for Cocoa. After some discussion, they let me know that they wanted to do everything the doctor recommended, just to make sure Cocoa was ok.

When I was checking them out, their bill was considerable, especially for a guinea pig. I made a small joke about how Cocoa needed to get a part-time job to help pay for her vet bills. It's a little joke I make frequently, and it helps break tension and make people smile. Upon hearing it, her mom told me that they probably wouldn't have done everything, except for the daughter was paying for half, because "that was the deal."

I was a little surprised upon hearing this. But before I could even take a breath, Mom went on. "Yep. She's been saving her money for an iPod, but she really wanted to make sure that Cocoa was ok, and she decided that this was more important. She thinks that things like this are part of being a responsible pet owner. She volunteered to give up her iPod for Cocoa."

Well, knock me down. It was all I could do to keep from standing up and cheering. I told the girl that I thought that was a marvelous thing, and that she deserved a lot of respect, and I thanked her for being such a good owner to Cocoa. She just blushed.

When I told the vet this, she kinda half smiled and told me that the family had told them that the guinea pig had come to them from one of her daugher's friends, who could no longer afford Cocoa. The daughter adopted her because she wanted to make sure that Cocoa was well taken care of.

What a tremendous little girl. I cannot recall being this impressed by a young pet owner, ever, and I think she deserves to have her iPod. I'm hoping that if enough people agree, that together we can make this happen for her.

Every penny of every donation will go straight towards buying her a surprise iPod.