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When I was younger, we had a pet guinea pig. It was a very affectionate animal and loved attention. When we got a new puppy, both animals became quick friends. At that point they were almost the exact same size. They loved to chase each other around and play together. They would run under the couch and all over the living room. Often the guinea pig would chase the dog around and knew how to keep the little puppy in line.

Then the puppy got bigger. We would see it chase the guinea pig under the couch and charge under full speed... and get its bigger head stuck.  Naturally it became a normal sized dog, and the guinea pig stayed the same size. But the dog was still terrified of this guinea pig. Whenever the dog bothered the guinea pig, the little rodent would charge at the dog and scare it away.

I think it is wonderful how different species can learn to live together. I wish humans would learn a lesson.

Lol, sounds like the poor guinea pig had his work cut out for him! Funny how when an animal learns something so young, it sticks with them even if they've grown bigger in size. When Cole (my bunny) was a baby, I held him in my palm and would talk to him face to face so he would know who his "mommy" was. He was so small and just snuggled up. Now that he's about 5 months old, though, he's obviously grown. However, I still hold him in my palm and he looks so content because it's what he's always known is safe. He has to tuck himself under just to fit now (with me supporting him), but it's just so cute that he still does that.  

Yeah it makes such a difference how you treat an animal when they are a baby. I used to let my beagle sleep with her head nuzzled up against my shoulder when she was a baby, and she still always tries to snuggle up in as close to the same position as she can. Baby animals are a lot of work, but if you put in the extra effort, they grow up to be so sweet and loving. It ends up being very much worth it.