The following news release was published October 18, 1998.
News Release: New Arrival at Saint Paul's Associate Parsonage
TALLAHASSEE, Fla -- On Tuesday October 13, the Reverend Jeff Bennett adopted a guinea pig. Though the guinea pig came by way of a local pet store, this was no ordinary adoption. For one thing, the pig, now named Rusty the Hedgehog Bennett (owing to his Hedgehog like coloring and appearance) is an adult male. Said Rev. Bennett, "I know how hard it is to place older guinea pigs. Sure, everyone goes for the cute six-week olds. But what about the pig no one wants?" In addition to being an older guinea pig, Rusty has been labeled a problem pig. "He has a past," Rev. Bennett acknowledged. "The woman at the pet store told me that he had taken the life of one of his own litter." Why adopt a special needs guinea pig? "It all comes down to grace," said Rev. Bennett. "I think of my past and how I actually ate guinea pig while on a mission trip to Bolivia. My former guinea pig Rudy was somehow able to forgive my past. Having been the recipient of grace I now want to extend grace to another. Sort of like when I accepted God's gracious forgiveness of my sin. When I understood God's unconditional love for me I wanted to turn things around and follow Christ, loving others. That's how grace works."
Reverend Bennett and Rusty the Hedgehog make their home at the Associate Parsonage of Saint Paul's United Methodist Church, Tallahassee.
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Of course, the big question now is, What will happen to Rusty when Jeff
moves to Utila? He wants to come along but I don't know... Here's
an interesting fact, though. As it turns out, Rusty is quite the world
traveler! I was unaware of this until he shared with me these photographs
from his travels.
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Rusty has spent time in Great Britain. Here he is posing with a palace guard. |
"Mmm... The grass was my favorite part of Stonehenge."
| France was simply awesome. Here's a familiar scene... |  |
