Is a Guinea Pig-Powered Lawnmower the Solution to Your Yard Work Woes?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the concept of a guinea pig-powered lawnmower, exploring its feasibility and implications for yard work. Participants share anecdotes and humorous observations related to pets and their interactions with waste, as well as the broader idea of using animals for yard maintenance.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Debate/contested
  • Conceptual clarification

Main Points Raised

  • One participant describes a device that allows a guinea pig to mow and fertilize a lawn, suggesting it could be a solution to yard work without fuel or electricity.
  • Another participant humorously comments on the utility of pets, implying that guinea pigs could be more useful than commonly thought.
  • Anecdotes are shared about a horse that naturally maintained a yard by eating grass, raising questions about the practicality of using animals for lawn care.
  • Concerns are expressed about the hygiene implications of animals eating their own waste, particularly in relation to the horse's behavior.
  • One participant discusses the observable effects of cow manure on pasture growth, suggesting a cycle of recycling in nature that could be beneficial.
  • There is a humorous exchange about dogs eating feces, with one participant recalling their dog's behavior and questioning the appeal of such actions.
  • Questions arise about the feasibility of modifying the guinea pig lawnmower concept for cats, highlighting challenges in keeping cats contained in a yard.
  • Technical issues regarding image visibility in the discussion are noted, with participants trying to share pictures related to their pets.
  • One participant reflects on the nature of dogs and their eating habits, suggesting a humorous take on their preferences.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants generally share humorous and anecdotal perspectives, but there is no clear consensus on the practicality or desirability of using animals for lawn maintenance. The discussion remains light-hearted and exploratory without resolving the underlying questions.

Contextual Notes

The discussion includes various assumptions about animal behavior and the implications of using pets for yard work, but these are not fully explored or resolved. The humor and anecdotes may limit the depth of technical analysis.

Who May Find This Useful

Readers interested in unconventional solutions to yard maintenance, pet behavior, or humorous takes on animal interactions may find this discussion engaging.

Ivan Seeking
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...A talented handyman, Watts came up with a rolling wire wheel that Acorn, the guinea pig, could push around. The device ``mows and fertilizes your lawn for free without fuel or electricity. [continued]

http://www.mercurynews.com/mld/mercurynews/business/8225358.htm?1c

All of this time the solution to the "lawn mowing problem" has been hiding in old Flintstone cartoons!
 
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So there IS a useful pet then...
 
There used to be an old gent down the road who would sit in his front yard and watch his horse eat [and fertilize] the front yard. It never needed mowing but the yard games were a little tricky I suppose. :biggrin:
 
eurgh the horse would be eating its own poo!
 
Haven't you ever heard of recycling?!

Really, when we have cows in the pasture you can always tell where the poo lies - in the tall grass! All over the pasture you see ~ 2ft diameter circles of high grass with a pie in the middle. After the rain, little puddles would form in the center of each pie. Crash would then run from pile to pile to lick up the poo puddles; or in a freeze, the poopsicles. I guess that's pretty good stuff for a dog!
 
Ivan Seeking said:
Haven't you ever heard of recycling?!

Really, when we have cows in the pasture you can always tell where the poo lies - in the tall grass! All over the pasture you see ~ 2ft diameter circles of high grass with a pie in the middle. After the rain, little puddles would form in the center of each pie. Crash would then run from pile to pile to lick up the poo puddles; or in a freeze, the poopsicles. I guess that's pretty good stuff for a dog!


That's good eatin'!
 
Yep!

http://imageuploader.milbrathnet.net/uploads/Crash[/URL] sm.jpg[/PLAIN]
 
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I couldn't get the picture but i guess it is of your dog eating cow faeces... maybe it is better I don't see it...
 
Can they modify this for cats?

Except how do you keep the cat in the yard, and out of trees, ok, nevermind.

Dogs love poop. I used to have a dog that was always snacking in the cat box.
 
  • #10
jimmy p said:
I couldn't get the picture but i guess it is of your dog eating cow faeces... maybe it is better I don't see it...

No poop eating; just her smiling face.

I am wondering about something. If you right click on the red X, do you have the "show picture" option available? Does this make the picture visible if you hit it?
 
  • #11
Ivan Seeking said:
No poop eating; just her smiling face.

I am wondering about something. If you right click on the red X, do you have the "show picture" option available? Does this make the picture visible if you hit it?


Dogs smile? About eating TURDS? Those animals have some serious issues.

And yes, i do get the red cross and the option but when I click, nothing happens.
 
  • #12
Crash would then run from pile to pile to lick up the poo puddles; or in a freeze, the poopsicles. I guess that's pretty good stuff for a dog!
The best stuff of all is birthed by the youngest calves nursing from mother moo. One particularly intelligent dog I once had would bark at the calf in an attempt to frighten an output from it. It was a very rich, gooey little treat all my dogs savored.

*let’s scare up some grub and do lunch real soon*