Why guinea pigs? why do you choose them for pets?

I have had many piggies and people always ask me why do u get piggies. Thinking about it why not people must think oh its just a rodent but I just love them. So friendly, funny and loving. I I got my first piggie Nickademus for christmas in 2002, then I got pinkie May of 2003 and roxi Nov 2005. Those 3 piggies have died my heart broke. Nickademus died last Aug and my roxi had a tumor I had to put her to sleep in Feb and pinkie died in March. Now I have 3 Frodo Spike and coco. For piggie owners why do you own piggies? why choose them? How many have you had? I have noticed most owners have had many like 3 at a time.