Littlepig&co
Junior Guinea Pig
As many of you are aware, we sadly had to have Daisy helped to her forever sleep yesterday afternoon. This has ultimately left her friend Dalila who we have had for 7 months, alone. Now we are not going to get any more guinea pigs because of several different reasons; financial, continuous bad luck with our animals for the past few years and just simply I cannot go through the heart break. I in no way do not want another, it just gets too much going through illnesses and them ultimately not recovering and passing on at the end of it.
Now I really do not want to re-home Dalila because 1) She is on long term metacam twice daily for her spinal arthritis, 2) I have become very attached to her and 3) She is settled here after taking quite some time to settle in. She seems to be so far coping okay but I am aware that it is early days and I will need to monitor her closely. Of course if I feel that she is not coping okay being alone then I will have to look into other routes.
What I am hoping is that Dalila will adapt to being alone, for the time being. She won't have to be on her own indefinitely as one of my male pairs consists of Gino (an 8 year old male) and Little-pig (A 1 and half year old neutered male). Without being too morbid there will be a time, whenever that may be that Gino will pass on due to old age. This will then leave Little-pig on his own, but with him being neutered It will mean that he can be bonded straight away with Dalila.
Does this seem like a reasonable situation? I want what is best for Dalila, her happiness and well-being is my main priority.
I have spoken to the rescue I got her from and I got this reply:
"I am so sorry to hear your news. I think your plan is a good one, you know the guinea pigs well and I 100% trust your judgement on this. Many older piggies are fine on their own, and as yours are so well looked after she is in no danger of getting cold or damp!"
So I guess we will see how Dalila adapts and go from there. She can smell the other piggies and will be able to see them from a distance when out in the run. I don't put the runs close as it causes the boys to get all excited, they are several feet away. However she will be able to see them.
Now I really do not want to re-home Dalila because 1) She is on long term metacam twice daily for her spinal arthritis, 2) I have become very attached to her and 3) She is settled here after taking quite some time to settle in. She seems to be so far coping okay but I am aware that it is early days and I will need to monitor her closely. Of course if I feel that she is not coping okay being alone then I will have to look into other routes.
What I am hoping is that Dalila will adapt to being alone, for the time being. She won't have to be on her own indefinitely as one of my male pairs consists of Gino (an 8 year old male) and Little-pig (A 1 and half year old neutered male). Without being too morbid there will be a time, whenever that may be that Gino will pass on due to old age. This will then leave Little-pig on his own, but with him being neutered It will mean that he can be bonded straight away with Dalila.
Does this seem like a reasonable situation? I want what is best for Dalila, her happiness and well-being is my main priority.
I have spoken to the rescue I got her from and I got this reply:
"I am so sorry to hear your news. I think your plan is a good one, you know the guinea pigs well and I 100% trust your judgement on this. Many older piggies are fine on their own, and as yours are so well looked after she is in no danger of getting cold or damp!"
So I guess we will see how Dalila adapts and go from there. She can smell the other piggies and will be able to see them from a distance when out in the run. I don't put the runs close as it causes the boys to get all excited, they are several feet away. However she will be able to see them.
