Devastated

[Harrisandobis mum]

Hello,

I am posting here because I am absolutely beyond devastated.
6 weeks ago I had 2 fur babies..Harris and Oberin. Both 3.5 years
They both were my world. Obi then got a stone and he was operated on..we nursed him and he seemed to come back to himself we were so happy.
Then he started losing weight and got poorly after several trips to vet she said he would have to be put to sleep. I was devastated, I cried and cried for days on end
I was so worried about his little mate Harris. After much careful consideration and tons of research I found a sanctuary about 70 miles away and because of their ethos thought that would be the best outcome for Harris as he seemed so lonely and I wanted him to be happy.
We went and were told that he would be neutered the following week and could stay as a forever resident with the girls.
I was soooo happy. This would be Harris's perfect ending.
I was worried though because he was placed in a hutch alone as he wasn't neutered.
I contacted the sanctuary every few days to check in on him and ask about neutering but was then told this couldn't happen for several weeks.
Last night I get a message telling me Harris has passed away 'in his sleep
There are absolutely no words to describe my devastation.
Imagining him in that hutch dying alone.
I can't cope or stop crying
I wish I had never sent him..I didn't get a another piggie because of how devastating I found losing Obi and couldn't face it over and over again and thought I was giving Harris a better life.
I just don't know how I will cope

 

[VickiA]

I am so sorry for the loss of both piggies.
I am linking here our guide which contains details of services that may be able to offer some counselling and support for you at this dreadfully sad time. Human Bereavement - Grieving, coping tips and support links for guinea pig owners and their children

 

[Wiebke]

BIG HUGS

I am sorry that things have not worked out for you. You are a very caring owner and have tried your best to give both boys the happiest of lives. Please hold onto that because that is what counts. We do have to make those decisions always in good faith because we can never see the future.

Was an underlying health issue the reason why Harris' operation had to be postponed? If yes, it would not have made any difference if he had stayed with you because he would have likely passed away in your home instead; so you haven't betrayed him. There was just another factor in play you couldn't know about.

Please be kind to yourself. We can in hindsight always follow back our path whereas when we walk it, it is more like treading a maze blindfolded.

Please get help for yourself. The Blue Cross now offers several free platforms to access free support manned by trained volunteers for pet bereavement. Talking about it is the best you can do for yourself. Any members on here that have made use of them have come back with positive feedback.
Pet bereavement and pet loss

 

[Free Ranger]

I'm so sorry it is just awful news. You could ask the rescue for more information about his circumstances - they might tell you things that give comfort. Just because he was on his own in the cage at that point doesn't necessarily mean he couldn't see, hear or smell other piggies... he may well have had neighbours, especially if they were busy. And the staff would have been on his side, the people who work in these places are full of love x

 

[h_and_piggies]

I’m so sorry for your losses. I can’t imagine how tough it is to lose 2 piggies in such a short period, but the decisions you made were out of love so please try to be gentle with yourself. Sleep tight Obi and Harris.

 

[Harrisandobis mum]

I am so sorry for the loss of both piggies.
I am linking here our guide which contains details of services that may be able to offer some counselling and support for you at this dreadfully sad time. Human Bereavement - Grieving, coping tips and support links for guinea pig owners and their children

Thank you..I will definitely contact them xx

 

[Harrisandobis mum]

So sorry. Both lost in such a short time is so upsetting. You did what was right and that's what matters.
Possibly, when you start getting over the shock of the losses then you could look at getting new fur-babies to help you but be careful, for some people this can make them go backwards and become really upset again.
Again, don't be too hard on yourself, what you did you thought were best and were out of love.

Thank you xx

 

[Harrisandobis mum]

BIG HUGS

I am sorry that things have not worked out for you. You are a very caring owner and have tried your best to give both boys the happiest of lives. Please hold onto that because that is what counts. We do have to make those decisions always in good faith because we can never see the future.

Was an underlying health issue the reason why Harris' operation had to be postponed? If yes, it would not have made any difference if he had stayed with you because he would have likely passed away in your home instead; so you haven't betrayed him. There was just another factor in play you couldn't know about.

Please be kind to yourself. We can in hindsight always follow back our path whereas when we walk it, it is more like treading a maze blindfolded.

Please get help for yourself. The Blue Cross now offers several free platforms to access free support manned by trained volunteers for pet bereavement. Talking about it is the best you can do for yourself. Any members on here that have made use of them have come back with positive feedback.
Pet bereavement and pet loss

The lady at sanctuary said her vet couldn't get out as he had covid. His hutch was surrounded by others but he was alone in it for 4 weeks. I never would have left him there if I had known. She said it would be the following week. I kept messaging for updates and getting told he couldn't be done yet
She said he was happy, but how could he be stuck on his own.... she sent me a video of him a few days earlier of him in hutch eating hay. I can't bear the thought of him alone on pain with no cuddles

 

[Harrisandobis mum]

I'm so sorry it is just awful news. You could ask the rescue for more information about his circumstances - they might tell you things that give comfort. Just because he was on his own in the cage at that point doesn't necessarily mean he couldn't see, hear or smell other piggies... he may well have had neighbours, especially if they were busy. And the staff would have been on his side, the people who work in these places are full of love x

Thank you. His hutch was surrounded by other hutches yes. But he was alone. He didn't have any toys in there. There was masses of hay and a hut and that was all though. I can't bear the thought of him alone like that

 

[Harrisandobis mum]

I’m so sorry for your losses. I can’t imagine how tough it is to lose 2 piggies in such a short period, but the decisions you made were out of love so please try to be gentle with yourself. Sleep tight Obi and Harris.

Thank you x

 

[Claire W]

I’m so sorry for your losses If you try and look at it this way, Harris would have still have been alone at your house and he still would have passed away, sadly, it was just his time. Think of all the good memories you have of your boys and not all the what ifs xx

 

[Harrisandobis mum]

I’m so sorry for your losses If you try and look at it this way, Harris would have still have been alone at your house and he still would have passed away, sadly, it was just his time. Think of all the good memories you have of your boys and not all the what ifs xx

Thank you xx

 

[weepweeps]

I’m so sorry for your loss of both piggies. You gave them both an amazing life with you. The decision to take Harris to a rescue was made out of love for him. We can only make decisions based the the facts at the time. Maybe it was just his time. He’s popcorning over the bridge now with his best buddy Oberin. Take care

 

[Harrisandobis mum]

I’m so sorry for your loss of both piggies. You gave them both an amazing life with you. The decision to take Harris to a rescue was made out of love for him. We can only make decisions based the the facts at the time. Maybe it was just his time. He’s popcorning over the bridge now with his best buddy Oberin. Take care

Thank you . Xx

 

[Wiebke]

You can only ever make your choices with your beloved ones' best interest in mind (which you have most definitely done) but you cannot blame yourself or others for circumstances beyond their control. It was such bad luck that the timing was out. However, even if Harris had had his neutering operation or if he was still with you, he would have been either on his 6 weeks post-op safety wait or alone at yours. Now he is back with his mate instead of still waiting to meet a wife... Perhaps this is what Harris would have actually preferred?

Please try to take consolation that the end must have come very quickly and unexpectedly, and that he must have suffered very little for a natural death (more likely something like a heart attack, a stroke or acute heart failure).

 

[Harrisandobis mum]

You can only ever make your choices with your beloved ones' best interest in mind (which you have most definitely done) but you cannot blame yourself or others for circumstances beyond their control. It was such bad luck that the timing was out. However, even if Harris had had his neutering operation or if he was still with you, he would have been either on his 6 weeks post-op safety wait or alone at yours. Now he is he back with his mate instead of still waiting to meet a wife... Perhaps this is what Harris would have actually preferred?

Please try to take consolation that the end must have come very quickly and unexpectedly, and that he must have suffered very little for a natural death (more likely something like a heart attack, a stroke or acute heart failure).

Thank you xx

 

[Harrisandobis mum]

I’m so sorry for your losses If you try and look at it this way, Harris would have still have been alone at your house and he still would have passed away, sadly, it was just his time. Think of all the good memories you have of your boys and not all the what ifs xx

Thank you xx

 

[Flutterby]

I'm so sorry for your loss xx

 

[Harrisandobis mum]

You can only ever make your choices with your beloved ones' best interest in mind (which you have most definitely done) but you cannot blame yourself or others for circumstances beyond their control. It was such bad luck that the timing was out. However, even if Harris had had his neutering operation or if he was still with you, he would have been either on his 6 weeks post-op safety wait or alone at yours. Now he is back with his mate instead of still waiting to meet a wife... Perhaps this is what Harris would have actually preferred?

Please try to take consolation that the end must have come very quickly and unexpectedly, and that he must have suffered very little for a natural death (more likely something like a heart attack, a stroke or acute heart failure).

I'm so sorry for your loss xx

Thank you xx

 

[Merab]

Still holding you in my heart

 

[Harrisandobis mum]

Still holding you in my heart

Thank you so so much. I have cried so much the skin around my eyes stings. xx

 

[Wiebke]

Thank you so so much. I have cried so much the skin around my eyes stings. xx

HUGS

Please try and seek help via the Blue Cross Pet Bereavement Services page - do it for Harris's sake and the way you want to ultimately remember him, if you can't do it for yourself. It really helps to talk through all of it and ease the emotional overload a bit that way.

 

[Harrisandobis mum]

HUGS

Please try and seek help via the Blue Cross Pet Bereavement Services page - do it for Harris's sake and the way you want to ultimately remember him, if you can't do it for yourself. It really helps to talk through all of it and ease the emotional overload a bit that way.

Thank you. I will xx