Difficult Decision

[PopcornPigs]

I've recently had to make a difficult situation, I'm not sure if anyone else has had to do it.

I rescued a guinea pig who was bonded with my George who had recently been bereaved. This little piggy was named Chester. He's a gorgeous little ginger pig who was the first to be tried and they got on well.



They had an incident a few weeks later where George humped Chester's face and got bitten. There was lots of blood and they were separate for a little while. They were re-bonded however recently had another fall out.

Me, my partner and my family all love Chester so much but the ultimate goal was to find George a suitable friend. We currently have eight pigs and can't afford/don't have the space to take on another two pigs (i.e find Chester a friend also and keep him). This has led to a very hard decision to take Chester back to rescue and have George bonded with somebody new.

This happened yesterday, they're both at the rescue now and I keep crying thinking about what I've done. I love Chester so much and I'm sad he'll think I didn't love him enough. I just want him to have the best life possible and for him to find a nice new friend/family. I'm hoping I will feel better in time.

 

[Poppy'sMum]

Aw I am sorry I think you have been very brave, in fact it's because you love the little guy so much that you have done what's best for him, not what you want I am sure he will find a new friend, it's very sad when boars fall out, but quite common from what I've read on here, one reason why I have only ever had girls, because I am a chicken & couldn't cope if there were bust ups Well done you for putting him first! Hopefully your boar will soon find a new friend

 

[Deleted member 114675]

I'm sorry to hear this. Boys will be boys. However, I am delighted to hear that you know a rescue that can help you out.
Guinea pigs spend far more time with their cage mates than they do with their human slaves - so you have done the right thing.

 

[This_Little_Piggy]

It's such a difficult thing to do but you have put his needs first before your desire to keep him. That's the sign of a fantastic owner! Hugs xx

 

[piggyfan]

Aww Liz I'm so sorry you had to rehome Chester but your priority is to find George a friend. It just cannot be helped that they did not get on. Chester will find the right home for him and being in a rescue means he is safe. Please do not feel bad. He spent nice days with you.

 

[Wiebke]

HUGS!

I am very sorry for you but want to say well done on you for putting Chester's interests before your own feelings. There are situations when you come to the limits of your possibilities, as much as would like it otherwise!

Last summer, I had to make a similar decision when I ended up with a very complex situation which involved bullying in my big group and was faced with having to find individual new solutions for three single sows which for various reasons didn't get on with the big group - and neither would they fit with any of my other groups, but not for lack of trying! Thankfully, my two ASBO teddies Nerys and Nesta have settled down together, but Caron is now living with a friend of mine and his group. He has been patiently worked through her sneaky aggression issues which caused her to be bullied by the Tribe. She is a very relaxed happy piggy with a normal weight these days living in a group that doesn't mind her assuming the airs and graces of a top lady while not being able to stand up to a bottom sow.
For me, letting go of her meant that in effect I was going through a full blown grieving process. I still miss her very much! But seeing Caron these days, I know that I have made the right decision. Her happiness is more important to me than pride or any feelings of incompetence.

 

[sport_billy]

Massive hugs, you have really made a selfless decision in putting Chesters well-being before your own. You are an amazing piggy salve x

 

[GloriousGuineaGirl]

You have made a brave choice. As everyone else says you put his interests first. Good luck with future bonding sessions.

 

[Tbag]

As hard as it is you've done the right thing putting Chester first - just think of how happy he and George will both be when they're settled with new friends.
If Chester is going back to a rescue he'll be in the best hands and will only go to a loving home so you won't need to worry about him either x

 

[lauraboara]

It is a hard thing to do, as Wiebke says like a mini bereavement but it will be better for both boys and you in the end.
I recently took a young boar back to the rescue he had come from and it was heartbreaking. Like your boys, he had come from the rescue to be friends to one of my single boars, they got on well and then fought when Keith got to about 6 months. After exploring some options we actually decided to neuter him so he is now with a wife and ready to start a new chapter. In fact he has just been reserved which is great - but still made me a bit tearful!
I hope you can feel it is a new start for Chester rather than an end and if they didn't get on, they are better apart as it must be quite intense to share a cage/hutch with a partner you don't like. Boys just want to you give you an emotional roller coaster! But hopefully a positive bit is just around the bend.....

 

[PopcornPigs]

I want to thank everyone for being so supportive on this.
I want to update you all. George has finally returned from the rescue with a new friend, things are going very well and I will write another thread on this with pictures.
I have cried a lot about giving up Chester. I did get to see him when I returned to pick up George, and I've also just been told that he's been lucky enough to be paired with a spayed sow! I'm really glad things have turned out ok.

 

[piggyfan]

I'm so pleased Chester has made a friend. It is great George has a friend too.

 

[emo_d_88]

awww it all worked out in the end xx

 

[Wiebke]

Great that both boys have a happy future! Spayed sows are rare, so Chester is one lucky guy!

It must still have been rather upsetting for you seeing Chester again. HUGS!

 

[PopcornPigs]

Yes it was really hard seeing him, but I managed to stop myself crying. It does give me comfort knowing that he now has a piggy friend to keep him company.

 

[Wiebke]

Yes it was really hard seeing him, but I managed to stop myself crying. It does give me comfort knowing that he now has a piggy friend to keep him company.

It was very hard for me seeing Caron again, too. On one level, she is still mine and will always remain so, but she also very much has story that is no longer part of me, but part of somebody else. You bond differently with a temporary foster piggy compared to a piggy you adopt as your own and expect to stay. Very mixed feelings!