Giving up a guinea pig

[Laura M.]

I had a bonded pair of guinea pigs, Muddy and Pixie, but Pixie died on the 1st of January this year. After a month, I decided it would be best to rehome Muddy, for a number of reasons:
- I'm going to uni in 4 months, and my dad would have to look after him full-time, which would not be fair on him
- I've been struggling with my mental health for the last year or so and it's so difficult to handle a whole living being who is entirely dependent on me
- guinea pigs need a buddy, so even if I got him a buddy, the next time one of them dies, I'd be in this exact same situation all over again, and I don't want to keep guinea pigs just for the sake of it, it would feel like I'm constantly chasing the way I felt about my first guinea pigs when it can never be the same again

I've been on wait lists for different rescues for 4 months now, and I held off on different rescues for Little Wheekers to get a spot (it's a 2hr drive on a busy day, but I know that this rescue will ensure Muddy gets rehomed with another guinea pig rather than alone; this is also where I adopted him and Pixie from) and they just replied with a spot this week.
But now it's so close, all of the emotions are coming up and I just want validation that I'm doing the right thing by rehoming him. I love this guinea pig and I've had him for over 3 years, and the thought of giving him up brings me to tears. My partner thinks I should keep Muddy, so I'm even more conflicted.

I'm sorry if this post is incoherent, I feel like a puddle of emotions right now and I just want some advice.
Thank you all

 

[CTWC]

Hi there you are of course going to feel all different emotions and the love you have for him is clear I think you need to remember though the reasons you are rehoming him you know in your heart he needs a friend and for him to be offered this through a rescue you know and trust is a wonderful opportunity for him. We foster guinea pigs for Merrypigs rescue and have loved all the ones we've had and when they go to their forever home it is upsetting but also rewarding but they probably don't even notice and this is similar to what you're feeling with Muddy but more intense as you've had him for so long but you're doing what is best for him even though it is hurting you but that is true love

 

[Merab]

What a lot of love, unselfishness and courage you show in your post.
Your concern for Muddy does you credit, especially with all the other upheavals in your life.
Giving Muddy up will feel like a bereavement so give yourself time and space to grieve.
Hope all goes well for you when you go to university and you have a great time there.