I just lost my baby Archie on Saturday, he had a lot of problems towards the end and I had to make the hardest decision ever and put him to sleep. He was about 6 or 7, maybe even older I’m not exactly sure of his age. He left behind his little buddy Arthur who seems to be really afraid without his brother. I have been extremely sad since losing Archie we had such a special bond and I just can’t help feeling that I might never have another special bond like that with any other guinea pigs. I almost feel like I shouldn’t have anymore because I don’t know if I can have that same love again. Does anyone else ever feel this way and then find a special bond with another pig? I love Arthur but I’m afraid I won’t be able to bond with him like I did with Archie. I have only had Arthur for 8 months so the relationship is a lot newer but I just feel really discouraged and guilty. I love guinea pigs so much and love taking care of them I just am afraid I won’t ever experience that special bond again. Any advice would be appreciated. Thank you
Grieving
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Gem789
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I'm truly sorry for your loss, I know how hard it is .When I lost my Sam I was devastated and couldn't even bring myself to clean the cage out at 1st but had to as I still had his cage mate to think of.I ended up adopting a lone boar (guiseppe) who'd lost his friend as well as a companion for Georgie but felt guilty even considering it.It was the best thing I did though as I could see the difference in Georgie straight away.Ill never forget Sam but I do have a very strong bond with guiseppe now x
Bill & Ted
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I’m so sorry for your loss. Sometimes there is that “special one” which you bond with so well that you can’t imagine ever feeling the same way again. Time is a great healer and you will always look back with the fond memories you had. Getting another companion for your other piggie would be the best thing for him and in no way diminishes the love you have had for Archie x
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I am so sorry to hear this, it is so hard to lose a much loved member of our furry family.
getting another piggy will never change the way you feel about him, sometimes there are piggies that for some reason are a little more 'special' but each pus their own unique paw print on your heart.
be kind to yourself
getting another piggy will never change the way you feel about him, sometimes there are piggies that for some reason are a little more 'special' but each pus their own unique paw print on your heart.
be kind to yourself
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So sorry for your loss.
I understand how you feel and it is true that no piggy will ever replace Archie but they can succeed him.
When my beautiful Keziah died last year I hadn’t planned on another piggy as Merab & Jemimah had each other. However there was a young pair of sows who needed rehoming urgently - my resistance crumbled instantly and I brought them home.
I didn’t feel I loved them in the same way as the others but within a very short time I realised that they had created their own space in my heart.
Humans have a great capacity for love and I am sure you have so much to offer another piggy, the more we love the more we have to give. The price we pay is grief when we lose one.
So be gentle with yourself and allow yourself time to grieve
I understand how you feel and it is true that no piggy will ever replace Archie but they can succeed him.
When my beautiful Keziah died last year I hadn’t planned on another piggy as Merab & Jemimah had each other. However there was a young pair of sows who needed rehoming urgently - my resistance crumbled instantly and I brought them home.
I didn’t feel I loved them in the same way as the others but within a very short time I realised that they had created their own space in my heart.
Humans have a great capacity for love and I am sure you have so much to offer another piggy, the more we love the more we have to give. The price we pay is grief when we lose one.
So be gentle with yourself and allow yourself time to grieve
GuineaPiggy101
Junior Guinea Pig
My sympathies go out to you. I too lost my previous piggy. We had to put him to sleep due to malocclusion. It has been 2 months since that fateful day and my entire family still misses him. So you are not alone and you never will be. May your piggy rest in peace forever.
Eriathwen
Senior Guinea Pig
I'm sorry for your loss. I recently lost my very special little Bramble, and it is still extremely difficult to deal with. There will always be special piggies, before her it was my beloved Patch, but looking back, they were all special in their own way.
I wont lie, when I first lost her, dealing with the other piggies was very difficult, I had a lot of anxiety and guilt that I would go up there and feel resentful that none of them were her, and other than the necessities, food, water and medications, I didnt go into the room for quite a few days.. and when I did, I would have panic attacks. I wanted nothing to do with them, because they were not her..which sounds horrible. But after the initial shock wore off, I came to realise that they don't need to be her, because they are all equally charming and lovely in their own ways..even if Treacle did bite me yesterday while I was trying to weigh her
Give yourself time, it's still early days.
I wont lie, when I first lost her, dealing with the other piggies was very difficult, I had a lot of anxiety and guilt that I would go up there and feel resentful that none of them were her, and other than the necessities, food, water and medications, I didnt go into the room for quite a few days.. and when I did, I would have panic attacks. I wanted nothing to do with them, because they were not her..which sounds horrible. But after the initial shock wore off, I came to realise that they don't need to be her, because they are all equally charming and lovely in their own ways..even if Treacle did bite me yesterday while I was trying to weigh her
Give yourself time, it's still early days.
Hi!
I am very sorry for your loss!
You can never love the same again because every bond is unique. The good news is that you can love again many times, but it will be different each time, as each relationship is unique. Usually a bond following the death of a much beloved pet it is more of slow 'creeper upper'. Don't expect the same deep bond, and don't aim for it. Be open and you will be surprised as you will discover new aspects and learn new things. But yes, you may come across another special piggy sooner or later that gets equally under your skin. But never try to get the same again - in that respect you'll inevitably fail.
In order to avoid any direct comparisons and unrealistic expectations, I would recommend to go in a very different direction with your next piggies. Look for a pair of sows, ideally a bonded rescue pair you can adopt from a rescue. That gives you a different gender and completely different social dynamics - and it won't take anything away from Archie. By going good standard rescue (if that is possible for you), you can neatly avoid the usual pitfalls that await the unwary and also do something good by giving some unwanted or neglect breeding piggies a chance at happy forever after.
Recommended UK rescues: Recommended Guinea Pig Rescues
Recommended rescues in some other countries: Guinea Lynx :: Rescue Organizations
After the death of my Minx 11 years ago, who is still my most special piggy, I eventually started a group adventure, which has been in its own way every bit as wonderful - I wouldn't want to miss that either! You can't compare the one with the other but they have both been very enriching. I have since met some special personalities that I feel blessed to have had in my life, each of them unique and none taking anything away from the others.
Give yourself time and look for a new start when you are ready or allow piggies to find you if they are meant to be.
If you want to find out more about grieving, you might find the thoughtful article series dealing with the complex around death, pts, grieving and memorials in Guinea Pig Magazine, issues #45-48 helpful.
Guinea Pig Mag
Thank you so much for your advice and kind words I appreciate it and it makes me feel a lot better about how I am feeling!
I feel the exact same way it’s very hard to see the cage without Archie in there but I’m glad I’m not the only one who has those thoughts, thank you for sharing your story with me it helps me a lot!I'm sorry for your loss. I recently lost my very special little Bramble, and it is still extremely difficult to deal with. There will always be special piggies, before her it was my beloved Patch, but looking back, they were all special in their own way.
I wont lie, when I first lost her, dealing with the other piggies was very difficult, I had a lot of anxiety and guilt that I would go up there and feel resentful that none of them were her, and other than the necessities, food, water and medications, I didnt go into the room for quite a few days.. and when I did, I would have panic attacks. I wanted nothing to do with them, because they were not her..which sounds horrible. But after the initial shock wore off, I came to realise that they don't need to be her, because they are all equally charming and lovely in their own ways..even if Treacle did bite me yesterday while I was trying to weigh her
Give yourself time, it's still early days.
I’m sorry for your loss as well, and thank you for the kind words they are much appreciated
That is reassuring because my biggest fear is that I can’t love or bond to another pig the same way again. Thank you for sharing your story I appreciate it!
Thank you very much for the kind words!
Thank you I agree my other piggy definitely needs another friend, I just hope I will be as good for them as I was for Archie. Right now I just feel empty and incapable of giving my all again but I think that’s just the grief talking. Thank you for your kind words!
Thank you that is really reassuring because I love the special bond I had with Archie and I want that again. Right now I just feel empty but I know it’s just the grief. Thank you for sharing your story with me