How can I help my bereaved boy?

[JayneG]

Hello. As some of you may know, my Eric lost his brother Jack earlier this week. We've had a few nights of him crying (and me) and tonight he is very skittish and doesn't want me, he just wants to hide and isn't eating much. He's eaten a bit each day since just not a huge amount. I just don't know how to help. I've tried cuddling him and trying to make him come out but he isn't interested. I know it will take him a while, but does anyone have some suggestions or should I just leave him be? I think I may need to get him a pal in a few weeks to keep him company and it seems I should get a baby boar that he can "daddy" rather than get one of a similar age. Any advice much appreciated.

Also, not sure if I can say this on here, but if you agree that a baby boar would be good company for Eric, I would be happy to take on a rescue baby. I thought it would be good to take on an older pal for him but apparently they may not get on? I am in Chingford in London and happy to take on a rescue baby if this is best for Eric and I can help anyone by adopting a baby.

 

[cavykind]

Hello,
My advice would be a baby boar about 8 weeks old. If you can get one through a good guinea rescue they will offer advice on bonding and give full back up, even taking baby back if things dont work out if this is what you feel you want to do.
Babe should also be healthy and well socialised (especially if born in reacue!)

Hopefully it will go well though. I would suggest trying sooner rather than later, before Eric becomes too used to being alone.
Just my thoughts

Good luck,
barbara

 

[Glynis]

I think you've been doing a wonderful job. I'd continue with the cuddles and kisses and keep on trying to tempt him with all his fav foods. It took Duke a few weeks to get over Sully passing to the Bridge.
Good luck and piggie kisses to little Eric :-* :-*

 

[JayneG]

Thank you. I'm definitely going to overdose him with love and hopefully a new baby boy to pamper x

 

[cavykind]

Thank you. I'm definitely going to overdose him with love and hopefully a new baby boy to pamper x

I'm sure he will enjoy all the extra pampering and hopefully a new little pal too when you think the time is right for both of you

Barbara

 

[Barmy4boars]

Sorry to hear of your sad loss. A baby as young as possible after weaning would be your best bet for a swift companion and to ease your piggys sadness. You could try a rescue but at this time of year I believe it is rare they have babies. You may need to go to a good breeder. Good luck and do keep us posted. If you have a look on www.barmy4boars.co.uk under options there is a section about introducing a baby boar on there.

 

[cavykind]

It is worth trying a rescue, I have had babies born here all year round, in fact I don't think I could name a quiet time when it comes to rescue babies being born...I wish :
Guineas will happily reproduce all year around if they are given the opportunity to do so!

Some breeders choose not to mate their sows in anticipation of the colder months as most breeders, do, I believe keep their guineas in sheds out doors and this makes sense to them.
People allowing pets to breed have no concept of this and I have had guineas born here (only once) on Christmas morning....delaying my lunch no end >
Selfish little things

Fingers crossed for you!

Barbara

 

[Mary]

I know of two litters that I could of helped out this week, so keep looking! And a little boy as well!

 

[michellemuffin]

hi Eric needs a lot of special love because over the years of keeping pigs I have made the discovery that when a pig loses his cage mate it can go one of two ways the first is it hardly shows and they will be fine until you add another mate for them or as has happened to me on some occasions they will give up and fade away, my tips to stop this is to cuddle him wrapped in blanket or towel so he is secure the more secure he feels the more he accepts your attention and wont just hide away I often walk around the garden with him wrapped talking to him feeding him grass and generally just chatting, he will gradually ease you will feel this as he will not be holding himself so tense, grooming also works wonders
he will eat more readily as well, when its time to introduce another mate for him yes agree a baby is better as he will assume boss pig alpha male what ever you want to call it and the baby will hopefully accept this,
I know this works because years ago I had brothers tweety and sylvester, sylvester died first no reason just found him under tweety in the morning he was keeping him warm, tweety never regained any sense of purpose despite me trying everything he died a few days later, then it was fred and ginger, by now i was petrified and thought long and hard how to make ginger feel wanted and loved so I thought of human babies and being made settled by being wrapped tried it and hey presto it worked and last month as you may recall I lost jasper and found his brother and life long run mate Tiger (as was the others) lying acoss him trying to keep him warm a very sad sight, he was making wierd noises, so I picked him up wrapped him up and walked about with him a lot during the day, he has been fine despite the next morning Romeo the other run mate dying and tiger again lying across him, my heart sank and I thought no way would he be ok, but he is fine now and is now happily settled with 2 others, very good luck hope it works for you as well God bless Jack

 

[JayneG]

I am reading your replies to Eric (sitting on my lap) I so wish he understood I'm trying to help. Thank you so much. This website is an absolute godsend and you are such SUCH fantastic people.

 

[cavykind]

I am reading your replies to Eric (sitting on my lap) I so wish he understood I'm trying to help. Thank you so much. This website is an absolute godsend and you are such SUCH fantastic people.

Things will work out and though it is a cliche, time really is the only healer...for both of you to some extent.
let us know how things go

Barbara

ps Dr Bach's Rescue Remedy is a wonderful soother of our emotions. You can but it in Boots, maybe you are familiar with it?

 

[michellemuffin]

I am jsut starting to reaslie the help of Bachs rescue remedys and agree they can only help, I also found keeping them close to my face relaxed them, dobby does this now every time I pick him up he would get in my mouth if he could lol

 

[JayneG]

I have heard of this but have never heard of using it on my piggy. How can it help and what dosage?

 

[michellemuffin]

its quite complicated Cavykind knows more then me I'm just into it but recomend a book called Bachs rescue remedys for animals

 

[cavykind]

I have heard of this but have never heard of using it on my piggy. How can it help and what dosage?

If he is drinking from his water bottle 4 drops in there and replenish everyday or when empty if sooner. The Star of Bethlehem in there may help ease his grief and the other remedies allay the shock of his friends passing.

If you would like to try it, take it too. See below ~

Instructions are on the bottle but basically, it is ~ 4 drops 4 times daily on the tongue or in a small glass of water/fruit juice/milk (preferred way). There are other ways but this should apply to your situation
A more economical way is to add 4 drops to a clean dropper bottle containing 30 mls of mineral water...4 drops from this 4 times daily.

If you type in "Bach Centre" in your search engine you will get lot's of info on animal and human administration.

Other remedies might also help, give me a shout if you have any questions I may be able to help with.
Barbara