how do i know when maisie knows ches has gone?

[biscandmatt]

he's in the cage. she is the other end and hasn't been over to him yet. what do i do? 8...

 

[Freela]

((HUGS)). I'm so sorry. I don't know how long it takes for them to realize, or what to look for. When one of my pair of bonded sows passed, she was in the pigloo with the other pig. I was checking once an hour or so (couldn't sleep) and when I went down, the living pig had moved the pigloo to the other side and left her sister's body behind. They were snuggled up the last time I checked when both were living, so I presume she moved away because she realized that she had passed now. It hadn't been more than an hour since she died, and I took her out at that point. Our other pig did seem to realize that she was not coming back, since she didn't look for her at all, and when we had the sick one at the vet repeatedly, she was always frantically looking for her to come back whenever anyone walked past. It seemed like she knew not to expect her back. I'm not sure how long to leave them- your other pig may be keeping her distance because she realizes he is gone. ((HUGS)) again, and wish I could help more.

 

[piggyfan]

I am so so sorry he passed away. I did not know. My thoughts are with you. I personally would remove him now. It must be so hard to just see him in the cage.

 

[biscandmatt]

thank you so much everyone.

maisie knew. when i took ches out she stayed in the hay for ages and ages but then came over to me for comfort i sat with her and me and o/h have comforted her and stroked her. she looks sad but she definitely knows he has gone. thankfully she has eaten and had a drink aswell. she is being so brave.

i took ches out of the cage and held him for a while. i cuddled him and kissed him. o/h has aswell. we both keep crying. i have cut some of his hair to keep. he had a white stripe on his lovely ginger head and it kind of twisted like a ponytail so i cut that off to keep. he is wrapped in a blanket now. a lovely lemon one with butterflies on. he looked so lovely on lemon. i don't want to go into detail on 'storing' his body but he is home until tomorrow when we will be visiting a lovely looking pet burial and crematorium place, we can say goodbye to him in the chapel and he will be cremated. it is an individual cremation. then his ashes will be brought home where he belongs.

i found cuddling him to be so lovely. he looks so peaceful and like he is asleep. he looks at peace and always looks like he is smiling. i took great comfort in looking after his body ready for tomorrow. i found it like my duty to look after him right until the end.

i can't stop crying and i miss him so much, it hurts so bad. i hope he knew how loved he was/is, and i'm glad he was happy. he was such a lovely pig, just so gentle and amazing. i will miss him forever.

i will post a tribute when i feel i can.

we will look after his maisie for him. they were so close. she will be having a new friend soon, not to replace ches, that could never happen, but so she can be as happy as possible again. i hope ches knows i am not replacing him, i just want to do right by maisie. i know i will love a new piggy but i will never ever forget ches. my gorgeous little chezzy chops.

 

[biscandmatt]

update on original thread x

 

[sharonS]

Sorry to hear your sad news.
RIP little Ches.:rose