I think I need some reassurance

weepweeps

weepweeps

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Hi everyone. I’m not sure where this has come from but I’m feeling like I’m failing Percy and Pepper. They live in my garage. I would so love for them to live in the house but my husband has allergies so this is never going to be an option. I knew this when I got them and agreed that the garage would be ok.

When I first got them I was bringing them into the bathroom every night to play with me. Now it's only about 3/4 times a week. I have a bad back (I need an operation but I am too scared to have it 😢) and sitting on the floor with them for an hour really hurts.

I love them. Really truly. They are amazing. But I’m feeling like someone else could give them more. I go to see them about 4 times a day. Veggies and hay in the morning and evening. Hay at lunchtime and a couple of times in between. They are always happy to see me. Percy wheeking (Pepper is a silent piggy). They always come to see me. Not afraid of me at all but don’t really like being handled. They will let me stroke them a lot. They get grass, forage, peas, loads of hay from Haybox (I don’t skimp of their food). They have a drawer of my fridge to themselves. Get taken to the vets when needed straight away.

Am I being too harsh on myself? Am I giving them enough?

Thanks for reading 😍

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So sorry that you feel that you’re failing them.
You know that you’re not.
Although mine do live in the house, the demands of work mean they’re often left to their own devices mich of the time.

You love them, you feed them, you give them the best possible care and they have companionship with each other.
Please don’t beat yourself up because life isn’t perfect.

Look after your own health as well.
A bad back can be very draining.

Hugs 🤗🤗🤗🤗🤗🤗
 
you are definitely not failing them! i’ve not been here long but can see you love your piggies and do the best you can for them, and its amazing! remember, a lot of piggies don’t even get half the amount of love and care you give to yours!
i know how hard it is having back troubles and bonding time for me and the girls always = a bad back afterwards, is there anyway for you to sit on a bed or something propped up with pillows? i know you’ve said your hubby is allergic (poor man, imagine that!) so that may not be an option for you. i think your definitely being too hard on yourself! your piggies love you and appreciate all that you do💞
 
No no no. You're not failing them dear! I doubt my pigs would care if I didn't interact/let them out every day as long as I feed them that's all they care about. 😂

You mentioned they live in the garage. Do you have space to add a free roam area to the front of the hutch (I assume they're in a hutch?) And place a comfy chair or bean bag so you can sit with them more comfortably when you're able?
 
I’m sorry you feel like you are failing Percy and Pepper but believe me, you’re not. They have a lovely home with you and you are giving them much more than the basics which is a lot more than some piggies get. Be proud of the home you are providing and stop being so hard on yourself x
 
Oh no - you really aren’t failing them in any way shape or form. They are loved and well cared for. Mine live in the house but in all honesty the only interaction they want from me is as the bringer of food. Since Holly and Ralph have gone, the herd are really not at all keen on being handled or petted in any way. They are always interested in my arrival, but only if it heralds the arrival of veggies or hay!

Could you perhaps sit on a stool or a folding chair to save your back when you let them out for fun and games?
 
I pop my head into Camowen and Bann's room several times a day, not including meals twice a day and going in at night to sort out the Snugglesafes, check their water bottles etc. I try to make sure I at least see a face every time but they're always happy to see me once they think I have food. And when I clean them out, because the cage is big enough for me to do it with them still inside, there's a lot of interaction there as well.

It's very different to Comet and Blitzen, but Comet was a very specific kind of pig. His personality made floor time and constant interaction worth it not only for himself but made it worthwhile for Blitzen too, who otherwise would've avoided every sort of human interaction possible. Neither Bann or Camowen are Comet and as long as I know they're happy, healthy, still eating, and everything else, I'm happier to be led by them. So, I do what I do. And what you're saying doesn't sound so different to their current routine either.
 
Mine live in the garage as my OH has said they aren't to live in the house. Mine timeshare the run in the garage, they are fed well, looked after and taken the vet as necessary. The time I spend with them varies from just chucking a bit of food in their direction to spending quite a while with them if that is what they want. You can't be with them 24/7. Life throws us all curve balls at times and we just have to cope with it. You are NOT failing your piggies. You love them so it's only natural that you want to give them the best. You are a lovely caring person who looks after Percy and Pepper very well.
 
Thank you so much everyone for your lovely comments. You really don’t know how much you’ve all helped me this evening. I’m so thankful that you are all here for me (and everyone else who needs it). I’ll try not to be so hard on myself. I just want the best for my boys. Sending you all some love in return. ❤️
 
So sorry to hear you have been feeling this way, you are absolutely not failing them at all, they are so well cared for and they have each other for the times you are not there. Our boys live in the living room so we do see them a lot but we only get them out 1/2 times a week as they are much happier in their cage!
 
I agree with all the other's you are not failing them at all. Most piggies prefer to be left alone by their humans other than when they are being fed. Red is the only one I've had that likes to lie and sleep on me, that may be because he hates other guinea pigs!
Could you put a comfy chair in the garage and sit and watch Percy and Pepper, maybe sit and read a book or do craft work whenever you have time. That way you may feel less isolated from them. I hope you feel better soon, back pain is draining and effects everything you do.
 
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