Losing my guinea pigs

[holliesky12]

Hi everyone,
This weekend I lost my beautiful piggy Lilly. She was taken to the vets as an emergency as her breathing got sharp she become not willing to eat drink or move. The vets kept her in overnight and I said my goodbyes before giving her to the vets. In the early hours of Sunday morning she passed away. I feel so guilty that I wasn’t there when she passed almost a feeling that I failed her it hurts so much. She did have pain killer and I hope she went with very little or no pain.
I need help to be able to shake the feeling of guilt as it was the best thing for her, what is the best way to grieve ?

 

[Claire W]

I am so very sorry for your loss Please don't feel guilty, Lilly would have known how much she was loved. Take your time to grieve. Think of all the good times you had with Lilly, she will be popcorning over the rainbow bridge free from pain.

You may find the following link helpful as you grieve Human Bereavement - Grieving, coping tips and support links for guinea pig owners and their children

 

[weepweeps]

I’m so sorry for your loss. Please don’t feel guilty. You took her to the vets when you noticed she was poorly. You couldn’t do any more. Piggies hide their illnesses so well that by the time we do notice they are very poorly. Take care. Popcorn high Lilly.

 

[holliesky12]

I am so very sorry for your loss Please don't feel guilty, Lilly would have known how much she was loved. Take your time to grieve. Think of all the good times you had with Lilly, she will be popcorning over the rainbow bridge free from pain.

You may find the following link helpful as you grieve Human Bereavement - Grieving, coping tips and support links for guinea pig owners and their children

Thank you much, that is such a lovely saying sometimes it is hard to see the positive whilst grieving

 

[holliesky12]

I’m so sorry for your loss. Please don’t feel guilty. You took her to the vets when you noticed she was poorly. You couldn’t do any more. Piggies hide their illnesses so well that by the time we do notice they are very poorly. Take care. Popcorn high Lilly.

Thank you very much, they are such great hiders which I feel like does make it hard to not feel guilty as I feel I should’ve of picked up it sooner she was such a lush soul I wish they don’t have to leave us

 

[Wiebke]

Hi everyone,
This weekend I lost my beautiful piggy Lilly. She was taken to the vets as an emergency as her breathing got sharp she become not willing to eat drink or move. The vets kept her in overnight and I said my goodbyes before giving her to the vets. In the early hours of Sunday morning she passed away. I feel so guilty that I wasn’t there when she passed almost a feeling that I failed her it hurts so much. She did have pain killer and I hope she went with very little or no pain.
I need help to be able to shake the feeling of guilt as it was the best thing for her, what is the best way to grieve ?

Hi and welcome

Intense soul searching and strong feelings of guilt and failure are characteristic for the onset of the grieving process. They are not a reflection of you having done something wrong but an expression of your love and sense of responsibility. The more you care, the more you will have them.

Rest assured that Lilly would have been as comfy and free of pain in her last hours as possible and she would have known that she was loved. Piggies who feel very ill will instinctively withdraw from the group in case they could be passing on an illness, so you not being there for her is much more of a problem for you than it would have been for her. You have said goodbye to her when you left her in the care of the nurses at the vet's, which is something the piggy family will also do. As far as Lilly is concerned, you have followed the proper piggy protocol. I hope that this will help you? It is an area where humans and guinea pigs do differ but that many people are not necessarily aware of.

Please take the time to read our grieving guide link. You will find it very helpful in making sense of your often unexpected feelings and experiences in the coming days; especially when it is your first encounter with death.
Here is the link again: Human Bereavement: Grieving, Coping and Support Links for Guinea Pig Owners and Their Children

Here is helpful information how you can look after any companion of Lilly's right now and in the coming days and weeks: Looking After a Bereaved Guinea Pig

Be kind with yourself in the coming days. You can't hurry on the grieving process; especially as you have to grieve as much as you love; grieving is the shadow that your great love in casting over your soul.

 

[My Piggies]

I'm so sorry for your loss. Please don't feel guilty, you did all you could for her. I'm sure she had an amazing life, and knew how much she was loved. Sleep tight Lilly

 

[holliesky12]

Hi and welcome

Intense soul searching and strong feelings of guilt and failure are characteristic for the onset of the grieving process. They are not a reflection of you having done something wrong but an expression of your love and sense of responsibility. The more you care, the more you will have them.

Rest assured that Lilly would have been as comfy and free of pain in her last hours as possible and she would have known that she was loved. Piggies who feel very ill will instinctively withdraw from the group in case they could be passing on an illness, so you not being there for her is much more of a problem for you than it would have been for her. You have said goodbye to her when you left her in the care of the nurses at the vet's, which is something the piggy family will also do. As far as Lilly is concerned, you have followed the proper piggy protocol. I hope that this will help you? It is an area where humans and guinea pigs do differ but that many people are not necessarily aware of.

Please take the time to read our grieving guide link. You will find it very helpful in making sense of your often unexpected feelings and experiences in the coming days; especially when it is your first encounter with death.
Here is the link again: Human Bereavement: Grieving, Coping and Support Links for Guinea Pig Owners and Their Children

Here is helpful information how you can look after any companion of Lilly's right now and in the coming days and weeks: Looking After a Bereaved Guinea Pig

Be kind with yourself in the coming days. You can't hurry on the grieving process; especially as you have to grieve as much as you love; grieving is the shadow that your great love in casting over your soul.

Thank you very much for the lovely message and for the links

 

[holliesky12]

I'm so sorry for your loss. Please don't feel guilty, you did all you could for her. I'm sure she had an amazing life, and knew how much she was loved. Sleep tight Lilly

Thank you