Lost Piggy, Remaining Piggy, New Piggy - Mixed Feelings

[Powerpigs]

As some of you may know, I lost my beautiful boy Ampeeri last week. He was pts due to getting so poorly after a long fight, because of a dental/chewing problem that could not be fixed by the vet. He is my first piggy to pass, and I'm devastated and miss him crazy.

Ampeeri's cagemate Voltti seemed quite ok afterwads, not bereaved but lonely. He was begging for our attention far more than usual, and I felt so sad seeing him alone. I decided he would be ready for a new mate already, because he seemed to go on with his life quite well, maybe only a bit less active while on his own. It so happened that I was able to find him a new companion, and Voltti was introduced to a baby boy already on Sunday. We don't have any guinea pig rescues here in Finland, not to mention boar dating services, so I just hoped for the best when choosing the baby boy. The initial introduction went really well, and Voltti and newly named little Ohmi are now living together. Voltti has been more active now that he has a mate again.

I'm so happy to see Voltti happy again, and this brings me to a conflict. Even though I know I did the right thing to find my Voltti a new companion, I feel like I'm betraying Ampeeri for getting a new pig when not even a week has passed since his passing. I also feel bad for little Ohmi, it's not fair for him that I wish I still had Ampeeri instead of him, and that I'm not able to enjoy having a new piggy around, since I'm nowhere near of being emotionally ready for a new pig. And when I do smile at Ohmi or admire how cute he is, I again feel like I'm betraying Ampeeri. I'm also aware the these mixed feelings I'm having are fairly normal in this situation, but I'd still like to talk about it with you.

To make up for a long post, I'm attaching some pictures of my boys!

Here are Voltti and Ampeeri, doing some normal piggy stuff. Ampeeri loved to stand with his front paws on the edge of the hay box like he does here. If the box would tip, even better


And here are little Ohmi and Voltti during their initial introduction in the floor pen. I can't believe the size difference!

 

[Tiamolly123]

I read once maybe another member will fill in the blanks a rescue dog was dying it said when I go please get another dog so he can feel alll the love & kindness you gave to me. I am happy & out of pain you are not betraying me, you are making me happy.

 

[Claire W]

Please do not feel bad.

You have done the right thing and have put Voltti's needs and happeness before your own and that takes a lot of courage.

Ohmi will never be a replacement for Ampeeri but you will soon learn to love Ohmi in his own way and you will never forget Ampeeri.

It's still very early days but I promise you, you will make lots of new memories with Ohmi and Ampeeri will be pleased that you are giving another needy guinea pig a home whilst making sure Voltti is happy.

They make a lovely pair and I'm
sure you have Ampeeri's blessing xx

 

[Louise's Zoo]

Beautiful piggies you have.

Try not to feel bad. I do know how you feel. I lost my house bunny 3 weeks ago and I still miss him everyday and can't help feeling it seems like I'm trying to replace him by getting my new piggies. He was so loved and now I have all this spare love to give and just thought that it would be nice to rehome some piggies and give them a great life.

 

[Powerpigs]

@Tiamolly123 Thank you, that's so beautifully said! I'll try to think of this whenever I feel bad.

@Claire W Thank you for your wise words. I guess the loss of Ampeeri is still so fresh, that any kind of change feels wrong, and Ohmi is still a stranger to me so it feels weird having him around. I also find myself comparing Ohmi to Ampeeri, which is not fair for either of them, and I feel bad about this, too.

@Eileen's Mum Thank you. I'm so sorry for you to have lost your bunny, but I'm also glad that you have decided to give your spare love to piggies in need. I guess I'm still a bit wary to give out my love again, even though it would not mean me stopping to love Ampeeri. I just have this feeling of betrayal I can't shake off. Not to mention I'm still feeling guilty for Ampeeri's passing, even though realistically thinking I did everything in my power to save him

 

[Flutterby]

I'm so sorry for your loss. It is hard when we loose a piggy, especially the first loss. The feeling you have are natural and part of the grieving process. Your new little one is gorgeous, they all are!

 

[Powerpigs]

Thank you @Flutterby It is indeed so very hard to loose a piggy. I have never had to go through a grieving process for a furry friend, but right now I find it very similar to the grieving process for a human loved one (that I've been through).

The little one is indeed gorgeus, I love the pattern on his face! Unfortunately Ampeeri was a really hard one to photograph right, he always looks completely black in photos when in reality he was a beautiful dark chocolate brown sable pig. And had beautiful dark ruby eyes, again almost always black in photos.

 

[Freela]

I can completely empathize with what you are saying. It is hard to grieve a pet, and it is hard to have a new pet you aren't emotionally ready for because it is the best interest of your remaining piggy. I've been there a couple of times myself, and had a hard time getting attached to my new pig. All I can say is that what you are feeling is normal, you are not betraying Ampeeri or replacing him, and that in time you will get to know your new little guy and the things that make him special and unique and will love him for all those unique individual traits, while still having all the love you have for Ampeeri as well. It will come naturally in time.

One poem I have always loved is called A Dog's Last Will and Testament, from the perspective of a dog willing his home and his owner to another dog who needs the same love that he had when he was alive. It's very moving, and it really speaks to me. I have never forgotten a pet that I have loved and lost, but am thankful to be able to give a loving home to the next one to come along, and to realize that they are special.

 

[Cocoteemin]

I am sorry for your loss, Ampeeri was beautiful.

I know first hand how hard it is to lose a pig, but I take comfort in knowing that I can give another pig a loving home.

Your new little boy is precious.

 

[Powerpigs]

@Freela Thank you for writing so beautifully, you have brought tears to my eyes. And thank you for sharing your experience, it is so comforting to hear that what I'm going through is recognised by others too. It also helps to hear someone saying I'm not betraying Ampeeri.

@Cocoteemin Thank you. I'll also try to think that I'm giving the little one a good home, and that he has an important role of keeping company for Voltti.

 

[LozzyBee]

They look so cute!

I think what you're feeling is only natural. When we lost Barnaby, we knew we needed a new friend for Barlo. It didn't happen for about a month. because I had trouble finding a boar dating service near me (you were very brave to just take the plunge like you did!).

When we brought Barlo and his new cage mate, Elvis, back home, I'm ashamed to say I saw the bad in Elvis all the time. I really didn't get gel with him. It got to the point that I had to force myself to hold him as I didn't like the way I was feeling. He'd been through a lot too - unwanted by his previous owners, left at a rescue, matched with Barlo, and then brought to a new home. It must have been a lot for him.

Over time, I've grown to love him so much. He's a little cutie - although he is a bit of a grump, just like Barnaby was! I sometimes look at him and feel bad for the way I used to feel about him.

Just give it time. It will happen before you've even realised you're in love with him

 

[Tiamolly123]

That guilty feeling knocking on your door, is part of the grieving process. The what ifs or I should have done don't let these feelings eat you away, you've done nothing wrong.The other thing I did, if they are indoor piggies, is a photo of the lost one above the cage. Now Molly can watch them playing & get cross because they are eating her tomatoes.

 

[Skittypigs]

As some of you may know, I lost my beautiful boy Ampeeri last week. He was pts due to getting so poorly after a long fight, because of a dental/chewing problem that could not be fixed by the vet. He is my first piggy to pass, and I'm devastated and miss him crazy.

Ampeeri's cagemate Voltti seemed quite ok afterwads, not bereaved but lonely. He was begging for our attention far more than usual, and I felt so sad seeing him alone. I decided he would be ready for a new mate already, because he seemed to go on with his life quite well, maybe only a bit less active while on his own. It so happened that I was able to find him a new companion, and Voltti was introduced to a baby boy already on Sunday. We don't have any guinea pig rescues here in Finland, not to mention boar dating services, so I just hoped for the best when choosing the baby boy. The initial introduction went really well, and Voltti and newly named little Ohmi are now living together. Voltti has been more active now that he has a mate again.

I'm so happy to see Voltti happy again, and this brings me to a conflict. Even though I know I did the right thing to find my Voltti a new companion, I feel like I'm betraying Ampeeri for getting a new pig when not even a week has passed since his passing. I also feel bad for little Ohmi, it's not fair for him that I wish I still had Ampeeri instead of him, and that I'm not able to enjoy having a new piggy around, since I'm nowhere near of being emotionally ready for a new pig. And when I do smile at Ohmi or admire how cute he is, I again feel like I'm betraying Ampeeri. I'm also aware the these mixed feelings I'm having are fairly normal in this situation, but I'd still like to talk about it with you.

To make up for a long post, I'm attaching some pictures of my boys!

Here are Voltti and Ampeeri, doing some normal piggy stuff. Ampeeri loved to stand with his front paws on the edge of the hay box like he does here. If the box would tip, even better
View attachment 64639

And here are little Ohmi and Voltti during their initial introduction in the floor pen. I can't believe the size difference!
View attachment 64640

Oh, so cute

 

[Powerpigs]

@LozzyBee Thank you for sharing your story. I really can relate to you right now. I'm ok holding little Ohmi, but he just feels like a stranger (which he basically still is) to me, and I would prefer cuddling Voltti as I know what he likes or doesn't like. It's like I'm holding someone else's piggy and not mine, when I have Ohmi. I'm so sorry you have lost Barnaby, but I'm also happy you were able to find Barlo a new friend in Elvis through dating. As I told we don't have any dating services here, so I had no choice but to take the plunge!

@Tiamolly123 I just hate the guilty feeling, but I'm trying my best to tell myself I've done all I can. We were actually planning to frame a photo of Ampeeri next to the urn when we get it, but a picture above the cage is a wonderful idea. Thank you!

@Skittypigs Yes, they indeed are cute

 

[Tiamolly123]

As some of you may know, I lost my beautiful boy Ampeeri last week. He was pts due to getting so poorly after a long fight, because of a dental/chewing problem that could not be fixed by the vet. He is my first piggy to pass, and I'm devastated and miss him crazy.

Ampeeri's cagemate Voltti seemed quite ok afterwads, not bereaved but lonely. He was begging for our attention far more than usual, and I felt so sad seeing him alone. I decided he would be ready for a new mate already, because he seemed to go on with his life quite well, maybe only a bit less active while on his own. It so happened that I was able to find him a new companion, and Voltti was introduced to a baby boy already on Sunday. We don't have any guinea pig rescues here in Finland, not to mention boar dating services, so I just hoped for the best when choosing the baby boy. The initial introduction went really well, and Voltti and newly named little Ohmi are now living together. Voltti has been more active now that he has a mate again.

I'm so happy to see Voltti happy again, and this brings me to a conflict. Even though I know I did the right thing to find my Voltti a new companion, I feel like I'm betraying Ampeeri for getting a new pig when not even a week has passed since his passing. I also feel bad for little Ohmi, it's not fair for him that I wish I still had Ampeeri instead of him, and that I'm not able to enjoy having a new piggy around, since I'm nowhere near of being emotionally ready for a new pig. And when I do smile at Ohmi or admire how cute he is, I again feel like I'm betraying Ampeeri. I'm also aware the these mixed feelings I'm having are fairly normal in this situation, but I'd still like to talk about it with you.

To make up for a long post, I'm attaching some pictures of my boys!

Here are Voltti and Ampeeri, doing some normal piggy stuff. Ampeeri loved to stand with his front paws on the edge of the hay box like he does here. If the box would tip, even better
View attachment 64639

And here are little Ohmi and Voltti during their initial introduction in the floor pen. I can't believe the size difference!
View attachment 64640

Little & Large such handsome boys.

 

[Powerpigs]

Little & Large such handsome boys.

They all are, my handsome boys.

I have to tell you, yesterday little Ohmi started to drank from the water bottle just like Ampeeri, Voltti has a completely different style compared to that. That sight brought tears to my eyes again. Yesterday was also exactly a week since Ampeeri's passing.

 

[David Piggie Lover]

I can completely empathize with what you are saying. It is hard to grieve a pet, and it is hard to have a new pet you aren't emotionally ready for because it is the best interest of your remaining piggy. I've been there a couple of times myself, and had a hard time getting attached to my new pig. All I can say is that what you are feeling is normal, you are not betraying Ampeeri or replacing him, and that in time you will get to know your new little guy and the things that make him special and unique and will love him for all those unique individual traits, while still having all the love you have for Ampeeri as well. It will come naturally in time.

One poem I have always loved is called A Dog's Last Will and Testament, from the perspective of a dog willing his home and his owner to another dog who needs the same love that he had when he was alive. It's very moving, and it really speaks to me. I have never forgotten a pet that I have loved and lost, but am thankful to be able to give a loving home to the next one to come along, and to realize that they are special.

beautiful poem. thanks for bringing to my attention. all the best.

 

[David Piggie Lover]

They all are, my handsome boys.

I have to tell you, yesterday little Ohmi started to drank from the water bottle just like Ampeeri, Voltti has a completely different style compared to that. That sight brought tears to my eyes again. Yesterday was also exactly a week since Ampeeri's passing.

oh that's lovely. I've read your story and if this ever happens to us I hope I can be as brave and honest as you. what is comin through is BIG LOVE for Ampeeris and I sorry for the loss but takin another piggie and I hope and wish it all works out. for piggies and us daft humans. Respect Dave

 

[Powerpigs]

Thank you @David Pet Lover I'm sure that if you'd ever be in a situation like this, you would find your courage. I believe it's the love we feel for these little creatures that makes us be brave for them when they need it. I love and miss Ampeeri so much, but I'm glad I was able to be there for him when he needed me. I'm equally glad I still have Voltti, and though bittersweet, I enjoy watching little Ohmi learn new things every day.

 

[David Piggie Lover]

Thank you @David Pet Lover I'm sure that if you'd ever be in a situation like this, you would find your courage. I believe it's the love we feel for these little creatures that makes us be brave for them when they need it. I love and miss Ampeeri so much, but I'm glad I was able to be there for him when he needed me. I'm equally glad I still have Voltti, and though bittersweet, I enjoy watching little Ohmi learn new things every day.

Yep I agree. we lost our guy 2 weeks ago today and we miss him unbelievable. see passed away thread. At the moment we without and it's hard. you now showin Ohmi . . the advantage of Voltti and become buddy's. I wish you all the best. Remember Ampeeris might be at Rainbow Bridge but he be watchin and popcorning cos he had great life. x

 

[Powerpigs]

I wish all the best for you too @David Pet Lover I'm so sorry you lost your guy. Our piggies may have left our homes, but they will never leave our hearts!