Momo recently bereaved 💔

[Neesy95]

So you guys might have seen my post about Zorro going over the rainbow bridge.

Well all day I have been worried about Momo, she’s used to being in a group, and actually has been in a herd of 4 before.. however, Faye died last year, Yin died a few months ago, and Zorro (who was 5) died today and she’s got no friends left.

I have contacted all the rescues nearest to me, and no one has a sow or a neutered boar available… and I really don’t want to leave Momo alone for too long. I feel like I know her well and it would start to upset her.

So because I’m now located in the middle of nowhere, and in Surrey without a vehicle I am limited to what I can or can’t do.

There are no rescues near where my parents live in Essex, however, I have found a lady who has 2 baby girl sisters (5 weeks old). And I can collect them tomorrow (they are also conveniently located on the route home from my mums too). I was planning on putting them next to Momo in their own space, so she can see and interact with them too but not be too spooked by the new girlies straight away as I don’t want to alarm her.

I figured as they are girls and babies, they would be quite easy for her to get accustomed too. As she does like to be the piggy in charge..

I’ve been crying all day, my family think I’m crazy for getting another 2 pigs but I’m sure it’s the right thing to do.

I will look to get both my boars neutered too in the new year, so that whenever the inevitable happens to one of them (let’s hope it never will!) then the other can be introduced as the boar of the group to the girls I do have.

I also feel like 2 siblings will be nice for Momo. They will have their own quirks etc and she can just observe and play?

Am I being insane? and also, I’m not sure how much time work will give me off…so need to get it all done asap as well, hence the rush.

My Zorro lived an incredible life, he ate all the foods he loved and he loved to play in hay, and jump around. I’m happy he had the life he did with me, and I’ll never forget the first time we bought him home. He was my first baby and I’m going to miss him more than anything in the world. My gorgeous perfect little man x

 

[piggieminder]

I am so sorry. Sleep tight Zorro.
It sounds like a good plan to me. I would give a note of caution though, the new girls should really be quarantined in a separate room for 2 weeks although you may want to risk putting them next to Momo for her sake if she is lonely. When I took on 2 baby boars in August I didn't quarantine them because they were very scared having only just been removed from their mother. It is a lot for you to weigh up. Good luck with the bonding.

Bonding and Interaction: Illustrated Bonding Dynamics and Behaviours

Looking After A Bereaved Guinea Pig

Human Bereavement - Grieving, coping tips and support links for guinea pig owners and their children

I hope the above guides help you.

 

[Roselina]

Hello Neesy95 I’m so sorry to read that Zorro died today .
He was clearly living his best life ever with you all and that’s all he’d want
It’s understandable to be upset and crying ….youre not crazy but grieving
I think the babies sound ideal and @piggieminder has given you great advice.
Momo will need company and if work doesn’t give you much time off, the babies are on your way home , Christmas is coming when everything stops etc
I think the Universe might be telling you something …..

 

[Piggies&buns]

I’m sorry for your loss

Yes getting her new friends is the right thing to do.

Piggieminder is right though - as they are coming from somewhere other than a reputable rescue, and as you are getting two, it would be advisable to quarantine the babies in a separate room from Momo for two weeks. You can’t quarantine a single baby as a single baby cannot be alone, but as you are getting two you can quarantine.
It would be a good idea to do the quarantine provided Momo is otherwise ok on her own - maintaining her weight each day, otherwise happy etc

After the two weeks quarantine , you can then move the babies before Momo for as long as necessary for everybody to get to know each other and settle in - it could take a few days, could take a few weeks.

You then carry out the neutral territory bonding and see whether it works out.

 

[Merab]

Hope everything works out well.
This sounds an ideal solution for Momo