ThePiggyPalace
Junior Guinea Pig
My lovely boy died on 24th December. He lived with another boar since the other was a tiny pup and they were close.
My other boar knew my oldest was dying and I showed him the body after he had passed away so he was aware of the death. It was early morning.
Afterwards, I showed as much attention and love to the boar who was bereaved as well as my other two boars, who were no doubt feeling the loss of one of their herd too.
That night I wrapped my bereaved boy up in my dressing gown and he laid down on me and got comfortable and let out a huge sigh. I've never had this with any piggy I've had and I've had piggies for over 20 years. Was my boy letting out the grief in that moment? Was he feeling relieved of the stress when he was cuddling with me, like us humans when something has happened and a hug can lift the weight of the world?
He is now doing well. I've tried to bond him with my other very chilled and quiet boy who were in a neutral space for hours and hours but there was a lot of clattering of teeth once they went into the pen together and I didn't feel comfortable leaving them alone. I'll try them again.
My other boar knew my oldest was dying and I showed him the body after he had passed away so he was aware of the death. It was early morning.
Afterwards, I showed as much attention and love to the boar who was bereaved as well as my other two boars, who were no doubt feeling the loss of one of their herd too.
That night I wrapped my bereaved boy up in my dressing gown and he laid down on me and got comfortable and let out a huge sigh. I've never had this with any piggy I've had and I've had piggies for over 20 years. Was my boy letting out the grief in that moment? Was he feeling relieved of the stress when he was cuddling with me, like us humans when something has happened and a hug can lift the weight of the world?
He is now doing well. I've tried to bond him with my other very chilled and quiet boy who were in a neutral space for hours and hours but there was a lot of clattering of teeth once they went into the pen together and I didn't feel comfortable leaving them alone. I'll try them again.
I hope you can find a new partnership for him. My boys live in side by side cages and seem very happy to interact between the bars. I cannot put them together though as they no longer get on.
