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My Old Girls Giving Up

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jammybaby

jammybaby

Junior Guinea Pig
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But sad really. But I know my old girl bubbles don't have long left and was wondering how each of you deal with knowing this. She's 6 years old and I know she's had a great spoilt life but it still don't make it any easier knowing. I have had her checked over and everything's fine. Just an age thing :( she's my first pig that started my addiction so she's extra special. She is still eating etc just slowed down an awful lot over the past week or 2. Iv spoilt her with extra cuddles and treats to make her final weeks special. I even managed to rummage the garden for some dandilions that's just started to grow again. It's just awful to see happening. It's gonna break my heart I know as it makes me upset thinking about it. I wish they could live forever ❤❤❤ I know everyone here will know where I'm coming from. :(
 
jammybaby said:
But sad really. But I know my old girl bubbles don't have long left and was wondering how each of you deal with knowing this. She's 6 years old and I know she's had a great spoilt life but it still don't make it any easier knowing. I have had her checked over and everything's fine. Just an age thing :( she's my first pig that started my addiction so she's extra special. She is still eating etc just slowed down an awful lot over the past week or 2. Iv spoilt her with extra cuddles and treats to make her final weeks special. I even managed to rummage the garden for some dandilions that's just started to grow again. It's just awful to see happening. It's gonna break my heart I know as it makes me upset thinking about it. I wish they could live forever ❤❤❤ I know everyone here will know where I'm coming from. :(
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It is always a heart-breaking time when a beloved pet is showing signs that old age or a progressive illness are catching up with them and they have only so much time with you left. Spoil her and offer her top-up syringe feed if necessary (as long as she takes it voluntarily), but also be prepared to let her go if she shows signs of suffering or giving up.

Savour the time you have left and create some precious memories. Love transcends time; if it is lived consciously it can turn an amazingly short moment into a lifetime. The one advantage with knowing that the time is up that you can do and show anything that needs showing and not leave any loose ends.

Pets have a shorter lifespan than us humans. We only have them on loan to love unconditionally and to get so much joy back, and have our own lives enriched that way. It matters less how long than what we make of it. We often cannot control how long a beloved pet lives and what it ultimately dies of; but we can make their lives as happy and fulfilled while they last.
When you have never experienced it before, the loss and the grieving process can be daunting. But as the joy of having a pet has enriched your life, the experience of loss and grieving is ultimately enriching and maturing your own being; it makes you feel deeper and makes you more understanding.

You will always carry the memories and the love with you even though you cannot touch your piggy physically anymore. It won't be lost since it has shaped your life and it is going to inform your life in the future. There is a legacy that can often be tangible in surprising ways. ;)

You are doing fine. What I would recommend is to make sure that you keep her as normal as possible, but also keep her warm, but not hot. If you have snugglesafes, heat them for half the time, but more often. Blood circulation is no longer as good when the body is slowly shutting down, and both humans and animals are prone to feeling cold.

6 years is a very good lifespan. Feel proud for having got as far as that, as hard as it is to let go, and treasure every moment that you have with her. The first piggy is always special, as they have taught you so much - but they also leave a special legacy in that you can hand on what they have taught you.
 
I agree with both the above posts, the time between you will be very special, knowing that her time with her may be short. I think you should do everything that is routine for her. So she will feel secure.
Also the best bit, love & cuddle her at every possible moment. Make the time you have left together memorable.
 
((HUGS.)) It is definitely hard watching a beloved pet age and decline, knowing that inevitably you will have to say goodbye to them. We do some anticipatory grieving. Because their lives are so much shorter than ours, we watch them go from bouncy little piglets to arthritic old men and old ladies in what seems like the blink of an eye. And it's always hard to say goodbye to someone we love. All I can say is try to enjoy the time you have with her now... make the days special, spend time together, take pictures, give treats, have snuggles. Remind yourself that, although it seems like a short time from your perspective, it has been a good, long life for her and I'm sure she is thankful for it. A lot of pigs are not so lucky. We recently lost our elderly girl, Sundae, who was almost 7 when she passed. It was very hard, we had been through a lot with her in those years, and I miss her. But I can comfort myself with the fact that I know that we gave her a good life and that she was loved and happy for those years, and I feel fortunate to have had her in our family for as long as we did. ((HUGS)) to you... I think everyone here knows where you are coming from.
 
Thank u all for your lovely reassuring replys. It does help alot to read these comment and use your advise to make her remaining time comfortable n special. Here is a picture of her taken not so long ago also. Thank u again all xx

Screenshot_20170323-094214.webp
 
Aww what a lovely guineapig. Bless her hope she remains comfortable and contented for as long as possible.
 
Aw! she is gorgeous - they can surprise you though - my Truffles has slowed down a lot over the last year - she is now 900gs against her younger weight of 1150g - she is full of arthritis and just seems to eat and sleep and doesnt move about much - and when she does she noses her little red house along and takes it with her like a tortoise shell - but she is happy and still going at 7 1/2 - big hugs to you xx
 
It's sad watching them age in front of your eyes but I agree with all the posts that recommend enjoying your time together.
I have an old lady who has surprised me. She is well over 6 and despite slowing down visibly and spending more time sleeping she is actually doing far better than I would have anticipated at the beginning of the year.
Just enjoy this precious time together.
 
aww she's pretty :love::wub:
if it helps i was given my lil ol' lady Ellie when she was 5yrs old found out that she had lots of UTI's due to ovarian cysts when she was 6yrs old, she had two sets of hormone injections & again at 7yrs old, but she was generally healthy afterwards, she slowly lost weight & muscle tone, she slowed up & slept a lot more & went into a deeper sleep than in her younger days:zzz:, it was diagnosed a bit too late that she had heart problems, but I lost her at 8yrs old, she was a happy little guinea just pottering around, enjoying cuddles & kisses right up until the last evening.

just spoil her rotten & make the most of the time you have left, but don't write her off too soon- she may surprise you like Ellie did with me :luv:
xx
 
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Sadly bubbles went to piggy heaven during the night. I had her cage beside my bed so i could keep an eye. She looked so peaceful in the way i found her too which was peace of mind. Its amazing how much these little bundles of fun and fluff fill our hearts. I'm glad i had 6 years with her and it gives me a little smile knowing shes back with her sister again ☺
Thank you to everyone's lovely comments. Its sure good to talk about our little furrfriends here.
 
Oh no! I'm so sorry to hear bubbles has crossed rainbow bridge :(
6yrs is a good age. At least she went peacefully &you know she's not going to be in pain or suffer at all.
Keep with you the happy memories you have of her &the love you shared.

RIP, popcorn pain free over rainbow bridge &eat lush green grass to your hearts content little bubbles. Reunited with your sister, together again.
Big hug &thinking of u at this sad &difficult time. Xx
 
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Sorry that your old girl has trotted off to the Bridge, but so good to hear it was a peaceful passing. Popcorn free Bubbles. Hugs xx
 
So sorry and upset she has gone, Happy though that it was a peaceful passing. It's still hard losing a loved one, thinking of you. Massive hugs to you, RIP little Bubbles xx
 
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