My piggie died

[Dulce]

Hi, I am not one to post but I feel the need to vent out. My sweet Petey Pablo passed away yesterday. It was a tragic accident we kept our guineapigs cages in our spare bedroom.we had 3 and now only left with 2. normally there is a kiddie gate on the room door. This kept the dogs out of the room. I negligently kept Petey’s cage on the floor because it was easy to administer his daily medication. This past week we were babysitting my nephews dog, Nyx. She was curious about the guinea pigs and had been trying to get in. I should have moved his cage when I noticed nyx’s curiosity. While I was at work yesterday, my daughter forgot to put the gate on the door. My mom and dAughter headed out to the store but quickly returned bc they had forgotten something. My mom said she heard the cage rattle and all the guinea pigs squealed. She quickly ran in to check what was going on. Nyx had shaken up the cage and door must have popped open. Petey ran for his life but since he has heart murmur, I’m assuming he had a heart attack from
The fear. My mom found him laying on the floor barely breathing. There were no bite marks idk what happened. She tried to massage his heart but nothing brought him back. I can’t help but feel so guilty and stupid for not thinking this could happen. Now there’s nothing I can do to bring him back. He was very sweet and loving. I miss him and I can’t seem to get past the pain I feel.

 

[Free Ranger]

Hi, I'm so sorry for your loss - and thank you so much for posting.
They can have heart attacks and although it was awful to find him like this I think you'll know it was in so many ways better than Nyx having got to him. Your other piggies would have been frightened by the event but not traumatised in the same way as if... well, you know. Please know that by bravely telling about your accident you will likely save other piggies from such situations. There are a lot of videos on the internet showing dog-n-piggie 'friends' and it gives new owners the dangerous impression that their much loved doggy pal will enjoy 'meeting' their new piggies. Dogs can't help being dogs and I know others who read your post will increase their understanding.

Please be kind to yourself and take comfort from your other piggies. You cared so much for him, especially when he was poorly, he must have had a happy life

 

[David Piggie Lover]

I'm sorry to hear about your piggie,
Dogs are bad and accidents like this happen, , don't feel guilty guys , remember Pablo as a loved piggie and keep other two safe and lots tlc.
Rip little guy,

 

[tabelmabel]

Dogs are bad

Dogs aren't "bad" but many have a prey drive which is genetically hard wired into them and the entire prey drive sequence will trigger when an opportunity presents.

@Dulce - this is a very recent, tragic accident and it will take a time to comes to terms with it. Please dont reproach yourself. Accidents happen. Please direct any angry feelings towards the dog at an inanimate object - I'm sure you realise the dog is not to blame at all and your nephew need carry no guilt either.

This was a human mistake any of us with dogs, cats and pigs could have made and has had a tragic consequence.

You have been very brave in posting and I wish you all the best in being able to come to terms with this and move forward with a clear consience. Take care xx

 

[Deleted member 139433]

I'm so sorry for your loss.

I do think dogs get a bad name! And there is no need for it. They have natural prey drive instincts (some breeds more than others). I have a Siberian Husky, and will soon have two huskies. They never meet my piggies as it is just not worth the risk - it is also not worth the stress for my piggies. The guinea pigs have their own room with a reinforced door and a lock. They love their little world away from the dogs. My current dog doesn't even look at the door anymore as he knows that is not his 'area'. If ever walking by with me, that is what he does, walks by, doesn't even bother sniffing anymore. The dogs are also well away from the piggies via another door and a gate at the bottom of the stairs. Only my husband and I live here and we are always extra vigilant. The dogs are never left home alone either, and if they have to be left for a short period of time they are in their crates behind another locked door in the kitchen.

I guess I just want to say that it can be done and I wouldn't want people to be put off keeping piggies and dogs. I also hate to hear dogs getting a bad name. You were just a victim of a very unfortunate and tragic accident (accidents do happen). Any dog can chase piggies (and even if it is just for play - it is far too much stress for the piggies). My brother has a tiny Dachshund who I trust even less (as they were bred mainly for hunting prey and actually has a stronger prey drive than my husky does - but people automatically seem more wary of bigger dogs). If you have dogs and pigs (as many of us forum members do), you just have to be extra vigilant and put precautions in place. Which you did, and unfortunately an accident happened.

I am very sorry for the unfortunate accident that happened with your little guy, he's having a great time with the others over rainbow bridge now. Rest in peace little man

 

[David Piggie Lover]

Dogs aren't "bad" but many have a prey drive which is genetically hard wired into them and the entire prey drive sequence will trigger when an opportunity presents.

@Dulce - this is a very recent, tragic accident and it will take a time to comes to terms with it. Please dont reproach yourself. Accidents happen. Please direct any angry feelings towards the dog at an inanimate object - I'm sure you realise the dog is not to blame at all and your nephew need carry no guilt either.

This was a human mistake any of us with dogs, cats and pigs could have made and has had a tragic consequence.

You have been very brave in posting and I wish you all the best in being able to come to terms with this and move forward with a clear consience. Take care xx

I was wanting to reply to this person offering support. .
Saying dogs are bad was rushed comment and under no way are all dogs bad.
I should have said some dogs . .
No offence towards any dog owners etc.
I've had cats for 30 years not now because I have piggies. . . Sorry

 

[Deleted member 139433]

I was wanting to reply to this person offering support. .
Saying dogs are bad was rushed comment and under no way are all dogs bad.
I should have said some dogs . .
No offence towards any dog owners etc.
I've had cats for 30 years not now because I have piggies. . . Sorry

Hope you're all well at your house Dave

 

[David Piggie Lover]

Hope you're all well at your house Dave

Not really Mrs Dougal is still well miffed at me..She had a rather uncomplimentary haircut and has taken it personal. .
So I'm a bad slave.

 

[tabelmabel]

No worries @David Piggie Lover Dogs are a huuuuuuge part of my life and there is so much misunderstanding when dogs bite, chase, cause stress to other animals etc - i do get very concerned when people start shouting at and/or hitting their dogs for perfectly normal dog behaviour. I needed to speak up for the dogs! (I am certainly not thinking the OP has thought of the dog as "bad" or that the dog involved here was punished in any way - it is just a common thing to happen and i felt i needed to counter the 'bad dog' idea.)


As @Bradshaw Piggies says, it is perfectly possible to be a dog and pig owner at the same time but with certain dogs, the only way to ensure safety is by use of seperation and barriers that cant be breached.

Other dogs have very low prey drive or are working dogs trained to look to the handler for direction at all times and do not need such fortified seperation.


It is just understanding the drives and behaviours of the animals we are priviliged to share our lives with really - if this thread can prevent another tragedy, it will be very valuable indeed.

 

[Ginny&Cheeky]

I'm so sorry for your loss.
There is nothing worse then losing a close friend, like guinea pigs... we are all here for you!
no one is at fualt, things happen- I'm sure you're piggy would understand. Once again, I am so, so sorry.

 

[David Piggie Lover]

No worries @David Piggie Lover Dogs are a huuuuuuge part of my life and there is so much misunderstanding when dogs bite, chase, cause stress to other animals etc - i do get very concerned when people start shouting at and/or hitting their dogs for perfectly normal dog behaviour. I needed to speak up for the dogs! (I am certainly not thinking the OP has thought of the dog as "bad" or that the dog involved here was punished in any way - it is just a common thing to happen and i felt i needed to counter the 'bad dog' idea.)


As @Bradshaw Piggies says, it is perfectly possible to be a dog and pig owner at the same time but with certain dogs, the only way to ensure safety is by use of seperation and barriers that cant be breached.

Other dogs have very low prey drive or are working dogs trained to look to the handler for direction at all times and do not need such fortified seperation.


It is just understanding the drives and behaviours of the animals we are priviliged to share our lives with really - if this thread can prevent another tragedy, it will be very valuable indeed.

I love dogs ( prob not one's that yap yap )
When I retire be dog and paper round. .
My blood boils when I see people draging a poor dog who wants to sniff play etc. hurts me so much. .
Ok let's return to sad loss of a loved piggie.

 

[weepweeps]

I’m so sorry for your loss. Please be kind to yourself. Accidents happen unfortunately. Take care.

 

[Dulce]

Thank you for your kind words. My heart will ache for awhile. It’s hard to see his empty cage. I hope to donate it the animal society for another guinea pig to use. I do not blame the dogs as I am the one that should have been more conscious. I am glad I found this community that cares for these little guys as much as i do. My co workers laughed when I received the news. I don’t feel very many people understand this and only see them as rodents.

 

[Dulce]

Petey Pablo and Otis

 

[David Piggie Lover]

Thank you for your kind words. My heart will ache for awhile. It’s hard to see his empty cage. I hope to donate it the animal society for another guinea pig to use. I do not blame the dogs as I am the one that should have been more conscious. I am glad I found this community that cares for these little guys as much as i do. My co workers laughed when I received the news. I don’t feel very many people understand this and only see them as rodents.

Laughed,, thats not understanding at all or helpful,
I got a lot of that especially as they live indoors , , why etc, you must be mad,,, smell,, blah blah,
Not now as people realise my piggies mean so much to me, , ,
Hope you OK, x

 

[Deleted member 145237]

I can’t help but feel so guilty and stupid for not thinking this could happen. Now there’s nothing I can do to bring him back. He was very sweet and loving. I miss him and I can’t seem to get past the pain I feel.

Aaaw, I really feel for you - such a horrible thing to happen. Your last couple of sentences brought a lump to my throat. It's early days yet. I can't think of anything helpful to say other than have a damn good cry then later have extra cuddles with your other piggies.

 

[Dulce]

Aaaw, I really feel for you - such a horrible thing to happen. Your last couple of sentences brought a lump to my throat. It's early days yet. I can't think of anything helpful to say other than have a damn good cry then later have extra cuddles with your other piggies.

Thank you