Need Some Advice on a Lonely Pig

[Cavy Lover]

I haven’t been on here for a very long time but I need some advice and this is the best place to come.
Last year I lost my boar Peaches to old age. About 2 weeks ago Luna passed away from cancer. I’m absolutely devastated but I’m also very worried about my remaining pig Smudge.

She’s never been by herself before and she’s not been herself since Luna died. She’s still eating and drinking like normal but she never goes into any of her houses or tunnels that’s been in her cage. She’ll just sleep under her hay rack or stay in the same spot for ages.

I’m going on holidays on Saturday and she’s gone to my friends house where she’ll spend 3 weeks with my friends guinea pigs. She very familiar with these guinea pigs and I’m worried that when I bring her home, she’ll be even lonelier when she’s by herself.

I’m not really in the position to get another guinea pig. I also don’t know if I can bring myself to give her another home. I feel really bad for her and I feel like I’m being selfish but if anyone can offer any advice it’d be greatly appreciated. Thank you

 

[Wiebke]

I haven’t been on here for a very long time but I need some advice and this is the best place to come.
Last year I lost my boar Peaches to old age. About 2 weeks ago Luna passed away from cancer. I’m absolutely devastated but I’m also very worried about my remaining pig Smudge.

She’s never been by herself before and she’s not been herself since Luna died. She’s still eating and drinking like normal but she never goes into any of her houses or tunnels that’s been in her cage. She’ll just sleep under her hay rack or stay in the same spot for ages.

I’m going on holidays on Saturday and she’s gone to my friends house where she’ll spend 3 weeks with my friends guinea pigs. She very familiar with these guinea pigs and I’m worried that when I bring her home, she’ll be even lonelier when she’s by herself.

I’m not really in the position to get another guinea pig. I also don’t know if I can bring myself to give her another home. I feel really bad for her and I feel like I’m being selfish but if anyone can offer any advice it’d be greatly appreciated. Thank you

I am very sorry for your loss and your dilemma. The 'last one standing' is always such a difficult one, especially as it usually comes close on the heels of you struggling with a loss and not at all ready to face losing yet another one!

Having given up the odd piggy myself that I couldn't give what they needed at the time, I know exactly how hard it is. I have gone through the full grieving process even though they were living at a friend's and I could visit or speak to them on phone - and they always knew who I was and reacted differently to me than to other people.
However, despite that, I would do it again in a heartbeat because the piggies were a lot happier in their new home with new company they didn't struggle with.

In return, I have given a home to a number of unhappy 'end of the line' piggies from caring owners like you over the years who wanted to stay in touch and visit. In my own experience these piggies have really perked up again and usually lived longer than they would have otherwise. It was never an easy or lightly taken decision by their owners, and it was always as a sacrifice of their own wishes and hopes.

I would recommend that you wait and see how Smudge is getting on at your friend's as a single (which is always different proposition) and make your decision then. Perhaps your friend would lend out Smudge's best friend in her herd to live with you for the remainder of Smudge's life as an alternative?

Here is an article I have written for Guinea Pig Magazine at the beginning of this year that deals with the various dilemmas and challenges that owners of single piggies face, including bereaved piggies. Perhaps this can help you? Single Guinea Pigs - Challenges and Responsibilities

 

[Cavy Lover]

I am very sorry for your loss and your dilemma. The 'last one standing' is always such a difficult one, especially as it usually comes close on the heels of you struggling with a loss and not at all ready to face losing yet another one!

Having given up the odd piggy myself that I couldn't give what they needed at the time, I know exactly how hard it is. I have gone through the full grieving process even though they were living at a friend's and I could visit or speak to them on phone - and they always knew who I was and reacted differently to me than to other people.
However, despite that, I would do it again in a heartbeat because the piggies were a lot happier in their new home with new company they didn't struggle with.

In return, I have given a home to a number of unhappy 'end of the line' piggies from caring owners like you over the years who wanted to stay in touch and visit. In my own experience these piggies have really perked up again and usually lived longer than they would have otherwise. It was never an easy or lightly taken decision by their owners, and it was always as a sacrifice of their own wishes and hopes.

I would recommend that you wait and see how Smudge is getting on at your friend's as a single (which is always different proposition) and make your decision then. Perhaps your friend would lend out Smudge's best friend in her herd to live with you for the remainder of Smudge's life as an alternative?

Here is an article I have written for Guinea Pig Magazine at the beginning of this year that deals with the various dilemmas and challenges that owners of single piggies face, including bereaved piggies. Perhaps this can help you? Single Guinea Pigs - Challenges and Responsibilities

Thank you very much. I definitely will keep in touch with my friend while I’m on holiday and see if Smudge perks up and ask her to monitor how she’s acting. I also will consider the idea of maybe looking after one of her piggies as a companion for her. I never thought of that. Will check out that thread now. Thanks again