Mairi M
Junior Guinea Pig
Hi everyone,
I've been a bit absent the past couple of months because of being ill and also my fiancée moved in. I am in a difficult situation with my 2 unneutered boars that I rescued in September last year. Owning them has not been the joy I expected. I do love them both in their own special way and my heart is crying each time I think of giving them up but I can't keep them. I am also scared if I tell the truth about how they are as pets that no-one will want them. Honestly, I would be keeping them but for the fact my fiancée who was previously allergic to nothing is definitely allergic to them and also doesn't like them very much. But...in a small flat...I have to take these problems seriously to be fair to her. She moved from America to be with me so not responding to her needs (to be comfortable in my flat and free of allergies) would be unfair.
Back to the piggies....Parsley and Pippin are not neutered. They are brothers who I got from gumtree last September, before my own health took a turn for the worse in November. They SMELL big time. I've tried everything and honestly....one day after a clean out and poop scooping three times every day....they still smell bad. There is evidence of spraying....even up my walls. They tolerate each other but don't particularly like each other; though there is little aggression evident now after the first few weeks of having them, which was a worrying time! Any move could trigger this again.
I feed as directed...lots of hay on hand all the time. A small bowl of piggy nuggets each. One plate of mixed veg that I prepare fresh every morning along with a couple more small veg treats later in the day. This equates to about a cup each of veg a day. They look healthy and a good weight and are very active piggies. I got rid of all extra smelly veg from their diet and that only made a small difference.
They live in a 4 x 2 C&C with loft that is two by one. They have a ramp that they love and an ikea doll bed that they love to hop on and crawl under. I have followed advice on doing the "two of everything" rule for boars and that seems to work well for them. Sometimes they even choose to share things so they can't hate each other that much...just "like" seems a bit strong of a word to describe their relationship! I did have a fold away run for them but that was too much for me to manage, particularly after my health deteriorated, so they now just have their home. Their behaviour actually improved after I stopped putting them in their run, but I worry they don't get enough exercise.
They are not cuddly piggies. They really only seem to tolerate stroking when they are distracted by food. This I must admit was disappointing to me, but I get some enjoyment from other interactions. I have had them out individually for cuddles but I really don't think they like it much....and my fiancée doesn't like them and is allergic so I've pretty much given up on cuddle time. They really don't seem to mind...not liking it much any way. I think they trust me more, if anything, now that I don't try to get them out. I continue to enjoy them by interacting with them regularly, but given my new health problem and my fiancée's allergy...the care side of them is a lot of work for me....and her when I can't manage. (I developed a rare kidney and eye disease in November...2 months after adopting them.)
I am worried about telling the truth about these piggies when trying to get them rehomed. Do people really want to adopt un-neutred boars that don't like cuddles much....or each other all that much? Do they really want to adopt animals that just smell bad? (There's no polite way of putting that!) Their previous owner dumped them out in her garage...that should have been a red flag! Do they really want to adopt animals that leave spray up their walls and need confined to one room with an open window so their smell doesn't spread to the whole flat? They have their adorable side to them...I see it even if my fiancée doesn't, but I worry no one will want them if I am honest. I don't want them to become snake food either. I am crying inside just thinking of that!
Bottom line is...they have to go. I don't know what to do. I did contact a rescue but it has closed down. I am in Edinburgh and can't drive distances due to new health problem so taking them any distance not possible for me. My fiancée doesn't drive. We're in a pickle to put in mildly and the poor piggies are the centre of it :-(
Any help appreciated!
I've been a bit absent the past couple of months because of being ill and also my fiancée moved in. I am in a difficult situation with my 2 unneutered boars that I rescued in September last year. Owning them has not been the joy I expected. I do love them both in their own special way and my heart is crying each time I think of giving them up but I can't keep them. I am also scared if I tell the truth about how they are as pets that no-one will want them. Honestly, I would be keeping them but for the fact my fiancée who was previously allergic to nothing is definitely allergic to them and also doesn't like them very much. But...in a small flat...I have to take these problems seriously to be fair to her. She moved from America to be with me so not responding to her needs (to be comfortable in my flat and free of allergies) would be unfair.
Back to the piggies....Parsley and Pippin are not neutered. They are brothers who I got from gumtree last September, before my own health took a turn for the worse in November. They SMELL big time. I've tried everything and honestly....one day after a clean out and poop scooping three times every day....they still smell bad. There is evidence of spraying....even up my walls. They tolerate each other but don't particularly like each other; though there is little aggression evident now after the first few weeks of having them, which was a worrying time! Any move could trigger this again.
I feed as directed...lots of hay on hand all the time. A small bowl of piggy nuggets each. One plate of mixed veg that I prepare fresh every morning along with a couple more small veg treats later in the day. This equates to about a cup each of veg a day. They look healthy and a good weight and are very active piggies. I got rid of all extra smelly veg from their diet and that only made a small difference.
They live in a 4 x 2 C&C with loft that is two by one. They have a ramp that they love and an ikea doll bed that they love to hop on and crawl under. I have followed advice on doing the "two of everything" rule for boars and that seems to work well for them. Sometimes they even choose to share things so they can't hate each other that much...just "like" seems a bit strong of a word to describe their relationship! I did have a fold away run for them but that was too much for me to manage, particularly after my health deteriorated, so they now just have their home. Their behaviour actually improved after I stopped putting them in their run, but I worry they don't get enough exercise.
They are not cuddly piggies. They really only seem to tolerate stroking when they are distracted by food. This I must admit was disappointing to me, but I get some enjoyment from other interactions. I have had them out individually for cuddles but I really don't think they like it much....and my fiancée doesn't like them and is allergic so I've pretty much given up on cuddle time. They really don't seem to mind...not liking it much any way. I think they trust me more, if anything, now that I don't try to get them out. I continue to enjoy them by interacting with them regularly, but given my new health problem and my fiancée's allergy...the care side of them is a lot of work for me....and her when I can't manage. (I developed a rare kidney and eye disease in November...2 months after adopting them.)
I am worried about telling the truth about these piggies when trying to get them rehomed. Do people really want to adopt un-neutred boars that don't like cuddles much....or each other all that much? Do they really want to adopt animals that just smell bad? (There's no polite way of putting that!) Their previous owner dumped them out in her garage...that should have been a red flag! Do they really want to adopt animals that leave spray up their walls and need confined to one room with an open window so their smell doesn't spread to the whole flat? They have their adorable side to them...I see it even if my fiancée doesn't, but I worry no one will want them if I am honest. I don't want them to become snake food either. I am crying inside just thinking of that!
Bottom line is...they have to go. I don't know what to do. I did contact a rescue but it has closed down. I am in Edinburgh and can't drive distances due to new health problem so taking them any distance not possible for me. My fiancée doesn't drive. We're in a pickle to put in mildly and the poor piggies are the centre of it :-(
Any help appreciated!
I don't know how I got everything in my car but managed and surprised everyone in the process! 
I echo everything that Caron has said, such fab piggies and Mairi, you have done so well with them, they are gorgeous and are very well behaved piggies. You are well and truly one special piggy mummy and you deserve recognition for rescuing them. I wish you all the best hun x