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New brother needed :(

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PAMELAKT

PAMELAKT

Adult Guinea Pig
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Sadly, I lost my little Rufus Bear this morning.

Its a long story, but basically the teeth problems turned out to be tumour related. I had to make the decision to have him put to sleep this morning & it was horrific. I don't really want to go into it...

Anyway, my new concern is obviously now Rodney. They were twins, and joined at the hip. I've never seen 2 animals so close. At the moment he doesn't seem to have noticed, but I have been reading horror stories about depression & grief & I am so worried he will quit eating & I will have teeth issues all over again!

I have emailed 2 places ref boar dating & am waiting for replies. If there are none available, should I do this myself? I have been reading up on it. I'd rather someone else did it for me! But I may have to act quickly & if there are long waiting lists I may just have to. When would be advisable if I did get him a new brother? Is it something that should be done soon as possible? I am assuming so. I didn't really want another, but I have to put his needs first he is still a young man.

Does anyone know of any little boys needing a new friend in the Hampshire area?!

Rodney is an un neautered 21 month old boy, he is pretty big (R e x ) and VERY friendly & paid back. I hope this would work to his advantage :/

I am beyond gutted.
 
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I'm so sorry for your loss, what an awful decision to have to make, but you did the best for your piggy, which is what any good parent would do.

Rip Rufus Bear, sleep well little one x
 
Thank you, I feel awful & still really tearful. Its really got to me. Can't even look at pictures of him on my phone at the moment its that sad!

I lost my Dad to cancer in January, this is the second time I have had to decide its time to let someone go this year.

Just horrible.:(
 
oh mate I'm so sorry, what a horrible year. It takes time to deal with things like this, dont be so hard on yourself, all of us here would be devastated, we all know how you feel.

I can ask on the piggy bank about boar dating in your area if you like?
 
There is a thread on here about it, it is a network of rescues and people that help with rescues, and there are a lot of people with knowledge of who does boar dating and where, i have asked for you, will let you know if any replies, or someone may even come along on here in the meantime.

I just wanted to acknowledge your thread beacause i know how desperately empty you feel when you lose a lovely furbaby and it helps chatting to other people that feel the same way about them.

We understand x
 
I am so sorry for your sad loss; what a gutting thing to happen to you!

Here is a link to the Piggy Bank rescue supprt network map of recommendable guinea pig rescues: https://maps.google.co.uk/maps/ms?msid=209994852075231951564.0004b8fd9391b4257d8eb&msa=0
Your closest rescue is Wheek and Squeak near Southampton; to my knowledge they offer boar dating. Letting your bereaved boy choose his own friend will give you time to grieve for Rufus while knowing that his brother has been taken care of. When you are ready, you will bond, but you do not have to force it.
 
I have emailed wheek & squeak this afternoon, they're the only ones I could find for sure. Is it something you would do in the next couple of weeks?

Thanks so much, it's been awful. I spent so many weeks nursing him coming home at lunchtimes, it's been exhausting and all for nothing ;(

He was such a lovely affectionate little man, I miss him horribly already x
 
I'm so sorry for your loss i also am in the hampshire area and would suggest checking out ashely heath rspca they have lots of guinea pigs and often many males (females are more popular) i got my jessie there
hope this helps
 
It isnt for nothing really, you were there for him, and he must have felt that love from you when he needed it x

ps/ i would give the rescue time to answer as i am sure they are all very busy, if you have contacted them, they will get back to you xx
 
You have given him your love and a chance; that is all you can do. But it is a big gift in itself!

I would take him fairly soon after he hopefully comes out of deep mourning in a few days. As I said, let the boy choose and make friends yourself with the newbie only when you are ready; he will build his very own nest in your heart in his own time - no piggy can ever replace another! the satisfaction of seeing one piggy having his sparkle back has always helped me cope with the loss of the other; it is something positive that you can do.

Best of luck!
 
I am sorry for you loss. We have all been there so we understand just how painful this time is for you. Maybe when you are ready you can leave a tribute for him in the Rainbow Bridge section.x

RIP Rufus x
 
He seems fine this evening he's eating as normal & being cheeky... But I guess Rufus has been so quiet for weeks he's used to tottering about on his own. I'm dreading it sinking in he's gone ;(

I'm actually going away for 4 days the week after next so am quite worried about that altho my mum will look after him. I could maybe put him in for boar dating those days I'm away if there are suitable friends for him...

He's very very people friendly they both literally hang out the cage when it's open desperate for attention, I hope if I got another he wouldn't change.

I've given him a teddy tonight, case he needs a snuggle ;(
 
Sorry for the loss of your little boy, you made such a brave decision to help him across the bridge. I know how much it hurts and what a difficult choice it is, but it is one made purely out of love for him. *big hugs*

Hope your other piggie is ok x

RIP Rufus
x x
 
So sorry to hear about Rufus; one of the hardest decisions we have to make is when to let a piggie go. I am sure Rodney will find a new friend and will be much happier than if he was on his own. Sending big hugs to you both
 
I'm so sorry to hear about Rufus, it's heart breaking isn't it.
I can highly recommend the Wheek and Squeak, I have adopted 6 guinea pigs from Anna, the first time I went was to take my pig Spike just after he lost his friend. Anna is very good at matching pigs for boar dating. Spike and Bob are so lovely together, they're both snuggled up squeezed into the same cozy at the moment so I'm sure the right boy is out there for Rodney.
I remember when I lost Stripes I was so worried about Spike getting depressed but he was actually fine. We had extra cuddles and lots of fuss and he's been so happy since he met Bob.
Spike stayed at Anna's for a week so she could be sure they were happy together so it may be good timing to do it while you are away if you can, I know I found the house very quiet without Spike, at least I was kept busy because I decided to adopt more pigs while I was there so spent the week building more homes! lol
Best of luck with the dating. x
 
Oh no whee are so very very sorry to hear about dear Rufus Bear 8...8...8...
RIP Rufus Bear run free at the bridge, enjoy munching away on long blades of grass and tasty sweet corn silks, and have fun popcorning thru the lush green meadows with new friends, you'll be so very very sadly missed by your devastated mummy and buddy Rodney but NEVER EVER forgotten xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((HUGS))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))) and loads of loves from Glynis, Velvet and Onyx xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Another little star now twinkling in the sky ............... :(


Please don't think it wasn't worth it! I know how hard it is to nurse a very ill piggie and then for them to go to the bridge......but in that time i bet you formed an incredible bond, carry that with you forever it is very special.
HUGS XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
 
Thanks everyone, still tearful this morning just picturing his little face looking up at me when I said goodbye. Awful. He was such a good patient too even the vet was tearful!

Rodney has been in bed with me this morning for hugs, and is munching his breakfast at the moment so all ok so far buti don't kno when it usually hits them.

Katiepops really interested in your experience with wheak & squeak, thanks for that story! The thought of leaving him somewhere makes me feel nervous, I don't want to stress him but I guess he would be kept busy. How long did you have to wait for a place with anna?

When you say a week was it 5 days or 7? It seems a long time ;/ would he Go in his own cage or would she put him in her own?
 
I'm struggling to remember how long it was to be honest, I think probably nearer 5 days than 7, I think we allowed for 7 but she was very happy with them so had no worries and let them come home earlier.
I'm not sure who's she's got available for boar dating at the moment but they are full.
They stay in a bonding cage in her house so she can keep a close eye on them. She's there all day, looking after over 100 pigs is a full time job so they are closely supervised.
It's all new and exciting and lots of pigs everywhere so Rodney will be delighted with the attention so no need to worry.

Did Rodney see Rufus after he passed to say goodbye?
 
Unfortunately he didn't, to be honest I just didn't even realise he would need to. I had taken Rufus to a special vet 60 odd miles away & wasn't expecting to not come home with him I just didn't want to spend over an hour driving home with his dead body ;(

I hope I haven't damaged Rodney but not doing that...

I have had a reply from another place I emailed who have a one year old boy they have offered for Rodney to go meet, but I get the impression it would all be done that day & I'm nervous if I took one home they'd fight.

I think I'll ring the lady rather than go by email, I'm nervous! Haha. Feel like I'm sending a child off to its first day at school!

You don't think the sudden change in scenery along with losing his brother would really stress him out?
 
Aww so sorry to hear of poor Rufus. I had to get one of mine PTS. Thomas had stopped eating, tried everything we went to 2 vets and both said it was his teeth, had two dentals but he still didn't eat so in the end we had to make the decision to end his and our suffering. That left poor Percy on his own, I was really worried about Percy cos he is really shy and timid and has these mad fits where he runs around bashing into everything, he's even cut himself from it.
I made the mistake of getting 2 other males to keep him company not knowing that 3 is a crowd so I have to still keep them seperate. They do have a run about together but I think there would be war if it was permanant.

Good luck in finding a buddy for your other piggy x
 
Oh god, I'm quite nervous about it but I feel sosorry for him on his own & I work all day. If it can be done properly then I'm totally happy to take on a new piggy brother for him I love the idea he can pick his own.

I can't seem to get hold of the wheak & squeak at the moment hopefully I will do soon.

If I could find another very laid back little man it'd be perfect.
 
Don't worry, if they weren't able to say their goodbyes, if you can it's good to do but of course it's not always possible. To be honest things are going to feel a little strange for him at the moment anyway so once he's got a new friend he'll settle back down then.

If you leave the Wheek and Squeak a message Anna will get back to you, she's just always very busy with so many pigs and she may well be out doing a fair or something. I should be popping down on Monday or Tuesday so if she hasn't got back to you let me know and I'll follow it up.
 
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