RIP sweet Mia 💐

[MartiDavi]

Hey everyone,


I can’t believe I’m writing this today. I can’t believe a lot about today, honestly.

Our beloved, super spoiled princess Mia has crossed the Rainbow Bridge. (She was Romeo’s daughter.)

This morning started as usual. I got up around 8, preparing the piggies’ medicine, as both Olivia and Mia were on gabapentin. I usually wake them up with some hay, but something felt off. When I went into the living room, I saw Ginny lying in the middle of the cage, opposite the little hideout where Mia and Olivia normally sleep. I greeted her and went to get the hay, syringes already in hand.

Then I saw Olivia, in her usual spot, but something still felt strange… and then I saw Mia. She was sleeping in one of her typical “coma” poses, but she didn’t wake up. I called to her playfully, but she didn’t move. It took a moment for it to register, or maybe I just didn’t want to know, but something was wrong. I rushed to touch her, to wake her up… but she was cold, stiff, frozen in her forever sleep.

I screamed for my husband, Davide, to come. I held her tight in my arms, refusing to believe it. I even called the vet, hoping somehow it wasn’t real. But it was too early; no one picked up. And that’s when my mind caught up, she was gone. Our little angel was gone.

The pain hit hard, ruthless and raw. I can’t help feeling guilty, like I should have known, like I should have been there or done something to save her. She looked so peaceful, though.

We called the vet later, and we’ll be asking for a post-mortem. I suspect bloat might have played a role, but something else must have gone wrong. She’d had two stasis episodes since July, and I stayed up all night both times treating her, she always bounced back so well. We knew something wasn’t quite right and were trying to figure it out… but we weren’t quick enough.

She will be deeply missed. We all loved her so much. She was our little daredevil, she made us laugh, kept us entertained, and showed us how much she trusted us. We brought her home when she was just a tiny mouse of a piggy and watched her grow into a sassy, majestic queen.

I don’t know how to take the next step without her. I love you so, so much, Mia. You’ll have good company over the Rainbow Bridge.

Mama loves you, my little one.

 

[DavRz]

Aww, I'm so very sorry for your loss, your little girl was such a beauty..RIP adorable Mia.

 

[Davide]

Here are two photos of Mia on her first day at home, she was only 5 weeks old! And a more recent photo, you can tell how much she grew up

She came from Coseley rescue, where she was born on February 8th 2023. She was born at the rescue but was the daughter of Romeo who caused many pregnancies around that time, I know some of Romeo's family is now in the care of forum members! Also I believe Romeo was a resident of the potteries after these events

She was incredibly happy with us, spoiled unlike any other piggy from the first day, and enjoyed her life in our house immensely. but I can't shake the feeling that she left us too soon, she only would have turned 3 next year. This is the first piggie we lose in such a sudden way, it is very hard to deal with.

Sleep well my sweet, sweet Mia. I'll miss you so much, and my heart will always have a place for you.

 

[piggieminder]

I am so sorry little Mia has passed. What a wonderful life she had with you. Sending you hugs and my best wishes as you grieve.
Sleep tight sweet girl.

 

[Truffolo]

Very sorry to hear this sad news. Snuggle softly at the bridge little Mia

 

[Merab]

So very sorry that you have lost your beautiful Mia.
She had a wonderful home with you and will leave a big hole in your hearts.
Be gentle with yourselves as you grieve.
Hugs

 

[weepweeps]

I’m so sorry that gorgeous Mia has had the call to the rainbow bridge. What a shock for you both. You gave her a wonderful life filled with love and happiness

 

[Viennese Furbabies]

I'm very sorry for your loss!
Sleep tight sweet Mia!

 

[MartiDavi]

Thank you all so much for your kind words and support.

Today is the day after, and it’s not even a tiny bit easier.

I know the theory of grief so well, I’ve read Wiebke’s blogs countless times, but living it is a completely different thing. Right now, guilt, rage, and sadness just won’t leave my side. Mia had two bad stasis/bloating episodes over the past few months, and both times I managed to pull her through, but the worry never really left me. My biggest fear was always, what if this happens again when I’m not there? and I guess that fear came true.

I can’t handle the guilt yet. The rage sometimes helps me stay functional, and the sadness… I know it’ll never truly go away, and I don’t want it to, either. I’m trying to follow Wiebke’s advice about “reclaiming your piggy”, replacing the painful last memories with all the love and laughter we shared.

Mia was the soul and spice of this household, and also my little partner in crime. It’s going to be so hard without her.

For now, I just want to share a few more pictures of my sweet, chubby angel. I hope her extended family, those adopted by members of this forum, are all doing well. You all have an actual angel looking after you from the sky now.

 

[weepweeps]

What a gorgeous girl.

 

[CTWC]

Gorgeous photos of your gorgeous girl Mia.
Popcorn happily over The Rainbow Bridge sweet girl and watch over those you've left behind

 

[Claire W]

I’m so sorry for your loss She was beautiful Sleep tight Mia x

 

[YvonneBlue]

So very sorry that you have lost your beautiful girl. Sending big hugs.
Sleep tight little one.

 

[Wiebke]

Hey everyone,


I can’t believe I’m writing this today. I can’t believe a lot about today, honestly.

Our beloved, super spoiled princess Mia has crossed the Rainbow Bridge. (She was Romeo’s daughter.)

This morning started as usual. I got up around 8, preparing the piggies’ medicine, as both Olivia and Mia were on gabapentin. I usually wake them up with some hay, but something felt off. When I went into the living room, I saw Ginny lying in the middle of the cage, opposite the little hideout where Mia and Olivia normally sleep. I greeted her and went to get the hay, syringes already in hand.

Then I saw Olivia, in her usual spot, but something still felt strange… and then I saw Mia. She was sleeping in one of her typical “coma” poses, but she didn’t wake up. I called to her playfully, but she didn’t move. It took a moment for it to register, or maybe I just didn’t want to know, but something was wrong. I rushed to touch her, to wake her up… but she was cold, stiff, frozen in her forever sleep.

I screamed for my husband, Davide, to come. I held her tight in my arms, refusing to believe it. I even called the vet, hoping somehow it wasn’t real. But it was too early; no one picked up. And that’s when my mind caught up, she was gone. Our little angel was gone.

The pain hit hard, ruthless and raw. I can’t help feeling guilty, like I should have known, like I should have been there or done something to save her. She looked so peaceful, though.

We called the vet later, and we’ll be asking for a post-mortem. I suspect bloat might have played a role, but something else must have gone wrong. She’d had two stasis episodes since July, and I stayed up all night both times treating her, she always bounced back so well. We knew something wasn’t quite right and were trying to figure it out… but we weren’t quick enough.

She will be deeply missed. We all loved her so much. She was our little daredevil, she made us laugh, kept us entertained, and showed us how much she trusted us. We brought her home when she was just a tiny mouse of a piggy and watched her grow into a sassy, majestic queen.

I don’t know how to take the next step without her. I love you so, so much, Mia. You’ll have good company over the Rainbow Bridge.

Mama loves you, my little one.

HUGE HUGS

I am so sorry for your shock. To find a piggy in their forever sleep in the morning without warning is so tough.

No, you haven't done anything wrong; it was just her time and she simply had an urgent call to the Bridge that didn't leave any time for goodbyes.
Please try to take consolation in that the end must have come very quickly and gently, with minimal suffering for her; just the way you would have liked for her were it not for the lack of warning and the inability to say goodbye. Mia knew that she was loved and cherished right to the end.

Make sure that you create a little ceremony at some point to say your formal goodbyes if that helps you. Or if you find it too hard to cope, consider having some of her ashes incorporated into a ring so she can always be with you.

Human Bereavement: Grieving, Processing and Support Links for Guinea Pig Owners and Their Children

 

[MartiDavi]

Thank you again, everyone, for all your kind words. It really means so much. I know people here truly understand, and that makes it a little easier, knowing we can share our stories and receive such compassion. We’re both very grateful.

Thank you, Wiebke, especially, your message really touched me. You’re 100% right, and I know it deep down… it’s just hard to let go. Our vet is back tomorrow, so we’ll speak with them and see about arranging the post-mortem.

I’ve ordered a small urn for Mia’s ashes, and I think I might start to feel the first bit of closure once she’s back home. I saw the little ceremonies you do for your piggies, and I might try something similar. I draw a little and write a bit too, so maybe I’ll find some comfort through that.

The house feels so much emptier without our little chaotic queen, it’s going to take some time to adjust to the new dynamics. The two sisters she’s left behind seem a bit better today. Mia was the middle one in their hierarchy, but I think both of them relied on her a lot.

Here was the terrible trio (son’t know why the pic shows upside down):

 

[Merab]

Thank you again, everyone, for all your kind words. It really means so much. I know people here truly understand, and that makes it a little easier, knowing we can share our stories and receive such compassion. We’re both very grateful.

Thank you, Wiebke, especially, your message really touched me. You’re 100% right, and I know it deep down… it’s just hard to let go. Our vet is back tomorrow, so we’ll speak with them and see about arranging the post-mortem.

I’ve ordered a small urn for Mia’s ashes, and I think I might start to feel the first bit of closure once she’s back home. I saw the little ceremonies you do for your piggies, and I might try something similar. I draw a little and write a bit too, so maybe I’ll find some comfort through that.

The house feels so much emptier without our little chaotic queen, it’s going to take some time to adjust to the new dynamics. The two sisters she’s left behind seem a bit better today. Mia was the middle one in their hierarchy, but I think both of them relied on her a lot.

Here was the terrible trio (son’t know why the pic shows upside down):

There’s a software glitch with photos so if you use the normal link the pictures appear at odd angles.
To get them the right way up you need to look for the 3 vertical dots along the top, click that and a small group of images will appear underneath.
Click the image on the left which will allow you to attach photos ( only one at a time ) the right way up.

Grief takes time. Be patient with yourselves.
You are right in saying that knowing the grief process and experiencing grief are very different.
Holding you in my heart

 

[MartiDavi]

There’s a software glitch with photos so if you use the normal link the pictures appear at odd angles.
To get them the right way up you need to look for the 3 vertical dots along the top, click that and a small group of images will appear underneath.
Click the image on the left which will allow you to attach photos ( only one at a time ) the right way up.

Grief takes time. Be patient with yourselves.
You are right in saying that knowing the grief process and experiencing grief are very different.
Holding you in my heart

Thanks for the IT reacue! Must have been because I am writing from my phone. I will tidy things up from the laptop and maybe share a few more pics of our lil angel.

Thank you so much for your kind words. Losing Mia has been such a terrible shock for all of us. I don’t think I truly realised how much we all relied on her until she was gone, how much warmth, energy, and comfort she brought into our days. I always knew we loved her deeply, but she’s left a hole far bigger than the tiny little lady she was.

 

[Merab]

Sorry for the photo quality - I was taking a photo of my iPad screen with my phone.
This is what it looks like when you write a message and try to attach a photo.

Mia was clearly a very special and much loved piggy.
No matter how much we love all our piggies there’s always one who is a bit extra special.
Mia was such a one.
She was so lucky to have had such a loving home.
Hugs

 

[h_and_piggies]

Sorry for your loss. Mia was a beautiful piggy. She was very much loved and lived a life every piggy dreams of. She’ll be in your hearts forever. Sleep tight Mia x

 

[munchmonster]

I've just caught up with your sad news and can completely understand your grief. Mia had the best life with you and would have known how much love you had for her. She will have taken that to the rainbow bridge but your memories will stay with you in your heart. Sending hugs as you journey through the grief.
Popcorn free Mia