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Skeletal and teeth issues

I wanted to update my post; we very sadly had to let Blackberry go on Wednesday. She had a number of problems, likely genetic, but it was the rate her teeth were over growing that we couldn't keep on top of. We tried twice, but in just short of 3 months, she'd only been able to graze normally for maybe 2 weeks. It didn't seem fair anymore for her. She was also on a high dose of painkillers to alleviate the pain she was in. I think now that our Exotic Vet knew we were providing palliative care but I didn't grasp it, these are our first piggies.

It broke my heart. I think that our very own thoughts and criticisms can be the cruelest of all. She was such a stoic little creature. It's so strange now, I've been syringe feeding and medicating several times a day for weeks...
 
RebeccaJ said:
I wanted to update my post; we very sadly had to let Blackberry go on Wednesday. She had a number of problems, likely genetic, but it was the rate her teeth were over growing that we couldn't keep on top of. We tried twice, but in just short of 3 months, she'd only been able to graze normally for maybe 2 weeks. It didn't seem fair anymore for her. She was also on a high dose of painkillers to alleviate the pain she was in. I think now that our Exotic Vet knew we were providing palliative care but I didn't grasp it, these are our first piggies.

It broke my heart. I think that our very own thoughts and criticisms can be the cruelest of all. She was such a stoic little creature. It's so strange now, I've been syringe feeding and medicating several times a day for weeks...
Click to expand...

BIG HUGS

I am so very sorry. You have done what you could for Blackberry and have not failed her in any way. She was lucky to find such a dedicated and loving owner.

It is characteristic for the onset of the grieving process that experience intense feelings of guilt, failure or soul-searching. They are not proof of that you have done anything wrong. We humans are unfortunately wired to reflect everything back onto ourselves. You experience them more strongly after traumatic circumstances, like end of life decisions, a sudden death etc. but they are in fact a reflection of how deeply you care. If you didn't, you wouldn't have these strong emotions.

Be sad about losing one of your first piggies over having drawn one of the short straws in the genetic lottery but please try not to be bad about yourself. This has never been in your control.

Try to remember how may many happy days in good care you have given Blackberry because that is what guinea pigs measure a good life by. They don't have a concept for average life spans but they have very much a concept for a good time when they get it and get to enjoy every moment of it. ;)

The grieving process is a lot more complex and different from what you'd imagine if you have never experienced it before. When looking after a piggy intensively for so long, the emptiness in your life and your daily routine can feel overwhelming at first and it can be hard to kind of retrain yourself with all the big regular jobs but even more so with all the little unthinking connections you have shared your love for each other. That is in fact in the most painful part because you can never really brace for the jarring sudden little reminders.

If you have any issues or companionship questions, we are here for you in our End of Life and Bereavement Support Corner where we can give ongoing understanding community support from people who share your experiences for as long as needed.

Here is some very practical but sensitive information of how the grieving process runs and what you can do both for yourself, your family and any piggy companions. As long as the companion is eating and drinking OK, you do not need to rush out for a new piggy and have the time to get over the roughest bit of your own grieving process first.
Human Bereavement: Grieving, Processing and Support Links for Guinea Pig Owners and Their Children

Looking After a Bereaved Guinea Pig
 
Wiebke said:
BIG HUGS

I am so very sorry. You have done what you could for Blackberry and have not failed her in any way. She was lucky to find such a dedicated and loving owner.

It is characteristic for the onset of the grieving process that experience intense feelings of guilt, failure or soul-searching. They are not proof of that you have done anything wrong. We humans are unfortunately wired to reflect everything back onto ourselves. You experience them more strongly after traumatic circumstances, like end of life decisions, a sudden death etc. but they are in fact a reflection of how deeply you care. If you didn't, you wouldn't have these strong emotions.

Be sad about losing one of your first piggies over having drawn one of the short straws in the genetic lottery but please try not to be bad about yourself. This has never been in your control.

Try to remember how may many happy days in good care you have given Blackberry because that is what guinea pigs measure a good life by. They don't have a concept for average life spans but they have very much a concept for a good time when they get it and get to enjoy every moment of it. ;)

The grieving process is a lot more complex and different from what you'd imagine if you have never experienced it before. When looking after a piggy intensively for so long, the emptiness in your life and your daily routine can feel overwhelming at first and it can be hard to kind of retrain yourself with all the big regular jobs but even more so with all the little unthinking connections you have shared your love for each other. That is in fact in the most painful part because you can never really brace for the jarring sudden little reminders.

If you have any issues or companionship questions, we are here for you in our End of Life and Bereavement Support Corner where we can give ongoing understanding community support from people who share your experiences for as long as needed.

Here is some very practical but sensitive information of how the grieving process runs and what you can do both for yourself, your family and any piggy companions. As long as the companion is eating and drinking OK, you do not need to rush out for a new piggy and have the time to get over the roughest bit of your own grieving process first.
Human Bereavement: Grieving, Processing and Support Links for Guinea Pig Owners and Their Children

Looking After a Bereaved Guinea Pig
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It seems inadequate to say "thank you", as your support is so much of a comfort, but thank you. I did read all your relevant guides when grappling with the decision of Blackberry's care. It was so tempting to cling on to the 'one last try' option like a drowning person. But deep down I knew we'd be back to the same brick wall and was that fair on her... it's horrible.

My nearly 9 year old Son handled it so much better than me! But I'd spoken with him about how poorly she really was beforehand and the implications. We took your lead and picked a garden bouquet for her and buried her in our large patio planter. It's just so so sad.

Noodle, our remaining piggie, was Blackberry's friend since they were babies so I can tell she's sad and lonely and going about things automatically. Luckily she's a little gutsy piggie and little regular snacks spark her interest. As a family we're determined to find her another friend as soon as possible. The process is likely to take some days and I think she's feeling every one being alone. We've been in touch with Maria's Animal Shelter in Cornwall (we're South Devon) and she's kindly said she's happy for us to adopt from her. Waiting to hear about a suitable companion/s.

I'd like to take the opportunity to wish you all the very best as well for your journey, thank you so much ❤
 
RebeccaJ said:
It seems inadequate to say "thank you", as your support is so much of a comfort, but thank you. I did read all your relevant guides when grappling with the decision of Blackberry's care. It was so tempting to cling on to the 'one last try' option like a drowning person. But deep down I knew we'd be back to the same brick wall and was that fair on her... it's horrible.

My nearly 9 year old Son handled it so much better than me! But I'd spoken with him about how poorly she really was beforehand and the implications. We took your lead and picked a garden bouquet for her and buried her in our large patio planter. It's just so so sad.

Noodle, our remaining piggie, was Blackberry's friend since they were babies so I can tell she's sad and lonely and going about things automatically. Luckily she's a little gutsy piggie and little regular snacks spark her interest. As a family we're determined to find her another friend as soon as possible. The process is likely to take some days and I think she's feeling every one being alone. We've been in touch with Maria's Animal Shelter in Cornwall (we're South Devon) and she's kindly said she's happy for us to adopt from her. Waiting to hear about a suitable companion/s.

I'd like to take the opportunity to wish you all the very best as well for your journey, thank you so much ❤
Click to expand...

Thank you ever so much. It is great to get feedback that my guides are doing their job. :tu:
I am also always open to points that may need clarifying further.

Anyway, I am glad that my guides have helped you through this most difficult time when you are deeply gutted and torn between such strong conflicting emotions. It is so hard and heartbreaking having to make that ultimate decision when you feel absolutely not ready and prepared for letting go. For some of us it can be downright paralysing. :(

You have however done the right thing by preparing your son and by being matter of fact with him. Be proud of yourself!

Blackberry will always live on in your heart with all the precious memories and she will always be there for a virtual cuddle with you when you need comfort in your own darkest hours and whenever you need to revisit some of the happiest moments in your life to awaken your happiness hormones and take strength from the good things.
Blackberry was blessed to find such a loving and dedicated piggy mummy. Without your determination she would quite simply not have lived as long as she has.

All the best for finding a suitable new friend for Noodles.
 
I am so sorry you had to make this heartbreaking decision 😥
Popcorn happily over The Rainbow Bridge 🌈 sweet Blackberry in fields of your favourite treats 🌈
 
Wiebke said:
Thank you ever so much. It is great to get feedback that my guides are doing their job. :tu:
I am also always open to points that may need clarifying further.

Anyway, I am glad that my guides have helped you through this most difficult time when you are deeply gutted and torn between such strong conflicting emotions. It is so hard and heartbreaking having to make that ultimate decision when you feel absolutely not ready and prepared for letting go. For some of us it can be downright paralysing. :(

You have however done the right thing by preparing your son and by being matter of fact with him. Be proud of yourself!

Blackberry will always live on in your heart with all the precious memories and she will always be there for a virtual cuddle with you when you need comfort in your own darkest hours and whenever you need to revisit some of the happiest moments in your life to awaken your happiness hormones and take strength from the good things.
Blackberry was blessed to find such a loving and dedicated piggy mummy. Without your determination she would quite simply not have lived as long as she has.

All the best for finding a suitable new friend for Noodles.
Click to expand...
Thank you 💕

Honestly your guides are remarkable. I couldn't believe that they were talking me through the exact emotions that I was feeling. How wonderful is that?! As well as all the practical information that I was then well prepared for, that alone makes a first experience more manageable.

You should be extremely proud. Just think about how many people you've helped at the hardest of times, let alone all those piggies! Astonishing.
 
RebeccaJ said:
Thank you so much. She wasn't very good at popcorning with her dodgy hips, but I hope she's doing those minuscule little jumps she used to do which were her version 😊
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I believe her dodgy hips are no more and she can popcorn as good as all the other piggies over their 😍
 
RebeccaJ said:
Thank you 💕

Honestly your guides are remarkable. I couldn't believe that they were talking me through the exact emotions that I was feeling. How wonderful is that?! As well as all the practical information that I was then well prepared for, that alone makes a first experience more manageable.

You should be extremely proud. Just think about how many people you've helped at the hardest of times, let alone all those piggies! Astonishing.
Click to expand...

Thank you. That means a lot to me. :love:

Look after yourself now. Grieving is not a quick process; and neither is getting over the physical absence in your daily life of much loved pets; it's the little automatic things that can catch you out worst.
We have the freedom to love our pets (and be loved back) unreservedly but that comes with a price when we have to inevitably say goodbye - always too soon.
Give yourself the time and space to digest it all and to get used to a different daily routine.

PS: Being able to do what I love doing and do best on this forum certainly counts as one of the biggest blessings in my life when I had the need to remind myself of as many as I could recently. As is recalling some of the larger cavy personalities in my life during my regular scans in order to keep my happiness hormones going.
Being able to help and comfort others and their piggies on here also gives me a buzz. I don't need a bucket list of amazing things to do and see before I die when I get so much out of my normal daily life. The greatest things are often the little ones - like a bit of kindness, understanding or a practical way out of a dilemma when it can make all the difference. Hearing back that what I am doing is appreciated by others is the cherry on my own cake. :)
 
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