He is yes I had 2 more but sadly lost them last month. (One was old age and one was illness) My life felt empty without a piggy so got Fletcher. Theres know separating us
I am very sorry for your loss! You are welcome to write a tribute in our Rainbow Bridge section if you would like to remember them more formally.
Here is our grieving guide, which may also help you understand more what you have been going through in the last few weeks:
Human Bereavement: Grieving, Coping and Support Links for Guinea Pig Owners and Their Children
It is always difficult in the wake a loss when all you want is a cuddly piggy to fill the huge gaping hole in your heart.
Unfortunately guinea pigs are group animals and not wired to live on their own. No matter how much you love your piggy, this social need is not something that you as human can ever fully cover unless you come across one of the very rare true singles.
Companionship of their own kind is truly greatest and most loving gift you can ever make any piggy of yours.
Please take the time to read these guides below; you will hopefully find them very interesting as they are all looking at it from different and perhaps for you surprising angles.
The first guide deals with the various forms of single guinea pigs, the challenges particular to their situation and what it means for you to be at the receiving end of the social expectations that a single guinea pig will transfer onto you by default.
It is not just all about what you want from your piggy (a cuddle buddy for who you are the only source of interaction and compansionship he will ever have, irrespective of whether you can be there for him every hour of the day and night or not for as long as he lives).
But please consider that your relationship is also running the other way round: you have to fill in a much more complex social role than you would ever imagine!
The second guide is looking at where guinea pigs come from and addresses also some people's need for a single cuddly buddy. A companion is not taking away from your bond but rather complements it.
The third gives you a bit more of an insight in the world of guinea pigs, including society and a normal life cycle.
Single Guinea Pigs - Challenges and Responsibilities
Companionship
Guinea Pig Facts - An Overview (the last chapter deals with piggy society and their life cycle)
You are lucky in that you have an excellent rescue (Milhaven Guinea Pig Rescue in Keighley) close by that offers residential dating so Fletcher can have full say in who he wants to be happy with and can be stably bonded with a healthy character compatible friend of his liking without any stress or risk for you.
theguineapigforum.co.uk/threads/recommended-guinea-pig-rescues.158151/
