Where Do You Stop? Bereaved Boar...

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PAMELAKT

PAMELAKT

Adult Guinea Pig
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Hate the fact I am having to write that I now have a bereaved boar due to losing my beautiful Rodney this week.

I told myself no more. It is beyond heartbreaking, they are so fragile, battling to save them & then losing them - it's too awful. But I have been away for work overnight & am already wracked with guilt & sadness for Billy being alone, especially as I took him on to ease Rodney's pain at losing his twin.

Billy is 3 next month, he is dominant. Rodney was extremely laid back & they were a perfect match, apart from the odd shrug off & sly kick to the head he mainly ignored Billy when he was being immature.

What do I do! It's a never ending cycle. If I get him a friend I will be in the same boat again. And again. And again.

If I get him a baby friend will it grow up to also be dominant? I have a small flat I don't have room for multiple cages.

I feel pretty broken hearted. I want to do the right thing for him.

Advise me please! I know the answers, i just need to hear them.
 
This is a wonderful question. I am very sorry you lost Rodney, It is very hard to lose anyone family friend or pet. Billy will be better off with a friend and life is hard that way. We love our Cavy's and when they pass it is very hard on our hearts. You just have to know that you did your best to raise him and gave him lots of love. I myself only have one Cavy but looking into getting another since I was told they need a friend. I have read many articles and books and they state that two Cavy's are ideal. I think you can only be the one to choose if you can love another baby or not. You can look for signs to make sure Billy is not lonely. Hang in there and sending hugs !
 
It can be really hard knowing when it is time. I have a female pair of 6 and 4 1/2 and a male pair of 5 and 2, it is a challenge as I know it will be difficult to find a friend when one goes.
Rescues often have a number of guineas who are older who need love too - you could appeal to your nearest rescue for a similar aged guinea, and ask for help with bonding. That way you will be as good as guaranteed a good partnership, and they will be close in age so you shouldn't have to worry about this problem too much again.
Try contacting your local rescue (you know where the locator is :D ) to see if they have an age-appropriate friend. Telling them about Billy will help too, as they can see who they have in who might be a good match. When I went to find a friend for Junior, I told them that, while he was the dominant pig, he was quite laid back and not really aggressive. This helped them find a match of a little boy who had recently lost a partnerpig who was similar.
You can at least ask, can't you? Best of luck x
 
So sorry to hear of your loss. I was in the same situation 2 months ago. One of my girls passed on, leaving one alone. I was adamant I couldn't get another one for the same reason as you, I couldn't go through it all again and again. But after a week or so I couldn't bare seeing my girl all alone so enquirer about rescuing a sow of a similar age and that's what I did. I just hope they grow old together so it won't be as bad when one of them does go :(

Have you considered fostering for rescues if you do not want to keep another piggy long term?
 
aimzer said:
So sorry to hear of your loss. I was in the same situation 2 months ago. One of my girls passed on, leaving one alone. I was adamant I couldn't get another one for the same reason as you, I couldn't go through it all again and again. But after a week or so I couldn't bare seeing my girl all alone so enquirer about rescuing a sow of a similar age and that's what I did. I just hope they grow old together so it won't be as bad when one of them does go :(

Have you considered fostering for rescues if you do not want to keep another piggy long term?
Click to expand...
That's a great idea !
 
Basically, you need a Frank. ;)
It's your decision at the end of the day sweet, but for now, whilst your still grieving, maybe just get him a fleece toy (like a dinosaur) for a while, it's not another piggy but will keep him company kinda.
Also although, I've maybe got Frank a friend now, he has been fine on his own for over a year, with all our cuddles and attention and never been depressed - didn't get him a toy because I didn't realise, but yeah.
x
 
Oh Pam :( I'm so sorry about Rodney. I've just caught up with everything on the forum as I've been nursing one my piggies. He was such a treasure and I always loved getting to hear about him and seeing photos. Massive hugs to you and little Billy xx

In regards to a future friend, I used to live near a very good rescue that would sometimes (in limited circumstances) offer what could be crudely called a 'rent a pig' scheme to those falling into similar situation to yourself. It essentially involved fostering (alongside usual fostering checks and procedures) piggie(s) of a very similar age to bond with a bereaved guinea for the remainder of the bereaved piggies life, they would either go back into rescue or you'd have the option of fostering longterm/adopting too. It is something you could talk over with prospective rescues? As others have said maybe fostering would be an option to consider? Whichever route you decide, take your time and allow yourself some grieving space x
 
I couldn't foster, I would fall in love. So, I guess really in my head I have decided I will need to find Billy a new manfriend. It's going to happen...

I was unsuccessful with rescues when I tried for Rodney, I'll have to see what I can do. I guess maybe a year old at least would be a good idea.

I just feel awful for him, he's a sociable little guy & very vocal. I also have a new job which involves the odd overnight stay every so often I just feel so sad for him.

Really had decided never again after this ordeal. But I can feel my pigmother clock ticking! Urgh...
 
Bless you, well whomever the friend you end up with is for Billy, they'll have the most amazing mummy! :)
P.S. hope the meeting wasn't too drab!
:hug:
 
I would try wheak and squeak
http://wheekandsqueak.webs.com/
if you want someone to bond him for you- i know Anna dose bonding etc and she nearly always has males in looking for homes.
She also has a facebook page called wheak and squeak :)

Good luck finding Billy a friend :)
 
My bet bet is a year old plus boy isn't it? A baby may become teenagery & dominant later on?
 
Yup that's a possibility, but isn't it also a possibility they could fall out at any age?
 
They can do, but probably higher risk getting one that hasn't hit puberty yet.

I have found a rescue with a few single boys willing to take him off me to bond him.

Just need to make my final decision and talk myself into leaving him with a stranger!
 
I am very sorry that you have lost your long battle for Rodney's health. it leaves you emotionally very empty and drained - the last thing you want right now is yet another piggy and the prospect of another epic battle!
On the other hand, you may find that seeing Billy happy again is exactly what you need! It won't change any of your feelings towards Rodney, but it is bound to cheer you up.

Once adult boars have bonded, the fall-out rate goes right down and is actually pretty similar to that of sows, i.e. VERY low!
It is finding a boar Billy clicks with that is the tricky bit - if you could date Billy at Wheek and Squeak, you will be in very good and experienced hands! On average, it takes two dates to find Mr Right when dating adult boars; if you are lucky #1 is the one!
 
Only 2? I have tried a hundred dates to find my Mr Right and I'm still looking! Haha

Yes, thank you. It is the last thing I feel like having to face any more battles, it's all for Billy if I do. I feel for him sitting alone & especially if I am not home. I work all day, it isn't going to be ideal for him.

I'll see what I can do....

Just a question if I do adopt again, I really want to ditch my grids as I HATE the things, is the ferplast 140 the next suitable size for 2 boys? I seem to remember reading the 120 was too small?
 
With boys it always the more space the better - my 2 boys did not get on in a 120. Poor Junior was constantly chased into a hidey and not allowed to come out! But if you can offer plenty of run time then you can work with almost anything :) x
 
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