Your experiences and opinions please

metalhead

metalhead

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So, as many of you will know, and i cant tell you how much i have found comfort in all your kind words, i lost Gizmo yesterday to a suspected stroke (i think it was CBS but either way there was no cure and he was suffering, so i made that awful decision). Anyway, he leaves behind his brother, Smokey Joe and i would like your thoughts on whether he will be able to manage alone or if i have to get him a new friend. He is a very laid back pig, Gizmo was the wild one! He has been surprisingly good today, eating and drinking but I'm not sure if he is still expecting Gizmo to come back. I was unable to bring Gizmos body back from the vet as he said due to the fact we are not definitive on what had happened to him, it would be best not to. Has anyone had a bereaved boar who has been happy alone? It is more than i can bear to think about "replacing" Gizmo, there will never be another pig like him, but Smokey Joes needs come first so if i have to try and find a buddy for him then i will. I dont think i can keep going through the losses though, if you have read my other threads you will understand why, but if there is no way he could live alone that is more important. Thank you.
 
I’m so sorry for your loss.

Living alone is not really a great long term option. They do get lonely. But there comes a time when ending the piggy cycle can need to happen.
If you decide you don’t want to continue the piggy cycle then there may be the option for you to foster a single piggy from a rescue centre to see out Smokey Joe’s life with you, and then return the foster to the rescue when that Smokey Joe passes. That way, both piggies get a friend and companionship and you can end your piggy cycle if you wish at that time.
 
chill said:
So, as many of you will know, and i cant tell you how much i have found comfort in all your kind words, i lost Gizmo yesterday to a suspected stroke (i think it was CBS but either way there was no cure and he was suffering, so i made that awful decision). Anyway, he leaves behind his brother, Smokey Joe and i would like your thoughts on whether he will be able to manage alone or if i have to get him a new friend. He is a very laid back pig, Gizmo was the wild one! He has been surprisingly good today, eating and drinking but I'm not sure if he is still expecting Gizmo to come back. I was unable to bring Gizmos body back from the vet as he said due to the fact we are not definitive on what had happened to him, it would be best not to. Has anyone had a bereaved boar who has been happy alone? It is more than i can bear to think about "replacing" Gizmo, there will never be another pig like him, but Smokey Joes needs come first so if i have to try and find a buddy for him then i will. I dont think i can keep going through the losses though, if you have read my other threads you will understand why, but if there is no way he could live alone that is more important. Thank you.
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Hi

It would be better for Smokey Joe to have company in the longer term; ideally of his own choice for a happy bond.
The best way is by rescue dating where you can look at boars of any age because the key to any happy boar bond is mutual liking and personality compatibility. Good welfare standard rescues have increasingly started a companionship scheme in which the 'end of life' rescue companion will return to the rescue after the death of their companion and you are rather fostering than adopting the companion piggy. That should address your problem best.

Unfortunately, the RSPCA does not offer any bonding for not neutered boars so your closest rescues are either Little Wheekers in Bristol or The Excellent Adventure Sanctuary (TEAS) in Northampton, who definitely run an end of life companionship scheme.
In fact, I have just adopted several of the sanctuary's end of life scheme returnees last Autumn to give them a forever home with my own bereaved piggies after sadly losing 7 piggies in just over 3 months after an amazing 18 months' gap with no losses at all. I had to wait for nearly 2 months until my reserved piggies were adoptable (because of a ringworm outbreak) but it was worth it and worked all out well in the end to see in the end 9 widowed piggies in all finding new happiness with each other... :)

It is most definitely worth enquiring and travel that bit further for total piece of mind - good bond, healthy piggy and not worries about the 'after'.

As long as Smokey Joe continues to eat and drink, then he will hold for a month or even a bit more to give you time to get over the worst of your own grieving and get on any waiting lists/set up a rescue dating session. Smokey Joe has his own grieving to do; only companions that stop eating and drinking and giving up on life need a new friend asap - but that is thankfully very rare.

Please take the time to read these links here for more in-depth information, which you may find helpful when making any decisions:
Looking After A Bereaved Guinea Pig (what you can do for him now in the immediate and in the medium term)

Single Guinea Pigs - Challenges and Responsibilities (contains a chapter on bereaved singles)
Rescues (Adoption and Dating), Shops, Breeders or Online? - What to consider when getting guinea pigs
Rescue Locator (contains contact details of the rescues mentioned)

Travelling with guinea pigs
(PS: Piggies of mine have come from as far as the Channel Islands, the tip of Kent, Scotland and the North East, Devon, South-, Middle and North Wales Yorkshire and all over the Midlands, and have all survived their various train or car journeys just fine!)
 
I had no idea fostering was an option. Thank you. I do no want to end the piggy cycle but i have to, for my own welfare, it breaks my heart because i love keeping them and they have taught me so much but i cannot bear the losses, i think losing 7 in 3 months would kill me! i will look in to fostering, i get so attached though that i dont think i could give the foster piggy back, but at least i know its an option. thanks both for your replies. the other issue is at only 3 and a half, i am hoping that he has at least another 3 years if not more, so it would be a very long foster x
 
chill said:
I had no idea fostering was an option. Thank you. I do no want to end the piggy cycle but i have to, for my own welfare, it breaks my heart because i love keeping them and they have taught me so much but i cannot bear the losses, i think losing 7 in 3 months would kill me! i will look in to fostering, i get so attached though that i dont think i could give the foster piggy back, but at least i know its an option. thanks both for your replies. the other issue is at only 3 and a half, i am hoping that he has at least another 3 years if not more, so it would be a very long foster x
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Stampedes to the Rainbow Bridge (as I call these clumps in losses) are tough; especially the week where I lost very unexpectedly two piggies while a third was gradually drifting into organ failure... it is one of the more taxing aspects of looking after lots of piggies. I have been extremely grateful to not losing any piggies during the worst of the pandemic and any of the various lockdowns being lucky with them coinciding with a bit of a generational gap. However, this also means that my next big wodge of piggies is now two years older, so there will be more deaths in the offing this year with another 9 piggies between turning 6-8 years old this year.
For me, it is still outweighed by the happiness my piggies give me on a daily basis and I try to emulate them - appreciating the happy todays with which they measure a good today. Knowing that I have given them that, makes it easier for me to let them go when their time comes although some losses are easier to cope with than others. :(

End of life rescue fostering is something that has very gradually taken off over the course of the last decade in order to find a solution for the species needs of the 'last standing' bereaved single piggies without having rescues cluttered with older long term residents, using up much needed space for neglect intakes.

However, having lost around 50 piggies by now throughout my life does make dealing with losses somewhat easier. The pain of the loss is never less (as each bond is unique) but you are more familiar with the grieving process and can deal better with some aspects of it. Unlike you, I don't have any PTSD issues tangled up with it anymore since it will be 20 years this year since my dad passed away and I have had time to process it all at its own pace by now. :(

Using my own experiences of loss to help others has also had an unintended therapeutic side effect for me. :)
 
I have emailed TEAS. After chatting with my husband we think the end of life companion scheme would be the best thing for us all. I will update you and let you know any progress, thanks again, really, thank you x
 
Wiebke said:
Stampedes to the Rainbow Bridge (as I call these clumps in losses) are tough; especially the week where I lost very unexpectedly two piggies while a third was gradually drifting into organ failure... it is one of the more taxing aspects of looking after lots of piggies. I have been extremely grateful to not losing any piggies during the worst of the pandemic and any of the various lockdowns being lucky with them coinciding with a bit of a generational gap. However, this also means that my next big wodge of piggies is now two years older, so there will be more deaths in the offing this year with another 9 piggies between turning 6-8 years old this year.
For me, it is still outweighed by the happiness my piggies give me on a daily basis and I try to emulate them - appreciating the happy todays with which they measure a good today. Knowing that I have given them that, makes it easier for me to let them go when their time comes although some losses are easier to cope with than others. :(

End of life rescue fostering is something that has very gradually taken off over the course of the last decade in order to find a solution for the species needs of the 'last standing' bereaved single piggies without having rescues cluttered with older long term residents, using up much needed space for neglect intakes.

However, having lost around 50 piggies by now throughout my life does make dealing with losses somewhat easier. The pain of the loss is never less (as each bond is unique) but you are more familiar with the grieving process and can deal better with some aspects of it. Unlike you, I don't have any PTSD issues tangled up with it anymore since it will be 20 years this year since my dad passed away and I have had time to process it all at its own pace by now. :(

Using my own experiences of loss to help others has also had an unintended therapeutic side effect for me. :)
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You do an incredible job, i know what you mean about the joy of having them outweighing the sadness when they go to the rainbow bridge, i just have to be very careful. I'm sorry about your Dad, its actually been 27 years since mine died but my brain never really managed to process it i dont think, but i dont ever want to be without animals, they bring such joy, so i guess its a balancing act. Maybe in a few days when the grief for Gizmo is a little less raw i might decide to get another piggy without the foster, but them i am worried about what to do if i cant bond them, i have read everything on bonding, and even though they were brothers, spent days working with Smokey Joe and Gizmo when i first had them to make sure they were happy, but when it comes down to it its up to the piggies and if they dont like each other i would not know what to do, i dont want to be responsible for another piggy ending up in rescue.
 
chill said:
You do an incredible job, i know what you mean about the joy of having them outweighing the sadness when they go to the rainbow bridge, i just have to be very careful. I'm sorry about your Dad, its actually been 27 years since mine died but my brain never really managed to process it i dont think, but i dont ever want to be without animals, they bring such joy, so i guess its a balancing act. Maybe in a few days when the grief for Gizmo is a little less raw i might decide to get another piggy without the foster, but them i am worried about what to do if i cant bond them, i have read everything on bonding, and even though they were brothers, spent days working with Smokey Joe and Gizmo when i first had them to make sure they were happy, but when it comes down to it its up to the piggies and if they dont like each other i would not know what to do, i dont want to be responsible for another piggy ending up in rescue.
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if you decide to get another piggy then doing so with the help of a rescue centre is valuable. They can help ensure you have a successful bond by allowing your piggy to choose his own new friend and therefore removing the risk of a failed bond. If the bond were to fail within the two week settling period, then the rescue would help you.
 
Piggies&buns said:
if you decide to get another piggy then doing so with the help of a rescue centre is valuable. They can help ensure you have a successful bond by allowing your piggy to choose his own new friend and therefore removing the risk of a failed bond. If the bond were to fail within the two week settling period, then the rescue would help you.
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Thank you, that is good to know. I will see what TEAS say when they come back to me. Getting up this morning and seeing Smokey all alone, even though he"seems" ok has made me realise it is quite urgent. I cant leave him alone much longer x
 
chill said:
You do an incredible job, i know what you mean about the joy of having them outweighing the sadness when they go to the rainbow bridge, i just have to be very careful. I'm sorry about your Dad, its actually been 27 years since mine died but my brain never really managed to process it i dont think, but i dont ever want to be without animals, they bring such joy, so i guess its a balancing act. Maybe in a few days when the grief for Gizmo is a little less raw i might decide to get another piggy without the foster, but them i am worried about what to do if i cant bond them, i have read everything on bonding, and even though they were brothers, spent days working with Smokey Joe and Gizmo when i first had them to make sure they were happy, but when it comes down to it its up to the piggies and if they dont like each other i would not know what to do, i dont want to be responsible for another piggy ending up in rescue.
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Give yourself more time and consider going down the foster/rescue dating route - if you decide that you have grown too fond of Smokey Joe's friend to return him to the rescue, then that is an issue you'd have to face with any companion you get on your own. There is no problem if he stays on with you...

PS: Rescues are currently bursting with dumped pandemic pets now that life is returning to normal and the novelty factor for the kids has long worn off. Especially boars are struggling badly to find new homes. By giving a rescue boar a home, you are not only allowing Smokey Joe to have a say in who he wants to be with, you are also doing a very good deed!
 
Wiebke said:
Give yourself more time and consider going down the foster/rescue dating route - if you decide that you have grown too fond of Smokey Joe's friend to return him to the rescue, then that is an issue you'd have to face with any companion you get on your own. There is no problem if he stays on with you...

PS: Rescues are currently bursting with dumped pandemic pets now that life is returning to normal and the novelty factor for the kids has long worn off. Especially boars are struggling badly to find new homes. By giving a rescue boar a home, you are not only allowing Smokey Joe to have a say in who he wants to be with, you are also doing a very good deed!
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The whole pandemic pets thing, all animals not just piggys, makes my blood boil! I volunteered at my local rescue (cat/dog) for a long while and its just awful. I want to go down the foster/adoption route and have emailed and fb messaged TEAS, i hope they get back to me soon, i dont want Smokey Joe to be alone for long, i am sure they are very busy though. How do they let him choose? How would that work? x
 
chill said:
The whole pandemic pets thing, all animals not just piggys, makes my blood boil! I volunteered at my local rescue (cat/dog) for a long while and its just awful. I want to go down the foster/adoption route and have emailed and fb messaged TEAS, i hope they get back to me soon, i dont want Smokey Joe to be alone for long, i am sure they are very busy though. How do they let him choose? How would that work? x
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He will be introduced at the rescue to one or more boars (in sequence) under expert supervision to see whether acceptance happens. With boars, you usually know pretty quickly whether they click or not. make sure that you bring the boys back in separate carriers in case one of them panics during the journey and then do another formal intro at your home before moving them to the cage once they have worked through the full bonding process enough (usually you wait with boars how they are after their first sleep together and if necessary keep them inthe bonding area overnight).
Here is our very detailed step-by-step bonding guide: Bonding and Interaction: Illustrated social behaviours and bonding dynamics

All the best!

I am linking in @furryfriends (TEAS) for you. She is a forum member.
 
Piggies often get lonely. You might feel better if you have a grieving period, and then adopt a new pig. Or you could feel better if you adopted a new pig right away. Whatever makes you feel better. Also, did you already bury the body? Its good to let your other pigs have his body in the cage for 30 min and then bury it. It will give the pigs a chance to say good bye and to have one last sniff\hug.:hug:
 
Unfortunately, we only allow fostering of piggies, to go with those, who are coming towards the end of their life, and not to those who hopefully have many years left. In those cases, it would need to be done as an adoption and the new owner would take on all financial responsibility for the guinea pig.
 
furryfriends (TEAS) said:
Unfortunately, we only allow fostering of piggies, to go with those, who are coming towards the end of their life, and not to those who hopefully have many years left. In those cases, it would need to be done as an adoption and the new owner would take on all financial responsibility for the guinea pig.
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I would be more than happy to do that, i would have taken financial responsibility anyway, regardless, you are a charity and it would be the least i could do. I have emailed you again! thanks
 
I will get back to you later. I am currently working and won't be finished until late. None of our piggies are going to be ready for adoption for a few weeks, as they all need to be neutered first. I am not sure if you are able to wait that long. Also, they are all currently in pairs and as long as they continue to get on well together, they will be adopted out as pairs of boars, although that could all change. We do have one single boar and we may have a second one, but again both need to be neutered before they will be put up for adoption. I can keep you posted, but it sounds like your piggy is going to need a friend sooner.
 
furryfriends (TEAS) said:
I will get back to you later. I am currently working and won't be finished until late. None of our piggies are going to be ready for adoption for a few weeks, as they all need to be neutered first. I am not sure if you are able to wait that long. Also, they are all currently in pairs and as long as they continue to get on well together, they will be adopted out as pairs of boars, although that could all change. We do have one single boar and we may have a second one, but again both need to be neutered before they will be put up for adoption. I can keep you posted, but it sounds like your piggy is going to need a friend sooner.
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Hi, yes i will need one sooner than that. thanks anyway. Plus Smokey Joe is not neutered so i dont think it would be a good idea to have one neutered and one not? But do keep me posted. Thanks
 
chill said:
Hi, yes i will need one sooner than that. thanks anyway. Plus Smokey Joe is not neutered so i dont think it would be a good idea to have one neutered and one not? But do keep me posted. Thanks
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It really doesn't matter if one is neutered and the other isn't. We have a strict neutering policy, so all our boars are neutered before rehoming, whether they are going to live with a boar or a sow/s.
 
I do hope that you can find him a companion of his choosing. It is so hard when you are trying to break the cycle, but it is the best thing for him to have a companion of his own. In our little rescue we often take in solo piggies who have been bereaved. They are often very sad until they meet a new friend and then they perk right up again.
 
VickiA said:
I do hope that you can find him a companion of his choosing. It is so hard when you are trying to break the cycle, but it is the best thing for him to have a companion of his own. In our little rescue we often take in solo piggies who have been bereaved. They are often very sad until they meet a new friend and then they perk right up again.
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i am doing all i can to find him a buddy, but its proving harder than i thought!
 
furryfriends (TEAS) said:
It really doesn't matter if one is neutered and the other isn't. We have a strict neutering policy, so all our boars are neutered before rehoming, whether they are going to live with a boar or a sow/s.
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Thanks, if you could get back to me then when you have chance, Smokey Joe is ok for now and i would much rather adopt than buy one. If you think you will have a single boar then please let me know x
 
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