Adoption - how to think now?

[exia]

Hi,

We lost our loved Joe Exotic yesterday. As many here knew, he was my soulpig and my heart is not really 100% about this decision. My hubby took it.

I haven't had a single pig since the 90s when you truly didnt know better, and I dont want to put Kongo in that position. We adopted Kongo out of that very reason to, he was alone.
Kongo is... Kongo. I'm not very positive we will find another boar he wants to share his space with. But I truly believe he needs a companion close. He liked to say hello to Joe though the divider and eat with him. He loved to tease dramaqueen Chip and was very creative about how to steal his food throughout the divider. He needs social interaction with another pig.

We dont want to start this piggy-cycle all over again right now. My heart is very sore after losing three of my boys in seven months. So a baby or two is out of the picture. Question is;

Is it cruel to adopt a sow as a neighbour? Kongo is not neutered, nor will we neuter him hence to age and body weight. He's too much of a risk.

How long can Kongo wait for a new neighbour?
As for now, Kongo is okay. A bit more quiet and not as energetic as usual. But he's not hiding and he eats as normal. He gets very happy for attention. I realise I cant stretch this okay forever, because they are very good at hiding things, but if I can put myself in focus I need a couple of days to understand whats happening right now. If we cant give me a couple of days its very much ok to tell me that Kongos well-being is very much more important and I just have to deal with it.

 

[Ramia]

I would think Kongo might get frustrated with a sow next door, but an expert would know better.

They usually say 1-4 weeks to getting a new friend.

Are there any older boars up for adoption?

 

[exia]

I would think Kongo might get frustrated with a sow next door, but an expert would know better.

They usually say 1-4 weeks to getting a new friend.

Are there any older boars up for adoption?

Thats what I'm a bit concerned for too. And we know no zip-ties in the world can stop a Kongo

Acctually, there is two single boars on Swedens version of craigslist and both have been moving around which bothers me alot and makes me want to take them both. Both are 4-4,5years and that match Kongos age (from what we've been told).

 

[Piggies&buns]

I’m so sorry for your loss.

Boars who have grown up around sows don’t tend to be affected by their pheromones as much but one who is not used to a sow is going to have a very strong reaction to her.
His cage would have to be highly secured and ideally lidded as boars can and do climb bars to get in with a sow.

If he is eating and is otherwise ok then you have around 4 weeks

 

[exia]

I’m so sorry for your loss.

Boars who have grown up around sows don’t tend to be affected by their pheromones as much but one who is not used to a sow is going to have a very strong reaction to her.
His cage would have to be highly secured and ideally lidded as boars can and do climb bars to get in with a sow.

If he is eating and is otherwise ok then you have around 4 weeks

I hear we would have to put this poor little fellow in handcuffs
A sow is definitely out of picture. I dont think he met one since the day he was born. Matter of fact, he's very social awkward around other pigs. We suspect he was a loner in his old home.

My hope is that he and the other boar will bond and share everything. We will try. But I know my big little bulldozer. He enjoys company and was very happy about Joe as long as Joe wasnt in his territory.

 

[Wiebke]

Hi,

We lost our loved Joe Exotic yesterday. As many here knew, he was my soulpig and my heart is not really 100% about this decision. My hubby took it.

I haven't had a single pig since the 90s when you truly didnt know better, and I dont want to put Kongo in that position. We adopted Kongo out of that very reason to, he was alone.
Kongo is... Kongo. I'm not very positive we will find another boar he wants to share his space with. But I truly believe he needs a companion close. He liked to say hello to Joe though the divider and eat with him. He loved to tease dramaqueen Chip and was very creative about how to steal his food throughout the divider. He needs social interaction with another pig.

We dont want to start this piggy-cycle all over again right now. My heart is very sore after losing three of my boys in seven months. So a baby or two is out of the picture. Question is;

Is it cruel to adopt a sow as a neighbour? Kongo is not neutered, nor will we neuter him hence to age and body weight. He's too much of a risk.

How long can Kongo wait for a new neighbour?
As for now, Kongo is okay. A bit more quiet and not as energetic as usual. But he's not hiding and he eats as normal. He gets very happy for attention. I realise I cant stretch this okay forever, because they are very good at hiding things, but if I can put myself in focus I need a couple of days to understand whats happening right now. If we cant give me a couple of days its very much ok to tell me that Kongos well-being is very much more important and I just have to deal with it.

Hi

As long as Kongo is eating and drinking and his weight is stable, you can wait around a month - or even a bit longer in the case of neutering a boar (plus the recommended 6 weeks post-op wait). Acute pining is thankfully rare and usually due to either an emotional depency or a stress related lowering of the immune system in a frail/older piggy, which allows underlying issues to come to the fore. Most companions of a very ill/frail piggy know that the end is coming and have very often taken their own leave already before the death. It is mostly the sudden, unexpected deaths out of the blue, like a heart attack or a stroke that can derail a close companion badly.
Looking After a Bereaved Guinea Pig

He can definitively and happily live with another single sow or boar of any age (another widowed or fallen out piggy?) or a bonded younger pair (sows, boars or a mixed pair) if you want to avoid the next seesaw search in the wake of a death) in an adjoining cage as long as he has full interaction through the bars.
You have to brace for initial over-excitement and cable-tie the divider between the cages with a sheet pegged on Kongo's side of the cage (a piece of chipboard over the top along the divider to prevent him from getting through to any sows. The first sow seasons in the presence of boar pheromones are usually extra strong but over time Kongo will produce a calming compound and react much less. You just have to sit out the the start and not panic but it is absolutely doable.

My submissive Merlin has lived most of last year with neighbouring single sows with major fear-aggression issues; he is now neutered and happily bonded to the worst of them (sulwen/Sisu) after she had gradually softened. Just brace for some lively times at first and then during seasons. Before that, Merlin lived in succession with a forum member's various bereaved older boars and saw them all out before he returned back to me. Merlin is by no means my first live-alongside boar or sow. I practise this to help fear-aggressive piggies get past their initial over-reactions.


(Sulwen 'Blessed Sun'/Sisu is the big blonde lady with her much smaller suitor and now husboar Merlin)

 

[exia]

Hi

As long as Kongo is eating and drinking and his weight is stable, you can wait around a month - or even a bit longer in the case of neutering a boar (plus the recommended 6 weeks post-op wait). Acute pining is thankfully rare and usually due to either an emotional depency or a stress related lowering of the immune system in a frail/older piggy, which allows underlying issues to come to the fore. Most companions of a very frail piggy know that the end is coming and have very often taken their own leave already before the death. It is most sudden, unexpected deaths that can derail a close companion badly.
Looking After a Bereaved Guinea Pig

He can definitively and happily live with another single sow or boar of any age (another widowed or fallen out piggy?) or a bonded younger pair (sows, boars or a mixed pair) if you want to avoid the next seesaw search in the wake of a death) in an adjoining cage as long as he has full interaction through the bars.
You have to brace for initial over-excitement and cable-tie the divider between the cages with a sheet pegged on Kongo's side of the cage (a piece of chipboard over the top along the divider to prevent him from getting through to any sows. The first sow seasons in the presence of boar pheromones are usually extra strong but over time Kongo will produce a calming compound and react much less. You just have to sit out the the start and not panic but it is absolutely doable.

My submissive Merlin has lived most of last year with neighbouring single sows with major fear-aggression issues; he is now neutered and happily bonded to the worst of them (sulwen/Sisu) after she had gradually softened. Just brace for some lively times at first and then during seasons. Before that, Merlin lived in succession with a forum member's various bereaved older boars and saw them all out before he returned back to me. Merlin is by no means my first live-alongside boar or sow. I practise this to help fear-aggressive piggies get past their initial over-reactions.

View attachment 267453
(Sulwen 'Blessed Sun'/Sisu is the big blonde lady with her much smaller suitor and now husboar Merlin)

Thank you @Wiebke
You're such a great pigfluenser, and your words make me a little bit more excited to get to know a new little friend.

I think we will go for one boar, in the same agespan. You cant predict the future and what it brings - Joe was acting all healthy just a week ago and I was more worried about future bladder stones or a new tooth-drama than an opiod-crisis - but thats the best odds. After this week I'm a bit too scared to put Kongo under GA if it isn't a surgery to try to save his life, and I also have his size in mind (1730g. Its a big little pig).

Ita very comforting to hear I dont have to rush as long as Kongo seems alright. I'm not really ready at all, I want Joe to come home and feel very guilty about just thinking about "replacing him". I know thats just stupid thoughts because they are their own very special individuals and they cant replace each other. Just take their own place in your heart.

Me and mister Exotic. Like human, like pig

 

[Merab]

So sorry that you lost Joe Exotic.
Be gentle with yourself as you grieve.
Hugs

 

[Wiebke]

Thank you @Wiebke
You're such a great pigfluenser, and your words make me a little bit more excited to get to know a new little friend.

I think we will go for one boar, in the same agespan. You cant predict the future and what it brings - Joe was acting all healthy just a week ago and I was more worried about future bladder stones or a new tooth-drama than an opiod-crisis - but thats the best odds. After this week I'm a bit too scared to put Kongo under GA if it isn't a surgery to try to save his life, and I also have his size in mind (1730g. Its a big little pig).

Ita very comforting to hear I dont have to rush as long as Kongo seems alright. I'm not really ready at all, I want Joe to come home and feel very guilty about just thinking about "replacing him". I know thats just stupid thoughts because they are their own very special individuals and they cant replace each other. Just take their own place in your heart.

Me and mister Exotic. Like human, like pig
View attachment 267464

Kongo is an armful of gorgeousness!

You may find the link about Looking after a bereaved guinea pig in my previous post helpful because it also tackles the different grieving between guinea pigs and humans and helps you to work out when you can take your own time and when piggy needs become more urgent.

Another helpful guide is this one below. It looks at bereaved singles from a different perspective and also contains a chapter on how you can spot when a single is transferring their social species needs onto you by default or is becoming depressed - that is usually the time they really need a companion or next door neighbour.
Single Guinea Pigs - Challenges and Responsibilities

Just take your time and give yourself the space to get over the roughest of your own grieving as long as you can afford to. Guinea pigs don't grieve less deeply (even the ones who just get on with life) but their survival instincts are a lot more immediate and usually kick in faster than human ones.
A new bond will grow in its own time and way, often without you noticing it. Don't go for similar looks and close reminders because that would be unfair on the new piggy - they should be able to have their own journey without any added expectations and burdens they cannot fulfill. Allow the new bond to be very different and to develop in its own time; it won't be less valid on its own.

Don't place too many unwarrented expectations on yourself right now. It is going to sort itself out when the time is right.

 

[exia]

Kongo is an armful of gorgeousness!

You may find the link about Looking after a bereaved guinea pig in my previous post helpful because it also tackles the different grieving between guinea pigs and humans and helps you to work out when you can take your own time and when piggy needs become more urgent.

Another helpful guide is this one below. It looks at bereaved singles from a different perspective and also contains a chapter on how you can spot when a single is transferring their social species needs onto you by default or is becoming depressed - that is usually the time they really need a companion or next door neighbour.
Single Guinea Pigs - Challenges and Responsibilities

Just take your time and give yourself the space to get over the roughest of your own grieving as long as you can afford to. Guinea pigs don't grieve less deeply (even the ones who just get on with life) but their survival instincts are a lot more immediate and usually kick in faster than human ones.
A new bond will grow in its own time and way, often without you noticing it. Don't go for similar looks and close reminders because that would be unfair on the new piggy - they should be able to have their own journey without any added expectations and burdens they cannot fulfill. Allow the new bond to be very different and to develop in its own time; it won't be less valid on its own.

Don't place too many unwarrented expectations on yourself right now. It is going to sort itself out when the time is right.

Your guides are truly great. I started to read the one about single pigs yesterday and will continue today.
Right now I'm happy that Kongo always has been very human-oriented. He makes sure we cant forget about him and that makes it easy for us to spend time with him, he wants to play and cuddle.

I will really try to follow your leads and not to "look for Joe" in a new pig. Truth is no one can be like Joe Exotic, for me he's the God of the pigs, and every pig is wonderful in their own little way. It really wouldn't be fair to compare because I had such a tight bond with Joe after all his tooth-drama. He also had a high sense of integrity and to win his trust was hard work. Kongo is the opposite, he just loves everyone.

I reached out to one of the boars looking for a home this morning. Truth is it wont get easier to get a new one in two weeks, and its just to rip the bandage of and start this process. Maybe he already have a new good home and our search for a new buddy wont be that easy? We'll see. It feels good to offer a pig in need a new home for life, if we're gonna find something positive in this situation. We would be home number four

 

[Truffolo]

Your new piggy is in the stars I hope the search goes well

 

[Truffolo]

Quarantine and vet checks, but I am sure the guides discuss the technical items

 

[exia]

Quarantine and vet checks, but I am sure the guides discuss the technical items

Oh yes! I will try to bond the guys, when I know the new one is healthy and they had their time to get to know each other a bit as neighbours. I know I have a trouble maker in Kongo

 

[Wiebke]

Take your time to read through the guides. I am glad that you are finding them helpful.

When my own most special piggy ever, Minx (she lived 20 years ago), passed away, a proper lookalike and possibly relative of hers was looking for a home for a number of weeks. I was very tempted of course but in the end decided not to go for her because it would have been unfair on the newbie because she would never have been able to fill Minx's huge paw prints.
Like Joe, well named Minx (from pre-forum days) was more in the way of a pint-sized dog and she led me a merry dance in the three years we had together, including discovering stair climbing 10 days before she gave birth to unplanned surprise babies...
But she is the one out of nearly 100 piggies that have passed through my life over the years who I play with in my mind and my memories when I need to trigger my happiness hormones during my regular cancer check scans.
Here is a memorial I wrote for the 10th anniversary of her passing (it is not a sad one and has lots of pictures): Minx: It Is 10 Years Today...

Once I was over Minx's loss (which took me about one and half years because there was no support around in those years and she came along just a few years after the death of my dad), I have since then always had a red and white aby adoptee in my Tribe but I have been careful in never adopting one that did come too close in looks in order to allow them all their very own journey with their unique personality.
I adopted one about every 4 years and travelled quite some distance or in some cases waited months for them because I preferred them to overlap a little rather than look after a passing and I have been careful in giving them all very different names Taffy 'Beloved' (2009) and her baby daughter Telyn 'Harp' from Scotland (Blodyn 'Flower' is actually an unplanned a surprise lookalike of Telyn; I only saw a picture of her after I had committed to adopt the Cornish family); Pili Pala 'Butterfly' (2013) from West Yorkshire and then Beryn 'Candytuft' in 2017 from North Wales. And when in 2022 a dumped family in Cornwall came along, it all came together to fulfill my last piggy bucket dream of adopting a ready made group or family to bring up the tail end of my multiple Tribe piggies time.
Wiebke's Tribe Photo Gallery


Here are some very practical guides for getting new piggies so you can avoid or look out for some of the most common pitfalls when looking for and bringing home a newbie:
Rescues (Adoption and Dating), Shops, Breeders or Online? - What to consider when getting guinea pigs
New Guinea Pig Problems: Sexing & Pregnancy; URI, Ringworm & Parasites; Vet Checks & Customer Rights
New Guinea Pigs: How to Best Manage Arrival and Settling In

This is the access link to our full information resource. You may want to bookmark it, browse, read and re-read at need as you will pick up on different things at different times and levels of experience. It is the currently most extensive information collection around. The guides format allows us to update and extend at need:
Comprehensive Owners' Practical and Supportive Information Collection

 

[exia]

Take your time to read through the guides. I am glad that you are finding them helpful.

When my own most special piggy ever, Minx (she lived 20 years ago), passed away, a proper lookalike and possibly relative of hers was looking for a home for a number of weeks. I was very tempted of course but in the end decided not to go for her because it would have been unfair on the newbie because she would never have been able to fill Minx's huge paw prints.
Like Joe, well named Minx (from pre-forum days) was more in the way of a pint-sized dog and she led me a merry dance in the three years we had together, including discovering stair climbing 10 days before she gave birth to unplanned surprise babies...
But she is the one out of nearly 100 piggies that have passed through my life over the years who I play with in my mind and my memories when I need to trigger my happiness hormones during my regular cancer check scans.
Here is a memorial I wrote for the 10th anniversary of her passing (it is not a sad one and has lots of pictures): Minx: It Is 10 Years Today...

Once I was over Minx's loss (which took me about one and half years because there was no support around in those years and she came along just a few years after the death of my dad), I have since then always had a red and white aby adoptee in my Tribe but I have been careful in never adopting one that did come too close in looks in order to allow them all their very own journey with their unique personality.
I adopted one about every 4 years and travelled quite some distance or in some cases waited months for them because I preferred them to overlap a little rather than look after a passing and I have been careful in giving them all very different names Taffy 'Beloved' (2009) and her baby daughter Telyn 'Harp' from Scotland (Blodyn 'Flower' is actually an unplanned a surprise lookalike of Telyn; I only saw a picture of her after I had committed to adopt the Cornish family); Pili Pala 'Butterfly' (2013) from West Yorkshire and then Beryn 'Candytuft' in 2017 from North Wales. And when in 2022 a dumped family in Cornwall came along, it all came together to fulfill my last piggy bucket dream of adopting a ready made group or family to bring up the tail end of my multiple Tribe piggies time.
Wiebke's Tribe Photo Gallery


Here are some very practical guides for getting new piggies so you can avoid or look out for some of the most common pitfalls when looking for and bringing home a newbie:
Rescues (Adoption and Dating), Shops, Breeders or Online? - What to consider when getting guinea pigs
New Guinea Pig Problems: Sexing & Pregnancy; URI, Ringworm & Parasites; Vet Checks & Customer Rights
New Guinea Pigs: How to Best Manage Arrival and Settling In

This is the access link to our full information resource. You may want to bookmark it, browse, read and re-read at need as you will pick up on different things at different times and levels of experience. It is the currently most extensive information collection around. The guides format allows us to update and extend at need:
Comprehensive Owners' Practical and Supportive Information Collection

Oh my, what a lovely tribute! I laughed so much I cried. You have real gift when writing, your words made her feel so alive and I understand you still miss that girl. Couldnt help to notice she and Joe had same colours

I will spend the day reading with Kongo on my chest, resting this terrible cold and fever away. I cried so much these days I have burnmarks in the skin around my eyes. But today I feel a bit more calm.