Our piggie died 4 days ago and we are devastated. I found this site as I have struggled with my grief and keep crying.
We got our 3 girls last autumn and I never even thought about the hutch position. Although they are my 3 children’s pets it’s me who looks after them. This tragic day was down to a combination of events. Once every 2 weeks I work further away and on this particular day I had to collect a colleague. After dropping the kids off at a later time because of covid I suddenly remembered about lifting the cover off the hutch. I only put it on because of heavy rain the night before. I realised my phone was in the boot so thought I’d pick up my colleague then phone my mum at work. At this point it was grey and chilly. I was wearing tights and a jacket. When we arrived the shop was full and I was very busy. I completely forgot to phone my mum. When I stopped at 1.15pm I realised it was sunny and a feeling of icy dread ran through me.
I called my mum to lift the cover and get them out but she and my dad were out. So I called my mother in law who got there 10 minutes later. She phoned and said the piggies were floppy and in a bad way. She got them out on the lawn and asked me what to do. I was in a state at work about it. She sprinkled them with water and got their water bottle and offered it to them.
At this point my mum and sister in law arrived at the scene. My mum started phoning our vets who said we weren’t registered when we were. This messing about further prevented my mum from helping with the pigs.
In the meantime my daughter’s pig Midnight seemed to be drinking so my mother in law gave her more. Unfortunately this was too much and she choked and died in her arms. The other 2 recovered after a trip to the vets.
My mum checks on the pigs every day (she lives next door) and this is the first time she didn’t. It was one of those days when many things happened unexpectedly so she forgot too.
It’s not her fault though. Or my mother in law’s. They are our pigs and our responsibility. We have learned tragic lessons from this. We moved the hutch immediately to a more shaded spot where the sun only hits it late afternoon. I’ve said to my family that I need help. From my husband and the kids. I feel I’m juggling a lot of balls and I need back up.
I miss Midnight and we are all utterly heartbroken. It’s like a bad dream and I can’t believe she’s gone. I feel such guilt and I keep thinking ‘what if’ and ‘if only’ constantly. It’s so hard to come to terms with. I hope this helps someone else not make the same mistake.
We got our 3 girls last autumn and I never even thought about the hutch position. Although they are my 3 children’s pets it’s me who looks after them. This tragic day was down to a combination of events. Once every 2 weeks I work further away and on this particular day I had to collect a colleague. After dropping the kids off at a later time because of covid I suddenly remembered about lifting the cover off the hutch. I only put it on because of heavy rain the night before. I realised my phone was in the boot so thought I’d pick up my colleague then phone my mum at work. At this point it was grey and chilly. I was wearing tights and a jacket. When we arrived the shop was full and I was very busy. I completely forgot to phone my mum. When I stopped at 1.15pm I realised it was sunny and a feeling of icy dread ran through me.
I called my mum to lift the cover and get them out but she and my dad were out. So I called my mother in law who got there 10 minutes later. She phoned and said the piggies were floppy and in a bad way. She got them out on the lawn and asked me what to do. I was in a state at work about it. She sprinkled them with water and got their water bottle and offered it to them.
At this point my mum and sister in law arrived at the scene. My mum started phoning our vets who said we weren’t registered when we were. This messing about further prevented my mum from helping with the pigs.
In the meantime my daughter’s pig Midnight seemed to be drinking so my mother in law gave her more. Unfortunately this was too much and she choked and died in her arms. The other 2 recovered after a trip to the vets.
My mum checks on the pigs every day (she lives next door) and this is the first time she didn’t. It was one of those days when many things happened unexpectedly so she forgot too.
It’s not her fault though. Or my mother in law’s. They are our pigs and our responsibility. We have learned tragic lessons from this. We moved the hutch immediately to a more shaded spot where the sun only hits it late afternoon. I’ve said to my family that I need help. From my husband and the kids. I feel I’m juggling a lot of balls and I need back up.
I miss Midnight and we are all utterly heartbroken. It’s like a bad dream and I can’t believe she’s gone. I feel such guilt and I keep thinking ‘what if’ and ‘if only’ constantly. It’s so hard to come to terms with. I hope this helps someone else not make the same mistake.
I am so sorry you're going through this. That bad dream feeling...I wish I could take it away for you. Big hugs 
Please don’t beat yourself up. It was an accident and accidents happen. Be gentle with yourself as you and your family grieve x
