Lonely Shadow

Black piggies

Black piggies

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Hi, I'm wondering who would be the best friend or friends for Shadow, she'll be 5 in August. The local rescue has pairs and a dominant single lady.
Shadow lived for years with her sister who she tolerated, they would share a food bowl through choice, but no snuggling up together.
Shadow loved her husboar and was very distressed to lose him. One glance from her, and he accepted her as boss. But is she too old for a boyfriend? Better to add a young, neutered boar if there are 2 senior ladies to soak up the love?
Shadow's new but dearly departed friend Miffy tried to dominate and Shadow just won't have that. Shadow did nothing in shock as Miffy jumped on her head etc, then reared herself up, bared her teeth and lunged. She's gentle, but won't not be boss.
So Miffy lived alongside Shadow, which definitely added interest, but I'd like a friend in with Shadow now Miffy has gone.
Would 2 young ones annoy Shadow? Would a boar be too much? Is she better to be alone longer, while I search for a single senior lady?
Here she is fluffed up in outrage after her first bath, as her bottom looked a bit grubby 😊
 

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Black piggies said:
Hi, I'm wondering who would be the best friend or friends for Shadow, she'll be 5 in August. The local rescue has pairs and a dominant single lady.
Shadow lived for years with her sister who she tolerated, they would share a food bowl through choice, but no snuggling up together.
Shadow loved her husboar and was very distressed to lose him. One glance from her, and he accepted her as boss. But is she too old for a boyfriend? Better to add a young, neutered boar if there are 2 senior ladies to soak up the love?
Shadow's new but dearly departed friend Miffy tried to dominate and Shadow just won't have that. Shadow did nothing in shock as Miffy jumped on her head etc, then reared herself up, bared her teeth and lunged. She's gentle, but won't not be boss.
So Miffy lived alongside Shadow, which definitely added interest, but I'd like a friend in with Shadow now Miffy has gone.
Would 2 young ones annoy Shadow? Would a boar be too much? Is she better to be alone longer, while I search for a single senior lady?
Here she is fluffed up in outrage after her first bath, as her bottom looked a bit grubby 😊
Click to expand...

Hi!

If Hazelcroft Guinea Pig Rescue don't have any suitable piggies in, try the next closest rescues or the RSPCA in neighbouring districts like Healthlands and the two Wood Green branches. TEAS sanctuary in Northampton also has occasionally got adoptable guinea pigs.
Rescue Locator

Age is never a limit nor is an age gap; it is all about mutual liking and compatibility. At the worst, a next door pair with interaction through the bars can provide the necessary stimulation and interaction if Shadow prefers her own territory. Some rescues have also developed practices for a last standing piggy dilemma. Unfortunately, the pandemic and the various lockdowns have very much had an impact on the rescue situation.
While private recues (especially those that had to close) may have had few intakes, the RPSCA is bursting with them, so that would be another avenue for you although you may need to research as rules are much more rigid and many branches won't offer dating, even if they have guinea pigs.

My Tesni was 5 years old when she fell head over heels for 5 months old Gethin and was later joined by her bereaved sister Ffwlbri who lived to over 8 years. Gethin (himself now 5 years old) now lives with two younger sows while my currently 7 years old Pioden has a 1 year old wife which I introduced as a baby just before he lost the last of his four wives over the course of just a year.

You may find some parts of our Singles guide helpful; it also includes considerations : Single Guinea Pigs - Challenges and Responsibilities
 
Black piggies said:
Thank you, that's so helpful, I'll consider RSPCA in my thinking process. If I bonded a single piggy and it failed, they could live alongside.
Lovely to hear about the mixed age love stories, lucky Tesni, I'd love that for Shadow!
Click to expand...

It hasn't worked for all my sows; I still have some boar-resistant sows pairs and one single (and pre-dump human orientated ex-single) sow who prefers to have her own territory. But I have adopted a number rescue piggies with fear-aggression issues over the last years. All you can ever do is giving it a chance, whether it is a neutered boar or another sow. Even Beryn eventually found a best mate in gentle, squishy Betsan until I found Betsan dead from sudden overnight heart attack still with a mouthful of hay sticking out of her mouth just before the pandemic. Beryn is now 5 years old herself and has made it clear that she prefers her own territory. The others I have all been able to find a companion or two, even if it has not always been quite straight forward or easy.

Just keep an open mind.
 
There are no piggies in nearby rescues or RSPCA branches, or none who could possibly live with Shadow.

At Hazelcroft for live alongside options, there's a 3 year old dominant girl with 2 failed bondings. And a bonded pair of 2 year old sisters.

Which would best? Would the sisters add more interest for Shadow (my gut feeling), or would they ignore her completely?
 
Oh gosh what a choice! Would they let you bring Shadow in to try 'dating' and see if she hits it off with either option?

I suppose if you get a singleton and Shadow is 5 already you might be facing a similar situation in the future - but who can predict these things 💕
 
Yes I agree about a singleton. Had a long conversation with the lady who runs local rescue, she's happy for my to try the bonding, which I've done before. She's going to send a photo of 2 little ones who might put up with bossy Shadow. I feel like I'm waiting for a baby to be delivered, very exciting 😊👶
 
Good luck! I really hope you can find a friend(s) for Shadow x
My Ted was neutered at 5 after his brother died suddenly and was bonded very successfully with two beautiful young sows who adored him x
 
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