My guinea pig journey is coming to an end after 16 years 😞

Claire W

Claire W

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I wasn’t sure where to post this so thought I’d write it here

After losing Edward last September, I made the difficult decision that Elizabeth, Ella and Esme would be my last piggies, well for a while anyway as I find it too heartbreaking when they pass away and for a while now, my piggies haven’t been living the life they deserve thanks to my constant worrying and stressing over them. Little did I know that I would lose Ella and Elizabeth towards the end of this year leaving Esme alone 😞

As Esme is only 3 and a half, I feel it’s cruel to have her living alone when she could live for another several years. She’s undoubtedly grieving for Elizabeth and I also expect Edward and Ella 😞 Even though we’ve brought her downstairs in the smaller cage so she has us for company, she’s very lonely 😞

I don’t want to say too much just yet until everything is finalised and when Esme’s new family feels ready for an announcement and as much as it is breaking me, I have a new home lined up for Esme sometime in the new year where she can live the rest of her life with other piggies and be spoilt rotten

I am feeling absolutely broken, I was still grieving Ella when Elizabeth died and now I’m feeling extra sad now my guinea pig journey is coming to an end after 16 years 😞

But the main point of this thread is to share with you all every piggy I have had the pleasure to be mummy too in order since 2007. I joined the forum in 2008 and have made some lifelong friends along the way xx

Connie ❤️
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Eleanor ❤️
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Erin ❤️
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Ena ❤️
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Eliza ❤️
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Enoch ❤️
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Erika ❤️
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Emma ❤️
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Ellen ❤️
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Edward ❤️
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They're beautiful photos of your precious piggies Claire, they all look so happy in their pigtures.

I also decided to end the piggy cycle last year, as I found the losses too heartbreaking. You may find that fostering or helping out at a rescue could help you scratch that piggy itch if you need it in the future. I've found the forum to be incredibly helpful in helping me deal with some of the grief too.

I hope everything goes to plan with Esme- it must be so hard for you, but you're doing the right thing for her. ❤
 
Oh Claire you are so brave letting Esme go to another home filled with piggy friends. Such a hard decision for you but you know she will be so happy with friends around her. You’ve been an amazing mummy to all of those gorgeous piggies. Sending you a massive hug. ❤️
 
I think that deciding to end the piggy journey is very tough.
Over the years you have given all your piggies so much love and the best lives.
You will grieve for Esme too, even though she’s going to a new home.
Giving her that opportunity is a gift of love.
I hope you will stay on the forum as a friend.

Be gentle with yourself as you grieve
 
I am so sorry Claire, I can’t imagine how terribly sad you must be feeling. I know Esme will have a lovely new home with lots of company and companionship. Look to the future, there may be a point when you start that Piggie journey once again. But for now heal those wounds and heartache. I hope you will still be in the forum as we would all miss you x
 
I know know how you feel. I finished my piggy journey a few years ago after 20 years. Difficult decision.
But you are so brave thinking of Esme and giving her new friends, because all we ever want is the best for them. I hope you stay on the forum, its so friendly and supportive. You can still help other members with your experience of piggy ownership.
I still adore piggies and support as many rescues as I can. Not going to lie I love hearing about other people's piggies and seeing pigtures.
Be kind to yourself as you grieve.
Sending you massive hugs.xx
 
Oh Claire, I am so sorry this has all happened much sooner than you anticipated. What a selfless thing you are doing in letting Esme go to a new home so she has company. Sending you hugs.
 
I’m very sorry to hear about your losses (Ella and Elizabeth). It is difficult to deal with the losses. But what you are doing for Esme is like the cherry on top. Selfless and so full of love.

I think I may be heading in that direction too, sad as it makes me. All the best and I hope plans for Esme go through well. For now enjoy her presence.
 
Now she has made an official announcement on her tribe thread, I can now tell you all that Esme has gone to live with @Wiebke and I’m sure you will all agree that she couldn’t have gone to a better home ❤️ I’m so grateful to Wiebke for offering her a forever home now all her friends have passed and that I needed to break the cycle x
 
Well done Claire. Nothing softens the blow more than knowing the piggy has gone to a 5* home. It's hard but if you need that break for your mental health then you need it. I didn't realise how much I needed it til it was done. Time to focus back on you now
 
Just look at all those beautiful piggies who have benefited from your love and care over those years. You should be proud and I hope you enjoy some rest 🥰
 
Claire W said:
Now she has made an official announcement on her tribe thread, I can now tell you all that Esme has gone to live with @Wiebke and I’m sure you will all agree that she couldn’t have gone to a better home ❤️ I’m so grateful to Wiebke for offering her a forever home now all her friends have passed and that I needed to break the cycle x
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Claire may I ask what you meant by your piggies not living the life the deserved because of worrying and stress? I stress immensely about my piggy and I don’t want it to hurt them how can I avoid this? Also I’m sure all those piggies had a wonderful time with you and had fun cute filled lives.
 
Opiethepiggy said:
Claire may I ask what you meant by your piggies not living the life the deserved because of worrying and stress? I stress immensely about my piggy and I don’t want it to hurt them how can I avoid this? Also I’m sure all those piggies had a wonderful time with you and had fun cute filled lives.
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I was basically stressing over my piggies all the time and rushing them to the vets for every little thing. I would hover over them like a hawk and rather than them have a mummy who loved and devoted them, they basically had a stressed out and anxious mummy who l wasn’t enjoying them like she should. I spent more time worrying about them than loving and caring for them 😞

I can fully recommend the guide @ScrufflesRules has linked in that @Wiebke has written

I’m sure you’re no where near as bad as I was though

Thabk you for saying my piggies had a wonderful time with me though, that means a lot x
 
Hmmm I see I’ll remember that and try not to make the same mistake. Also they had a perfect mummy no matter if you worried it’s because you cared. And I’m sure they loved even being in your presence. But I understand I’m not an adult so I can’t rush them to the vet each time I wish to but I do ask my parents to and they say no, but it’s because their right. I thought my piggy had sludge but nope it was just urine slacked bedding
 
Opiethepiggy said:
Hmmm I see I’ll remember that and try not to make the same mistake. Also they had a perfect mummy no matter if you worried it’s because you cared. And I’m sure they loved even being in your presence. But I understand I’m not an adult so I can’t rush them to the vet each time I wish to but I do ask my parents to and they say no, but it’s because their right. I thought my piggy had sludge but nope it was just urine slacked bedding
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Thank you so much and I am so pleased your piggy ended up not having sludge x
 
Don't beat yourself up @Claire W , it's a fine balance. I find myself watching Mischievous Master Boris like a hawk looking for any early signs of satin syndrome. I have to make myself take a deep breath and just enjoy my boys.
 
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