Problem with a new pet

LilyandNugget

LilyandNugget

Teenage Guinea Pig
Joined
Nov 26, 2021
Messages
694
Reaction score
253
Points
450
Location
Malaysia,Selangor
Hi! It’s been awhile since I’ve been on this forum, but I would like some advice. I have 2 guinea pigs currently, and I have had them for 1yr+. I have grown extremely attached to them, and I love them so so much. Today, when I got up, my parents (I still live with them) surprised me and told me that they had got me a puppy. They had done reading, and bought all the things needed for one. The puppy is a 2 month old male beagle. I was really excited when I heard about this, until they told me the bad news. They told me I would have to give away my Guinea pigs because they wouldn’t have enough time and money for both of them. For example, a dog needs walks and vet visits and Guinea pigs cages need to be cleaned and they also need vet visits. My parents haven’t paid for the dog yet, and he’s arriving at 4:00 pm here (it’s currently 12:27pm). I am devastated. I think of the Guinea pigs as my children but I also really want a dog. I’ve been wanting one for as long as I can remember. Can anyone give me advice on how to resolve this issue or how to save money and time with multiple pets? Thank you so much.
 
I note you say ‘they’ dont have the time and money for them. Do you work and can therefore contribute financially?

Perhaps you could tell us what else you have going on in your life as that could help us understand why the guinea pigs will be seen as being too much work when the dog gets there. It’s saddened me to read that they are being seen as so disposable - you must be devastated.
Vet visits aren’t an every week thing so as long as the money is set aside for all of them, vet visits aren’t a routinely time consuming exercise.
I assume the piggies live together so it is only one cage to keep clean? Surely that isn’t so time consuming and can easily be fit in around walking the dog and everything else. I don’t think it would be too much to look after a dog and two piggies so perhaps you can help us understand why your parents think it is.
How much time do you have outside of work etc to dedicate to the animals?

Do you have a job to be able to help pay for the animals?
What kind of bedding do you use for the piggies, could you switch to a more cost effective alternative?
I’m just trying to think of practical issues which can easily be overcome to make your parents see that the piggies are not going to be a problem.

Where do the piggies live? Don’t forget to ensure absolutely security for the piggies - make sure doors are kept closed and that the dog cannot ever get to the cage. Beagles are a high prey drive dog.

I have six animals - four piggies in three enclosures and a pair of rabbits in a 140 square foot enclosure. I have two children, a husband, a business I help run and I work four days a week. I also have my gardening and allotment hobbies as well as volunteering as a Girlguiding leader for two units which takes around six hours a week (2.5 hours a week running the actual meetings the rest in planning). I’m a busy lady but theres always have time for my pets.
 
That's such a horrible situation. Your poor Guinea Pigs. This is the sort of excuse for giving up animals that rescues hate. It's such a shame your parents have put you in this position. It's such a shame that Guinea Pigs are still seen as a lesser pet that can be cast aside when a cat dog or baby come along.

That said beagles have a very high prey drive and could pose a real risk to your piggies so I would never allow them both in the same room.
 
Such a horrible situation but I think between 3 people 2 Guinea pigs and 1 dog it totally manageable.

Financially I get it, do you all work?

I don't think it's very fair that your parents have bought you a dog but then told you you have to give up your Guinea pigs, you should have been consulted and if it was an either or situation then the final say should have been yours.

So sorry you're in this situation.
 
Ugh... I see so many pigs be abandoned because the family 'upgraded' to a dog. It's unfair of your parents to put you in this position.

Honestly, we have five pets right now, so I don't see how it's a dog OR the guinea pigs. Are you working or are you a student? Can you contribute financially to the pigs? Can you try to make them more cost effective (i.e. I recently switched to fleece bedding because it saves a lot of money!)

Best of luck to you and your pigs and I hope a solution can be found.
 
Thank you all so much for the support. I have tried convincing my parents about keeping my guinea pigs, but they’re the kind of parents that are like ‘once we have made a decision you can’t change it’. I can’t remember the last time I cried so hard honestly. Unfortunately, I am a student and my parents want me to focus on my studies. Right now, my best option is giving them away to a responsible friend so at least I’ll be able to visit them. So far the little puppy is doing fine, he’s adorable. I wish I could keep them both.
 
Jenni85 said:
Such a horrible situation but I think between 3 people 2 Guinea pigs and 1 dog it totally manageable.

Financially I get it, do you all work?

I don't think it's very fair that your parents have bought you a dog but then told you you have to give up your Guinea pigs, you should have been consulted and if it was an either or situation then the final say should have been yours.

So sorry you're in this situation.
Click to expand...
No, I am a student and I don’t have enough time honestly. I have about 1 hour of free time a day, and then it’s back to studying and completing extra assignments given by my lecturers. I have just enough time for a dog or a guinea pig, but not both. Both my parents are working, and they only come home at abt 7-9. Although I love the new puppy, I really wish they had talked to me about it before surprising me with him.
 
LilyandNugget said:
Thank you all so much for the support. I have tried convincing my parents about keeping my guinea pigs, but they’re the kind of parents that are like ‘once we have made a decision you can’t change it’. I can’t remember the last time I cried so hard honestly. Unfortunately, I am a student and my parents want me to focus on my studies. Right now, my best option is giving them away to a responsible friend so at least I’ll be able to visit them. So far the little puppy is doing fine, he’s adorable. I wish I could keep them both.
Click to expand...
I am sorry you are in this position, I cant imagine how tough it is for you.

If you can give them to a friend who will look after them well and still give you a chance to see them, than I think you may find this nice.
If you do not have anyone who will take them, I would urge you to look for a rescue or something similar to rehome them to, as hopefully they would find a nice home for your pigs, whereas if you sell/give them away online you will not have any idea where they will end up.
 
Why one earth would your parents just presume you'd be happy to give your piggies up?!
Perhaps they wanted a puppy for themselves and didn't think about you and your pets and what you wanted 😠
I'm so sorry you've been put in this position. I hope you can find a friend nearby to take them so you can visit them! ❤️
 
weepweeps said:
How on earth do your parents think a puppy will cope while they are at work all day. I feel so sorry for you, your piggies and the puppy.
Click to expand...
I’ll try to manage my time better so that I can spend more time with him. Hopefully this all works out
 
piggl said:
I am sorry you are in this position, I cant imagine how tough it is for you.

If you can give them to a friend who will look after them well and still give you a chance to see them, than I think you may find this nice.
If you do not have anyone who will take them, I would urge you to look for a rescue or something similar to rehome them to, as hopefully they would find a nice home for your pigs, whereas if you sell/give them away online you will not have any idea where they will end up.
Click to expand...
Thankfully, a close friend of mine has volunteered to take care of them. We live quite near to each other, so hopefully I’ll be able to visit her often
 
piggl said:
I am sorry you are in this position, I cant imagine how tough it is for you.

If you can give them to a friend who will look after them well and still give you a chance to see them, than I think you may find this nice.
If you do not have anyone who will take them, I would urge you to look for a rescue or something similar to rehome them to, as hopefully they would find a nice home for your pigs, whereas if you sell/give them away online you will not have any idea where they will end up.
Click to expand...
Update: My friend managed to take them in. I’m so so glad that she did. She’s very happy and excited to care for them. Best part is, her house is about a 13-15 minute drive away from mine. She has informed me that my babies have adjusted nicely and that their doing well. I was feeling really depressed for awhile, but little Dexter (puppy) has helped me too! She sends me consistent videos and it’s nice to see they’ve gotten comfortable with her. They’ve been living with her for a month already. I really hope they still remember me when I go to visit them though ❤️. I had to take a short mental break because of all this. I still feel a little bit more depressed, but not as much as I did before. At least their in good hands ❤️❤️❤️
 
I’m sorry you had to go through with getting rid of them but I am glad you managed to get a close friend to take them.

Glad to hear they’re adjusting well though and you still get to see them from time to time x
 
Hi! I live with my parents and brother. Try telling your parents that you can take care of the guinea pigs on your own, and if you can't, you will help with the dog as a payment.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top