Will Poppy be lonely?

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sazmatazz

sazmatazz

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Hi everyone. Those of you who have looked at the health & illness folder may have seen that unfortunately, one of my piggies Dora (in my avatar) passed away after surgery last night. I am really devastated. Dora has left behind her sister Poppy, who is 4yrs 4 months. They have always lived together happily, we rescued them as soon as they were able to leave their mum.
Will Poppy be lonely? I am distraught over losing Dora and I hate to think that Poppy is feeling the same way. The problem is, I am reluctant to end up in a cycle of getting more and more piggy companions when 1 inevitably dies before the other. Dora's death was unexpected and she went too soon. I'd hoped both my girls would live into old age & not be left alone too long if they didn't go together.
I don't really know what to do. Has anyone else been in this situation? I really love piggies but I never thought I would get more if we lost them - I am very attached to my pets and I find it so difficult with small animals because health problems are quite challenging to treat - I can't keep going through this pain repeatedly. I have only just managed to get out of bed today after finding Dora at 4am this morning.
I obviously don't want to appear selfish & I don't want Poppy to be lonely & suffer either.
I had 3 piggies when I was a child (males) and when 2 of them passed away there was 1 remaining piggy, however I think he was always a bit of a bully & seemed to do ok on his own. He lived a good few years after the other 2, he was 7 when he died, I think of old age. But I'm not sure how Poppy will cope. How can I tell what she is feeling? I know piggies aren't solitary animals.

Any advice would be much appreciated.

Thank you

Saz
 
I'm really sorry for your loss. I know how sad it is to loose a piggy:( I cry my heart out when I lost mine!
Regarding him being lonely.. well I have had plenty of cases like this and I dont think they get lonely I think its more of a grievance. They can sense when something is not right and when there friend goes missing they wonder were he has gone. They mourn. You might find your piggy walking around his cage as if hes looking for his buddy. Yes very sad I know it always breaks my heart seeing this happen
Just make sure to give your guinea lots of extra cuddles and attension. It might take abit of time but he will eventually get over the loss of his friend.
Do not try to pair him with a new guinea at this early of stages x
 
Firstly I am so sorry to hear about your poor Dora.
I have been in this situation myself. I bought two boy guineas last year from someone who no longer wanted them. Everything was fine to start with but we noticed one of them had a slight head tilt. Well not long after we noticed this he lost the use of both of his back legs and started dragging them. Vets gave him a steroid and I fed on parsley and amazingly after washing, nursing and everything else he regained the use of them. But then a few weeks ago his head tilt got worse as did his balance and something behind his eye had ruptured. I did everything I could and the vet tried everything but it just wasn't to be. I was absolutely devastated.

I thought the one who was left was OK. He was eating and drinking and seemed content but it was when I let him out the cage that I noticed. He just sat there. He wouldn't move and run round like he used to and not really any vocal noises from him either. I hunted for a suitable companion for him (not from a pet shop) and found him a buddy. I kept them separate to start because everyone says it hard to put two males together but they absolutely adore each other and my lone guinea has now turned back into a guinea pig running round at floor time and making all the lovely little noises that he makes and other things that he never did when he was on his own. In the cage they lie next to each other its so cute! Other people may have different views but I can only go on how my guinea has been. I was dubious because of the circle of losing one and replacing because it so heartbreaking when you lose one but am glad I did get another one and I knew I had a loving and caring home to give to another unwanted piggie. (apart from I have just posted to say think my guineas have lice or mites and obviously both of them have it now).
 
So sorry to hear you lost your little one :(

Poppy will need some time to greive, just like people do but they are not solitary creatures and often a new friend helps them settle down some time after the death of a cage-mate. I know my little Suilven was just lost when he lost Merry. You don't need to rush into it and there will be a time when you and Poppy are ready for a new friend.

When this time comes, try a piggy-bank approved rescue who can help Poppy pick her own friend(s) so she is happy and settled. That way you can be sure everyone is happy. Three seems to be a good number for girlies and also gives you the advantage that if an older member of the trio passes away, the remaining pigs are not left alone. Lts to think about but for now remember all the good times with Dora and let yourself heal. Hugs to you and Poppy. x
 
I am very sorry for your loss; I have lost several piggies in or after operations over the years. It has always been a gutting experience.

Give Poppy time to grieve; most piggies come out of deep mourning after a few days. That is the time you can start looking for a new friend for her. The best way is by dating her at a good rescue, so she can make her own choice of who she likes to be with under expert supervision. You only come home with another piggy if there has been success. Both sows and neutered boars are an option.
Here is the Piggy Bank map of recommended god standard rescues.
https://maps.google.co.uk/maps/ms?msid=209994852075231951564.0004b8fd9391b4257d8eb&msa=0

I have done this several times with bereaved sows of a similar age, and always ended up with a very loving new companionship, with both sows and neutered boars.

Guinea pigs grieve no less deeply, but they cannot afford to grieve for as long as us humans. However, I have found that seeing my remaining piggy sparkle again has given me peace of mind and allowed me to deal with my own feelings better. Being able to do something for my bereaved piggy by contacting rescues within reach and enquiring after potential candidates has given me something positive to concentrate on, too. In time, the newbie has built its own nest in my heart that hasn't taken anything away from the bond I had with the previous piggy.
 
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I am really sorry to hear about Dora. I have just lost my 2 year old Alex and I am considering what to do now. His cagemate Sergei is now by himself. It is a terrible time when you loose a beloved pet and I know what you are going through. I really don't know what to do now, so I will follow the advice you get with interest.

Take care
 
It's a difficult decision to make. If it was me, I'd try to get another piggie the same age but one is going to die before the other whatever age you get. As suggested by Wiebke, you have the option of another sow or neutered boar. Sometimes with older sows they may not settle with another sow but be perfectly OK with a neutered boar. You have a good rescue fairly near to you, Millhaven Guinea Pig Rescue. Details of the dating service is here:- http://www.milhaven-rescue.com/piggy-dating/ plus contact details by clicking the contact us link on the left of the page.

I'm really sorry for the loss of your Dora and I hope you find a companion for Poppy when you feel the time is right.
 
I think if Poppy was older I wouldn't necessarily be thinking about it. But I hate the thought of her being on her own for a few years. Thats a long time.
There is a small animal rescue near me, I'm sure they do piggy dating too http:// http://m.bramleycaviesrescue.com/site/mobile?dm_path=%2F&fw_sig_access_token=5bf15f12a18030f37316a94e03d653eda89ffc05&fw_sig_tier=2&fw_sig_social=1&fw_sig_site=69631016&fw_sig_api_key=522b0eedffc137c934fc7268582d53a1&fw_sig_premium=1&fw_sig_session_key=f55dedf58f1c65d00f6149c1a7500b37eeb0df8f388d675b7e8340cda7185b6e-69631016&fw_sig_is_admin=0&fw_sig_permission_level=0&fw_sig_url=http://www.bramleycaviesrescue.com/&fw_sig_potential_abuse=1&fw_sig_permissions=none&fw_sig_time=1376543923699&fw_sig=3eea28c8706e3fee333404cc115ee271&fb_sig_network=fw#0231 although their mobile site doesnt work well for me.
 
I took on a 4 year old plus sow in April from her owner who was in a similar position to you. Minnie had recently lost her companion & her owner thought it best if she could be re-homed with a group of guinea pigs. Unfortunately she didn't get on with the others. She temporarily bonded with Minky but when Minky became ill, first losing sight in one eye & then having an abscess she would go for Minky. I divided the run & gave her an area at one end & she would then come & meet the other girls at the divider. I then took her dating & came back with a 1 year old neutered boar, Mitch & they got on really well. Then when Minky had to have another op, I decided to have another go at bonding as they had spent time on the grass together with not too much trouble. Minky was in the hospital cage after her op. & I too the divider out of the big run after it was cleaned & had Minnie. Mitch together with Mother & Mousey altogether. There were minor squabbles but no blood or scratches or mouthfuls of fur. They've now been together for 2 weeks & Minky went back in with them today. They're now living together as a group & hardly any ill feelings. I'm really over the moon that I've now got a group of 5 instead of a trio & a pair. It's really nice to see them interact.

I would go ahead with dating. The Bramley Cavies Rescue isn't on the Piggybank list but looking at the website it appears to be OK. Maybe some other members in the Leeds area may have had guinea pigs from there. They have sows available for bonding with existing piggies so I'd give it a try.
 
Thank you for the advice everyone. We are thinking we probably will get Poppy a new companion from a rescue. I'm going to speak to bramleycavies this week. Out of interest,how do rescues get on the piggybank list? Ive never heard of it.
I think we will try & get a piggy of a similar age to Poppy. It feels weird to see her on her own but equally weird to think of her with a dfferent piggy friend.
 
sazmatazz said:
Thank you for the advice everyone. We are thinking we probably will get Poppy a new companion from a rescue. I'm going to speak to bramleycavies this week. Out of interest,how do rescues get on the piggybank list? Ive never heard of it.
I think we will try & get a piggy of a similar age to Poppy. It feels weird to see her on her own but equally weird to think of her with a dfferent piggy friend.
Click to expand...

The Piggy Bank list was complied by members of the Piggy Bank and only contains rescues which meet certain criteria in respect of welfare, advice, accommodation, bonding of piggies and others.

That is not to say that rescues not on the list are all dreadful, that is not the case. The list was compiled as many people brand themselves as a 'rescue' but have poor standards of care, no knowledge of how to responsibly bond or pair a piggy and some even breed and sell, adding to the number of piggies needing homes. The list is there to reassure that these particular rescues are good, reputable and accountable to a national group of piggy welfare people so you know they can be trusted. There are also plenty of rescues around who are not on the list as they have chosen not to be or for other reasons.

As long as you are happy that the piggy you are getting is clean and healthy and you have been given responsible advice about getting Poppy and her new friend settled together, then go for it!
 
Hi again everyone. We are having trouble finding a piggy of a similar age to Poppy. To add to that, the rescue near us randomly announced they were closing for a week, which has now been extended to 2 weeks. The oldest piggy they have there is 3 years old & I don't know what kind of advice they give for bonding. Do you think this is too young? I know it's impossible to predict how long they will live & what health probs they may have but I figured closer in age is probably better to try and avoid one being left on their own for years.
I am quite worried about Poppy being on her own, she seems down. She also doesn't seem to like being out on the grass on her own either. We have spent lots of time with her in the holidays but we are both back at uni/work tomorrow.
I think I will try the millhaven rescue, the only thing is, it's not local (although I think its only 35mins in the car) but makes the process more complex as I am at uni full time and my oh works full time in South Yorkshire (we live in Leeds). So finding a suitable day/time for the piggy dating could take a long time anyway.
Sorry I'm just rambling now I think!
Any words of wisdom much appreciated.
 
I'm sorry for your loss. I know its hard to fit a date/time in to do piggy dating but maybe give Millhaven a ring and try and get a suitable time for you both. Pigs do need friends and I'm sure you'd be able to find a suitable, similar aged pig.
 
I am sorry for your loss. Did you make a decision? This is an almost identical situation to the one I have. My piggie was 4 in March and in July her sister died and now she is on her own and I am feeling sorry for her but worried that she may not thank me for getting her a friend. Who knows?
 
Hi, yes Poppy has a new friend, this is Mabel:

Mabel.jpg


We got her from a local rescue, she is around the age of 3 so not exactly the same age. She is very jumpy at the moment & not used to being handled but she's really sweet. I think Poppy has established herself as the boss, she's definitely trying to anyway! A few little arguments and occasional rumbling but then I'll find them snuggled up together in the house, so I think they are getting along fine.
Its very strange, she doesn't quite feel like ours yet but I'm sure she will. She only arrived on Saturday. It's not long since we lost Dora, I still expect to see her there sometimes. :(
 
I am so happy you found Poppy a friend! It takes time to build up a bond with a new piggy. They have to get to know you as well and that does not happen overnight.
 
so pleased she has a friend. :) She will feel like "yours" in no time, and i'm sure soon enough you will feel like "hers" also :) x
 
Great news! what a lovely girl! I am sure that Mabel will make herself at home in your life and in your hearts before you realise it!
 
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