One of our guinea pigs died last night.

[earlgrey]

And dd2 doesn't know about it yet. We took him to the vet at 6.45 and he wad admitted. Shock. I personally think it was the dog who got into the fenced off bit of the garden and although they were in their run still, scared the hell out of it. I called at 9.30, fine, 10.00pm we had a call to say he'd died. Couldn't speak to H about it 'cos dd1 was still up and didn't want to exacerbate the situation.

So, poor dd2 has that to face up to this morning. Must admit when I opened my eyes this morning my head went straight into my hands ....

Mum said whatever you do, don't get another one.

Any thoughts?

TIAxx

Sorry, that sounded like we want another. We don't. But will one GP be okay on its own?

Anyone with any thoughts?

GPs are fairly sociable creatures and are better off with others. Do you have a rabbit? If so, you could try the remaining gp in with that.

If not, it will probably be OK by itself but just give it lots of attention.

Yes, we do, we got the rabbit a week later. But it's a normal lop - huge - and we were advised not to keep them together. Thanks Freckle.

I would try putting them in a run together under close supervision. If the rabbit isn't aggressive towards the gp, you're probably OK. If there is any aggressive movement on the part of the rabbit, remove gp.

We have put gps and rabbits in a run together with no problems, but I made sure they had separate hutches, just to be sure that the gps were OK.

Your remaining GP will be fine by itself if you can't put it in with the rabbit.

I have had GP for years, always one per cage & never had a problem with loneliness etc...

So sorry to hear about it, your poor dd!

both of ours died last week. no apparant cause. i think a fox must have gotten into the garden and although it couldn't get to them must have scared them to death.

poor Ds was in bits when we found them.
i said we could get some more but he doesn't want to "cos theyw ill just die again"

Thanks, everyone. H is digging a hole as we speak. He said he'd read somewhere in the paper that animals were no longer allowed to be buried in the garden. H only gets the torygraph. It must be bo**cks, musn't it?

oh i have no idea. i hope not as i buried our at thebottom of our garden.
we planted a bush on top to A) stop foxes and B) so that DS feels its proper.

And even if it isn't, we've got the plaster of Paris and mosaic tiles out for a memorial.

mama, that's my worry. Springer will dig it up. Think were're all a bit emotional in this house. He didn't dig up our Border Collie. It's really lovely - given how rank we all feel - to be able to vent some of it on MN. Thanks. xx

If you have a digger, whether cat or dog, I found it helps to bury the deceased under a plant.

It is a nice little ceremony to let the child choose a plant and then take part in the burial. The plant is a living reminder of the lost pet.

Alternatively, we've removed a section of turf, dug a hole under that, buried the pet and then replaced the turf. This has the benefit of knowing that, should you move, the new owners are unlikely to dig up the corpse when planting.

Freckle, we did the deed at 12.00pm, they seem to have got over it. POP and mosaic tiles will have to wait till tomorrow. Meanwhile, looking, loving dog but thinking WAS THAT YOU? I'm sure you know. xx