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Original poster

Just had beloved guinea PTS. Someone hand me a grip, please

15 replies

Lancelottie · 02/02/2012 12:04

Just that, really. She was nearly 6 and had a tumour, but was puttering along fine till the past couple of days. She had a day of not bustling out for food, then yesterday she could barely bother to reach out for it, so it seemed kinder to hasten the end by a day or two.

But I'm in floods! I know she couldn't have lasted much longer, and it's not even the first time we've lost a pet, but this one arrived when DS was having a particularly rough patch and she was the one thing that used to make him smile.

Give me a shake, somebody -- I've got work to do and can't spend all day sniffling into a tissue!

OP posts:
AlmaMartyr · 02/02/2012 12:10

Aw, so sorry :( It's very sad to lose a pet. You did the right thing though, and she was a very lucky guinea pig.

Original poster
Lancelottie · 02/02/2012 12:17

(Sniff) Thank you Alma. I have three hours to put a brave face on for the DCs. They knew she was pretty unwell, though I hadn't made the decision when they went to school. I'm thinking I may just tell them she died in her sleep, in her towel in my arms, which is true enough.

OP posts:
AlmaMartyr · 02/02/2012 12:25

That sounds like a nice thing to tell them, hope you manage to have a restful afternoon. I'd be in pieces if one of my piggies died. Are you going to bury her?

Original poster
Lancelottie · 02/02/2012 12:36

Umm, I'd planned to bury her, but the ground is like iron here after last night's frost! Might be a DH job.

OP posts:
WhereTheWildThingsWere · 02/02/2012 12:44

If you have room you could always pop her into the freezer until the cold snap passes, I have had to do this many a time with small furries.

So sorry you lost her, it is always so hardSad

igetcrazytoo · 02/02/2012 12:50

well you can look at it too ways, one - she had a great life (6 for a GP) Bet she had a better life than so many other animals, wild and caged. You didn't let her suffer and did all the right things. You have nothing to feel bad about.

Secondly, she was a much loved member of the family and a few tears to mark her passing and life is to be expected. In the great scheme of things will it matter if you spend today sniffling.

I lost a young cat recently and my dog has cancer - and a few tears go with the territory. I don't think you'll harm your DCs if they see you upset as well.

PostBellumBugsy · 02/02/2012 12:55

Aw, huge sympathy. One of our guineas died in my arms & I thought I'd never be able to stop crying.
It sounds like your guinea had a long & happy life with a family who loved her. I don't think it gets much better than that. Big hug.

Original poster
Lancelottie · 02/02/2012 13:08

You are all lovely. Thank you.
(sniff)

OP posts:
70isaLimitNotaTarget · 02/02/2012 17:21

Sad it's a tough decision to make. All my guineas have slipped away of their own accord , but we had to have our cat put to sleep.

You always question yourself if you make the right choice but you have to go with your instinct.

I did read on MN "Better a week too early that a day too late".

And 6 is a good age for a GP. Look back on her long and happy life.

bibbitybobbityhat · 02/02/2012 17:25

Oh no, every sympathy Sad. But what a superb piggy life she must have led!

One of our guinea pigs died last year and I cried for days (on and off) - I certainly cried more than the dc. Even now, when I think of Nibbles, I get a bit tearful. They are such lovely, beautiful little creatures.

bibbitybobbityhat · 02/02/2012 17:37

Lottie, when you are a bit less upset, I do heartily recommend a read of this from Mumsnet Classics:

in memory of Threadworm's dead guinea pig

Original poster
Lancelottie · 02/02/2012 21:41

Oh god, bibbity, I'd forgotten that thread --but without even clicking, I remember the immortal lines 'O guinea pig, you pushed your luck, you ate too much, now off you fcuk'...Grin

70 -- Also appreciate the line about 'Better a week too soon'. That's exactly the balance we were trying to find.

OP posts:
silver73 · 04/02/2012 23:40

So sorry to hear about your beloved GP - you did the kindest thing for your piggie because you loved her and this is the final act of love that you can give your piggie. Don't punish yourself with regret - you loved her very much and she knew it xx

KRITIQ · 08/02/2012 22:53

So sorry to hear of your loss. Been there and it's hard, but when you know it's right, it is.

noyouhavehadawee · 09/02/2012 18:21

Oh i am so sorry to hear about your piggy too, what was she called? did she live indoors or outdoors and has she left a furry friend? My two were frolicking about in the garden tonight - both are girls 5/6 , i find it a worrying age and i have to go out before the dc on a morning to check they are happy just in case......

RIP - they really are the bestest curest loveliest pets Smile

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