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Original poster

RIP Salt & Pepper

37 replies

Sleepingbunnies · 01/09/2013 09:29

Something got into my gorgeous piggies hutch last night. I am feeling so guilty. Did I lock the hutch properly? I don't know. All I know is that my girls are gone :(

OP posts:
GlaikitFizzog · 01/09/2013 09:30

Oh no, I'm so sorry. Poor piggies. :(

guineapiglet · 01/09/2013 09:43

Oh no. Very sorry to hear your news. Very sad for you.

FernieB · 01/09/2013 09:52

So sorry to hear this. What a shock for you. Sending hugs.

MadeOfStarDust · 01/09/2013 09:55

Have you "evidence" of their demise?

I only ask because my sis had presumed something took her piggies - and either the hutch lock had failed, or something got them and dropped them - she found them alive and well under the decking...

70isaLimitNotaTarget · 01/09/2013 10:00

(I posted on Chat already) but - probably foxes Sad Angry

I buried our GP2 in a bag under heavy flower pots (soil filled) and he was dug up TWICE.
You see the effort these horrible manky creatures will go to.

It's probably my number one fear as a guinea-mum.

Very Sad for you and you DC sleeping.
Do look up the Rainbow Bridge poem though. I'm not a soppy type IRL but I found it quite comforting.

70isaLimitNotaTarget · 01/09/2013 10:01

Stardust on the CHAT thread she said there was 'fur'.
So I'm betting on foxes Sad

Original poster
Sleepingbunnies · 01/09/2013 10:06

Yes. Lots of fur :( I wish there was another explanation :(

OP posts:
MadeOfStarDust · 01/09/2013 10:07

oh, sorry, didn't see other thread... Sad

alemci · 01/09/2013 10:07

so sorry about your Gps. What a horrible experience for you Sad

Original poster
Sleepingbunnies · 01/09/2013 10:12

We scrapped the planned visit to a farm and are going to a museum instead. Unfair for kids to sit in all day :(

OP posts:
Evenstar · 01/09/2013 11:11

So sorry to hear this, I lost my first piggies 10 years ago to a fox, and it still makes me upset thinking about it. I hope you and your DC are OK and that they manage to enjoy their day a little bit. Thinking of you all x

Original poster
Sleepingbunnies · 01/09/2013 18:49

Is it ridiculous that I'm contemplating not going to work tomorrow. We had a lovely day out but now I'm back indoors I have cried for the last hour :(

OP posts:
70isaLimitNotaTarget · 01/09/2013 20:36

See how you feel tomorrow, the best thing to do with a crappy day is to go to sleep and end the day.

Your DC can make a little garden memorial maybe?
We have a leftover kitchen floor tile with DD (very neat) writing on it with permenant pen.

(No expense spared eh?)

Original poster
Sleepingbunnies · 01/09/2013 20:39

My DD said to me 'I will miss them very much but I'm so pleased they've gone to have a big adventure together'

:( that set me off for another hour....

OP posts:
fortifiedwithtea · 02/09/2013 02:48

Sorry to hear your loss Sad they were so pretty, poor little furries. Hugs to you and DC.

noyouhavehadawee · 02/09/2013 10:46

oh I am so sorry what a terrible shock, RIP poor little piggies Sad

Original poster
Sleepingbunnies · 02/09/2013 10:59

I am not doing well today :(

OP posts:
70isaLimitNotaTarget · 02/09/2013 11:50

It does take time to get to grips with (I won't say get over because I know even now I can't read my thread about my GP2 without being Sad )

But it was one of those horrible incidents that you really cannot predict .

Last year I was going to leave my hogs out in their run while I dived out to pick the DC up. About an hour or so. I couldn't catch them.
Then I read a post about someones GP being fox-caught in the middle of the afternoon Shock. Pig was scared but got away.
I went out, got the hogs (don't know how I managed, usually DD gets them).

Bless DD and the "big adventure". I worry about DC and animal death, it's sometimes the first breavement they experience. Hard for them to grasp it's final.

Original poster
Sleepingbunnies · 02/09/2013 16:57

So. My very lovely brother in law has had a very BLOKE response to what has happened.

He has bought us 2 new piggies.

His heart was in the right place, he wrote a lovely card to my girls...

'dear XX and XX

We are so sorry we had to leave you so soon but our mummy was sick so we had to travel to Peru to look after her...

However, we have left our 2 little sisters to keep you company, please look after them as well as you looked after us.

All our love Salt & Pepper'

I am obviously NOT READY for new pigs but there is no doubting his heart was in the right place.

I haven't met the new arrivals as I have been at work all day but I have no idea how I feel about having pigs so soon :( :(

I can't do anything about it now they are in my house though!!!!

Thoughts/advice?!!

OP posts:
FernieB · 02/09/2013 17:25

He sounds like a lovely caring BIL. It is a typical bloke reactions but as you say, he clearly means well and is obviously concerned about your DD's being upset which is very sweet. It would probably feel a bit soon for me too but possibly not for your DD's. I'm sure once you get home and see the new arrivals, you'll fall for them too and be dashing off to stock up on parsley and cucumber.

GlaikitFizzog · 02/09/2013 17:55

Aw bil is sweet, I did :o at "travel to Peru" I hope they aren't bringing back any packages! :o

And you should so call them parsley and cucumber.

70isaLimitNotaTarget · 02/09/2013 18:07

Your BIL was thinking of your DC I'm sure but it's a bit naughty of him to do this without your say so.

The letter is sweet, very touching Smile

New guineas take a little while to get under your skin but as they settle in you'll love them just as much as Salt and Pepper.
When they leave a hole in your heart there's another little pig waiting to step into the role of Resident Rodent.

You can't do anything now but give BIL a metaphorical smacked bum (and line him up for guinea-pig sitting duties when you're on holiday)

Original poster
Sleepingbunnies · 02/09/2013 18:09

I agree 70 I can't do anything about it now but I am a little less than impressed with him :(

I want MY piggies back :(

OP posts:
70isaLimitNotaTarget · 02/09/2013 18:20

I went through similar when GP2 died. He was the sweetest guinea-pig ever (actually my DS pig but DS wasn't bothered. DD and I do the pigs between us)

GP3 is a new character ,he's gone through his own Rescue and Rehome upheaval and of course he took a while to settle whereas GP2 would automatically tuck under my neck.(Though he was the stinkiest pig in the world)

Embrace these 2 new bewildered little piglets.
They're dependant on you now.
But yes, you'll still be Sad for S&P .

guineapiglet · 02/09/2013 19:38

Wow sleeping - what an emotional week you have had, and this is a really lovely gesture - In my experience, getting new guineas is actually a positive step towards dealing with sadness over lost ones, they never replace the ones you loved and lost, but you will love them and they will become special to you - I promise.

Just a word of caution - foxes are cunning little buggers. I do like them, but I don't like them taking off our dear little pets - they know no mercy and they are very clever. They will be back to the place you kept Salt and Pepper, as they know this is now a good place for dinner - it happens with chickens all the time, they are taken, replaced and the foxes know where to go back to..... My advice would be to have them as indoor guineas, or keep them safely locked in a shed/consevatory, somewhere safe at night. I know you are sad about losing these dear pets, but the two new ones will be a comfort. :)

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