Grieving My Past Guinea Pigs | Working On Some Old Tricks

[@tamervin]

Grieving a pet in general is devastating. I need to believe I will see them again one day.

[@Hey_MikeZeroEcho22P]

it is difficult...... We have loss our pet beagle last year........ and We STILL think of her, and the mischief, the happy times, going to the vet (for a check-up), getting toys.....THE FOOD!! But we miss the "Walkies"....... I DO Believe.....we'll see them again, but not yet......not yet.

[@snoesje4u255]

🌈 🙏

[@snoesje4u255]

I never get used to it off the loss of my lovely furry family ❤ it always hurt 💔

[@mwestfield5220]

An English author, Jily Cooper, once described Heaven as having all your previous pets running towards you over a green grassy area when you get there. It might help xx

[@ebmage8793]

I had to stop after my group all passed. It was hard because it was one in May, one in June, one in August. I cant walk past the produce aisle without tearing up. But Im glad there is a worldwide community of piggie owners and we all can give each other encouragement and advice. Thank you for your videos especially, they help me when Im missing my herd's little wheeks

[@jamiegasbarro2400]

We really need to start treating the loss of a pet just like we do when we lose a fellow human. Their loss is just as devastating! They're so ingrained in your day-to-day too. Appreciate you talking about the hard side of owning fur babies, but it really is so rewarding in so many different ways!

[@PontschPauPau3451]

Are you insane, when I lost my guinea pigs it was sad but it's nothing like losing a sibling, parent or spouse.

[@princesskristan]

Thank you Julia for sharing the hard side of losing pets. I think about my dog Sir often and it's been years since he's passed away. I think about all of your old piggies often, especially Nugget, Gatsby, and Lulu. I miss them lots and I always think about how Nugget would escape from the cage and how Gatsby loved being on the carpet when she wasn't supposed to be. Not to mention Wilma always being confused or Minnie being super silly

[@Kelari313]

The piggies are like: "Julia are you ok?" ❤ I totally understand that you miss the crazy pigs like Little one, Gatsby, Nugget... and the friendly pigs like Max, Silvester, Pebbles... curios pigs like Frieda. But I'm sure you will find what's your actual group is really good at and what makes them special 😊

[@yamisart]

I have the same mindset when it comes to mourning a piggy. I've lost 17 and none of them will be forgotten. I still cry over them at times and remember all the good moments we spent together. But it is what it is. Their time on earth is sadly a short one and I did everything I could to make it a good one. And when their time has come, there's an open space for a new little soul to experience a loving home with friends, good food, cozy hideys and a food slave that will do everything for their well-being ❤

[@lenehansen5473]

Hi, i really enjoyed this video… piggies watching you talk. It’s nearly the same here, i’ve had piggies 30 years, and they are like my children, at the moment i have a pregnant pig, I hope time is up pretty soon, her appetite i s enormous

[@cosmic-cat97]

I'll never forget my baby boy Mars, he was a special piggy, he made it to 6. Then of course, his brothers Neil and Jupiter were special as well..I now have 3 baby girls, Aster, Poppy and Violet, who are guinea pigs who are full of character!

[@bunberrier]

I've said goodbye to many, because I take in unwanted ones, so they always have a couple years on the clock and maybe a hard prior life when they arrive. Been doing that for many years, always have at least three and up to seven so far. Its started out being unbearably hard, when they had to go, and got less bad over time with repetition. They say don't cry because its over, smile because it happened. But the best I've ever been able to do is both. I saw a bumper sticker that said "When those you love pass on, their memory becomes a treasure". It sounds trite but is very profound. When our lives draw to a close, and we contemplate what we did with them, I will treasure dearly all those memories. I'm creating love and joy in little ones. And getting it back!!! What could be better? Thanks for giving all of yours such a wonderful home.

[@WJCTechyman]

Kinda funny when you have to talk to your guinea pigs like a parent, "Fitz, don't pull out Lumi's hair!" and of course "Wilby, stop licking the plexiglass!" I look at Zelda and she is a bit like Nugget, cute face, energetic, fairly outgoing and likes pea flakes to the point that she tries to get into the container.

[@queenchoyo6016]

We had to say good bye to one of our older girls last week. She had cancer and her health was deteriorating rapidly. We then got a second gut punch three days later. We went into the pig room in the morning and found our other older girl had passed away. We have three girls still, and love them very much, but our hearts are quite broken. We got memorial stones to put in our garden for our two girls that passed.

[@loisponton2349]

I understood what it was like to lose a guinea pig when I lost my Chubby this past January. I was able to make an online obituary as well as other honors in his memory, and he is still missed but will never be forgotten.

[@ob1dylan]

Thank you so much for this video. I have a senior pig who is declining, and it's very hard on me, because he is my last OGP, and I have built a very strong bond with him over the last 7.5 years. While his loss will be devastating when it comes, I will remember to frame it as an opportunity to bring some females into the family afterwards and get to know and love the new piggies.

[@LisaMangan-zx9rk]

A really big part of the mourning process with piggies is because unless you have had them yourself, the amazing personality each individual has is so unique it's hard to not grieve.

[@sharonmcandrew5046]

I’ve lost a few piggies over the years and it is heart breaking but it’s good to give other guinea pigs their forever home and lost Guinea pigs are always in our hearts ❤❤

[@andreas.817]

Auch ich weine um viele Schweinchen, aber mach bitte weiter mit Deinen Videos. Die Kleinen sind so liebenswert❤❤ liebenswerte ❤❤

[@artiefoxx4360]

Having kept several pigs over the years and having lost several… My thoughts are very similar to your’s when it comes time to say goodbye, and the choice to bring in a new pig… It’s heartbreaking loosing any pet, and you do grieve for them. And the way your group once was… But I always look at it similarly to you, while it’s sad and hard. There’s now room to give a new pig a home, and the chance to spoil it rotten. A chance to get to know it and love it… And while you do miss that former group, that former dynamic, that one pig. Now you have the chance to fall in love with another pig, get to watch your group fall in love and learn new things from them… And that’s what keeps me going…knowing in a way the adventure never stops with the potatoes…

[@TheAmyplumpness]

What a great way to put it! 😊

[@guineapiglife7380]

Potato family forever ☺

[@toonartt2008]

Thank you for sharing your honesty.

[@juliepeters3716]

It was nice to see the guinea pigs view of their human. When I lost my first guinea pig that is exactly how I dealt with it. I just felt glad that I'd given him a good life and that now another pig had the opportunity to have a good and forever home. It is the circle of life. In fact the pig I adopted after my first pig died came to the rehoming place 3 weeks before and that was exactly the same time that my pig got sick. It was sort of poetic and meant to be.

[@crystaldavis6494]

Thanks for this, Julia. I had a guinea pig as a child, my beautiful Mindy. Thirty plus years after her passing, I still miss her. But I have all of the wonderful memories, and that keeps it from hurting.

[@kathleenmcginley4827]

You are absolutely right about when one loved piggy passes, it makes room for one needing a home. And what a awesome one you give them. Each one has it's own personality and herd dynamic, which endears them to us all. I am so grateful that you take the time every week to show them off and educate people on having them. Thank you

[@chennytv8843]

Such a hard thing to loss a pet.. we just lost a guinea baby a week ago. had a private cremation done at a pet mortuary.. done such a great job... miss ur piggies...

[@Detector1977]

While it is the hardest part and devastating the time you spent with them makes it all worth it.... And it's not even close 🙂

[@guineapiglife7380]

Thank you for sharing that, I've had my little Bugsy for seven years and I'm so scared of loosing him any day now, it helps to know that there's someone who gets it :)

[@chrisc5752]

Thank you for sharing. I still grieve my piggies that have passed. I like the philosophy of being able to open your home and heart to a pig who needs space when you didn’t have space before. We who follow your channel also miss your piggies too. All pigs are so special.

[@imSethy]

My current oldest is a very special guy for me and I’ve thought about everything you’ve said a lot recently as he’s had issues with his health. I’ve had four piggies for a few years now and I wonder if it would be easier to keep fewer when nature deems it time, but I have the cages, routine, and willpower to take care of multiple pairings. It breaks my heart seeing sick or foster piggies in my local shelter, and they certainly deserve a home. It is certainly a lot for each person to consider. I’ve lost two this year and it hurts everytime I think of them still, but two young (one very sick at the time) boys got a home because of it, and they’re the best piggy friends I’ve ever seen and it’s so heartwarming to see them that happy and playful. When everything aligns like that it’s definitely easier to keep going. This is just my rambling, so sorry to anyone who read all that lol

[@chrisbrickman5640]

Back in the 90s, my mom started keeping guinea pigs. We quickly fell in love with their personalities. Over the years, we cared for a total of five guinea pigs, each one bringing joy to our family in its own unique way. It was hard to say goodbye to them when they passed away but we kind of did the same thing you mentioned, realizing that there would be another guinea pig to love and care for. We are no longer able to care for guinea pigs, but I have always remained fond of them. I want to thank you for posting your videos of your guinea pigs. They are so fun to watch and it gives me my "guinea pig fix!" 😂

[@sabrinacruz3496]

My piggies have pasted and I was sad every time I found one died, but I was happy for their good healthy long lives. Each lived past 6years 6months . And they are now both buried together in our backyard. I was very lucky they never got sick they both just grow old and past in the night. Was thinking of getting more, but my family is ready for a bigger pet, puppy time. I feel giving pets healthy loving homes is the best reward for their companionship, and all the good memories make that small moment of sadness worth it.

[@nicoleannhoward9259]

THE GUINEA PIGS LOVED YOU AND THEY ARE IN A BETTER PLACE OVER THE RAINBOW BRIDGE AND YOU LOVED THEM, YOU GIVE ANOTHER GUINEA PIG A FOREVER HOME.

[@annemaughan3052]

Thank you for your vulnerability. Your love and perspective is beautiful.

[@avifauna7249]

I like it that you let us being part of your thoughts about the past piggies. I think the thought that you have the possibility to give a another piggy a home is a very healthy one. ❤

[@isaacw.brooks8417]

There are so many adorable Guinea Pigs! I absolutely love my two.

[@renjitaichou]

Vielen Dank für das Video. Ich schaue deinen Kanal jetzt schon seit ein paar Jahren, seit 2022 habe ich selbst Schweinchen. Vor zwei Wochen ist das erste aus dieser Gruppe gestorben und es hat mein Herz so gebrochen. Es tut wirklich weh. Aber ich denke, dass der Ansatz, einem anderen Tier dann eine Chance auf ein gutes Zuhause zu geben, der richtige ist, damit man weitermachen kann. Rituale zu etablieren helfen mir gerade auch. Von daher fände ich so ein Video toll!

[@sbothebean1742]

Greiving the loss of a loved one is one of the hardest things. Especially when they've made such a big impact in your life. I still remember very well each guinea pig we've had, and we've had a lot. But out of all the guinea pigs we've had, there was one who made the biggest impact on all the family, other pets included, her name was Guinea. She was like the matriark of all the piggies, and she was very intelligent with a bold personality. When she'd wheek, the others would wheek, even our rabbits would get excited. She'd also always look out over the top of her cage to make sure we all came home. Guinea was the least picky when it came to food/ treats and one of the most adventurous. If there was any guinea pig food or treat she did not like, I don't see it on the shelves anymore. She was also the oldest piggie we had. Guinea lived to the ripe old age of 6. When she passed away, all the others did too no matter how healthy they were including the rabbits, though Shadow, one of our other piggies, held out the longest after Guinea. Shadow was a kind and gentle pig with a will of steel and very tame. She was the perfect guinea pig ambassador for my school. Poor girl saw multiple deaths including her sister Gemini and braved a horrible illness. She was even kicked out of her orignial pen by the second piggie she shared it with when she got sick. They may not be here physically, but they'll always be in my heart.❤

[@aprilk467]

Grief is a hard part about keeping small animals who rely on us for so much. I always say they leave a HOLE in their shape in our hearts...but they seek out a new one (or two, as with Tutu & Zelda!!) for us to make us WHOLE. I believe when they go to the RainBow Bridge, just before them make the trip, they seek out who will make the HOLE WHOLE. Because we sometimes don't think we are "ready" to bring someone new in, or think "it's too soon, we haven't shown proper honor to the one who has passed", yet here is this new soul who needs us. They don't want us sad or grieving; so they find our new bundle of joy to ease our pain. just my two cents from 22 years of having bunnies and guinea pigs....

[@mwestfield5220]

Hi, Julia. Thank you so much for this. When I had to let Penny go after a series of strokes in one afternoon, I kept the towel she had been on for Amy to cuddle in. It smelled of Penny and seemed to help Amy. When Amy died, her new cage mate Betty was only about 4 months old and I rubbed a small cuddly toy over Amy so that Betty had a comforter to cuddle up to until I found baby Ellie as a companion. In both these cases, it may have been me that was comforted more. Now, the cage is happy and vibrant with Betty, now nearly 4 years old, and Ellie 3. 5 plus the addition of our wonderful tiny boar Rory (firmly neutered) who is now 6 months old. In the end, it's whatever works for you and your herd though, isn't it?

[@Kfontan]

I have been there. And i totally agree with you. You give everyone a good life. And they luv it. I respect ❤your philosophy.

[@snoesje4u255]

Lumi looks like a little angel in the sun ☀️

[@LisaMangan-zx9rk]

Such a distinct and familiar sound 😊

[@Rynn21]

We have fourteen surrenders. They are ticking time bombs, especially the more you have like you said. It's so hard to resist the fluffy potatoes though.

[@rocko44444444]

Guinea pigs don't undesrtand the human speech. They do understand your energy. So if you apologie to them, they understand that. Keep up the good work Julia!

[@E0003-j9f]

I miss my guinea pigs as well. I had two favorites and losing them was traumatizing. However I still want to have them. For the same reason you mentioned. To give the ones in need a forever home. Now that I'm without any, it just feels so empty. Like a void in my heart

[@Miss.Denise94]

I feel you. My last floof died over 4 years ago. I still miss all of them

[@KeilaNinnette]

Thank you for posting this. I have two left from my first group and they are both about to turn 6. I have been on the fence about getting more piggies because I truly miss my first two but the point of view that you shared really helped ❤me

[@MS_86_]

Not easy losing a loved one, thanks for sharing Haha the video of the wheeking at any one who could be coming in with food, our girls are the same, (vids on our channel)

[@LisaMangan-zx9rk]

Oh they understand more than we give them credit for

[@mwestfield5220]

Hi, Julie. I lost Betty The Brave last week. Didn't really bounce back from surgery on enlarged ovarian cysts. Sadly there was no out of hours provision in our city that night (still under investigation) but 6 hours of waiting for her to go after the seizures began). Sorry, that's probably a bit too much but it started the grieving process. . The books I used to record their weights in - I've closed hers and put it in a drawer. (Still having an interesting discussion with the vet surgery and the out of hours provision that didn't show up) Anyway. after just few weeks of having a herd, we are now down to Ellie and Rory. We three are doing okay but taking our time. Ellie is more overtly affectionate and Rory encourages cuddles at home time so there are smaller bonuses. Keep doing what you are doing. You keep a lot of us strong even if we don't post every time xx

[@steffie0425]

I love your cage.

[@DeniseFrench-p7k]

My last piggy died suddenly last November and I struggled for months after losing her, still get upset about all my previous piggies. I didn't feel I could face it all again, but I've just got another 3 from the RSPCA because I love guinea pigs so much, but I'm dreading going through it all again. It helps reading other people's comments

[@seraphiccandy21]

Zelda has grown so much!

[@sharon-lu9zv]

love your vlog always a joy enjoy your day

[@tericooper879]

I have to be honest, I kinda laughed when you said something to Fitz about pulling out Lumi's fur. Then when you told Wilby not to lick the plexiglass.

[@luminousbrilliance1711]

🙂 Tutu has placed Julia in the No-Pet zone. 🙂 Thank you for sharing.

[@katherinecollins4685]

Lovely video

[@ghoultiful]

Can you please make a video about grieving guinea pigs? I just lost my first one and I am in the depths of my grief. It would help me a lot. Thank you for sharing your story with us ❤

[@elizabethcarroll3978]

I share your outlook about giving a new piggy a forever home. Though losing one is still very hard.

[@candy11401]

I think if you did a video about the grieving process and grieving in general that would really help a lot of people because it is so normal to feel different and difficult emotions when loosing a Piggie and like you said when you have loads of Piggies you can go through a time of loosing a few and that is very hard, it is hard when we see them be unwell and we fight for them and/or when we loose them and I think that if we realise what challenges and grieving is like and how to be kind to ourselves during this time can help

[@christineparker8273]

Hi I have 2 boars who I love the hardest thing of losing a Guinea pig for me personally is the one Guinea pig who left behind I’ll they eat will they be ok until you get them a friend

[@NildaAmaro]

❤❤❤❤❤

[@GuineapigGuardian]

11:16 hehe my skinny pig Moose licks the glass 😂

[@taralamb8067]

I have lost 3 piggies. It has taken a huge toll on m and my son. They were a huge part of our family 💔😢❤️

[@simonebrigham1539]

I miss your gatzby and nugget, I haven't watched in. While good to see white one I till there zoomie i think loomi i forgot her name

[@steffie0425]

I'm sorry for losing your little piggy.

[@jonathan2679]

😍😍😍😍😍

[@TheFullStar]

Had two goodbyes last year. Anticipating two next year.

[@tecneon]

It sounds like Fitz was trying to groom Lumi but went a little too hard 😂

[@meercatt]

Will you tame tutu next?❤

[@kristiekeith1191]

Lumi seems to say that if she can't get you to give her pea flakes, she will get them herself.

[@e-9227]

I’ve lost one guinea pig every year for the past 4 years, I’m starting to feel burned out. I had two left and one of them I had to put to sleep at the vets yesterday. I have spent past three weeks waking up at 5 am everyday before work to feed CC and give medicine, I came home from work and immediately continued to keep her going and feed her until going to bed. I did everything I could for her. The investment is huge: emotionally, financially and time consuming. Some days I didn’t even eat dinner. It’s incredibly difficult, they are so sensitive, when they need help they need it hastly and it’s very difficult when you also have work, it’s very stressful.

[@Mino19_]

nur auf stirn, nacken = beutegreifer desswegen weichen die da aus weil sie es da nicht mögen aber vor allem unterm kinn da kann kein schweinchen wiederstehen habe selbst 9 stück :)

[@chrisromero6487]

Fur day

[@Gritsgarnelchen]

Ich hatte 2 kastrate, Fussel und Teddy, beide vielleicht einhalbes Jahr alt als ich sie holte. Erst starb Teddy im Februar an Zahnproblemen, die trotz Antibiotika nicht geholfen hatte, an diesem tag starb er in meinen armen als ich ihn zun verabschieden zu seinem freund brachte ...dann in diesem Jahr mein geliebter Fussel 😢, Blasensteine, beide Tierärzte rieten mir ihn einschläfern zu lassen, eine Operation wäre zweglos, da hatte ich aber schon Madame Brownie ❤🐹 für Fussel geholt...die süsseste Madam, sie hatte den bezaubersten Schopf den ich kannte. 😢 die halterin nahm sie zurück, zum Glück ist sie jetzt wieder glücklich ... Beide 🐹wurden nur 3 Jahre alt. Ich vermisse euch wirklich jeden einzelnen Tag. ❣️🤧🐹❣️

[@pamelaparker508]

The translation into English says “ I had two neutered cats ..,” Is this accurate? It’s not clear from the rest of the ( translated) message if this commenter is talking about guinea pigs… or cats. Anyway, my sympathies , it’s sad to lose a pet.

[@mszoomy]

I've hurt more after losing a pet than any human

[@blaugelber4303]

[@carlinmccormick1105]

It would be funny if they DID understand your reminiscing; they did line up to watch you…

[@pamelaparker508]

9:50, it’s very funny to have the camera in this position, because an ENORMOUS Lumi stands at the plexiglass, and looks rather sinister … only because of the camera angle.