I found my pet guinea pig Hammie dead 3 days ago. He'd been my companion for 5 years, and he was my support every time I hit a rough patch in my life. He seemed to understand when I was upset, and he'd climb up my pillow, position his nose right next to mine, and he'd just sit with me... until whatever it was that hurt faded. I miss him licking my fingers (he never did that with anyone else in my family), I miss him 'purring' when I stroked him.

I blame myself for his death. I was giving him a bath 2 days before he died, and a bathroom rack fell on him just as I was about to towel him dry. I should have brought him to a vet immediately, I don't know why I postponed it, I shouldn't have bathed him in the first place, I hate that unstable bathroom rack so much. He didn't look ill at all, and I'm still in shock.

I've been trying to keep myself from falling apart in from of my mom and dad, and they've been tip-toeing around me. It's just so hard. I instinctively turn around to Hammie's cage to check if he's ok only to realise he's not there anymore. I come home from school and by habit, I head straight to his cage to say 'hello, i'm home'... but it's vacant. I know it's too soon, and I know I can't ever replace him, but I just want to get another guinea pig in there to ease whatever it is I'm feeling. Should I just hold off the impulse and wait longer to decide? It's just so painful.

To my best friend, Hammie... much missed and loved. Thank you for always being there for me. I'm grateful that when you passed on, you looked as if you were at peace. I pray for your happiness wherever you are. I'm sure we'll meet again someday.

Sorry to hear about Hammie. And what a horrible way to lose a pet. I know it hurts when a pet dies. I lost my cat Kitt in February, had to have her put to sleep because of cancer. And even though I was given two cats soon after her death, although I love them very much, they'll never take Kitts place. Again, sorry for your loss.

Lima,

I'm so sorry about your loss!!! First I want to say---please, please don't blame yourself for what happened. Your INTENTIONS were perfect; in fact, you were doing a loving thing for sweet Hammie--giving him a bath, as a caring mother would do. We are human and each of us makes mistakes every day. The odds are that some of those mistakes will result in tragedy. And actually in your case, it wasn't even a mistake. It was an accident, and accidents happen all the time. Nothing was your fault in any way---not the accident, not that you didn't take him right to a vet (you figured he was okay and besides, I believe that all of us have regrets of times we feel we should have taken our pets to the vet and then lost that pet. I know I have done this. This happened with Mariah, a cat I lost in '98. I know she forgave me, so I was able to forgive myself, then I was extra extra careful (beyond normal! ) with my Little Girl).

Hammie knows all this and doesn't blame you. He lived a great life with you. I'm sure he loved all the attention you lavished on him!! He knows he's been lucky to have you as his Mom, and you are so right---you two will be reunited. I have no doubts. In the meantime, he wants YOU to be okay and live the happiest life you can--filled with as much love as possible. Any love that you experience with another person or animal won't in any way take away from the love between you and Hammie. Love does not run out. So when you're ready to adopt a new lucky pet, Hammie won't be upset. I really believe he would be proud that you, his sweet Mom, could bring your love and care to another animal who's out there somewhere, needing you (do you know of any sources for pets who are "unwanted"---------I hate that word------------? In my state, Maine, we have a popular little publication where you can trade, buy, adopt, etc. It deals with everything from electronic equipment... to animals who need a good home. I've seen lots of guinea pigs whose owners apparently decided they didn't "want" them anymore).

And know that Hammie is experiencing only bliss right now. He's not in any pain---physical or emotional. I believe that time and space exist only for us on earth. Our souls are still inside our physical bodies and we have a limited perspective on everything here.

Please write more and tell us how you are doing! You deserve lots and lots of comfort and support. This is one of the roughest ordeals you will ever face in life. And it makes it extra hard in a world where not many people seem to be able to relate to those of us who are experiencing pet-loss grief. Many people just can't understand the heart-wrenching pain we go through. My heart is there with you.

Sending love and comfort,
Little Girl and Mariah's Mommy, Kathy

Oh, and
P.S. Hammie is VERY handsome!

I am sorry to hear about Hammie. I know how you feel, I lost my beloved Zipper on 3/6, and it too was sudden and unexpected. But you cannot blame yourself, you must just accept what is reality. I'm sure you had nothing to do with Hammies death. He is happy now, and not in any pain. And he doesn't want you to be. When you are ready for a new pet, you will know. I just adopted a new puppy. I had a feeling one day, and I knew that my Zip was telling me it was ok to move on. Of course, my new puppy will NEVER replace my Zip. There isn't a dog in this world who could. And, yes, I miss him everyday. Not a day goes by that I don't go look at his picture, and talk to him. It's ok to grieve and do those things, you need to do it for your own piece of mind. And anyone who thinks I'm crazy for talking to my deceased dog just didn't know me and my dog very well. He was my oldest son!! So, don't be ashamed of your feelings. It's all perfectly normal to feel like you do. I blamed myself for my dogs death ( "Why didn't I notice he was breathing a little hard?" Why didn't I feel in my heart he was sick?) But, blaming yourself won't get you anywhere. Besides, would Hammie want you to feel this way? Of course not. Please post back when ever you need to, we will be here for you. Good luck, and keep your head up. Things will get easier, eventually. HUGS!!-----Zippers Momma

I'm very sorry for your loss. I LOVE guinea pigs and have had them all of my life (although I'm taking a break at the moment). They are such interesting little things and I love their "purring". Please do not feel guilty over Hammie's death. It's been my experience that guinea pigs can be quite delicate and you were only caring for him, like all good pet owners/parents should.

I lost my golden retriever, Megan, on Jan. 8/04 and although my grief is not so raw anymore, not a day goes by that I don't miss her. She was a very special dog and I know that I'll never replace her but man do I want a puppy! Just someone to love and cuddle with.

don't try and hide how you are feeling, I did that because I wanted to strong for my kids and I really think that slowed down my healing. It's ok to be sad, to cry, and even to be mad. I was so angry at losing Megan at such a young age (she was only 5), I felt completely ripped off from being denied another 5-7 years with her in my life as part of my family.

Keep posting here, I would have been lost without this website and the wonderful people that I've met. We are here to help you through this.

Tracey

Thank you all so much for the kind words... you all have given me much comfort. It hurts a lot less reading them, and knowing someone else understands and acknowledges the loss of a pet. It's difficult when even your loved ones ridicule you when you mourn an animal.

God bless,
Lima.

Yes, it IS difficult when those who are supposed to support you can't see past their own "humano-centric" prejudices.

But WE understand. We are all very sorry you lost your little furry one and hope that you realize that you can't fix what you can't see. You didn't know he was hurt. Pets are amazing in their ability to disguise a physical illness.

I grieve with you and hope your grief eases soon.

Hi!

I'm sorry I haven't posted earlier, but I too want to say that I am very sorry about your beloved, "Hammie"....

Might I say, "he was a very, very handsome fellow!!!"

Lima, You lost a very wonderful friend!!!! Forget those people who can't comfort you, and/or ridicule you because you have lost your furry friend......I am sorry!!!

But, thank God that you have that special gift to love a beautiful furbaby.......

I believe that we are better people to have opened our hearts to these wonderful creatures....God's beloved creatures!!!

I'm very sorry for you, but I am very happy that you & your Hammie had time to be with and love one another!!!!

God Bless!!

Love, Denise