Very Torn on what to do

[Slave to the Rose]

I have had my two girls Rose and Hotaru for about a year now and I am VERY torn on what to do. With life and school and everything else its hard to find the time I need to spend with them. They don't really get out of cage time anymore and have practically turned feral, scared of touches or pets. They hate me although they will accept scratches from my husband and parents on occasion. Its hard to want to spend time with something that so openly doesn't like you. The only time they have out of the cage is when I wash fleece (and occasionally them) on weekends. This is also the time I clip nails and give overall inspections for any sickness but thats it.

I am still meeting all their needs, they have a huge cage with fresh food, pellets, water, and tons of hay but I still feel that they could have a better home. At this point they live their lives with very little human interference and seem quite glad of it. At the same time I can't stand the thought of loosing them to someone who isn't honestly willing to keep them in their big cage and give them their huge pile of fresh food and hay every day. They are still my babies and I love them to death and I just don't know if I'm willing to give them up. The only way I'd really be ok with letting them go is if I knew the person and could still see the girls once in awhile but I don't know anyone who wants, or could be trusted, with my babies while I'm out of the room even less forever. What should I do?

[Lourdes]

I think of it as a test to see how well we can juggle our possible children someday. Maybe, something needs to give? Not school or work, but shopping, spending time out, computer time, a hobby etc.. to make time for your pet. It's what we all should agree to when we decide to take helpless critters that depend on us for their care into our home...but many of us don't and when we simply don't have the "time" anymore or lost interest it beomes a problem. Too many animals are homeless because of this. I can't save them from the human mentality they cannot escape since we've decided to keep animals as "pets".

[crazywiggy]

I'm sorry to hear about your situation. I would honestly say don't worry too much about it. I think most piggies don't care too much about human contact - I would certainly say it is less important than a proper environment, good diet and a piggie friend. It sounds like your pigies have a great life. If you try to rehome them it might be hard to find someone who can give them such great care as you - which would be worse for them than great care but less cuddles. So long as you still have time for the necessary stuff like health checks, feeding and cleaning I think you'll be fine.

[Char-x]

I have gone through a some weeks where I feel my pigs could have had alot more attention but I couldnt do it because of school GCSE's (some night I've been in school doing work till 6 etc) but I know that I never forget to feed them, they have everything they need in their cage and although some like cuddles not many pigs particularry want to be handled 24/7. You sound alot more busy than me, but basically I dont think they could find a better home than you are offering them since the majority of people dont know about tthe diets/cage space etc.

[hydrohoki]

Where is their cage? Could you move it to a place where you are more? Even without direct attention, perhaps just seeing you more would be good for them.

[fourboys4now]

In my humble opinion, since you are taking very good care of your piggies, that them not being held often is much better than them being adopted by someone who may not whole heartedly dedicate their time to give them proper cage cleanliness, fresh veggies and hay and so forth. Usually if someone adopts a piggy and then realize it's too much work, they just let the piggy suffer. As long as you are taking great care of their needs I think they are okay.

[Slave to the Rose]

Thanks so much for the replies everyone. It has really helped me to feel better. hydrohoki regarding moving them, for their safety the must remain in the game room which is the only room in the house that the dogs do not have access to. Last time the dogs accidentally had access to the piggies they pulled a huge tuff of one of the pigs first totally off.

I have decided, after much thought, to go ahead and keep them. I will do what I can to improve their quality of life as much as possible and just accept that they are primarily a pet to look at than to cuddle and mess with alot.

[Trace_n_Ripley]

While I also agree with the others that your pigs sound like they have a wonderful home with you already, here are a couple of suggestions for spending a little time with them each day while you are so busy (from a cavy slave who finished grad school while her piggies were young):

- read your notes to them when studying for a test or practicing a presentation (my Mom used to have a dog who was an expert in her subject!).
- Cut out the front of a box and line it with a towel and put a piggie in it next to your computer so they can help you with your homework (even if it is just listening to you mumble about the paper you're writing).
- I try to pick my girls up and hold them every night even if it is only for five minutes, or less. That way they are still used to being picked up, even if I don't have much time that day.

Best of luck in your schoolwork, and remember, summer "vacation" is coming!