[MENTION=13918]foggycreekcavy[/MENTION], yeah some might not have let the male stay with her, but I didn't want her getting sick because she was freaked out and sad over the loss of the baby, and then to take away her cagemate seemed heartless. Anyway, while I agree ppl shouldn't breed without considering the risks, my family has been in animal breeding for years, we bred jack russels, cats, teacup weenies, rabbits for meat, chickens for meat and eggs, and we have raised several farm animals.
So I know enough of the risk of breeding and costs to be ok with it. I wouldn't abandon my babies, but I also have a different view of cavies than some do...I wouldn't take an animal who cost under 50 dollars and spend thousands on them for surgeries, xrays, etc....that may sound cruel, but I love my animals with logic.
I cry when they pass, esp if I feel I made a mistake that could have been the cause, BUT on the other hand, I was raised to put an animal down when the animal suffers, do my best first to try and help them, and think before I make decisions. That was my decision, to leave the boar in the cage, because I thouht it would do more harm than taking him out.
I love Charlie, but I also understand shes an animal with instincts and a life cycle. Babies aren't a bad thing for me and my family, so its not really a concern. Now, once the babies are born, obviously I will need to build new cages for both sexes.