Understandable. Losing a pet is hard. You have to weigh the benfits/risks and what is right for you. Have you thought about a shelter cat or dog that is already trained? Not sure if you want a pet like that, but it's a thought.

Rose, I'm sorry about your guinea pig, and I understand. I get so attached, and don't have a pet myself right now for that reason. Not that I won't again, I love them all, from the very biggest down to hand held.

Had you thought how you might do with an animal that has a longer life span than your little pet?

"Better to have love and lost, than never loved at all."

Or something like that. Losing a beloved pet is traumatic and heartbreaking. I've buried some wonderfully devoted fur-babies. I miss them all greatly. But what if I'd never gotten another pet after I lost that 1st one? How lonely I'd would have been, and would have never known the "new" joys they can bring.

Only you can decide if and when your heart is ready.

Lots of wise words here, Rose. Sadly, they don't live as long as we wish. It hurts a lot to lose them. When you are ready, do get another one of those darling, squeaky pets. You will enrich each other's lives.

What was your pet's name? We'd love to see a picture, or tell us what his markings were.

Thanks everyone. This is a picture of Buddy

So sorry Rose. We had a guinea pig named Stanley when we were kids. If you live near a bigger shelter they might have a guinea pig up for adoption. Or maybe pet finder or even Craigslist. It would he nice to give an unwanted guinea pig a whole new life.filled with love. Our kitty died about 3 weeks ago. My daughter (has her own apartment) wanted to adopt 2 cats and wanted my other daughter and I to go with her to the shelter. We weren't sure if we wanted to adopt just yet but made a few visits in a few days and came home with a cat. Zero regrets. It's lifted our grieving hearts after loosing kitty after 15 years. I've never adopted so quickly after losing a pet, but I may do the same in the future. I consider it honoring the kitty who is no longer with us by saving a life in her honor.

I understand. We lost our beloved dog 19 months ago after a long period of health decline. I'm not sure I can go through that again. We have considered fostering animals for a local rescue because then when an animal left our home it would be a celebration - it would be going to a new happy home. Are there any organizations in your area that need fosters for small animals?

Oh my gosh, Rose, Buddy is just adorable. I've never know anyone that's had a guinea pig...he's just so cute.

Sounds like you need a fur baby to ease your loneliness when your home alone. I would just concentrate on the here and now, think how much more enriched your life would be with a new pet baby..and there are so many that need love, I'd bet you could make a new furry baby very happy.

Oh he is pretty! Oops, handsome :). I'm very sorry you lost your sweet Bbuddy. My sister had a guinea pig when we were young. her name was Fifi. she was so cool. It's been 4 yrs since we lost our dog Jack. He was 16 1\2. Both of us said never again, it hurts too much. I will say I really do miss having a pet.

Our son just rescued a sweet, sweet pup last August and she has wormed her way into our hearts big time. Totally understand how you feel. Give yourself time to grieve. Only you can make this decision. Good luck.

Buddy was a cutie! I would be very unhappy without a pet in my life. Are you happier knowing you won't have to go through losing another?

Rose...I'm sorry for your loss of Buddy. He's adorable.

There are so many animals that need a furever home. All the love you have to give....I'd like to encourage you to adopt....maybe more than one pet. They give so much back.

I am very sorry for your loss. Buddy was a cutie! When I lost my dog I was in horrible grief, just as much as for all my late human loved ones. I too said never again. Then after a couple months I was obsessed, looking at others like him online or for sale in the newspaper. Then I got a new one and have never regretted it. Give yourself time to grieve and if it feels right get another one when you are ready. There is a pet out there that needs your love.

I have had all my life except for last two years, almost three pets with my parents, birds, cats and dogs and I wouldn't not want to have not had any of them in my life. Think of the pets you can have and what wonderful love and life they can have during that time. Pets unfortunately dont' live long lifes, they live short and some really short. We lost so many that were short in our lives but again I wouldn't not want to live without them as painful it was how each passed by what and how and age. And I had so many buddies and it was so painful losing so many of them and the black hole left in heart, the pain was unreal. I still miss so many especially my buddy, my last dog I had in my life.

Oh, he was so cute. I had a pet guinea pig when I was a kid. Her name was Frances. Did you know when guinea pigs are born, they are fully furred and have their eyes open...unlike many other baby animals. I have always had a lot of pets. I grew up the only kid in the house and at various times I had a horse, goat, sheep, rabbits, parakeets, a calf, and always dogs, cats, chickens, and fish. I have always felt closer to my animals than how I feel about most people. Along the way I have lost or had to put down due to their age related illnesses, many of them. I would be lost without them. My mother had a little dog named Carla. One day, Carla ran out of the house and into the street and was hit by a car and killed. My mother cried almost non stop and said she would never have another dog. I couldn't stand to see her cry so I got her in the car and drove to town....actually to a city, went in a pet shop, and paid $10 for a puppy. I was desperate.... Couldn't even wait until morning to go to a shelter. I brought the puppy out and said "if you don't want this puppy, I will take it.". I handed it to her and we drove home. That was Tiffany, my mother's constant companion for many years. When my mother died, I took Tiffany and kept her the rest of her life. Some people might say that was too soon, but I knew my mother and knew she would be happier with a dog. You never really replace an animal with another one. They are all different but you love the new one anyway. So I'd say, get another pet. I don't think you will regret it.

I just noticed today's date... 51 years ago....tomorrow, January 19, 1966...we had to put down Prince, my first horse. He had a compound fracture of one of his back legs. Not sure how it happened... probably my other horse had something to do with it. I will tell you, unashamedly, that I loved that horse more than anything else in the world. I used to think of him dying some day and wondered how I would be able to handle it. My hope is that I outlive all my animals. I would rather suffer the pain of losing them. than they have to live without me to take care of them.

Buddy was adorable. So sorry for your loss.

I'm so sorry. Buddy looks like such a cutie.

Get another one, you will not regret it.

We had the best cat ever, Julius, a long-haired ginger. Oh he was so sweet, a lap cat who loved to be carried everywhere and if you went to put him down and he wasn't ready he would grab onto your shoulder and try to crawl down your back so you couldn't put him down. He lived until he was 20 and we were distraught when we had to say good-bye. He was only 4 when my first son was born and so my son was 16 when Julius died. Anyway, Julius was loved so much that we really wanted to love another cat, even knowing how painful it would be when we would have to say good-bye again. We have 2 cats now, and they are now ten, they're not Julius, but they're great cats and we love having them as a part of our lives.

I hope you will consider getting another pet. For us, the joy of having a pet out weighs what will happen in the future.

Guinea pigs are cute little animals. I do not know how old your was; I understand that guinea pigs do not have long lives. One source I looked up says 1 to 8 years. Gerbils also have short life spans of only a few years. If you can deal with short life, you may consider another one. If you want a pet that has longer life, look for something else. For example, some parrots are known to have life spans equal to humans. An older person who has a parrot should consider what to do with the bird when the owner dies.

Have you considered a pet with a longer lifespan?

I just think a home without a pet is lonely. I wasn't allowed pets as a child except a parakeet I bought with my own money at age 10. He lived a long life and my mother kept him when I moved out and wouldn't give him to me. I told her I would never not have a pet and for over 50 years I have multiples. 16 cats and 4 dogs and I have six pets now. So I've dealt with many deaths and am dealing now as well as my 17-year-old cat is probably not long for this world. Eating,drinking, using litter box but very frail. So three months ago my dog and I found a 100% Maine Coon cat on our daily walk. We had seen him for weeks and everyone said he'd been there around two months. Neighbors fed him. Of course he now lives like a king in my house and is the best cat I have ever had. Beautiful, smart, huggy, and gets along with the dogs and other cats. I have never had a guinea pig but think they're very cute, but not a good fit here because of the cats. I say get another one. It'd be a tribute to your Buddy. I did have an African Grey parrot years ago I was sure would outlive me but he died suddenly at 28.

Rose

I have a feeling there's a critter out there that needs you as much as you need it.

I'm sorry about Buddy. I know how much it hurts to lose a beloved pet, as I have done it over and over again - but I wouldn't NOT have a pet in order to avoid the pain. The pain does eventually lessen. If you're not sure about getting another pet, maybe you could consider fostering? Lots of pets need to get out of the shelters, even if only for short term, to give them a break from the stress of confinement, and it would give you a chance to see how you like having another critter around for a while. Hugs.

Buddy is beautiful. I'm sure you gave him a good life. If you get another pet, I don't think you'll ever be sorry.

Coincidentally (except I don't believe in coincidence), this appeared on Facebook this week. The photo is about dogs, but the message applies to all companion animals:

I am so sorry Rose! I like the post above. We found a cat out in the woods behind our home, and he is truly the nicest animal with a greatful disposition. I know you are heartbroken, I am sorry for your loss.

Well, you could consider getting one of the larger parrots, though they would likely outlive you :)

Otherwise, most people find the lifespan of a cat or dog (10-20 yrs) better than a shorter lived one like a rodent. You have more years to get attached, so the pain may be greater...but more years to appreciate too.

I am so sorry for your loss. I had a guinea pig when I was a child, and another when I was a young woman. Loved both dearly and still miss them. We also had 3 pet rats who were wonderful pets as well.

The problem is that they live such short lives and since then, we've pretty much stuck with cats and dogs whose lives are also much too short, but still a lot longer than rodents.

If you are unable to to care for a cat or dog, how about a house bunny? A friend of mine has one who is litter trained and has free run of the house. She had him neutered when he was very young, and he is still going strong at 7 years old. They can live well over a decade with good care and early neuter. There are many pet rabbit rescues out there and you might be able to find one in your area.

I love animals so much. I don't think I've ever been without a pet. I've lost so many over the years and trust me I know how painful it is. In 2012 I lost my ferret and a chain reaction seemed to happen after that. I ended up losing 6 pets in about 3 years. 2 of them being cats who passed within a few months of each other that were 15 that my husband and I got within the first year of dating. We think one had cancer and the other passed from kidney disease. Unfortunately they didn't show any symptoms until it was too late to do anything. Our other 2 ferrets passed after that. Ferrets are pretty delicate and can have lots of medical problems. After that we lost our cat that was only a few years old.

About 2 weeks after losing the 2nd 15 year old cat we were at Petsmart. It was winter and a really bad cold front was coming in. We were about to leave and saw this gray and white cat rubbing up on the building. He saw me coming a mile away. My husband didn't want to take him because he was still to crushed from losing Neptune and Klondike and didn't want to feel like we were replacing them. I cried until we took him home lol That was 3 years ago and we still have Rupert. He's such a sweetheart and we don't regret taking him home. After losing our pets I thought about not getting anymore because it hurt so much. But who am I kidding I can't be without them. Not having pets would be just as painful as losing them. I now have 6 cats and a wienie dog who is in hog heaven having all these kitties to play with.

Take your time and do what feels right for you. Animals are such a blessing and you maybe saving and giving them a better life than what they had. I'm so sorry for your loss. Your Buddy was such a cute little guy and I'm sure all my babies met him in heaven with open paws. I will keep you in my thoughts and prayers.

I'm so sorry for your loss, Rose. Do you mind telling us how old Buddy was? My friend's daughter has two g. pigs and absolutely adores them. She thinks they're the best pets in the world. I hope you will find another friend very soon.

if you can manage a cat box, food and more vet bills for shots, ect go for the cat..but! you were so attached and already have all the toys and enclosure...find another critter!

ps...don't forget to run toys thru the dishwasher and really clean the cage, for the newby!