tako
Cageless and Roamin' Free
"Future Ferrent"
Is overworked and not paid at all...
Posts: 268
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Post by tako on Nov 15, 2009 22:47:35 GMT -5
With a heavy heart I am now accepting the loss of a second pet in two days.
Friday afternoon I was denied the chance to even say goodbye to one of the best friends I've ever had. My family's 9 year old English Setter went into liver failure earlier in the week and though we were already prepared to put her to sleep early in the afternoon after we all met at the vet's to say goodbye, she started having seizures late morning and had to be put to sleep as soon as the first family member could get there. Wellie, my fluffy chickadee, I will miss you.
Late Friday night my ferret, whom I have only had for 4 months or so, took a slight turn for the worse. I was worried, but he was still acting enough like himself and eating with a bit of coercing. After a search for emergency vets Saturday yielded no results that I could afford after the recent vet bills built up by the dog I decided to keep caring for him as best I could and wait 'til first thing in the morning Monday. I was fairly confident given his behavior and the fact that I could get him to eat and drink that he could make it until first thing Monday morning. I was sadly mistaken and I'm beating myself up for it every time I pass his empty cage in my room. I was beating myself up for it as I dug a hole for him atop the hill in our backyard (our dear Noel's favorite spot, in fact). As I placed him in it in his favorite t-shirt, covered him up, I worried about how d**n cold it will be tonight, and that the last thing I ever did with him was make him to eat watered down cat food that he didn't want.
Two pets in two days is too much, I can't take anymore.
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Post by Heather on Nov 16, 2009 1:29:23 GMT -5
Don't beat yourself up (and yes I know you will ) These little ones are like sweet droplets of rain, you can hold them in your hands if you're careful but eventually they just slip through your fingers. I will light a candle for you, a healing candle. It is so difficult to loose one furchild but to loose two in so many days hurts deep. I will also light a candle to guide your little ones on their next great adventure. Perhaps they're even playing with my little Babushka. Take care ciao
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tako
Cageless and Roamin' Free
"Future Ferrent"
Is overworked and not paid at all...
Posts: 268
|
Post by tako on Nov 16, 2009 8:45:38 GMT -5
Heather, thank you so much for your kind words. After having so many people in a roundabout manner just affirm that I did make mistakes that I need to learn from (as if I'm not doubting and second guessing everything I've done the entire time I've had him, at this point I'm fairly certain he may have been ill since before I adopted him and I just had no comparisons to make in his behavior), it's nice to hear someone plainly and simply acknowledge my grief and offer comfort.
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Post by jackie on Nov 16, 2009 12:09:44 GMT -5
I am so sorry for your loss. I know how much it hurts to lose your babies.
We recently lost two of our beloved ferrets and it is still very raw. We do not know what took our beautiful Smoke from us but within a few days his best buddy Marley was not doing well. He simply had no interest in living without his playmate.
With the aid of a syringe I strongly encouraged him to eat the chicken and other meat I pureed for him but he never perked back up. Within a week we re-opened Smokes grave and so his "brother" could lie with him forever.
Please do not be hard on yourself. You gave your boy a wonderful home and bunches of love. That is what counts.
Right this very moment he and your puppy dog are waiting for you at the bridge. When I go up to visit my boys grave today I will ask them to keep an eye out for your babies and make sure they have someone to romp and cuddle with.
Blessings, Jackie, Bandit, Fritzie and Zonker
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tako
Cageless and Roamin' Free
"Future Ferrent"
Is overworked and not paid at all...
Posts: 268
|
Post by tako on Nov 16, 2009 20:01:36 GMT -5
Thank you to you too Jackie, these kind words mean everything to me right now.
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Post by ferretdroogies on Nov 17, 2009 0:30:26 GMT -5
Tako, I am so sorry for your losses I haven't had to deal with death of a companion yet, but I can't imagine Don't ever blame yourself. As much as it is a common thing for us to think "what could I have done differently" or "I wish I did this", I believe things happen for a reason, and it is out of our power no matter what we do or don't do. Many hugs and good energy your way, and your little ones are together waiting for the day they reunite with you.
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Post by Heather on Nov 17, 2009 1:39:45 GMT -5
I'm sorry that people felt the need to judge, it's easy to sit and make a call when one is removed from the situation both physically and mentally. Many who are new to ferrets but not to pets are horrified to find out how easy these little ones let go of life. There are reasons why vets refuse to treat our little ones, their diseases are difficult to diagnose and there is no time to make mistakes. Rescuing ferrets and taking on someone else's problems are never easy....ferrets are because they're carnivores, masters at disguising their pain and illnesses...it's the nature of the beast. It's ingrained in them. So, if one is going to take on a "second hand ferret" one has to be ready for tears and heartbreak Does it get any easier....no. Do you get better at telling that your furchild is ill, yes but you will still miss some of the subtle signs. I know that I have and I would be an absolute fool to say I won't be caught out again. Each ferret is different, each comes with it's own special needs and quirks. Unfortunately, fuzzies don't come with owner's manuals, experience helps but one has to live and cry a little to get it. As I said to you earlier, and others have also mentioned.....don't beat yourself up, learn from your mistakes and move forward. That's unfortunately how we learn . Good luck, take care and don't let them get you down. You gave a furchild love and a home. ciao
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Post by mustelidmusk on Nov 17, 2009 9:25:38 GMT -5
I'm so sorry to hear your news. You cannot blame yourself for your loss. We all do the best we can - NOBODY knows everything. Ferrets can be difficult pets, and they can be sick with very ittle indication until they're in serious trouble. Even if a vet had been available, there's no gurantee that the outcome would have been any different. Ferrets can act fine one day and be gone the next, They can even allude the best vets with their illnesses, so please don't let the harsh words of others make you feel worse.
My heart and thoughts are with you. That's a lot of loss in a very short period of time. -jennifer
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Post by sherrylynne on Nov 17, 2009 10:23:22 GMT -5
I am so sorry to hear about your double loss. Expected or not- it's never easy. I'll be keeping you in my thoughts at this time {{{{{hugs}}}}}
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tako
Cageless and Roamin' Free
"Future Ferrent"
Is overworked and not paid at all...
Posts: 268
|
Post by tako on Nov 17, 2009 10:44:00 GMT -5
Thank you so much everyone. Your words really do mean so much to me right now. I think maybe, by the time I start my winter break between semesters in a few weeks here, I'll be ready to start keeping an eye on craigslist and kijiji for another friend or two. It hurts to lose them so quickly, but if it happens it happens and I feel like I'm doing at least a little good by giving them a new forever home.
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Post by Jen on Nov 20, 2009 11:07:50 GMT -5
Tako, I'm so sorry for your loss and I hope you are okay.
Please don't beat yourself up over this. Don't listen to people's inconsiderate comments. They must have no idea what you're going through to say such things.
What matters most is that you gave these furkids a loving forever home. They'll never hold anything against you because they know you cared and they know you tried your best for them. Your furbabies wouldn't want you to be sad. They would want you to remember the happy moments as they surely do.
You have a kind, loving heart to open your home to more furkids in the future. You'd be a blessing to another fuzzie in need of a loving home. A loving forever home... that is the best gift. *hugs and well wishes to you*
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tako
Cageless and Roamin' Free
"Future Ferrent"
Is overworked and not paid at all...
Posts: 268
|
Post by tako on Nov 20, 2009 22:04:22 GMT -5
thanks so much Jen for your kind words.
P.S. your signature makes me giggle, they look like they're cracking up over something, hehe
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