Post by jeannie on Jun 23, 2004 21:45:23 GMT -4
Pyke was the most cool, mellow little animal that ever lived in MsChiefmaker Haven. When he and Pan first met, he instantly had a very calming effect on Pan, who had been nervous and hyperactive living alone.
Pyke's favorite activities were eating, sleeping and lounging around in his wheel. He loved to have his little head petted, and was friendly long before the other gerbils felt comfortable around humans. He had a beautiful mottled coat, which tended to be quite large due to his appetite for food.
In early April, Pyke had a scent gland tumor removed. Within two minutes of waking up from surgery, he was running in the wheel. Unlike most gerbils after surgery, he never scratched at his stitches, and they were able to heal very quickly. He was a tough little guy with a strong, stable and mellow constitution. He never complained, and just asked for more food.
About a month ago, I noticed that what I thought was weight gain was in fact two tumors growing under his armpits near his lymph nodes. The vet put him on antibiotics, gave him a steroid shot and drained the tumors. Even though the tumors kept growing, he acted like the same old Pyke, constantly eating and lounging around in his favorite spot, the wheel. Pyke loved to use the wheel as a sort of hammock, and hang his head over the edge.
When Pan was sick, Pyke was a great caretaker, grooming Pan and sleeping on him to keep him warm. He did for Pan what Pan had done for him when he was a pup. On the day that Pan died, one of Pyke's tumors split open and was bleeding. I took him to the vet, who drained the tumors and said they may be cysts, and to see how he felt and bring him back in a week.
During the next week, he became lethargic and stopped eating very much. Pyke's little eyes slowly began to fade as he prepared to cross the bridge and be reunited with his dearly departed friend Pan. He began to nip me when I would hold him, letting me know that it was beginning to hurt to live.
He returned to the vet later that week, who said that the cysts had hardened and were now more cancer-like. The area where his scab had come off was infected and oozy. He had lost weight and he looked tired. She said his time had not yet come, but to give him one more week and see how he was feeling.
Last night I knew his time was coming near, so I called the vet and scheduled an appointment for him to be put to sleep. After I made the appointment, I gave him a Reiki treatment, and the right tumor burst open and drained on its own. I could see that the fluid was infected and knew that his time had really come. Nobody should have to live like that.
Tonight, after a last meal of organic broccoli, cuttlefish bone, and organic pear baby food, Pyke was put to sleep at 8:15 PM. It was very hard, and he will be missed, but I know he has gone to a better place.
One of the vets was puzzled that Pan and Pyke would both get sick from different causes at the same time, but I know that the truth is that they were life mates whose time had come to a close. The two little soul mates are now united in heaven, and will be buried on earth, together in the same coffin, this Saturday. Rest in peace, Pyke, and have fun with your friend, Pan.
Pyke's favorite activities were eating, sleeping and lounging around in his wheel. He loved to have his little head petted, and was friendly long before the other gerbils felt comfortable around humans. He had a beautiful mottled coat, which tended to be quite large due to his appetite for food.
In early April, Pyke had a scent gland tumor removed. Within two minutes of waking up from surgery, he was running in the wheel. Unlike most gerbils after surgery, he never scratched at his stitches, and they were able to heal very quickly. He was a tough little guy with a strong, stable and mellow constitution. He never complained, and just asked for more food.
About a month ago, I noticed that what I thought was weight gain was in fact two tumors growing under his armpits near his lymph nodes. The vet put him on antibiotics, gave him a steroid shot and drained the tumors. Even though the tumors kept growing, he acted like the same old Pyke, constantly eating and lounging around in his favorite spot, the wheel. Pyke loved to use the wheel as a sort of hammock, and hang his head over the edge.
When Pan was sick, Pyke was a great caretaker, grooming Pan and sleeping on him to keep him warm. He did for Pan what Pan had done for him when he was a pup. On the day that Pan died, one of Pyke's tumors split open and was bleeding. I took him to the vet, who drained the tumors and said they may be cysts, and to see how he felt and bring him back in a week.
During the next week, he became lethargic and stopped eating very much. Pyke's little eyes slowly began to fade as he prepared to cross the bridge and be reunited with his dearly departed friend Pan. He began to nip me when I would hold him, letting me know that it was beginning to hurt to live.
He returned to the vet later that week, who said that the cysts had hardened and were now more cancer-like. The area where his scab had come off was infected and oozy. He had lost weight and he looked tired. She said his time had not yet come, but to give him one more week and see how he was feeling.
Last night I knew his time was coming near, so I called the vet and scheduled an appointment for him to be put to sleep. After I made the appointment, I gave him a Reiki treatment, and the right tumor burst open and drained on its own. I could see that the fluid was infected and knew that his time had really come. Nobody should have to live like that.
Tonight, after a last meal of organic broccoli, cuttlefish bone, and organic pear baby food, Pyke was put to sleep at 8:15 PM. It was very hard, and he will be missed, but I know he has gone to a better place.
One of the vets was puzzled that Pan and Pyke would both get sick from different causes at the same time, but I know that the truth is that they were life mates whose time had come to a close. The two little soul mates are now united in heaven, and will be buried on earth, together in the same coffin, this Saturday. Rest in peace, Pyke, and have fun with your friend, Pan.
So she may be living a long time (age 57).
I'm off to G-W Saturday evening for a unique night tour of the cemetery - always spooky and fun, plus they open up some of the big mausoleums which are filled with art and scuplture inside. I'll go early and scope out some burial places near "Dell Water", which is the quietest most secluded place there. I have to buy a trowel. . .