Goodbye, Puck (May 2002 - July 31, 2004)

[jeannie]

Dear sweet Puck, your time has come. Words cannot begin to describe how much you meant to me. Thank you for being there for me through thick and thin, through season after season, feast and famine, growth and decline, from smooth glossy coat to rough rumpled coat, from bright eyed times to sleepy eyed times, thank you, Puck, thank you for being my special pal.

Fly home, sweet angel. MsChiefmaker Heaven awaits you.

[Die Fledermaus]

Words fail me. And they would be inadequate.

I am so sorry. Hugs to you, and to Puck's eternal spirit.

Peace, my heart, let the time for the parting be sweet.
Let it not be a death but completeness.
Let love melt into memory and pain into songs.
Let the flight through the sky end in the folding of the wings over the nest.
Let the last touch of your hands be gentle like the flower of the night.
Stand still, O Beautiful End, for a moment, and say your last words in silence.
I bow to you and hold up my lamp to light you on your way.

[jeannie]

Me too, which is why my eulogy was so short. There's really nothing that can be said. This has been one hard year so far, but there's nothing worse than losing Puck, and since I made it through this, I can make it through anything. That's how important he was to me.

He died in my hands at the vet's office, after she gave him fluids. The vet had me go to the store to get him some baby food for her to feed him, and as soon as I returned he started to die. He waited for me.

His tank is getting bleached out right now.

[Die Fledermaus]

That's so sad. Your care was so wonderful.

It would be tough for me to be a vet seeing such things regularly.

Like ephemeral flowers they bloom, give us joy, and are gone.

When my mother was very ill I didn't leave the house for days at a stretch. Then, when she seemed a little better I went out for movie, before I went nuts. Soon after I left she died, as if she waited for me to leave so as to not see it. I have heard with people that happens a lot.

I hope you consider rescuing/adopting a needy critter, if that is right for you. I have some new ones coming in within days when the person I know from www.nyanimalrescue.org gets back from her vacation.

I'll post more of my critter doings as time permits; I am way behind.

Again, condolences. Tell us of any ceremonies (burial at your sister's?).

[jeannie]

My vet would not charge me for the visit, which was really nice of her. I also have credit because they way overcharged me for Phoenix's cremation. Puck is being cremated, and I will keep the ashes.

Thanks for the link, but I can't get any more right now. I still have 5, and 4 are either 2 or approaching 2, so I have many more potentially high maintenance animals already. I don't have it in me to keep getting more and more... I have to wait a while. I may get something with a longer lifespan in a while, but not yet.

Which animals are you planning on adopting?

[Die Fledermaus]

Looks as though your atypical experience is moving you away from rodents. And it was atypical, based on my experience and all I've read in posts. I just find mine dead, less Rainy, and Princess went from frisky to dead in my hand in five minutes.

Why not get a rabbit? (You do have room, unless you live in a closet). It is really sweet when the bun flops down next to your feet and you can lie down next to her and pet her. What about birds? That site I gave the link to has some doves. Have almost two grand for a macaw? It will out live you. You could always try some bonsai, or tortoises.

They have an orange and white hamster, and another golden. I likely will get one. Those are colors I have always wanted. I will also rescue a legless (half legs, actually) young gerbil and a companion for him.

It is hard to believe my crew is heading into geriatric time. Prince, though not born here, is super tame, and Raven has become a great favorite not just being tame but looking and listening to me in a way that, well, she seems to listen not just "hear". If you know what I mean.

[jeannie]

Funny you say that - I'm thinking of getting a rabbit, but I'm not sure...

[Die Fledermaus]

Jeannie said:

Funny you say that - I'm thinking of getting a rabbit, but I'm not sure...

If I could figure on the first try that you got a saw I think I can surmise it may be Bunny Time.

Keep in mind some don't mind being held, some are fearful, and many are somewhere in between. Poppy is spending a lot of time lately with her little stuffed bunnies - too cute, but I'm jealous!

I saw a dwarf bunny, spayed, for $134, which was much cheaper than a spay.

[cognac]

I'm so sorry to hear of Pucks passing, it's hard to believe. I'll miss him and the pictures.

Adopting a rabbit can almost be a toss up if you chose to do that go to the shelter a few times and interact with a few, see which ones you like the best. Skittish rabbits are the worst, Delilah is skittish and hates people, it's a good thing she's cute though. I've heard the Rex (breed) in general are very nice. Dwarves are usually nasty as far as I can tell (all my experiences with them), lops seem to go either way, American Rabbits are nice too, it seems the large the breed the easier going they are. Check out the House Rabbit Society, they have lots of good info.
Brandy

[jeannie]

I may be meeting one at a foster home, but I'm not sure if I am ready to actually adopt yet. I'm not feeling very well right now, and am really exhausted. I also sort of feel like having some time off, and still have 5 little animals who need attention. It may not be the best time, just yet, for a new pet. But there's no harm in researching and thinking about it.

I sure do miss that cute little guy named Puck. He was a fixture in my life for over 2 years.

[Die Fledermaus]

You always will miss him. Princess was here for "only" six months, but I still get morose thinking about her, eleven months after her stroke. I don't know how people who raise a dog from a puppy and have him/her for 13 or so years handle such a loss.

There's a macaw in the small local pet store I found, the one with prices about a third less than Petland Discounts, plus it's a lot closer to me. (Photos soon). At $1,200 it costs 700 less than the one at another local store. Still quite a sum. Maybe some day, a smaller bird, or a pair. Some day.

>> and still have 5 little animals who need attention <<

Of course they will get the best from you, but I think we've got you outnumbered here just a bit!

Keep researching bunnies, and maybe give some thought to Guinea Pigs. I will say Poppy's behavior is excellent - she explores but always uses her litter box, and never gnaws stuff she shouldn't.

Meanwhile, I have my digging tools for the Great August Interment.

[Hamsters82]

Aww...I'm so sorry that Puck died. We could all tell that you really loved the little guy; just try and think of the happy times with him & the sadness goes away a bit. RIP little guy & I hope you're okay!