I'm out of town and just now catching up on this thread. I'm so sorry Roni seems to be fading. You know her best, you'll know if tomorrow is the day. I'm so sorry and my thoughts are with you both.
I'm so sorry for your loss. Sometimes despite our best intentions, things don't always happen the way we want to. And to have him decline so suddenly like that, likely not what you were expecting - I wish you strength and peace nd LOTS of love for his brother. Love him like mad, he'll probably be confused. I made the mistake of taking Len's blankets, etc up too early to wash them ( that was a selfish move intended for me) and I should have left them down longer to keep his scent around.I just lost my sweet 9 year old Petey today. It's a long story, but he declined suddenly while at the vet's office, so the euthanasia was done there. I had always thought that whenever the time came for either of my babies, I would have it done at home, but I really didn't have that option today. My experience, as painful as it was, went as well as could be expected. My vet explained everything to me, took me and Petey to a private room, and spread a pile of soft blankets on the floor. Petey already had an IV port in, so they were able to use that and avoid having to do the two injections in a new place. I was able to lie down with Petey and cuddle him up, and he went peacefully. My vet sat with me and gave me time, then wrapped him up gently in the blanket and took him away. (I'm having him cremated.) When I was leaving, my wonderful vet - who by the way I only met a week ago, but has spent so much time with
me over those several days - gave me a hug and consoled me in my loss, and let me know I had done the right thing. I think a lot of this depends on the true character of your vet and their staff.
I'm going to look at White Shadow's links to help Petey's brother through the grieving process. Thank you for that!
OMG, practically the same thing happened to me like 25 years ago. I had a girlkitty, she was 11, and she was getting sicker and sicker and I was taking her to this one vet and he was treating the symptoms, not the condition, so I took her to another vet.
We would never judge you on this! I judge myself on the one "bad" one because I left him to go on a 3-day weekend which had been planned and had a reservation etc. and told him I would take him to the vet when I got back. But he crashed, and my friend who was cat sitting took him to the vet and it was in the days before cell phones and she could not reach me to get permission to put him to sleep and he died alone, in a cage, at the vet's office. I have never forgiven myself for that, and have made it up to him many times by being sure everyone after him did not suffer the same fate. So sorry, little Schmoo, I failed you at the end. Still makes me cry to think about it, and it was at least 30 years ago!
"When we know better, we do better." ~ Oprah Winfrey ~
RIP Hambone, you were loved... and you had the cutest name too. I love hamsters, I can understand your heartbreak. Their little pink paws, so cute.Hearing what all of you have and are going through puts tears in my eyes. Thinking of you lots, @Wasabipea
. The fish is not trivial. It's a living thing that you love. :heart3: I was a wreck over my hamster who died (Hambone was his name). I'm also sorry about your mom. This is a trying time for you and will test every bit of your being. You're stronger than you think.
I will second this too. :heart3: I am managing an elderly dog, whom we love dearly, right now, and am in your shoes with the ups/downs. It is inevitable for all of us who love these little creatures and care for them for their entire life that we will come to this very difficult and emotional stage of their life. Can't be avoided.....hence the "what to do?" post... trying to keep the loved ones, but still keep their comfort first.
Moral of the story: Love your loved ones every day whether they have skin, fur, scales or little pink paws :heart3:
I just got back from my trip--Roni's still hanging in there? How's she doing? And how are you doing?Oh Feralvir, I didn't know you were managing a similar situation - I'm so sorry and I can empathize. Roni is still among the living, she is doing fairly well considering. I'm trying to decide when is too much - as you said, I do hope she will let me know, as does your doggy.
to you and yours too. Keep us posted on how things are holding up for you and the brood.
I have to say Roni is getting quite spoiled these days, but as pinkdagger once said in a thread regarding older pets that "every day should be cake" for them. I loved that line
Take good care of yourself too, thinking of you.