I was hoping to read some more Proust tonight, and ten pages of Gravity’s Rainbow, and write a post on Don DeLillo. Instead of which I held one of our rats in my hands while she died. I understand why ether isn’t readily available at pharmicists, but God, we could have done with some tonight.
Hoping to resume normal posting schedule soon.
Sorry to hear that always sad losing a beloved pet hope your back soon Sarah , all the best stu
Thanks Stu. It is always sad, but this time it has been particularly traumatic. There’s a lot to be said for going quietly in your sleep.
I know where you are coming from, I think, having been there myself recently, and I’m so, so sorry. Sadly, being present during the death of a pet rat is about all you can do when it becomes apparent that this is what’s on for the night. Maybe some Downton Abbey in the background, if the approaching end is a quiet one, but Proust is right off the menu…for one thing, you’ve no extra hand to turn pages. I’ve found that palliative nursing care is NOT a multi-taskable activity for rat folk. It’s emotionally and physically exhausting, especially if you fear you’ve really blown it about the euthanasia option and start getting desperate for a quick end. One can get just a little frantic at such times.
I’m so sorry you had to go through this and hope it doesn’t ever go that way again. Here’s a post I felt compelled to write before I could sleep when my own dear companion went less than gently into that good night. Does it help to share sorrow of this nature? I think maybe so when you suspect many friends would look at you like you’re crazy for mourning the loss of “vermin” so sincerely.
http://dovetailrats.wordpress.com/2011/02/18/balm-for-hurt-minds/
Peace that passeth all understanding to you and to your wee tim’rous beasty.
Dovey
So sorry to hear. As someone who loves animals and pets I understand how difficult such a loss can be. Take care – Brian.
Sarah,
You have my sincerest condolences on your beloved pet’s death. I never know what to say because no words can undo the suffering. I am sorry for your loss and your pet’s suffering.
Kerry
Sarah, sorry about the death of your rat, especially in trying circumstances. I hope you and yours are ok. Take care xx
Thank you all. I really appreciate your kind thoughts.
Sarah, just to add my sympathies. I have cats myself, and have had pets die in the past of course, and I know how hard it can be. All we can do is reflect on the lives they had while with us. They knew comfort and affection, which is probably as much as any of us can really hope for in life. It’s not a great consolation I know, but it’s not a small thing either.
Thanks Max. This is what I tell my kids but there’s a chance
that it’s more ‘do as I say not what I do.’
It’s about perspective I suppose: those last moments loom larger in memory than proportionality can justify, but in time the lengthier and more significant better times reassert their weight. Having lost four rats in the space of eighteen months experience bears this out (and also tells me that rats are not my ideal pet.)