Valedictions Furfur

[tcpip]

In April 2010 I encountered a angora guinea pig running along the side of the road after dark. Rescuing said critter, he was named Furfur, after the demonic Earl. In November however it was apparaent that he'd lost a great deal of weight and had developed a malocclusion. We arranged for his back teeth to be ground down and for the past two months we'd kept on a steady diet of things he would and could eat, along with quite a lot of critical care, most of which applied by caseopaya who did a champion job over the past two months keeping him fed and in company. The poor critter - already very thin - just didn't gain any weight however, and indeed, he started losing it further. He was happy, playful, and very social (and even with our cat), but you can tell that he was hungry and just not getting better.

On Sunday morning we took him to the vet, put him to sleep, and then he received a lethal injection. I feel absolutely terrible about this, but there really was nothing that could be done. Malocclusions are a genetic defect, and short of having Furfur getting his back teeth ground back every couple of months, the problem was going to keep on returning. At this point his quality of life was still very high - but was about to decline and continue to do so. So, valedictions Furfur, a surprisingly chatty, friendly, and playful little foundling guinea pig, which contributed much amusement and pleasure to our household.

Comments

[17catherines]

I'm so sorry for your loss.

[sebastianne.livejournal.com]

Sorry to hear of your loss, currently in the same boat with my eldest cat and still don't know what to do- such a hard decision to make! :(

[ecosopher.livejournal.com]

Poor Furfur. It's awful, watching them at the end. At least it was peaceful for him, if upsetting for you. Glad that he could be in your lives for a while.

[shadow-5tails.livejournal.com]

I'm so sorry - it is a tough choice to make. For what it's worth, I think you made the right one - tooth-grindings every couple of months are a lot to put a critter through.

I'm glad he found you, and enjoyed your company and care for the time you had together.

[goatunit.livejournal.com]

Condolences.

[abomvubuso.livejournal.com]

Sorry for your loss, bru... He must've been like your little baby ;(

[castleclear.livejournal.com]

Hello, tcpip! I'm so glad to see you here on LJ. I am sorry for the loss of your beloved pet, Furfur; it sounds like he became a member of the family. (I know our family dog from my boyhood years behaved as if, quite correctly, he were part of the family, albeit a canine one.) I'm glad Furfur didn't have to suffer and am glad that he and your household were able to share amusement and delight! I hope his playful spirit has moved on to wherever guinea pigs go after shuffling off the mortal coil. Knowing you as I do I can scarcely imagine him having a better life. I'd like to extend my deep condolences to you & your household. You guys and Furfur will be in my thoughts and prayers this day. Peace and Namaste.

[tcpip.livejournal.com]

Hello old friend, lovely to hear from you and your kind words are much appreciated.

At times I do confess taking up a role like Francis of Assisi or, in a more contemporary style, Radagast The Brown.

[carlowe.livejournal.com]

I'm glad you gave him some good times.