Ophelia - September ??, 2004 toApril 25, 2005

Mon Apr 25, 2005 7:00 pm

This morning, Ophelia crossed the rainbow bridge with the help of Dr. Jennifer Groehn at Highland Vet Hospital. Between the onslaught of SDA and the severe mycoplasma pulmnosis issues we've been having with the labored breathing and other signs of respiratory distress, we decided the most humane thing to do would be to let her cross the bridge. She died in my arms, closing her eyes gently as she did so.

Play hard at the bridge, my little serpent tamer. Angel rat

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Shadow Brook Rodentry

Bridge Ratties: Samson, Wraith, Aiko, Kasper - I <3 you & miss you.

Last edited by ShadowWolf on Mon Apr 25, 2005 7:55 pm; edited 2 times in total

Mon Apr 25, 2005 7:16 pm

I'm so sorry Amanda. Sad

She was a beautiful little figher all the way.

Sleep tight, Ophelia, and breathe easy. Hug

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Andy & The Rats

~ Darwin ~ Maisie ~ Ella ~ Zak ~

~ Finn ~ Malachi ~ Azrael ~ Newton ~ Charlie ~

Mon Apr 25, 2005 7:22 pm

I am so very sorry for your loss Amanda she was a beautiful little girl and im sure she knew every moment she was with you how truly lucky she was.

Mon Apr 25, 2005 7:48 pm

I'm sorry

. She's just adorable, and I know she will be greatly missed.

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Mon Apr 25, 2005 8:04 pm

Thank you guys. I'm trying to keep myself busy doing things online and around the house. Her cage mate, Lilly, has no clue what the heck is going on. I feel so terrible. I'm getting her cremated as soon as I can raise the funds up after the round of SDA that I got to go through.

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Shadow Brook Rodentry

Bridge Ratties: Samson, Wraith, Aiko, Kasper - I <3 you & miss you.

Mon Apr 25, 2005 8:14 pm

I'm so sorry for your loss. Hug

Wanda

Mon Apr 25, 2005 8:52 pm

What a fuzzball. I'm so sorry you lost her.

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Arvay and the Squirmin' Vermin

When I stand before God at the end of my life, I would hope that I would not have a single bit of talent left, and could say, 'I used everything you gave me.'

--Erma Bombeck

Mon Apr 25, 2005 9:26 pm

I'm so sorry. She was a little cutie.

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Kate & the M.O.U.S.
If you saw a man drowning and you could either save him or photograph the event ... what kind of film would you use?
~ Anonymous

Mon Apr 25, 2005 9:31 pm

I am very sorry for your loss Hug

Tue Apr 26, 2005 1:12 am

I'm so very sorry to hear about your loss.

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Tue Apr 26, 2005 1:45 am

I'm sorry Amanda...she was such a beautiful little girl...
Rest in peace little one...

Hug

Lisa, Pixie & Rosie

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..Rosie....Opal...Pebbles...Ruby....Pixie..

19.10.05 Angel rat

Pixie ~ sleep tight my little 'cheeky bum' xox

Tue Apr 26, 2005 2:48 am

I'm so sorry you had to let her go. She was a beautiful girl. And I'm sure it meant a lot to her to pass in your arms. Sleep well Ophelia.

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* Viia *

Bongo & ET: I'll miss you dearly, my precious little men Angel rat

Tue Apr 26, 2005 3:57 am

Oh Amanda,

I am so incredibly sorry for you right now. My heart is asking why these things keep happening to you. I do not have an answer, but with everything you do for pet rats, you are a hero to ratties all over, and you making this difficult decision shows your selflessness and love for these animals. If I were a rat, I would want to belong to you. You are an amazing rattie mama and after this bout with sda and everything else passes, i have a sweet little girl who is so anxious to meet her new mama!! Please take care and call me if you need to.

Nikki

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Tue Apr 26, 2005 4:10 am

I'm sooooo sorry hun! Hug

I bet she's playing with all her rattie buds now.. Angel rat

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To me a lush carpet of pine needles or spongy grass is more welcome than the most luxurious Persian rug - Helen Keller

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Tue Apr 26, 2005 7:36 am

Thank you all for your kind words. It hurts to know I can't go up into my room where she was and snuggle her. I keep holding Lilly, her cage mate, and telling her it'll be alright that she'll get to play with her friend again someday. Until then, I need her to stay with me and help me through all of this before she gets to go to Nikki after my quarantine period is up. I just wish the choice had been easier. Even though she was a piglet up until the end, she didn't fight the gas and closed her eyes as I held her. Even my vet, who keeps telling me how fabulous I am and wishes more small animal people would be like me, started crying.

I've been trying to keep busy all day, cleaning cages at the quarantine houses, taking the dog out for some obedience training, generally keeping my mind off of things. I keep wandering back to it all. After this bout of SDA wiped out my emergency fund, I'm scrambling to get $100 to get my beautiful girl cremated. I hate it. I feel powerless at this point, but I don't just want to bury her in the ground when she has helped me learn what others have gone through with SDA and having rats with issues and making me learn how to be a better mom to all of my rats. She's made me appreciate life and for that, I owe her my undying love and selflessness to others of her kind.

I made a promise to her that I would work to make sure no more ratties suffered like this by increasing my goals in breeding to erradicate myco and other rattie nasties. I know it's a long shot, but with Ophelia as my rattie angel, I swear I'll do my darnest to make it happen.

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Shadow Brook Rodentry

Bridge Ratties: Samson, Wraith, Aiko, Kasper - I <3 you & miss you.

Tue Apr 26, 2005 8:03 am

I'm so sorry Amanda.. Sleep well little girl.

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Drop by and see us at www.littleloveables.com

63 Ratties,5 Mice,3 Gerbels,2 Squirrels,2 Black Bear Hamsters,2 Bearded Dragons
RIP Misty May 20 2004 - Jan 22 2005 Love Daddy

Tue Apr 26, 2005 8:37 am

words just never seem like enough. i feel your pain. and you know we are all here for you. i'll say a special prayer for ophelia tonight. i know she's lookin over you rightn now, thanking her lucky stars she had such a wonderful, loving momma. **hugs**

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i miss you dove, oz, briar and fern. liam, my love, i 'll never forget you.

Tue Apr 26, 2005 3:27 pm

Just know that Ophelia couldn't have had a better rattie mom amanda. You are in my thoughts and I will call you tonight.

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Tue Apr 26, 2005 9:32 pm

After a few days, I finally figured out what I wanted to say. You are a wonderful rattie mommy and with each heart break, there will be a new joy. You can find happiness in what you have left and what you will have in the future. Just remember always the happy times you shared with Ophelia. I just wish I had known you sooner so that I could have met her. Love, hugs, and rattie kisses to you and the rest of your bunch (especially little Lilly).
Sondra and the rattie gang

Wed Apr 27, 2005 9:45 am

So sorry for the loss. The cremation cost is totally way out there though. i paid $15 for mine and they even come in a really nice wood box. Check these places...they are more in the 20-35 dollar range from what I can tell. Lots better than 100 bucks for sure!

Garden of Our Little Friends
248-349-2784
In Novi

http://www.unionlakepets.com/html/ulvcs.html
Union Lake in Waterford

Sarah

Wed Apr 27, 2005 7:17 pm

Thank you for the links Sarah -- the first place was $55 and the second was $140. I guess they want to make a buck on the loss of a friend. -sigh-

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Shadow Brook Rodentry

Bridge Ratties: Samson, Wraith, Aiko, Kasper - I <3 you & miss you.

Wed Feb 08, 2006 8:29 am

A little late, but I just saw the reply. I thought I'd at least say where I get my rats cremated at $15 so if someone wanted to make the drive, they could. I'd say, it's almost worth it from what I'm hearing for costs elsewhere. I go to Riverside Animal Clinic In Saginaw, MI. If you need address or phone number, IM me. My yahoo ID is sjppossum.

Sarah