Some Good-Bye Pictures; a Memorial for Chloe

[HedgieSpirit]

Well as some of you may know, Chloe has been struggling with WHS since around October and I have decided to help her cross over the bridge this Monday. This decision is breaking my heart but I know it is the right thing and that she is ready. I am spending extra time with her, seeing as her days with us are few, and to say good-bye, I am posting some pictures of her. Please try to enjoy them...

My baby at just 5 weeks old
http://img115.imageshack.us/img115/6215/chloe9zv.th.jpg (http://img115.imageshack.us/my.php?image=chloe9zv.jpg)
She was so little!
http://img147.imageshack.us/img147/2957/cbracelet28ih.th.jpg (http://img147.imageshack.us/my.php?image=cbracelet28ih.jpg)
Christmas '04
http://img148.imageshack.us/img148/3618/chloexmaspic2mk.th.jpg (http://img148.imageshack.us/my.php?image=chloexmaspic2mk.jpg)
Sharing lunch with Pierre
http://img133.imageshack.us/img133/4325/chloenpierre6cg.th.jpg (http://img133.imageshack.us/my.php?image=chloenpierre6cg.jpg)
In a tube of vellux
http://img112.imageshack.us/img112/580/p10100170wg.th.jpg (http://img112.imageshack.us/my.php?image=p10100170wg.jpg)
She loved paper bags
http://img148.imageshack.us/img148/3471/chlopprbag4ab.th.jpg (http://img148.imageshack.us/my.php?image=chlopprbag4ab.jpg)
She used to fall asleep in front of the fire after running around in her playpen
http://img112.imageshack.us/img112/5981/firemelt4jf.th.jpg (http://img112.imageshack.us/my.php?image=firemelt4jf.jpg)
http://img109.imageshack.us/img109/9424/cat18na.th.jpg (http://img109.imageshack.us/my.php?image=cat18na.jpg)

[HedgieSpirit]

Exploring outside
http://img113.imageshack.us/img113/5121/p10100435hm.th.jpg (http://img113.imageshack.us/my.php?image=p10100435hm.jpg)
And now for some recent pics...
Feeding time
http://img113.imageshack.us/img113/1360/10001325am.th.jpg (http://img113.imageshack.us/my.php?image=10001325am.jpg)
Valentine's Day '06
http://img136.imageshack.us/img136/2192/chloe31ek.th.jpg (http://img136.imageshack.us/my.php?image=chloe31ek.jpg)
Chloe and I
http://img136.imageshack.us/img136/1020/chlocarolyn7wo.th.jpg (http://img136.imageshack.us/my.php?image=chlocarolyn7wo.jpg)
http://img136.imageshack.us/img136/3201/chlocarolyn24hc.th.jpg (http://img136.imageshack.us/my.php?image=chlocarolyn24hc.jpg)
I'm gonna miss you babe, play hard at the bridge, you deserve it
http://img114.imageshack.us/img114/1553/chlome7kw.th.jpg (http://img114.imageshack.us/my.php?image=chlome7kw.jpg)
http://img114.imageshack.us/img114/3564/chloeee7nw.th.jpg (http://img114.imageshack.us/my.php?image=chloeee7nw.jpg)

[Kayla1984]

Aw I'm sorry to hear that :( I'm sure she will be in a better place and she is probably glad to have a mommy like you who will not allow her to suffer! She looks like a joy!

[HedgePigLove]

Carolyn - I am sorry that Chloe has reached the point where she needs to be helped across the Bridge. That's never an easy decision to make and I've a lot of respect for you for making it.

Someone said, in another conversation, that the greatest gift we can give our companions is when we take their pain and make it our own. I cannot think of a better way to say it.

I lost a WHS (confirmed by necropsy) hedgehog in January and currently am caring for two others that are likely also cursed with the disorder - it's a horrible thing to watch, as they lose their freedom, and I know the pain that you've experienced.

I don't know how you feel about it, but I would encourage you to contact Donnasue (her email address is at the WHS site at http://www.wobblyhedgehog.org ) about filling-out a WHS case-history form. She would also know if there's funds available to help with a necropsy, should you be willing to have that done (it'll help the researchers learn more about the disorder and hopefully contribute to it eventually being eradicated).

Thank you for sharing the beautiful photos of Chloe - may her crossing be peaceful and may you find comfort in knowing that you're only saying farewell for now - Laura

[Pringlesmom]

I am so sorry about Chloe. She is such a sweetie! I love all of her pictures.You provided her with a wonderful life. Looking at your pictures really reminds me a Pringle. They have that same look in their eyes. There is something extra special about WHS hedgies. They are have extra courage and strong will. I, now that I have had time to think and mourn Pringle, know that I was lucky to be a mom to him. I don't know if someone else would have taken care of him in his time of need the way I did. I always thank God that he was in the right hands. I am thanking God that Chloe has you. You gave her a wonderful life. I love the Valentine's Day picture. How sweet! The picture of you and Chloe is priceless. You will always have that photo in your head. I have a similar one I took of me and Pringle at my college graduation and I framed it. I had him cremated and I have a small memorial set up on my windowsill in my room. His remains are in a beautiful little box under his favorite "house" that my stepdad made for him with his name on it. I placed his blanket under it and put the picture next to it. I don't mean to upset you more than you probably are, just want you to know that you are doing the right thing and I know how you are feeling. Pringle will meet Chloe and they will play together with Cinder and all the other hedgies up there. She will not be sick anymore, she will be able to eat by herself, and she will be able to run all day long if she wanted to. I bet there is even a special fireplace just for her to take a nap near. Sending my prayers.

[Nancy]

I write this with tears running down my face. You and I shared many talks about our girls as this horrid disease took its toll on our wonderful little friends. I feel as if I know Chloe and because she and Cinder fought this battle at the same time it's almost as if I'm losing Cin again.

Rest easy Chloe. Your family & friends both at home and over the internet will miss you dearly.

[horsegal]

I'm sorry. I know how hard it is to have to choose to help an animal cross over. You just have to remember she is going to a better place and you made her life here as wonderful as possible.

[HedgieSpirit]

Carolyn - I am sorry that Chloe has reached the point where she needs to be helped across the Bridge. That's never an easy decision to make and I've a lot of respect for you for making it.

Someone said, in another conversation, that the greatest gift we can give our companions is when we take their pain and make it our own. I cannot think of a better way to say it.

I lost a WHS (confirmed by necropsy) hedgehog in January and currently am caring for two others that are likely also cursed with the disorder - it's a horrible thing to watch, as they lose their freedom, and I know the pain that you've experienced.

I don't know how you feel about it, but I would encourage you to contact Donnasue (her email address is at the WHS site at http://www.wobblyhedgehog.org ) about filling-out a WHS case-history form. She would also know if there's funds available to help with a necropsy, should you be willing to have that done (it'll help the researchers learn more about the disorder and hopefully contribute to it eventually being eradicated).

Thank you for sharing the beautiful photos of Chloe - may her crossing be peaceful and may you find comfort in knowing that you're only saying farewell for now - Laura

Thank you, I love the quote.
I have already filled out a WHS case report and am interested in doing a necropsy, so I will definately contact her about that.

[HedgieSpirit]

I write this with tears running down my face. You and I shared many talks about our girls as this horrid disease took its toll on our wonderful little friends. I feel as if I know Chloe and because she and Cinder fought this battle at the same time it's almost as if I'm losing Cin again.

Rest easy Chloe. Your family & friends both at home and over the internet will miss you dearly.

These guys have a way of burrowing into your heart whether you have really met them or not. When I read your post about Cinder, I burst into tears and then went downstairs and cried in my dad's arms for a while. I thank you so much for all of the support you have given me during this time. Thanks to you, I make this decision knowing that I have given Chloe my all and the only thing left to give to her is peace.

[kaiteedyd]

That very last photo is just precious!