LuvZeus
03-17-2006, 12:00 AM
Zeus passed this evening. He had continuing health problems that I had been posting (http://www.chins-n-quills.com/forums/showthread.php?t=90245) about, and his eventual diagnosis was prostate cancer. I knew it was just a matter of time, but I still feel like his time came too soon. :( Zeus was almost 4 years old.
The one good thing that came out of his illness is how much I began enjoying him even more by taking care of him every day. He required penicillin 4 times a day for quite some time, then finally pain medication twice a day. I loved spending time with him so often, and I think he loved it, too. I really believe that the last 6 weeks of his life may have been his happiest.
This morning I woke up and he had done what he's done a couple of times: sleep in a far corner of his cage, away from his heating pad and uncovered. I picked him up and his body was cooler than it should be. He had done this before, so I knew what to do - give him a hot bath with the sink sprayer to perk him up, put the rice warmer in the microwave, wrap him up with it in a towel and hold him. Only this morning he wasn't recovering as quickly as he usually does, and I thought I was about to lose him. He warmed up and his breathing got better, and my DH and I held him for the better part of the day.
I put him back in his cage late in the afternoon and gave him a dose of his pain medication, covering him with his hat. I checked on him throughout the evening, and I could tell he was still bad. His body was practically limp. At about 8:40 I checked on him again, and picked him up to talk to him. I looked at his little face and he looked back at me. His eyes looked calm, clear, and without pain. I pet him, told him I loved him, and put him back and went downstairs.
I fell asleep on the couch watching T.V. with DH, but at about 9:30 I woke up with a start and a clutching in my chest. This may sound silly, but I thought of Zeus, and I knew he was passing. I went to check on him later, and sure enough he was gone, his little eyes shut tight.
DH and I buried him in our backyard under the Japanese maple.
I didn't think I would be this sad, and I was certainly expecting it. But I keep thinking about his sweet face and demeanor, and it just seems so tragic.
There's really nothing like the unconditional love of an animal, is there?
Rest in peace, Zeus. :heart:
Shortly after I got him, May-June 2002
http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b6dd37b3127cce8852de82b7ad00000016108SaNnLRk14
Zeus in his fatter, younger days :)
http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b6dd37b3127cce8852de18b73700000016108SaNnLRk14
The beginning of the end
http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b6dd37b3127cce8852def136ee00000016108SaNnLRk14
http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b6df39b3127cce96a2acefd88f00000016108SaNnLRk14
Just this side of heaven is a place called Rainbow Bridge.
When an animal dies that has been especially close to someone here, that pet goes to Rainbow Bridge.
There are meadows and hills for all of our special friends so they can run and play together.
There is plenty of food, water and sunshine, and our friends are warm and comfortable.
All the animals who had been ill and old are restored to health and vigor; those who were hurt or maimed are made whole and strong again, just as we remember them in our dreams of days and times gone by.
The animals are happy and content, except for one small thing; they each miss someone very special to them, who had to be left behind.
They all run and play together, but the day comes when one suddenly stops and looks into the distance. His bright eyes are intent; His eager body quivers. Suddenly he begins to run from the group, flying over the green grass, his legs carrying him faster and faster.
You have been spotted, and when you and your special friend finally meet, you cling together in joyous reunion, never to be parted again. The happy kisses rain upon your face; your hands again caress the beloved head, and you look once more into the trusting eyes of your pet, so long gone from your life but never absent from your heart.
Then you cross Rainbow Bridge together....
The one good thing that came out of his illness is how much I began enjoying him even more by taking care of him every day. He required penicillin 4 times a day for quite some time, then finally pain medication twice a day. I loved spending time with him so often, and I think he loved it, too. I really believe that the last 6 weeks of his life may have been his happiest.
This morning I woke up and he had done what he's done a couple of times: sleep in a far corner of his cage, away from his heating pad and uncovered. I picked him up and his body was cooler than it should be. He had done this before, so I knew what to do - give him a hot bath with the sink sprayer to perk him up, put the rice warmer in the microwave, wrap him up with it in a towel and hold him. Only this morning he wasn't recovering as quickly as he usually does, and I thought I was about to lose him. He warmed up and his breathing got better, and my DH and I held him for the better part of the day.
I put him back in his cage late in the afternoon and gave him a dose of his pain medication, covering him with his hat. I checked on him throughout the evening, and I could tell he was still bad. His body was practically limp. At about 8:40 I checked on him again, and picked him up to talk to him. I looked at his little face and he looked back at me. His eyes looked calm, clear, and without pain. I pet him, told him I loved him, and put him back and went downstairs.
I fell asleep on the couch watching T.V. with DH, but at about 9:30 I woke up with a start and a clutching in my chest. This may sound silly, but I thought of Zeus, and I knew he was passing. I went to check on him later, and sure enough he was gone, his little eyes shut tight.
DH and I buried him in our backyard under the Japanese maple.
I didn't think I would be this sad, and I was certainly expecting it. But I keep thinking about his sweet face and demeanor, and it just seems so tragic.
There's really nothing like the unconditional love of an animal, is there?
Rest in peace, Zeus. :heart:
Shortly after I got him, May-June 2002
http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b6dd37b3127cce8852de82b7ad00000016108SaNnLRk14
Zeus in his fatter, younger days :)
http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b6dd37b3127cce8852de18b73700000016108SaNnLRk14
The beginning of the end
http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b6dd37b3127cce8852def136ee00000016108SaNnLRk14
http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b6df39b3127cce96a2acefd88f00000016108SaNnLRk14
Just this side of heaven is a place called Rainbow Bridge.
When an animal dies that has been especially close to someone here, that pet goes to Rainbow Bridge.
There are meadows and hills for all of our special friends so they can run and play together.
There is plenty of food, water and sunshine, and our friends are warm and comfortable.
All the animals who had been ill and old are restored to health and vigor; those who were hurt or maimed are made whole and strong again, just as we remember them in our dreams of days and times gone by.
The animals are happy and content, except for one small thing; they each miss someone very special to them, who had to be left behind.
They all run and play together, but the day comes when one suddenly stops and looks into the distance. His bright eyes are intent; His eager body quivers. Suddenly he begins to run from the group, flying over the green grass, his legs carrying him faster and faster.
You have been spotted, and when you and your special friend finally meet, you cling together in joyous reunion, never to be parted again. The happy kisses rain upon your face; your hands again caress the beloved head, and you look once more into the trusting eyes of your pet, so long gone from your life but never absent from your heart.
Then you cross Rainbow Bridge together....