by Amy Taylor
Last night, at approximately 1:30 am, our pet squirrel Stuart died.
After having a violent seizure for a cause that is unknown to us (possible choke on a peanut, or an unrealized internal injury sustained in his youth) a large quanity of blood come from his nose and mouth, he managed to cling to life for at least an hour afterwards. I tried for the whole hour to keep him alive. After the seizure incident, he seemed as if he would be ok, but soon after, his health started to decline once more blood came from his mouth and nose.
I called several wildlife vets and none could offer any assistance because they could not determine the blood part.
In his last moments, he jumped from the tote (and moments before, he was lethargic and could barely move) and ran throughout the room. Bumping into things and from what I took from it, he was trying to fight his soon to be fate, he gave it his one last run around the room.
I picked him up one last time and held him in my arms as he gasped for his final breaths and died in my arms, as I set him down, blood in a very large amount came from his mouth as he had passed on.
We buried him just outside the fence behind our patio, and set upon his grave some of the pink flowers from the plant that Chip's mom had given to me for a birthday gift, as well as 1 walnut to remember our little furry friend by. We lit a candle and I asked that God watch over him and keep him safe for eternity. There is no doubt in my mind that his furry butt is running around up there right this moment.
Chip, Brian and I are so very distraught by this as we have raised him from when he barely had fur. He was one of our beloved pets and he was also a very good friend. The tears are pouring in this household right now and I know many of you understand the feeling and sadness of losing a 'member of the family'.
We will always remember the little tyke and keep the warmth, laughter and many snuggles he provided us with. But most of all, the way the little critter touched each and every heart that got to know him.