I don’t usually write trigger warnings in general, but today is a day which needs one. This post is about the death of a loved one, so if you’re not ready to read on we completely understand.
Today has been a hard day for us.
Twitch had been acting strange for the past two days and we took the best care of her that we could. We noticed she started losing a bit of weight, was sleeping more and was having some issues walking. We made sure to give her more attention and made sure she got enough food and water. We looked up all of the symptoms and couldn’t find an illness that matched everything, unfortunately.
We think she got Wet Tail, although again we’re not 100% sure especially as we made sure her bedding was changed very frequently, that she had a lot of water and we limited her consumption of Whimzees and made sure she wasn’t being fed anything inappropriate.
Today in her final hours Beau started howling as we started fixing up Twitch’s home. We noticed that Twitch looked so much worse than she has ever looked. K and I hurried to get Twitch as comfortable as possible, changing the bedding one last time knowing that it was soon to be her time. We both watched her as she made her way one last time to her dome which is her final resting place.
Dear Twitch,
I didn’t know losing you would feel this way. When we first rescued you we had no idea how much we’d love you. You were a great addition to our family and I’m so sad to have lost you. I know you’re a hamster, but I hope we gave you a much better life than what you were experiencing before. I’m sorry we couldn’t have done better this time. I’m so sorry.
Johnny
Twitch is the first pet I have ever lost and I’m finding it surprisingly difficult to stop crying. It’s especially hard as I also lost my grandpa a few days ago. So please pet parents, if you have something happy to share with us today, I would be more than appreciative.
The Swiss Cats says
September 9, 2017 at 3:35 pmOh no, we’re so sorry to hear about Twitch ! He was such a cutie ! We send you comforting purrs and gentle headbonks. Purrs
Johnny Salib says
September 10, 2017 at 2:00 pmThanks Swiss Cats, we really appreciate it <3
greg-in-washington says
September 8, 2017 at 12:51 pmWords fail in the presence of death. You just have to keep on going one step at a time. Sorry to read about your recent losses.
Johnny Salib says
September 8, 2017 at 10:24 pmThank you Greg for sending us your condolences <3
Eastside Cats says
September 8, 2017 at 12:30 pmWow, heaven was busy taking back your family’s angels! Sending you hugs and purrs during this difficult time.
Johnny Salib says
September 8, 2017 at 10:23 pmThank you so much Eastside cats <3
mommakatandherbearcat says
September 8, 2017 at 11:38 amNo doubt that Twitch knew she was loved. That’s the best anyone can give. My family’s first pet was a rabbit. We had no idea what we were doing – and I feel so guilty about that even though my parents made the decisions. It sounds like you took good care of Twitch. So many times, things happen despite of how well we care for our furbabies (think of all the ailments we humans get that are completely unrelated to how well we care for ourselves). Blaming yourself just complicates your grief and makes it harder to figure out how to live with the huge hole Twitch’s passing created. I say that – but it’s easier said than done. Kitty was our family pet after Black Spot (the rabbit) and I still blame myself for her death as well even though she was 15 and had several health problems. That was 10 years ago … and it hasn’t really gotten any easier. You aren’t alone in this and we truly do care.
Johnny Salib says
September 8, 2017 at 10:22 pmThank you so much for these words Momma. This made me feel so much better.
When the Cat is Away says
September 8, 2017 at 8:13 amWe*re so sorry for your loss! 🙁 Actually we’re a bit shocked. We’ve been thinking of Twitch a lot – you may remember that we commented one day on one of her posts. We still wanted to check some pages for you. We had some idea about her cage problems as our human happens to know a lot about hamsters. However, she’s normally surfing on German webpages, but she wanted to search for an English instruction she wanted to send to you.
We’re also very sorry for the loss of your grandfather. 🙁 You really have a hard and sad time.
All the best from us in Finland,
Tessa, Kajsa and our human.
Johnny Salib says
September 8, 2017 at 10:21 pmThank you for your condolences and for your interest in helping us with Twitch. We are definitely still interested in hearing your thoughts about what we could have done for her. Who knows, maybe one day there will be another hammy we need to take into our home and the more information the better, the more we will be able to take care of them. <3
Tamago says
September 8, 2017 at 7:32 amI’m so sorry to hear about your sweet Twitch and grandpa. I had hamsters when I was small. I loved them a lot and was devastated when I lost them. Sending warm hugs to you xo
Johnny Salib says
September 8, 2017 at 10:20 pmThank you so much it really means a lot <3
Cathy Keisha says
September 7, 2017 at 9:47 pmOh no! I’m here to pay my respects to Twitch. *bows head* I’m sending comforting purrz to those she left behind. Happy? Oh dear. My Saturday post is hilarious but that’s not for a couple of days.
Johnny Salib says
September 7, 2017 at 11:20 pmI’ll have to check it out when it’s out!
Ellen Pilch says
September 7, 2017 at 9:07 pmI am so sorry for the loss of your grandfather and the loss of Twitch.
Johnny Salib says
September 7, 2017 at 11:21 pmThank you for your condolences Ellen <3
Pipo/Minko/MrJackFreckles says
September 7, 2017 at 8:26 pmSo sorry for your double loss. Those kinds of hurts are so hard to bear.
Sending a big tight virtual hug and many purrs, wags and love.
You would not be a human if you didn’t cry, and it is the love inside you for Twitch and your Grandpa that makes you hurt so much right now.
Fly free, Twitch and rest peacefully, Grandpa.
((((( ♥ )))))
Johnny Salib says
September 7, 2017 at 11:22 pmThank you so much for your love and support <3 We really, really appreciate it.
Mary McNeil says
September 7, 2017 at 8:05 pmPurrayers and POTP to you – when you lose a loved one – no matter the species – it is never easy !
Johnny Salib says
September 7, 2017 at 11:22 pmThank you Mary <3
Mickey's Musings says
September 7, 2017 at 6:11 pmWe are so sorry to hear about Twitch.
It is never easy to say goodbye to a beloved pet.
We send comforting purrs and hugs.
Purrs Georgia,Julie and JJ
Johnny Salib says
September 7, 2017 at 11:23 pmThank you all of you <3
The Island Cats says
September 7, 2017 at 5:23 pmWe are so very sorry to hear about Twitch. Sending you comforting purrs….
Johnny Salib says
September 7, 2017 at 11:23 pmThank you Island Cats, we really appreciate it.
Mary Kirkland says
September 7, 2017 at 5:11 pmI’m so sorry. I know how hard that is. I’ve had hamsters as well and they may be small but they leave a big hole in your heart.
Johnny Salib says
September 7, 2017 at 11:23 pmThey absolutely do. It’s surprising, but they’re so loveable.
Sandy says
September 7, 2017 at 4:27 pmI’m so sorry for your loss of Twitch and your grandfather. Animals become part of our family when we open our hearts and Twitch knew she was loved and would be taken care of.
I used to have house rabbits (indoor rabbits) that used litter boxes. My biggest one weighed about 11 pounds and most people thought she was huge compared to the baby bunnies seen in Easter books. I miss having them, but don’t miss having bits of hay stuck to everything (sorry, that was the best I could do for a happy thing).
Johnny Salib says
September 7, 2017 at 11:24 pmAww yeah I totally feel you there. We were debating getting ourselves rabbits in the future, but mannn… that upkeep!
Debbie says
September 7, 2017 at 4:26 pmSo very sorry for your loss of Twitch and your grandfather…. it’s so hard to lose our family.. special angels watching over you.. Healing thoughts are with you.
Johnny Salib says
September 7, 2017 at 11:25 pmThank you so much for your thoughts Debbie <3
caren gittleman says
September 7, 2017 at 4:17 pmI am so terribly, terribly sorry. When my hamster died it was the first pet I ever had as an adult that passed. I am so sorry, and I am deeply sorry about the loss of your Grandpa as well. Sending (((hugs)))
Johnny Salib says
September 7, 2017 at 11:25 pmThank you so much for your condolences Caren, I really appreciate them <3
Crystal Stewart says
September 7, 2017 at 4:01 pmI want to follow you by e-mail and get your posts
Johnny Salib says
September 7, 2017 at 11:27 pmThat’s awesome! You can definitely do so with the “Subscribe to my blog” tab on the right hand side! 🙂
Crystal Stewart says
September 7, 2017 at 3:59 pmI’m very sorry about Twitch. I know it doesn’t seem like it now but there’s a positive outlook that you don’t see because of the death of Twitch and grandpa. There both in a better place and are with the angels that love them very much. I wish you the best. It’s OK to cry. It’ll be 2 years since I lost my Tigger Kitty in 4 days. ON 9-11-2015 is when she passed and miss her every day as you probably will miss Twitch and grandpa. May God Bless
Johnny Salib says
September 7, 2017 at 11:26 pm<3 Thank you for your kind words and absolutely, they're both big handprints (and pawprints) on my heart <3
da tabbies o trout towne says
September 7, 2017 at 2:50 pmJohnny; we are very sorry for your loss of both your grand pa and twitch; and just know it’s OK to cry.
Godspeed ♥♥
You have two angels looking out for you now; my sincerest sympathies to you and your family ~~~~~~~
Johnny Salib says
September 7, 2017 at 3:05 pmThank you tabbies. <3 We love all you and are so grateful for the love.