March 05, 2006
Jim - ? 2003 - 5 March 2006
We let Jim go.
On the way to the vet he was gasping for air. They put him on oxygen right away, but even 90 minutes in the O2 tank didn't seem to help him much. The x-ray didn't show anything remarkable in his lungs, and the best the emergency vet could offer was leaving Jim there overnight to have more tests next week. At best, the vet said, the prognosis was "guarded to poor."
At Jim's age, and with the rapididty with which these symptoms flared up and knocked him down, I didn't have confidence that they could fix whatever was wrong. I didn't want his final days to be spent alone in a hospital tank.
I will talk to Dr. F tomorrow about doing a necropsy...I do want to know what it was that took Jim so quickly, and Dr. F seems to be interested in learning all he can, too.
Jim had an inauspicious start as a feeder down in southwest Virginia, but he grew faster than the snake did and was surrendered to the Rockingham-Harrisonburg SPCA. He was known there as Ratty Lumpkin, and the day we picked him up we tried on many names (Harrison, Madison, James) as we drove up I-81. By the time we got home we'd settled on the unassuming and friendly "Jim," which fit him very well. He was a happy and hyper baby, never destructive or mean, just active. He mellowed into sweet, if not so bright, boy...George often took advantage of Jim's less-than-clever stashing.
I'm going to have a hard time looking at the nest ball and not seeing Jim in it...it was always his favorite spot.
Rest easy, my sweet boy. You'll always be my funny valentine rat.
Posted by Abita at March 5, 2006 04:38 PMOh Abita, I'm so sorry. Jim is with Misto and the others now, and they are having a grand time catching up.
Posted by: Eanna at March 5, 2006 08:49 PMOh my gosh! I'm so sorry! I just happened to think about Jim today, and came and visited to check on him. Poor baby! Please post if you find out what happened with him. I'm so glad he had you guys from the start. He had a short, but wonderful life thanks to you. Most people would not treat rats with such love and respect. You are special people.
-Crystal (Jim's old foster mom)
Posted by: Crystal at March 6, 2006 02:05 AMJust realized that Jim was actually pretty old for a rat. Seems like he was going home with you just yesterday. Thank you for being so good to him.
-Crystal
Posted by: Crystal at March 6, 2006 02:09 AMOh I'm so sorry! Jim sounded like such a darling, so much like Mallow in his not-so-bright-but-oh-so-happy way. I really am sorry for you.
PS Have done several comments in the last few days but for some reason they've 'fallen' of your posts. Maybe I've done something wrong, but I have been visiting
Posted by: Shamisen at March 6, 2006 12:44 PMSaw you dropped by wee little beasties today (thank you for the kind thoughts) and was ashamed I hadn't stopped by ratinabox lately. Now I see you have lost a friend...it is always so hard to see them go. He was blessed to have you, and I know you feel the same way about him...
Posted by: Trish at March 6, 2006 05:56 PM
I am so sorry, Abita. I remember you getting him and the very cute pictures of him--seems like yesterday.
Do let us know when the doctor figures out what happened. It was so sudden...
meenakshi
I am so sorry, Abita. I remember you getting him and the very cute pictures of him--seems like yesterday.
Do let us know when the doctor figures out what happened. It was so sudden...
meenakshi
so sorry to hear about little jim....
such a cute dignified little rattie..
hugs to all
colleen
So sorry Abita and Victor. How sad and just plain horrible. It is always aweful when one of the little ones leaves us. ~Poi Mom
Sorry Abita and Victor, foofs to you to make you feel not as alone for Jim ~Rodentia
So sorry ~Merlin, Shadow, Ko Ko
Just remember he is over the Rainbow now ~Rabbie
Posted by: Fig, Jorje, Aeowen, Narnia, Josie, Arthur Dent, Ford Prefect at March 7, 2006 02:48 AMOh, guys, I've got nothing to say to help with the pain. *hugs, hugs* He was a cute guy, and I know he was much loved. He's got plenty of goodies to stash and balls to sleep in now. xx
Posted by: Lynn at March 7, 2006 03:20 AMThank you all. Your kind words mean a lot to us.
Posted by: abita at March 8, 2006 08:27 PM