I have 4 fertz, carpet sharks, tube dogs, rug lumpers, raisin biters,
fuzz butts, what ever you call them.  Podo is a rescue that came from a
couple that did take decent care of him but could not continue so I
volunteered to admit him and his cage mate to my herd here.  THis is
Podo's third, at least third, ownership.  He is old, and not doing well
at all.  He has a huge tumor that has overtaken most his vital organs in
the abdomen, is not really a good idea to operate where he is so old and
the tumor is so huge his  quantity of life would be spent recovering
from major surgery, more painful than what he is now enduring.  Could
extend his life a month or two at best.  Is not at all a fun or easy
decision, but I have seriously wrestled with it for a week.  Today the
vet confirmed that my worst fears for this most lovable of ferts were
true.  Podo is not eating, and can barely move.  He walks a few steps
and literally flops down and rests.  The tumor is sucking every bit of
energy from him.  His eyes are glassy now all the time.  It has come to
me that in kindness to him that I will put him to sleep.  Is a painful
decision to say the very least.  Most painful.  Yet I can't justify
allowing Podo to live in such stress and sickness as he now has.  I do
this for my animal friend in kindness and respect to him.  He is such a
good boy.  A hard decision.
 
Gordon
[Posted in FML issue 3176]