Byte-me was to be 7 in about 2 months. She had a very large spleen and her liver had grown to huge size. She was very frail, an operation would prolong her or maybe not, but I chose to let nature take it's course. This morning Byte-me was too weak to get into her hammy so I helped her. She licked my fingers as I set her into her favorite hammy and left for work. Yesterday morning before work I took her outside with me, she explored a bit but came right back to me where she is blind and now not happy about being outside with out my company immediately beside her. Over the past few weeks I had taken some excellent photos of her. Suki Crandal said one belonged in a magazine, am so very glad I did took those photos. I knew she was weak and time was close. At work I mentioned to a few that also love animals that I stood a very real chance of loosing her, they wished me the very best. It was a raging thunderstorm coming home which is some distance from my home. The drive took much longer than I wanted but had to yield to safety first, I would get there. Upon getting home I put my brief case down and put away the things in my lunch hopper, and went to see Byte-me. She was laying in her hammy in typical sleep posture so I did the 'come home' stuff before I opened the cage. Doing so she didn't move, not unusual. I touched her, she was as soft as ever but didn't move so I picked her up. She had crossed the bridge while I was at work. Devastation has set in for sure. I held her for a time, felt her that last time and then took her out to rest with Bud, Kodo, Nibble-ed ad Kodo while a raging thunderstorm deluged me with rain. With the deepest of sadness and most heavy of heart I tell you my most beloved Byte-me took the gold. and then the platinum as she made way to the bridge. May she rest in peace, God Bless. I will miss her most dearly. I will miss opening the cage and going to the commuter room to work and her coming to lay down at my feet. I will miss that warm lump under the bed spread where she slept with me. There is much more about her I will miss. At least I did take those most valuable pictures most recently. Let there be life. Gordon Missing Podo, Bud, Nibble-ed. Kodo, and Byte-me [Posted in FML issue 4938]