Martin is still with us and still doing well. No idea what the random bleeding episodes were, but he doesn’t seem to be having any more issues for the time being.
I am leaving for Turkey on Thursday and will be gone until Monday, the 12th. As always, I’m nervous about leaving my babies for so long, but I know they’re in good hands. See y’all in two weeks!
please pray for Martin
February 21, 2007 l 5 Comments
My poor little guy has been through a lot in his short life…
Two nights ago, I noticed a significant amount of blood in his cage. I checked him over thoroughly and he seemed fine, very active and alert. I decided not to stress him out too much, and saved the cage cleaning until last night. Since Martin had no obvious signs of illness or injury, my theory was that Rex had broken a claw on top of their cage (he jumps up there frequently).
But tonight there was blood in his nest again. He’s still chipper and chattery (thanks to a lung condition which may very well be the source of all this…), but he does seem thinner. He’s not in any noticeable pain or discomfort, and if I thought he was suffering we’d be at the vets in a heartbeat. But interventions really take their toll on him, and seeing as he’s nearing the life expectancy of the average mouse, none of this comes as a total surprise.
I just pray he’ll be comfortable and happy. Our hamster, Napster, really went downhill towards the end and it was incredibly difficult to watch. I posted this prayer after his death and it seems appropriate now…
Prayer of St. Basil the Great
The earth is the Lord’s and the fullness thereof.
O God, enlarge within us the sense of fellowship with all living things, our brothers the animals to whom Thou gavest the earth as their home in common with us.
We remember with shame that in the past we have exercised the high dominion of man with ruthless cruelty so that the voice of the earth, which should have gone up to Thee in song has been a groan of travail.
May we realize that they live not for us alone, but for themselves and for Thee and that they love the sweetness of life even as we, and serve Thee better in their place than we in ours.
Amen.
I’ll take small victories
February 20, 2007 l 1 Comment
Wherever I can get them. I managed to clip all of Rex’s nails but for one back foot when he pitched a royal fit, and I let him be. I was only able to do Peanut’s front nails before she performed a contortion made even more spectacular by the fact that she still has some balance issues. I figure a feat like that certainly deserves a small reprieve. And besides, those back nails will still be there tomorrow.
The rabbits, as you no doubt guess, are doing well. I decided I would finally put their pen into storage, seeing as it wasn’t actually being used to contain the rabbits. With a gate in my doorway and a rabbit-proofed bedroom, they’ve been allowed to roam free for quite a while. They seem to like the new set-up.
I’d like to say my room is always that clean, but…add some shredded cardboard, pieces of hay and a few, okay a lot, more poopies and you’ll get a better idea of what it’s like when you’re a college student and cleaning is rather low on the list of priorities.That’s PJ in the photo, my lean and lithe man-cat. The girls are becoming more tolerant of him as time goes on and there’s just the occasional spat here and there. He’s such a sweet and laidback guy.
Lounging: it’s what cats do best…
