[Gpdd] Rainbow Bridge: You weren't supposed to leave yet, Beethoven

[Algernon07 at aol.com]

Hello Friends,  
     Just a couple days ago Jenni (jenni at beethoven.com) posted that her 
Rumblestrut Blues singing piggy, Beethoven, would be having surgery on Friday.  She 
asked for prayers for a good surgery and that every pig and person crossed 
fingers or paws for him. There was nothing in that post to suggest how really 
worried and concerned she was. She had consulted two vets, made a number of 
phone calls and collected as much information as possible before making the 
decision. Surgery really was the only option. I thought the outcome would be 
excellent.
       I am posting here for Jenni tonight because she isn't sure that she'll 
be able to post for the next couple days.
       Beethoven had his surgery to remove a large bladder stone Friday 
morning, yesterday. The vet had a great deal of exotics experience. Beethoven came 
through the surgery. Recovery was the next phase.
       At 6:30 this morning (Saturday) she sent an email: he still hadn't 
"perked up" from the surgery, had munched only one piece of hay and otherwise was 
getting water and other nourishment via syringe. I don't think Jen got much 
sleep, if any, last night. Her attention was focused on her much loved 
Beethoven who wasn't doing nearly as well as after surgery as she'd hoped. By late 
afternoon the Jolly Rodents and I were nervously awaiting her next email updating 
us on Beethoven's condition. 
       So...we waited and watched for news, fully expecting to hear that 
after getting off to a slow start in his first day of recuperation, Beethoven was 
finally crunching and munching away at all the veggies in the refrigerator and 
wheeking for even more of his favorite treats.
       When Jenni called, I should have realized immediately -- from a subtle 
something I heard in her voice -- that it was otherwise.
       As incomprehensible as it seems, Beethoven is gone. He crossed over 
the Rainbow Bridge shortly after 6:00  tonight (Saturday). 
       My heart aches for you, Jenni, you who loved him so much. I, too, feel 
the pain of his loss as I know so many others of you will. Beethoven was very 
special to us, to me and to the Jolly Rodents. If I feel so taken aback by 
the realization that he really is gone, how much harder this must be on you.
       Some of our piggies seem to belong to all of us. I supposed that is 
because we (persons and piggies) have formed such strong connections among 
ourselves. We are all fortunate in that, but on the other hand, the loss of one 
member of our little collective herd is a heartbreaking loss to each of us 
individually. We are shocked and stunned and find ourselves weeping at what we 
perceive as the wrongness of their going.
       
       Let me digress a bit for an overview of events:
       Beethoven's vet, the one who did the surgery yesterday, told Jenni 
yesterday, after the surgery, that he was going to be out of town this weekend. 
Not good.
        Early today and as the day progressed, Jenni intuitively knew that 
things were not going well, trusted her instincts and took Beethoven to the vet 
that she had consulted for a second opinion, the one that did the x-rays and 
spotted the stone. The vet checked Beethoven over. Lungs, etc. were good,  
but... He was lethargic and not coming around as well as he should have been. 
Nothing like the quick recovery of that lady-pig who had stolen his heart, Brownie 
Bear.
 
       On the way home from the vet, Jenni heard a bit of unusual movement 
inside Beethoven's carrier so pulled over along side the road. 
       She lifted Beethoven out and held him close. I'm sure there were 
kisses and tears. She knew he was going to leave, and, within a few minutes, 
Beethoven's little spirit left his body and went on as she held him.
       His passing was peaceful and they had those last close moments 
together.
       After a little while she was able to put him back in his carrier and 
to tearfully drive home with him.
       Jenni loved him so much and had been so worried over this surgery. My 
feeling, as I've already said, was that he would come through it fantastically 
well. She did everything just right. She saw two vets within two days. She 
went ahead with the surgery while Beethoven was still healthy and strong. I 
guess we just cannot ever know an outcome in advance.
        Shortly after arriving home, she called the vet who had just seen 
Beethoven and who was very helpful in explaining what might have gone wrong and 
why.
       And so we've lost another of our beloved little ones.
       Snickers and Snowball, we know you've lost a couple good friends and 
fellow musicians!
       As for Beethoven, he has lots of wonderful friends at the Bridge to 
welcome him. I'm sure Ebeneezer was loudly wheeking news of the arrival of that 
great Blues Singer, famous for the Rumblestrut Blues vocals, BEETHOVEN!  In 
fact they're probably already performing for the piggies on the other side, 
flirting with sows and discovering great new buddies among the boars.
       And of course there are all those luscious veggies and friuits.  yum 
yum, piggies!
       But on this side of the Bridge, ah -- how we miss them. Our hearts 
break and we seek to understand what cannot really be understood.
       How terribly sad this has to be for Jenni. Let's keep her in our 
prayers. Her email address is jenni at beethoven.com.  The website where you can see 
Beethoven's famous smiling photo is www.jeffthewebguy.com/beethoven

       Whee love you, Beethoven gentle-pig, and whee will miss you 
terribly!!!
       
With great sadness,
Alge