[Gpdd] Rainbow Bridge - Paisley

[Chris Boortz]

I am very sorry to report that Paisley  died this morning. She had  
stopped eating last Friday and we've been back and forth to the vet 3  
times since then. (An exotics specialist) They diagnosed her with  
bloat. Then she developed respiratory problems & eye infections. She  
was on simethicone, Reglan, antibiotocs, & eye ointment. Plus I was  
giving her Critical Care and Pedialyte.

After giving her her meds at 11:30 last night, I put her back in her  
cage and she couldn't even walk to her pigloo. She just sort of  
slumped over to one side and laid there. I picked her up and kept her  
with me all night. Her breathing was very labored and I expected her  
to die any minute. Somehow she made it through the night. I went in  
to shower and get ready for our pre-scheduled vet appointment this  
morning. I planned to have them euthanize her rather than subject her  
to more injections, meds, forced feedings, etc. But when I came out  
from my shower, she had died. I wish I could have been with her. She  
was only about two years old - this happened way too soon.

Paisley was my first guinea pig. Since then I have adopted two more  
and have fostered several others for the local Humane Society.  
Adopting guinea pigs led me to bunnies, and I have also adopted two  
of them. I am now working with the Humane Society to help get more of  
their pigs and bunnies adopted. The point here is that I know that so  
much good came as a result of her short time with me. I also know  
that I gave her a terrific life while she was here - she had the best  
of everything (Typical slave!) But regardless of all that I am still  
sitting here with tears streaming down my face as I write this. And I  
know so many people will just think, "Geez, it was only a guinea  
pig!" That's why I had to write to Gpdd - I knew you folks would  
understand.

Thanks,
Chris, Claire, Speedy, & Paisley (in memoriam)