[Gpdd] [RAINBOW BRIDGE] Cinnamon Bear
DebJonSara at aol.com
DebJonSara at aol.com
Thu May 25 05:31:16 EDT 2006
Corrine and Michael
I just wanted to add my condolences on the very sad loss of your precious
Cinnamon Bear. I agree with everyone who has told you not to blame yourselves,
although like Brownie Bear's mum, I am a hypocrite, as I am very good at
blaming myself for the deaths of my own piggies! But from what you have said, you
did all you could, and it was the inadequate veterinary provision which
ultimately let him down. I am so very, very sorry.
It absolutely infuriates me that there seems so little knowledge about
guinea pig illnesses. Guinea pigs have been used in laboratories for many years,
and had all kinds of human illnesses produced in them in order for them to be
used to test drugs which then go on to save human lives. So there must exist,
somewhere in the annals of the laboratories, detailed information of their
anatomy, physiology, reactions and so on. So why, oh why, do so very many of
our beloved little pals seem to pass away from "unknown causes"??? How can
there possibly be so much veterinary ignorance, let alone indifference? I have
been in your very position. Here in France, when I rang up 2 regional
laboratories in order to try to get an autopsy to explain why my young Scruff passed
away, as much to increase the vets' knowledge as for my own information, I was
told they had NEVER done an autopsy on a guinea pig, so unless there was an
obvious infection or parasitical infestation, they would not be able to tell
why the piggie had died. So I kept my money and gave Scruff the decent
funeral she deserved - but it was so very frustrating. I am sure, if I were a vet,
I would WANT to conduct autopsies on all guinea pigs that died after symptoms
I did not uinderstand, in order to enable me to better treat the next piggie
that presented with the same symptoms. But then, I could never be a vet,
because I know I would get far too upset seeing all that animal suffering.
Cinnamon Bear sounds like he was a wonderful character, a true prince among
guinea pigs, and it is abundantly clear from what you have written about him
that he was very much adored, and knew it. The hole in your heart will never
go away - I don't think they ever do. But it will become a little less raw
around the edges with time, and hopefully, Cinnamon Bear will guide another
piggie into your lives when he thinks you may be ready, knowing of the idyllic
life you can offer a guinea pig. It will not replace your little
"snickerdoodle", any more than a new baby could replace a dead child, but hopefully it will
ease the pain just a little.
Stop torturing yourselves with guilt. You did your best, which is all any of
us can do, and he knew he was loved. And he is waiting for you at The Rainbow
Bridge, popcorning happily amongst the lush green grass and dandelions, free
from all anxiety and pain.
Love from Debbie (and the 16 Dolly Mixtures)
More information about the Gpdd
mailing list