[Gpdd] rainbow bridge: Mattie is gone

[Chizeck, Susan P]

Mattimeo  (named after the Redwall warrior mouse hero)  (March 1, 2000 -
May 22, 2006)

Mattie came into our lives at a pignic, selected as "the quiet one" in a
large litter.  He was white, with salt and pepper patches.  He was to be
a companion for Obi, who we thought was a boy.  Although only one month
old, he could hold his own with Obi and soon proved to be the dominant
one.  One day I heard him wheeking at the top of his lungs and saw him
mount Obi very enthusiastically.  Little did we know it wasn't just
dominance, but Obi was actually a girl, and soon was pregnant.  Mattie
was the father of four.

Quite the male pig, even after he was neutered, during playtime with the
girls, he chased and mounted each one before retreating to his corner to
eat.  Once when we were taking care of one of his adopted out sons, we
put them together in the play area and a huge fight ensued, with Mattie
getting a permanent scar across his face.  After that, separate play
times with boys!

Mattie had the silkiest fur, and shed it constantly.  Mattie had a huge
purr and when sitting on my lap could be heard all across the room.  He
loved to be petted and in his old age would stretch and yawn in the most
pleasant way as he sat on my lap.  He was definitely slowing down and
napping more.

After the girls had passed on, he remained an only pig, seemingly
content.  He was always a picky eater.  His favorite food was spinach
leaves.  He also loved a treat of muesli, getting a teaspoonful every
night.  He would popcorn around the cage in anticipation of the treat,
pausing to look expectantly if I was late, nose in the air sniffing for
it.  

The only times he would wheek would be when I touched his increasingly
tender flanks.  He developed lipomas which were uncomfortable.  He was
getting increasingly sensitive and had developed numerous mysterious
painful lumps on his belly.  The vet recommended surgery to see what
they were and in the end increase his comfort level.  After the surgery
he was eating away and seemed fine, but tired.

The next day he seemed to have no pain, but lost interest in eating and
lay down forlornly, hardly raising his head.  We gave him subcutaneous
fluids, and he allowed himself to be fed critical care and water, but
continued to decline.  The next day at the vet's, he passed away after
they did an x-ray.  Mattie was found to have a large mass in his lung,
presumably lung cancer.  He was cremated and will lie next to Obi and
their daughter Panda, the sweet singing runt of the litter.  There is a
big hole in my heart, now that Mattie, the last pig, is gone.  I feel
emotionally numb and need to cry, and soon I will.

Even after a week I still go into the pig room, looking for him to say
hello.  Trips to the grocery store are far fewer.  I miss him so much...


Susan Chizeck,