[Gpdd] [RAINBOW BRIDGE] Farewell to Dolly Mixture Zebra

[Debbie Jones]

I cannot believe I am having to write this. Zebra was the only Dolly
Mixture I had (after his brother, Cannelletto, went to The Bridge almost
exactly two years ago) who was born here and had lived here all his life.
His mum was Cannelle and his dad dear Claude, before he was castrated.
Zebra was only four years old on 3rd July just gone, and was always my
most healthy, friendly, vocal piggie. It was for him I procured Scoot
last summer, but Scoot ended up bullying him when they were moved
indoors. After Fidget, Scrabble's lifelong cagemate, went to the Bridge
in Spring this year, Zebra moved in with him and they became best buddies
- they had always been neighbours and chatted a lot through the bars.
Zebra would lick Scrabble's eyes, snuggle up with him ... he seemed to
realise Scrabble wasn't well because of his bumblefoot and was extra kind
to him. About a fortnight ago I noticed Zebra's hair was getting a bit
thin, so last weekend I bathed him, and dosed him with two drops of
Ivomec, as there were signs of parasites. I swear to you I blew his hair
completely dry and he was fine after his bath, just his normal self. I
went away petsitting, leaving the piggies in the capable hands of a
helper from Chicago, and Tuesday evening got a call to say he had
diarrhoea with blood in it. None of my piggies had ever had this, though
I had read about it on here. I knew my local vet would be clueless. I
suggested liquid Imodium (given to me by Penny's rodentologists for just
such an emergency) if the diarrhoea persisted, but it didn't. I came over
next day and he was eating and quite lively and hadn't had more
diarrhoea, so I assumed it had been something he'd eaten and the crisis
was past. But when I got home Thursday night I could see he was extremely
ill. Actually, as soon as I went into the room, Scrabble wheeked and
wheeked at me. Scrabble has never been a wheeker - that was always
Fidget's job, then Zebra's. I am certain Scrabble was saying, "my mate's
very poorly, you've got to do something for him!". Zebra's eyes were all
tiny and shrunken into his skull - I have nursed many a sick piggie but
never seen their eyes like that. I immediately rang Cavies Castle, and
Chris confirmed that if his eyes were like that he was a very ill piggie
indeed. She suggested the liquid Imodium, banana, liquid Neurofen for the
pain and no grass or salad leaves. He did tuck into his cucumber, and I
gave him some stuff for rehydrating humans with diarrhoea (Chris said
this was also a good idea). But when I rose Friday morning I could see he
was certainly no better. Unfortunately, I had an appointment with a
friend two and a half hour's drive away. This friend has recently moved
to France and has no telephone, so I had no way to contact him to say I
couldn't go, and I knew he was relying on me to help him open a bank
account (as he doesn't speak much French), so I had to leave. I so wanted
to stay with him, sing him my special song about going to The Bridge. But
I didn't. And just over an hour after I had left, I go t a text message
from my partner to say Zebra had gone to The Bridge. When I had composed
myself, I texted back that he could bury him before I got back, and his
body has joined the many in our "piggie graveyard" under the hedge beside
which they spend their happy summer days. I wish I could have been there
with him as he left. I would so have liked to hold him and cuddle him as
he went. But I am sure Scrabble would have done his best to make his
passing as comfortable as possible, and he is now free from pain and
reunited with his mum, dad, brother and stepsisters Scruff and Cherry. I
will miss him terribly. I always just assumed he would become my oldest
SCAMP, but he never even made it to five. Scrabble will miss him as well.
He and Zebra were already indoors, but I will bring the others all in
today, so Scrabble will at least have other piggies around him. I may try
him with Scoot again. I did put Scoot with him for a short while when
they first moved outside, and Scrabble was fine with it, but I had the
feeling Scoot was being a bit domineering, and of course now Scrabble has
the bumblefoot to contend with as well. I am so very sad. I don't know
what killed Zebra, and wish I had access to a decent vet, but possibly no
vet would have been able to save him. I feel terribly sorry for Scrabble,
losing two partners in a year. I intend to post separately to thank
everyone who advised about Scrabble's bumblefoot, and to offer our
condolences to those who have also recently had departures for The
Bridge. I didn't have access to the Internet whilst I was petsitting. I
hate it taking me away from home, but it does pay the vet bills, and I
always train someone up to care for the animals in my absence. I must go
feed everyone now. I just had to get this out to you, as I know you are
the only people who truly understand. I only have ten Dolly Mixtures left
now. Thanks for being there. Debbie (and ten very sad Dolly Mixtures)


"We patronize them for their incompleteness,
for their tragic fate of having taken a form so far below ourselves.
And therein we err, and greatly err.
For the animal shall not be measured by man.
In a world older and more complete than ours
they move finished and complete, gifted
with extensions of the senses we have lost or never attained,
living by voices we shall never hear.
They are not brethren, they are not underlings;
they are other nations, caught with ourselves
in the net of life and time, fellow prisoners
of the splendour and travail of the earth".
Henry Beston

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