RIP little Ree :(

Rachel SS · #1 (**permalink**) 08-01-2010, 01:25 AM

Had to put down a rescue that I adopted from a friend who originally rescued this girl...

she was slowly withering away, hasn't eaten in a year, wouldn't respond to tube or force feeding (under vets directions), she regurged a few times. Last time I had her at the vet he said it was my best option to put her down but I couldn't deal with that. I thought I'd give her another chance to turn around.

Unfortunately, she didn't. She was eating large rats a year ago and would be lucky if she could take down a rat pup now. She can't move her back 1/3 of her body. If you touch her she doesn't even react. No movement, no twitching... nothing. I'm sad to see her go. She was a sweet little girl.

From what I was told she was gassed, the vet said she had neurological damage that can be attributed to anoxia.

RIP Ree. you were a pretty little girl and you will be missed

Rachel SS · #2 (**permalink**) 08-01-2010, 01:25 AM

Those pics are from a year ago.

Sakara · #3 (**permalink**) 08-01-2010, 01:26 AM

poor baby

She was a gorgeous snake!

baby girl!

Rachel SS · #4 (**permalink**) 08-01-2010, 01:29 AM

I keep getting tears in my eyes. I felt so awful, there's no surgery or medication that can take away all the neurological damage someone else inflicted on her.

But the year she was with me I kept her warm and safe and did all I could to keep her comfortable.

tucuxi88 · #5 (**permalink**) 08-01-2010, 01:29 AM

I'm sorry Rachel.

Do they know why she wasn't eating?

Rachel SS · #6 (**permalink**) 08-01-2010, 01:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tucuxi88

I'm sorry Rachel.

Do they know why she wasn't eating?

No, we did a fecal and grams stain to see if there was any bacterial infection and there was nothing. The vet just thinks that the lack of oxygen did more longterm damage than we originally thought.

Sakara · #7 (**permalink**) 08-01-2010, 01:32 AM

I'm sure she had the best year of her life while she was with you... She was lucky for that!

LdyDrgn · #8 (**permalink**) 08-01-2010, 02:11 AM

You did what you could. That is what is most important. *hugs*

She is in a better place now.

louise · #9 (**permalink**) 08-01-2010, 02:13 AM

i am so sorry

louise · #10 (**permalink**) 08-01-2010, 02:14 AM

Rescuer's Rainbow Bridge

Unlike most days at Rainbow Bridge, this day dawned cold and gray, damp as a swamp and as dismal as could be imagined. All of the recent arrivals had no idea what to think, as they had never experienced a day like this before. But the animals who had been waiting for their beloved people knew exactly what was going on and started to gather at the pathway leading to The Bridge to watch

It wasn't long before an elderly animal came into view, head hung low and tail dragging. The other animals, the ones who had been there for a while, knew what his story was right away, for they had seen this happen far too often.

He approached slowly, obviously in great emotional pain, but with no sign of injury or illness. Unlike all of the other animals waiting at The Bridge, this animal had not been restored to youth and made healthy and vigorous again. As he walked toward The Bridge, he watched all of the other animals watching him. He knew he was out of place here and the sooner he could cross over, the happier he would be. But, alas, as he approached The Bridge, his way was barred by the appearance of an Angel who apologized, but told him that he would not be able to pass. Only those animals who were with their people could pass over Rainbow Bridge.

With no place else to turn to, the elderly animal turned towards the fields before The Bridge and saw a group of other animals like himself, also elderly and infirm. They weren't playing, but rather simply lying on the green grass, forlornly staring out at the pathway leading to The Bridge. And so, he took his place among them, watching the pathway and waiting.

One of the newest arrivals at The Bridge didn't understand what he had just witnessed and asked one of the animals that had been there for awhile to explain it to him.

"You see, that poor animal was a rescue. He was turned in to rescue just as you see him now, an older animal with his fur graying and his eyes clouding. He never made it out of rescue and passed on with only the love of his rescuer to comfort him as he left his earthly existence. Because he had no family to give his love to, he has no one to escort him across The Bridge."

The first animal thought about this for a minute and then asked, "So what will happen now?" As he was about to receive his answer, the clouds suddenly parted and the gloom lifted. Approaching The Bridge could be seen a single person and among the older animals, a whole group was suddenly bathed in a golden light and they were all young and healthy again, just as they were in the prime of life.

"Watch, and see.", said the second animal. A second group of animals from those waiting came to the pathway and bowed low as the person neared. At each bowed head, the person offered a pat on the head or a scratch behind the ears. The newly restored animals fell into line and followed him towards The Bridge. They all crossed The Bridge together.

"What happened?"

"That was a rescuer. The animals you saw bowing in respect were those who found new homes because of her work. They will cross when their new families arrive. Those you saw restored were those who never found homes. When a rescuer arrives, they are allowed to perform one, final act of rescue. They are allowed to escort those poor animals that they couldn't place on earth across The Rainbow Bridge."

"I think I like rescuers", said the first animal.

"So does GOD", was the reply.

XxPython_ChicxX · #11 (**permalink**) 08-01-2010, 02:27 AM

=( im sorry!

Icicle · #12 (**permalink**) 08-01-2010, 02:28 AM

Sorry to hear this Rachel.
I know you did your best. Sending you big hugs

Special K · #13 (**permalink**) 08-01-2010, 02:33 AM

So sorry to hear, Rachel.
You did what you could.

Rachel SS · #14 (**permalink**) 08-01-2010, 02:39 AM

Thanks everyone, it means a lot to have the support.

Louise that Rescuer's Rainbow Bridge made me cry.

louise · #15 (**permalink**) 08-01-2010, 02:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rachel SS

Thanks everyone, it means a lot to have the support.

Louise that Rescuer's Rainbow Bridge made me cry.

it made me cry the first time i read it too. but it also made me feel better. hope it made you feel at least a little better.

Rachel SS · #16 (**permalink**) 08-01-2010, 02:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by louise

it made me cry the first time i read it too. but it also made me feel better. hope it made you feel at least a little better.

It did. As much as I think we all love our snakes that we buy, there's a special place in your heart for the ones you save from bad situations and nurse back to health.

louise · #17 (**permalink**) 08-01-2010, 02:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rachel SS

It did. As much as I think we all love our snakes that we buy, there's a special place in your heart for the ones you save from bad situations and nurse back to health.

that is so true.

Sliding Scales · #18 (**permalink**) 08-01-2010, 03:50 AM

As with many pets, whether it is a horse, a dog or cat, and yes a reptile, there will be people that abuse them. It is a sad state of affairs when things like that occur,and I wonder just how dark the hearts have become that one can treat any animal badly.

As a child I was known for my pet cemetery. All the children that had a pet or even a small animal found dead, would find me, some walking miles. We would have a funeral for the bird, or cat, and yes even a snake or two, hauling the animal in my red flier wagon to the special mound where the burial was to take place. How I remember standing there and reading a nice passage over the grave of the fallen, with the tears of kids in the background.

As we grow many seem to forget the softness of the heart, not remembering the way we felt as a child when a creature died. Many seem to lose that feeling of caring, becoming hard and callous. However...there are those that keep that softness of the heart, and care for animals whether theirs or not. It takes a special person that see the beauty of all animals, but even more special is the one that sees that beauty in illness. Rachel...you are one of those people. And when the time comes that you pass over...you will be greeted by the menagerie of animals that you cared for. What more could you ask of life after death, than that.

Sliding Scales

Coffee Succubus · #19 (**permalink**) 08-01-2010, 04:20 AM

Oh Louise, those Rainbow Bridge stories always are tear jerkers...

I am sincerely sorry for your loss Rachel. I know how hard it is to lose an animal - especially a rescue.
You did not let her down. You did the right thing and made sure she didn't need to suffer any longer.
You gave her your all and then some. At least Ree was able to live out the rest of her days in love and comfort.

Rest in Peace, beautiful Ree.

HERPHAPPY · #20 (**permalink**) 08-01-2010, 04:38 AM

I'm very sorry for your loss Rachel...you did all you could and then some, some things we just can't fix. Not letting her linger/suffer now was the right (although hard!) thing to do, she was beautiful and would thank you if she could!

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