Rainbow Bridge

2016

My ratties that are no longer with us. They may have passed from this world, but they are still in my heart.

The Rainbow Bridge

Just this side of heaven is a place called Rainbow Bridge.
When an animal dies that has been especially close to someone here, that pet goes to Rainbow Bridge. There are meadows and hills for all of our special friends so they can run and play together. There is plenty of food, water and sunshine, and our friends are warm and comfortable.
All the animals who had been ill and old are restored to health and vigor. Those who were hurt or maimed are made whole and strong again, just as we remember them in our dreams of days and times gone by. The animals are happy and content, except for one small thing; they each miss someone very special to them, who had to be left behind.
They all run and play together, but the day comes when one suddenly stops and looks into the distance. His bright eyes are intent. His eager body quivers. Suddenly he begins to run from the group, flying over the green grass, his legs carrying him faster and faster.
You have been spotted, and when you and your special friend finally meet, you cling together in joyous reunion, never to be parted again. The happy kisses rain upon your face; your hands again caress the beloved head, and you look once more into the trusting eyes of your pet, so long gone from your life but never absent from your heart. Then you cross Rainbow Bridge together....
Author unknown...

MLWR Edith - 9/29/14 - 12/13/16

Edith developed some benign mammary masses but they were in areas that did not affect her mobility or function, and due to her age we did not opt for surgery. They never grew particularly large, (the largest was about the size of a small grape). She passed away in her cage, necropsy showed some benign mammary masses and a few lung abscesses consistant with respiratory issues.

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MLWR Spring Azure - 5/4/14 - 12/2/16

Spring had gotten patchy furred in his old age but still got to the door for treats regularly. He was found one morning curled up in his hammock having passed away there.

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MLWR Young Ancient - 1/19/16 - 11/8/16

Ancient started losing a lot of weight, though she kept chugging along for a while. We started her on respiratory treatment as this is a symptom we see often with such infections but it did not seem to help her recover and she passed away overnight.

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MLWR Firey Coment - 1/18/15 - 10/19/16

Comet had some lung sounds and signs of respiratory issues, but did not respond to treatment and passed away in her cage.

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MLWR Wild Indigo Duskywing - 5/4/14 - 9/29/16

Dusky kept us his weight but was showing some signs on hind end paralysis towards the end, though he still managed to get around to where he wanted to go. He passed away overnight in his cage with his cagemates around.

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MLWR Heavy Feather -1/19/15 - 9/17/16

Feather started losing weight and passed away overnight. Her lungs showed some abscessing suggesting that while she never showed symptoms respiratory failure was a probable cause of death.

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MLWR Goatweed Leafwing - 5/4/14 - 8/26/16

Goat had been losing some weight and getting very patchy fur for the past several months, but continued to enjoy lounging with his brothers and snuggling with people, being the super sweet boy we absolutely loved. He passed away overnight.

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MLWR Marquesita - 2/18/14 - 8/23/16

Marquesita had a slow growing tumor that showed up as a tiny bump a bit after she turned two and grew over the past several months. It didn't bother her at all, and she still continued to be her active, friendly self, climbing around and enjoying attention, maintaining good weight and health throughout. She passed away in the afternoon in her favorite napping spot.

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MLWR Margo - 9/29/14 - 8/19/16

Margo was found in the morning passed away in the cage with her sisters. She had seemed to be of normal health for her age before that, still active and climbing around, begging for treats and attention, and so on. No significant findings or issues related to her death, no signs of what caused her fertility issues earlier in life.

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BVR-MLWR Nocturne - 6/10/14 - 8/11/16

Nocturne started losing weight as she got older and showed signs of mild respiratory issues. Found passed away in her nest of fleece scraps with her sister sleeping nearby. No significantly abnormal findings for her age, some lung abscessing present, consistant with the respiratory issues noted near her death.

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BVR Kalo - 5/28/14 - 6/10/16

Kalo has had some on and off respiratory flare ups, but maintained a decent weight and continued to be active. He was very persistant on staying with Jayne towards the end, and seemed depressed after Jayne passed. Though I gave him extra attention I believe the stress of losing his buddy was too much. I found him laying near his other cagemates, but listless and struggling to breathe. I took him out to hold him and after a few boggles he had another respiratory attack and passed away in my hands.

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BVR Jayne Cobb - 5/28/14 - 6/9/16

Jayne was slowly losing weight as he aged, but still super sweet, always at the door to give kisses and boggling when pet. I found him laying in his cage, clearly fading, with his buddy Kalo curled up with him to keep him warm. He seemed to lack the strength to stand on his own or move much, and had no interest in food or water though he did give a few kisses and boggle a bit while I held him for a while (with Kalo who followed out with him and insisted on continuing to rest his head on Jayne and stay right next to him.) After some time when he seemed to be drifting away I put Kalo back and helped him along, he passed very peacefully.

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MLWR Cochinita Pibil - 2/18/14 - 6/5/16

Cochinita had lost some weight, but remained the most active and brightest of her sister for a while. She showed signs of a mild respiratory issue, but did not seem to be struggling too much with it and was still inquisitive, climbing everywhere and even using her wheel regularly despite her age. We found her having passed away overnight. No significant issues were seen on necropsy beyond normal aging and mild lung abscessing.

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Tuke - 2013 - 5/16/16

Tuke was a huge guy who was always at the door ready for his scritches and banana chip treats even to his last days. He didn't show any signs of slowing down really, no weight loss at all, and still just as active. He was at the door for his treats the night before, but found having passed early in the morning, noticed in his sleeping spot only because he was more still than usual while sleeping. He seemed happy and active up to the end, with only very mild sneezing. His death seems to be more due to age than any significant problems.

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MLWR Polverones - 2/18/14 - 5/3/16

Pol had developed a head tilt in late 2015, but continued to run and play with her sisters and cagemates and maintained a good appetite. In the spring of 2016 she started to lose a bit of weight, though nothing significant, and she showed some mild respiratory symptoms. She was found one evening having passed away in her cage with her sisters. No significant lumps or swelling or indications of ZGT or PT were found and it seems like a combination of the worsening head tilt plus respiratory symptoms led to her passing.

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MLWR Parp - 6/14/13 - 4/12/16

Parp developed cataracts in both eyes that made her a bit reactive, but still very active and mobile. She had lost a slight bit of weight and was showing some signs of hind end weakness. She was found passed away in her hide with her sister. She had some moderate lung abscessing, but hadn't shown any signs of respiratory issues. All else seemed normal.

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MLWR Internet Forever - 6/14/13 - 4/12/16

She had developed a slow growing mammary tumor on her side, though it didn't impair her movements. She was found passed away in her hide with her sister. Necropsy showed minor lung abscessing, a large mammary tumor, and expected organ wear.

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Rutt - 2013 - 4/3/16

Rutt had lost a bit of weight and was having some signsn of hind end weakness and loss of coordination, but didn't let it slow him down at all as he insisted on continuing to climb around everywhere with his brother, stashing treats and hanging out in hammocks. He was found passed away in his sleep in his favorite hammock.

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MLWR Rytlock Brimstone - 10/23/13 - 3/31/16

Started showing some hind end weakness but stayed a great weight and curious and active. Found passed away in his cage with his buddies. Necropsy showed normal organ wear expected for age, some mild lung abscessing, no significant issues.

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MLWR Fish Tacos - 6/14/13 - 3/19/16

Slowly lost weight over time despite an increased appetite. Remained very active. Had a slight mite outbreak which cleared quickly with treatment. Started showing signs of hind end weakness and lack of coordination just before passing away. Her lungs were about 35% abscessed on necropsy, low body weight, all else looked normal.

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MLWR Salbutes aka Fez - 2/18/14 - 2/25/16

Was losing some weight and showing some signs of respiratory issues. Treatment was attempted but he was non responsive and passed away overnight. Was still active and getting around well until that point.

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MLWR Planetary Occultation - 1/18/2015 - 02/12/2016

Had a normal pregnancy and early signs of labor. During the night delivered one stillborn pup, but no others. Significant blood loss, became very cold and lethargic, several babies still felt inside. Rushed to emergency vet where she was put on heat (her temp was below 90) and oxygen while they prepped for treatment, but died shortly after arriving. Necropsy and test results pending.

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Litter of MLWR Spring Azure x MLWR Planetary Occultation 02/12/2016

One stillborn pup, the rest were retained by Planet and were lost with her when she died. The cause is still being investigated.

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MLWR Poc Chuc aka"Pan" - 2/18/2014 - 02/09/2016

Found passed away in the cage he shares with his brothers a few hours after having checked them. He had been showing signs of significant hind end weakness, and weight loss, with some signs of respiratory trouble now and then. Was still actively climbing around and snuggling with his buddies earlier in the day.

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MLWR Simple Dog - 6/14/2013 - 01/29/2016

Died overnight. Had been showing significant hind end weakness, moved to one level cage due to that. Still had great appetite but significant weightloss. Was showing some symptoms of mild respiratory issues, but not significant troubles.

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MLWR Clean All The Things - 6/14/2013 - 01/24/2016

Found in cage, necropsy not possible due to cagemates. Had been showing weight loss and some mild respiratory symptoms, slower movements and some difficulty getting around as well due to age, but had maintained good appetite and still got to the door to say hi regularly.

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MLWR Queso Rellano - 2/18/2014 - 01/07/2016

Found dead at home. Had lost significant weight and was showing signs of respiratory difficulty, moving much slower and somewhat unsteady. Necropsy showed significant lung abscessing. Heart looked good, no signs of tumors or head issues seen in relatives.

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