Truman
We had to put Truman to sleep. And now the house is very quiet; so still that it feels like even I am not really here.
On his last day, he watched me do yoga. He wasn’t eating despite wheeking for food and nosing his bowl every few minutes, seeing if I gave him something different. He didn’t want lettuce, but I had given him carrots the night before (and he ate all of his overnight food), and didn’t want to give them again. He even rejected critical care. The pig never rejected critical care.
I gave him some water by hand and called the vet.
There were two appointments; one if I could get there in the next fifteen minutes and the other in the late afternoon. I took the one in the afternoon because we live more than fifteen minutes from the vet. He continued to snuffle around the rest of the day, but was pretty subdued.
And then he lay down on his side and his limbs started shaking. He arched his head back and his eyes were wide open, but I don’t think he was seeing anything. I called the vet’s office and was told to bring him in immediately.
I cried the whole drive over there and told him how much I loved him.
The doctor said his heart was barely beating and that it was cruel to keep him alive and let him die slowly over the next hour. So I picked him up and gave him three kisses — I always gave him three kisses — and stroked him for a little while, repeating how much we love him. He was so limp, half-gone, and letting out little, shuddering breaths from time to time. His head never moved from that tilted back position.
After he was gone, she wrapped him in a purple towel and I drove him home. I didn’t play his vet music in the car because he couldn’t hear it. I didn’t have to drive with one hand on his back telling him not to climb out of his box because he could no longer climb out of his box.
It was just me, alone, going home to meet Josh and tell the kids that our guinea pig was gone.
They were devastated. My parents came over and we buried Truman, each of us giving him a last cookie. I cleaned out his cage and washed his dishes. And then there was nothing left to do except say, “I can’t believe he’s gone.”
I am so sad. A few nights ago, ChickieNob and I were fooling around with Truman, and I took a bunch of pictures of them puckering their lips at one another. I can’t believe that’s all I have left of my little moo.
58 comments
I’m so sorry. Losing a pet is awful.
Oh Mel, as if today couldn’t be any worse. 🙁 I am so very sorry. 🙁
Oh Mel, virtual hugs and lots of sympathy. I’m so sorry for your loss 🙁 I saw this title show up and my heart stopped. I know how much you all loved him, and he knew it too.
Aww, terrible news. I’m so sorry for your loss.
Ohhhh Mel. My heart sank when I saw the title of this post…I am so very, very sorry. Wrapping you in big (((hugs))) and love today. You and the twins. I know how hard it is to go though that. It sucks so much.
Oh, Mel. I’m so sorry.
I’m sorry. 🙁
Oh Mel. I’m so so sorry. Hugs and love.
I’m so sorry for your loss. Truman was so very loved and I’m sure you have many wonderful memories of him
On the 11th of November I came home to find my rat, Yoda, was fading fast. He was almost three and had been slowing down for a while. I’d finished work early that day and it meant that we got to have a last hour together, cuddling him and telling him we loved him and that it was okay for him to go and be with his brother, Wicket.
And then he let out a few little gasps and was gone. It broke my heart but I’m also so glad that he waited for us to be there with him.
Today we came home to find one of our new baby rats is poorly with an ear infection, so we rushed him to the vet for antibiotics and now it’s a waiting game to see if he’ll pull through. We’ve only had little Dodger for two weeks (tomorrow) but he’s taken up residence in my heart already and I hate to think of losing him. He’s already got so much character and is part of the family.
I’m so sorry to read about Truman passing away. He was well loved by you and your family, and readers of your blog alike. Thank you for sharing about him, and his sweet little antics. He will be missed.
I am so very sorry. Love to your two kids and extra hugs to you.
So sad to read this…our pets are members of our family. They are with us through the good and the bad…always there to cheer us up. Thinking of you and your sweet fam…and of course, precious Truman..rest in peace buddy….
I’m so sorry, Mel. Sitting with you in thought, sending love.
Our guinea pig, Snowflake, died in Sept. 2001. He is well adjusted to death. I’ll tell him to look out for Truman and see that he is okay. Just in case there is a Guinea Pig Heaven. I still haven’t figured out what I believe. But I’ll pass the message along.
Oh no! I’m so sorry. I know how much you love that little guy and what great company he has been. 🙁
So, so sorry to hear this. Sending lots of thoughts for you and your family. Losing a pet is awful.
Oh, so sorry. Putting a pet down is hard to do.
Oh Mel, I’m so sorry. My heart sank as soon as I saw the title of your post.
It is so hard to lose a pet. They are true members of the family. And it is especially hard to have to make the decision to keep them from suffering and give them a good death. We had to put down one of our cats last April and I don’t know that I will ever get over how it felt to watch her die and know that we had caused it (even if for the very best of reasons).
Thinking of you and yours.
Crying while typing this. I’m so sorry Mel.
I am so very sorry, Mel. I understand just how heartbreaking losing a pet is and I’m thinking of you all.
I am so, so sorry for this loss. Truman was so special, and there’s no way he didn’t know how incredibly loved he was. I was so sad as I read this, but also felt the love you gave him through the very end. I’m thinking of you as you mourn Truman.
I’m so sorry Mel. Crying some sad tears for your furry friend.
I’m so sorry. ?
I am so sorry to hear this Mel. Such sad, sad news. I hope you and your family are able to take some time to grieve, and remember. Losing pets is the worst. Truman had the very best life a pig could ask for!
Sending lots of love!
Oh no! I’m so very sorry. I’m thinking of you all.
So very sorry to read this. We had to let go of our 16 year old cat two weeks ago and it still makes my heart hurt. Hang in there. ?
So very sorry Mel ❤️
Much love. ?
Abiding with you, my friend. I’m so sorry for the loss of your beloved Truman.
Sorry to hear this. I still remember putting our beloved cat Purrcy to sleep 7 years ago: it was a hard sad day. Sending hugs.
I am so very sorry, Mel! Truman was such a wonderful pet and you were a wonderful fur mom! ((Hugs))
Oh Mel, I’m so so sorry.
🙁
Oh, no, Mel. I’m so sorry. You shared such a special connection, and I know that you will feel that empty space for a long time. Holding you close in thought.
What a terrible thing on a terrible day. I cried when I read this <3
I’m so very sorry, losing a pet is so hard. 🙁
Oh Mel, I am so terribly sorry. I cried reading this. It is so terribly hard to lose a pet. Last night I talked 2 different friends who had lost a pet since I’d last seen them (in the past 6 weeks or so) and now Truman? I’m just so sorry for you and your family. I know that heartache. And on such a crappy day already. Thinking of you.
I’m so sorry Mel. Hugs to you, Josh and the kids.
Mel. I’m so heartbroken for you guys. So so so sorry.
I’m so sorry to hear this, Mel. My heart hurts when I think of what you all are going through. Take care of yourselves and be kind to each other.
I’m so very sorry. He was one lucky little guy — he had the best mama he could have asked for.
Sending you love
I am so sad to hear this. Truman is such a loss and I enjoyed getting to know him through your writing. He was a very loved little guinea pig and I know he knew how loved he was. I’m so sorry.
I am so incredibly sorry for your loss. I’m heartbroken for you guys. He seemed especially loving and like an incredible companion during your day. And I am so sad for the twins in their grief. Sending love and hugs.
Hugs, Mel. So sorry for you and the family. ♥
I’m so sorry, Mel. Hugs to all of you.
I am sorry to hear about the death of Truman. He was very loved by you and your family. Thoughts with you, Josh, the twins and Truman.
I’m so sorry about Truman.
I’m so sorry, Mel. It’s never easy, but I wish you all peace and good memories.
My deepest condolences.
Here’s to memories.
Peace to you all.
I am so, so very sorry for your loss. Sending love
I am so sorry.
This post just gutted me. You always paint such a vivid picture with your words and this time was no different. I could feel the love you had for your friend. I’m so sorry. I have to tell you though, the love you had for him tells me so much about the kind of parent you are and how your kids will use this as an example of how to grieve for the rest of their lives. I’ll be thinking of you all.