I rescued Aussie from an ex-co-worker two years ago. She came to me with her joey who had been OOP for a month or two. Aussie quickly earned the nickname the "witch". She never really ever trusted me, and relished the opportunities to bite my sides when I carried her around. I had her for two interesting years. On Thursday night she passed away, with Meko by her side.

Last week I noticed that she was losing weight, and started trying to hand feed her. Because she never really liked me, she wouldn't allow it. I tried blending all kinds of things that might attract her interest. The only thing she would take from me was water. I resorted to force feeding, but it was so stressful for her that it really wasn't worth it. After I got a drop of blended goo in her mouth and she ate it, she would be so tired from fighting me that she would just lay there. So I abandoned force feeding. I started boiling sugar and water in an attempt to keep her hydrated. I work down the hall from the Zoology department at Texas A&M, so the next day I went down there and got some real electrolyte replacer. I continued feeding that to her until she refused even that. The next day she died.

Many of you are probably wondering why I never took her to the vet. I have worked as a vet tech for the past 3 years. I knew that any attempt that I made to take her to the vet would be futile. THe only thing that would have been accomplished was completely stressing her out. She would have been given shots, the shots would have probably killed her from the stress. I debated over having her euthanized. I decided against it. I wanted her son to be with her when she died. And I also knew that in order to euthanize her they would have had to give her the shot in her heart. I could not put her through that terror and pain as she left this world. I decided that the best thing for me and mainly her was to keep her as comfortable as possible until she decided to die.

I've been on this board long enough to know the variety of reactions this will bring. Death is a personal matter. Since Aussie could not tell me the way she wanted to die, I stood in her shoes and saw that the normal ways of euthenasia equalled cruel and unusual punishment. SO please respect my decisions.

Rachel2 and the gang:
SugarRay and Taylor,
Nemo and Noelani,
and Meko and Aussie(in spirit)

<small>[ 07-28-2002, 02:51 PM: Message edited by: Rachel2 ]</small>

Rachel,

I'm so sorry to hear about the loss of Aussie. You, Meko and Aussie will be in our thoughts and prayers.

I respect your decision and see your point of view. I have no idea what I would do in your shoes given your experience.

I am so sorry for your loss. You did your best with Aussie and gave her 2 wonderful years.

<img border="0" alt="" title="" src="graemlins/heartpump.gif" />

You did what you felt best for her, you knew her better than anyone.
She new you loved her. Tremendously. <img border="0" alt="" title="" src="graemlins/heartpump.gif" /> Your decision to be with her until the very end and not subject her to anymore stresses...was a very hard thing to do/see Im sure. Im glad you were her human and cared so much for her. I respect your decision.

Im so sorry. Your a WONDERFUL Glider Mom, Aussie knew it too.

I will pray for you and Aussie. Thank goodness that is a decision that I did not have to make. I feel for you and that stressful dilema.

<small>[ 07-28-2002, 06:39 PM: Message edited by: PepPony ]</small>

You, Aussie, and Meko will be in our prayers <img border="0" alt="" title="" src="graemlins/heartpump.gif" /> . We respect your decision totally. We are so sorry to for your loss. <img border="0" title="" alt="[Frown]" src="images/icons/frown.gif" />

<small>[ 07-28-2002, 07:35 PM: Message edited by: Barbara- N -Damon ]</small>

I too respect your decision. Im sorry for your loss, you were a great mom, and he lived a great life!

Aussie was very lucky to have you. You not only stood by her in life, and gave her a good quality of life inspite of her nickname, but you also gave her dignity in death, we should all be so lucky. She was very fortunate you were there for her and cared so much for her.
Chey

Rachel2,
I am so sory hun. <img border="0" title="" alt="[Frown]" src="images/icons/frown.gif" /> I do understand exactly how you feel, as I have made that same decision for my Graci.

I hope the rest of your crew is doing well, give Sugar Ray a pat for me. <img border="0" title="" alt="[Smile]" src="images/icons/smile.gif" /> Come see us when you get back to Dallas to visit.
Take care, my sympathies are with you.