Message Number: YG14087 | New FHL Archives Search
From: Sukie Crandall
Date: 2002-06-22 00:43:00 UTC
Subject: Warp update

Warp appears to be actively dying now. She's far out-lived anyone's
expectations and this old lady certainly made the most of it. It was
hard to get anything into her on Thursday, and then on Friday she
even stopped drinking, and when she propelled herself it was with a
her trunk on the floor, all legs pushing, and much rolling to the
side. She'd rally a bit now and then, change her location slightly,
and then collapse. With multiple terminal conditions it's amazing
how much stamina she has. We are able to control her pain with meds
so she is getting to do this with her family in her own home which
for her is the least stressful thing; in her case a mercy shot would
be harder due to her rough past. She will have one if she needs it,
but pain control and family are best for her if possible.

As a number of people know we use words very repetitively in a
limited vocabulary for our ferrets and they get to know many of them.

One phrase Warp loves is "Trick Daddy". Tricking Daddy involves her
giving him kisses after he is asleep (or sometimes if his head is
covered -- as when taking off a shirt -- she will trick him with a
kiss on back or chest). Tonight I asked if she would like to trick
Daddy and she lifted her head to give me two bump-bumps and a kiss so
I took her in, but she is so tuckered that she fell asleep during
that tiny walk, so kneeled on the floor next to the bed and placed
her next to Steve's head and let them sleep together for a little
while till he woke which woke her. Both were obviously happily
pleased to be together like that. Thought you'd want to know that
even at this stage there can be happiness shared.

Tonight I may stay up till Steve wakes if I can manage it, so that I
can refresh her pain meds if she needs that, or be here if she or
Seven who is keeping her company need one of us. Thank goodness for
pain medications.

She has so much stamina that we will surprised but not shocked if she
is still here tomorrow.

We've put the rest of life on hold for now, doing bits as we can, so
I plan to do enough of my share of the on-site FHL work. Two
moderators are without computer access for a while, so I sure had
better. If messages take a little longer to get approved, just be
patient and remember that we have full lives and many demands off the
list, too.

As you know, sympathy messages are to be sent privately, but I'm
going to ask that folks not write me about Warp privately, either. I
simply could not deal with the demands of many letters on top of my
normal responsibilities right now.