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| Has it claimed you? Version 2.1 |
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| Quinn Bio I purchased Quinn from a local pet shop in February of 2001, with her sister Lily. When I bought them, I didn't realize they had mites and an upper respiratory track infection. Quinn has had an upper respiratory track infection, 2 rounds of mites, overheated, and a tumor. But other than that, I think she was a pretty hardy little girl. She fought hard on more than one occasion, and always beat out the illness. On August 22, with her tumor still at large, she stopped eating her regular food. I tried to pack her with treats and fruit, and she seemed to be eating well. I wasn't too worried because I'd just switched them to a new brand in the past week or so, and I thought maybe she'd gotten sick of it. That night she was laying on my stomach sleeping from midnight to 12:40, even though I had to get up at 6 the next morning. I was crying because I was worried for her, but secretly had faith that a surprise recovery was in store. I whispered to her that I would remember all the good things, and nothing about her being sick because that's how she was. I told her I wanted her to give it a fight, but if she needed to go- to go. On August 23, she was slow to get out of the purple house in their cage. She did, though, and I gave her a treat before heading downtown for a road race. When I came back, she greeted me once again, but she did not look good. I pulled her out and cradled her in my arms. I did my best to feed her and every 30-60 minutes I'd bring her to the sink to "drink for mommy". I made her a snuggle box, because she couldn't seem to wake up, and I didn't want her to fall off my leg. She fell asleep, and twice she started roaming around. I felt pride, and the flicker of hope grew stronger. After the second time, I put her into her cage and she started nibbling on a tomato- she hadn't eaten in several hours! I was so happy. I went to get her a piece of cooked spaghetti, and brought it back up to her. She took it, then forgot it was in her mouth. I took her back into the office with me, and took it out of her mouth. She started clicking when she breathed and I thought she was gagging. I tried doing the rattie arch but to no avail. I rubbed her shoulders and neck, hoping if there was anything stuck I would dislodge it. But alas, no, they were just her final breaths. At 9:40 she left this world, her tumor-laiden body, and me. I sobbed as I felt her go limp in my arms. I held her body for 20 minutes stroking it, hoping maybe she could pull off another miracle recovery. That's what she was. My miracle rats. She beat the odds over and over again, and still came back for more. She will always be loved, but I take comfort in knowing she's with her sister, Lily, now. Quinn Dutkowski- January 1, 2001 to August 23, 2003 -Rest Well |
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