He was born in a litter of 6, all but him dead from exposure. After having no litters for 6 months, I had been looking forward to this one so bad.
-On Nov 2nd, I had checked on Beurre before heading to nightschool at 7pm. When I got home at 9:30, she had kindled. Only one was alive, little Triumph.
Since it was cold out and he was so young, I kept him indoors except for feeding. I flipped the doe and nursed Triumph on her that night, and then brought him inside.
-Beurre's milk had started to come down, and the 2nd night after birth (the 4th) all was well, and he was round-bellied and full, and very warm.
-The 3nd night (nov 5th), her milk was barely there, though she 1/3 more food then normal that day. I was worried, as he wasn't keeping his temperature very well. That night, I put a hot water bottle with him and 2 clothes between it and him, so when the bottled chilled off the coolness wouldn't get through the clothes.
During this time, I was with Triumph all day, and when I slept, he slept in his tub beside my bed. Where I went, he went. I barely left the house to ensure he'd stay warm. I had something to nurture and take care of, which I hadn't done since taking care of a 2 week old kitten at the SPCA. Triumph was a constant being that needed me and cuddled with me.
-The 4th day, Nov 6, I woke up and checked on Triumph. He was very cold. I knew this was his last day. I tried a lot of methods to warm him up, but once I did get him warm, he never got his energy back and he wouldn't nurse.
He was with me all day, but I had work at noon. My mum was watching him for me all day until I got back at 4pm. Then we had to go to a dinner party, and he came with me, his tub in tow. He passed away at 5:49pm.
I miss my Tri, I miss taking care of him and watching him sleep, watching him nurse, chuckling when I realized he had leaked on me a few minutes after feeding. Though he didn't triumph over death, he did triumph over my heart.
