Jackson has left us

[tattooyu]

Here I am. A grown, 35-year-old man, at the keyboard, sobbing. It's okay though, I am human after all.

My wife and I drove all the way up from Los Angeles to the CavySpirit rescue in San Mateo to get our two boys: Jackson and Splash (father and son). Once we saw their photos online, we were hooked. Well, I should say "they hooked us"!

They were both so instrumental in our healing recently. You see, we lost a baby preemie, Andrew, this year. Without them, there is no way we would be doing as well as we are. No question.

Last night, our piggie, Jackson, passed away after having intensive surgery to remove a bladder stone. There were some complications, and the stress was just too much for his little body.

I feel like I want to blame someone, but I can't. Our vet, who is a fantastic exotics doctor, really did all he could. And we did all we could.

• We kept a Calcium:Phosphorous chart on our fridge.
• We made sure to clean your cage (and your butt!) every week.
• We trimmed your nails.
• We ordered the best hay (Kleenmama) for you.
• We gave you the best (organic) vegetables.
• We gave you the cleanest, freshest water we could.
• We built you a nice, big C&C cage to live in.
• We gave you your medicine.
• We fed you Critical Care when you started getting picky about eating.
• We spent thousands of dollars on you and your son at the vet, but we didn't care about the money.
• We drove you 60 miles to a cavy specialist when we couldn't figure out what was wrong.

We did the best we could.

So, I want to say "thank you". Thanks to Jackson, who was always there to greet us with a little grin and pink piggie lips. Thank you for enriching our lives and giving us a reason to try and be happy and go on, despite everything.

I will miss you every minute of every day until the time comes when I get to see you and Andrew again.

[RainKindle]

I'm am sorry for your losses. These little creatures do so much healing.
Rest in peace Jackson

[5guinea5pig5]

Oh my god. I'm a 38 year old man and I rarely cry but this is just too depressing. Poor Jackson R.I.P.

[BubuCandyBlue]

I empathize with you!

[Haley0489]

Take comfort in knowing you did the best for Jackson. I'm sure he appreciated you as much as you did him. RIP.

[PixieStix]

I am so sorry, he had a great, comfortable happy life with you.

[tattooyu]

I'm starting to do better, knowing that our other pig, Splash, is still happy as can be.

Thanks everyone.

[DIGGYDI]

My heart goes out to you, I am so sorry for your losses

[OptimusGP]

I read this and tears came to my eyes. I'm so sorry for your loss. It sounded like you did everything you could for the little guy. You just have to be thankful that you got to had such a wonderful pet while he was alive and remember all the good times and good things you did while you had him. I'm so sorry for you loss and I wish the best to you.

[dra&pigs]

I'm sorry for your loss. At least he had a loving, comfortable life with you.

[breezy2]

I am very sorry about Jackson and your baby. Maybe once you have had time to mourn, you can consider getting a new friend for Splash. Especially since you sound like a great piggy guardian.

[Caviekisses]

I'm so sorry for your loss.

[internetjunkey]

I'm Glad that your piggies mean so much to you. And I am sorry for your loss. One day. We will all get to see our loved ones. May he Be in peace. My deepest sympathy! Don't Ever close you heart. Keep it open, and you emotions on your sleeves. And remember. They are always looking down on us...from Heaven.

[jdomans]

tattooyu,
I am so very sorry for the recent losses in your life. As a piggie owner and one who works in Labor and Delivery I am sopping up my tears for you and your wife right now. Bless you both.