I recently started working at the Center for Avian and Exotic Medicine in NYC. It is the only exclusive exotic hospital in NY. A woman came last night trying to abandon her little pig. We, as a small hospitals cant take in client abandonment. I, as a long time piggy mom, said I'd take her in myself. I named this sweet orange brown and white baby Smuckers. I asked one of our vets to check her out and she said she appeared physically fine, though she was breathing heavily. She suggested I monitor her as it could be a URI, though it could also be fear. This poor baby seemed terrified. I kept her in a small enclosure while I worked with access to pellets, hay and water. At the end of my work day, I took little Smuckers home. She seemed terrified still, but I fed her green leaf, bell pepper, a piece of carrot and cucumber. She was too scared to investigate her surroundings for her pellets and water, though they were there, so it seemed
This morning I suspected poor Smuckers was more than scared, and took her to my work for an emergency visit. In our can ride there, baby smuckers looked at me with her big eyes, crawled into my big sweater sleeve and sadly, oh so sadly, left this world behind.
I am battling with so many emotions. I just met Smuckers. She was not my baby. But she was a baby nonetheless. I feel guilty. I regret not admitting her to our hospital immediately, but even as a long time pig mom, i couldn't know to what extent she was sick. It is our clinics policy to refer surrenders to a shelter, but the owner didnt seem keen on taking her elsewhere so in stepped up to foster. Today has been incredibly hard. I haven't had an animal pass in my arms before. I just humanely euthanized my own pig Scamp in May. I had her for 6 years and she was the light of my life.
I am struggling today with a lot. I'm sorry Smuckers. I feel like Scamp sent you to me to save and I failed. You passed on in my arms on our way to the hospital. I feel such guilt that had you for 16 hours and didnt know how you were suffering sooner. I hope you've found my Scamp in the rainbow bridge. I'm sorry you werent cared for during this life. I did all I could but it wasnt enough. At the very least, someone is crying for you. I will remember you. Sweet dreams, Smuckers. Tell Scamp I miss her endlessly.
This morning I suspected poor Smuckers was more than scared, and took her to my work for an emergency visit. In our can ride there, baby smuckers looked at me with her big eyes, crawled into my big sweater sleeve and sadly, oh so sadly, left this world behind.
I am battling with so many emotions. I just met Smuckers. She was not my baby. But she was a baby nonetheless. I feel guilty. I regret not admitting her to our hospital immediately, but even as a long time pig mom, i couldn't know to what extent she was sick. It is our clinics policy to refer surrenders to a shelter, but the owner didnt seem keen on taking her elsewhere so in stepped up to foster. Today has been incredibly hard. I haven't had an animal pass in my arms before. I just humanely euthanized my own pig Scamp in May. I had her for 6 years and she was the light of my life.
I am struggling today with a lot. I'm sorry Smuckers. I feel like Scamp sent you to me to save and I failed. You passed on in my arms on our way to the hospital. I feel such guilt that had you for 16 hours and didnt know how you were suffering sooner. I hope you've found my Scamp in the rainbow bridge. I'm sorry you werent cared for during this life. I did all I could but it wasnt enough. At the very least, someone is crying for you. I will remember you. Sweet dreams, Smuckers. Tell Scamp I miss her endlessly.