Toby Nibblesworth

IamKat · 06-16-2017, 04:40 AM

Hi there,

This is actually the first time I'm posting here. I lost my Toby on Wednesday, and am absolutely devastated

. He was the most amazing little guy, everyone who met him said he was the best hamster, owing to his incredibly docile and friendly nature. He was a real character who would actively come and jump on my hand for treats and cuddles. I utterly adored him. We buried him under a maple tree sapling in the garden.

I'm feeling a lot of guilt though around his passing that won't shift. He became ill really suddenly although was looking quite frail for a few weeks (he was 2.5 years old). On Wednesday morning I found him out of his bed, he had dug himself a little hole and was lying down shaking. He then began pacing in circles around his cage, falling over a lot and batting at the air with his paws. His breathing was incredibly laboured and he seemed extremely distressed so I immediately took him to the vets. The vet told me it was either a tumour blocking his airways or a chest infection, he said the options were either euthanasia or antibiotics, although he said the chances of a recovery were pretty slim at this point. I agonised and agonised and based on the fact that the vet said if it were his pet he would likely opt for euthanasia (even though he couldn't 100% guarantee antibiotics wouldn't work) I opted for that. At the time Toby just seemed to distressed and in pain, and he couldn't breathe, I just desperately didn't want him to suffer. But now I feel so guilty that I didn't even try. Or maybe I just miss him too much it's confusing my loss for guilt.

Anyway, I thought I would share here as I think it's hard for my friends (who aren't hamster owners) to understand.
Thanks.

Here is a photo of Toby

Toby.jpg

CMB · 06-16-2017, 12:41 PM

Sorry for your loss. Toby lived to a good age and you made the best decision given the surcumstances.

cypher · 06-16-2017, 01:00 PM

So sorry for your loss IamKat, Toby was clearly a very special friend to you & lived a good long life, it's always hard when they go to the bridge & having to make that decision to help them on their way is never easy, I do think you did the right thing, try not to feel guilty, you did your best for him & easing his way to the bridge & preventing any suffering was a gift of love.

Such a wonderful photo for his memorial, he was a lovely ham & looks so sweet & happy there.

Run free & play well at the bridge Toby.

kitty629 · 06-16-2017, 03:18 PM

What a beautiful little friend he must have been! The way he just touches your arm shows you had a wonderful bond.

Crystalroborovski · 06-16-2017, 04:06 PM

I am so sorry for your loss of Toby. I'm sure he was a wonderful hamster and an incredible companion. He lived to a ripe old age.

Making the decision to have our little friends pts is a very hard thing to do but think of it this way- it's the last kindness we can do to them in their suffering. I know that you did the right thing by putting him out of his misery because the medicine probably would have done no good considering his symptoms and condition.

The photo is so lovely. It shows your incredible bond with him. Maybe you can frame it as a special memory of him.

Have fun at the bridge Toby xx

IamKat · 06-16-2017, 06:55 PM

Thank you all, some really nice words there. It's nice to hear some confirmation from others that my decision was justified.
He was so trusting and sweet. Hard to believe he is gone. x

Thin Lizzy · 06-16-2017, 08:02 PM

My heart goes out to you, it's never easy making that decision, you did the right thing, I know I've felt guilty afterwards but deep down you did this because you loved him. Toby was a wonderful age and he had a wonderful loving life with yourself. Such a beautiful boy and lovely tribute and funeral.
So agree that people who aren't hamster lovers don't understand our grief. You will have ups and downs as grief affects us differently.
Thank you for sharing your precious boy with us. Big Hugs xxx

BorisPasha · 06-17-2017, 03:51 AM

So sorry for your loss, it sounds like he had a very special place in your heart.

Have fun at the bridge Toby x

Drago · 06-17-2017, 06:28 AM

Hello and welcome to HC, sorry it's not on such a happy note

Toby sounds like he was a wonderful little ham. You did the kindest thing for him, and I'm sure he knows that too. Play well at the bridge little one X

https://www.rainbowsbridge.com/Grief...pport_Home.htm

Rads · 06-17-2017, 08:01 AM

Kat,
You had a horrid decision to make but it was for the best, we had the same with Forrest and you blame your self, but don't you have been a kind and wonderful owner/slave.
I hope Toby is creating his own kind of mischief where ever he is now, Rock on Little Toby..!