MY RAT WUZZY, PART 3...
I realized that I am as depressed by the necessity to think through every angle of Wuzzy’s illness as I am about her illness itself. My compassion for pet owners has once again grown, and my judgment has quieted a bit more. This is really hard.
Wuzzy loved her treats!
Russ and I have decided that surgery can be done with minimal pain, could provide a diagnosis, and could possibly treat or manage Wuzzy’s condition. We have decided to pursue diagnosis of Wuzzy’s condition, and if it is possible, treatment. I am telling you this now, because I have not yet heard back on Wuzzy’s estimate, and her surgery is still in the future. I am telling you this now because I think it is important you know I wouldn’t only tell you this story if it had a happy ending.
I know you have waited before at the beginning of a scary medical journey, yours or another’s, and being here is not fun. It’s easy to tell a silly story about a silly rat. It is more difficult to say that I am starting a medical journey with a good little friend and I am scared because I don’t know how it ends.
One of my very favorite rats - Fuzzy - with one of my very favorite people - Kerry Ecklebe of Nebraska Humane Society <3
Working through what we value is important, though I know we will each have a different set of priorities and treasures. Hopefully the different aspects of this strange little tale of my strange little pet will help gently walk you through strange parallels in your own life, much the same way that passing Fuzzy and Wuzzy around the room at a summer camp helped children in ways I couldn’t quite articulate. At the very least, you can say “a hairless rat, well that’s weird.”
And honestly, I have always loved that reaction, too.
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Post from one year ago today...
February 3, 2016