Tatsu Is Dying ...

[Sekhautet]

Thank you everyone. I just came back from out of town and his empty cage was hard to see. But I am taking comfort in the fact that because of my owning Tatsu he was able to reach so many and help make beardie care better for other beardies. And he also brought a lot of joy to a lot of people, including me.

Thank you for all your thoughts.

 

[beardie parents]

Nora, I was trying to remember how old Tatsu was. I was thinking 6 or 7.

 

[Sekhautet]

Nora, I was trying to remember how old Tatsu was. I was thinking 6 or 7.

He would have been 8 in Feb. of this coming year. The vet said that they are finding that a normal life expectancy for these animals as they learn more about them is around 7 or 8 years, not 10 or longer. And most of the lizards they are seeing have some sort of cancer when they pass. Cancer is quite common in older reptiles, which was not previously thought. I was surprised to find out that normal expectancy was not what we thought it was years ago or had read on the forums. But at least I know that Tatsu had a wonderful, long, happy life. And all of his bloodwork was normal and perfect, except for the cancer, so I know my husbandry was still spot on. That is a comfort as well, but I wish I could have cured the cancer. It sucks.

 

[Slave2Scarlett]

Praying for you Nora... The loss of a pet is definitely hard to cope with.. We lost my dog last year and she was 18 years old.. U are in my thoughts and prayers for sure

 

[puppytoes72]

I am so sorry Here is a poem that I hope comforts you...

THE LAST BATTLE

If it should be that I grow frail and weak
And pain should keep me from my sleep,
Then will you do what must be done,
For this -- the last battle -- can't be won.
You will be sad I understand,
But don't let grief then stay your hand,
For on this day, more than the rest,
Your love and friendship must stand the test.
We have had so many happy years,
You wouldn't want me to suffer so.
When the time comes, please, let me go.
Take me to where to my needs they'll tend,
Only, stay with me till the end
And hold me firm and speak to me
Until my eyes no longer see.
I know in time you will agree
It is a kindness you do to me.
Although my tail its last has waved,
From pain and suffering I have been saved.
Don't grieve that it must be you
Who has to decide this thing to do;
We've been so close -- we two -- these years,
Don't let your heart hold any tears.

-- Unknown

 

[beardie parents]

I thought he was about that age. You did a great job with him. I'm really sorry you had to put him down, even tho it was the right thing to do for him. I agree with that assessment, tho, probably because of the inbreeding that went on in the past years, it dropped their expected age. Alex just lost his last beardie. All three of his beardies died after the age of 10 but that's not very common anymore. We hear more about your problem, cancer in a beardie 5 or more years old.

 

[pscaulkins]

Nora, I am so sorry for your loss. You made the right decision and Tatsu is still with you in your heart. It does seem like their life span has shortened but 7-8 years is still a pretty good lifespan.

 

[DeweysMom]

I'm so sorry for your loss. I know how difficult it is losing such a special friend. There's no pain quite like it. They just aren't given enough time to be with us. Take care of yourself.

 

[Livey]

I hope your holding up ok Nora ,
I know its difficult losing a dragon we love dearly


Hope you have a great Christmas x

Olivia x

 

[nitros204]

sorry to hear

 

[Sekhautet]

I made Tatsu's funeral arrangements yesteday, which was very hard to do. Will has been out of town for the past two months. I had to put Tatsu down by myself and am dealing with all this at home alone. It is very hard.

 

[Goonie]

 

[beardie parents]

I'm sorry, Nora, that makes it even harder. I'm sure it was hard on Will to be away during that time, also.

 

[duke11]

I wish I'd seen this earlier. Rest in peace, Tatsu. Thanks for being a great leader and helping other beardies be better cared for. You will be missed by humans and dragons alike.

Erin&Duke

 

[BeardedDragon6]

its very sad to hear that he snuggled up to you and looked at you while he was being putted down by the vets :'[ believe me im crying because i just can't believed how sad it is that he looks at you with his small eyes before hes gone forever.. and if you don't believe me.. my iguana died this year he should be one year old in March but he don't even made it till his birthday he had a cancer i think and we had to put him down :'[ he was with me only 1 time on christmas then he left :'[ i cried like months but i bought Puff home and I forgot all the tears i had, but i still miss my lil green lizard :'[ but the worst is that your lil sweet cutie Tatsu died before Christmas :'[ if i would be you i would cry his tank full with my tears :'[ i wouldn't do it without him on christmas :'[ i would just sleep the whole day untill x-mas is gone :'[ im so sorry for your loss , if you can't do it without him, you should buy a new lil sweetheart what fills your heart with joy , i believed that when my iguana died and when i buy a new lizzie his soul will get into the lizards heart and he will remember me, and yes it happend :] he didn't puffed himself up when i first brought him and saw him the first time in the train he snuggled up to me and licked my face :]