Thursday, September 04, 2008

Franklin Whittaker Zielinski dies at home


It was a sad day for us. Ryan's favorite hamster died after we arrived home from school. He seemed fine last night. I heard him in his cage chewing his wood stick. When I went to clean his cage out, I picked him up. He was not as warm as he usually is, and he was sluggish. I just knew he was dying. I told Ryan, who took it pretty well. He is sad, of course, but understands that death is a natural part of life. I placed him in a small container with some bedding, covered him with a paper towel, and sat him next to Ryan as he was doing his homework. He was breathing heavy, opening his mouth, and making an odd noise. I knew it was only a matter of time. He died about 10 minutes later. I watched him take his last breath. I am glad that we were there when he died. It would have been much worse to find him dead in his cage. Ryan was not afraid to pick him up after he died, and that made me happy. It showed that he is not afraid of death. He passed away surrounded by those who loved him. Some may say that he was only a hamster, but he was our pet...and we loved him. He will be sadly missed.

15 comments:

  1. I'm really sorry for the loss of Franklin. It's hard to lose a furry loved one.

    Is it bad that I'm giggling at the obit. though?? :) I've never read a pet obit. I think it's cute.

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  2. Aww, Denine, I'm so sorry about Franklin. It is so sad to lose pets :-( They are part of the family! Glad Ryan was handling it ok, though - he sounds like such a trooper!

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  3. Awww, poor little fellow. He had a good life.

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  4. oh man girl. Tell Ryan i'm so so sorry. :(
    Glad he didn't take it tooo hard

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  5. Poor little guy!! Glad to hear he was surround by love when he passed.

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  6. Sorry for your loss!! Just discovered your blog, and just wanted to say I love it!! I have always admired your work, so was really pleased when I came across your blog, now I can check out your creations on a regular basis. Your fan from South Africa!

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  7. Oh so sorry to hear about Franklin. :( I know we would be lost without our cat too. I completely understand. Hugs to you and Ryan.

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  8. Aww, Denine, I'm so sorry about Franklin.Hugs to you and Ryan.

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  9. Oh no - poor Franklin. So sorry to hear that he died. :( Hugs to you and Ryan.

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  10. Oh, I'm just heartbroken. I've lost 2 hamsters (mine as a child and then my daughter's) and a guinea pig and it's just so sad. I will never forget the look on my daughter's face...unfortunately, we were never there with them when the passed :(

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  11. oh, I'm so sorry. I always had hampsters as a little girl, they were so cute and cuddly.
    I'm glad your ds is taking it so well. {{hugs}} to him (and you!)

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  12. Awww...i'm sorry to hear that Franklin has passed. What a nice tribute though.

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  13. Awwww Little D -- I'm so sorry. That's one heck of a kid you are raising. {{{hugs}}}

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  14. Aww.. I'm so sorry, big ((hugs)) to you all!

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