RIP Darcy

June 11th, 2008 by lynnylchan under My Life and Pets

My mouse Darcy died yesterday.

She developed a tumour on her right hind leg, and when it started to look really bad, I took her to the vet to be put down. The decision was made soberly, but when it came time to hand her over, I broke down in tears. I didn’t want her to suffer any more, but I also wanted to hang on to her just a bit longer, because I didn’t want to part with her. That was the most difficult part.

I couldn’t bear to stay and watch the vet put her down. Instead I went outside to sob my heart out.

It was horrible bringing back an empty carrier box, to a room with an empty cage that would never again have an occupant. As I cleaned and dried her cage and accessories for the last time, I just kept crying, remembering how she would run on her wheel or perch on her cube, and how she loved sleeping in her toy car.

Tim is the only one left now, and after he’s gone, I’m giving up mouse-keeping. The breeding lines available in Singapore are far too tumour-prone, and Malaysia isn’t much better. I suppose one day, I could fly to the US and search out a reputable breeder to help me start my own colony, but that won’t be for a very long time.

I’ll miss the clacking sound of Darcy’s wheel as it hit the side of her tank. I’ll miss watching her run and marvelling at how good her stamina was. I miss her gentle and shy nature. I miss her now that she’s joined Kip on the big wheel in the sky.

Goodbye Darcy. You were a good mouse.