Gabby
Rat Barclay
August 18, 2007-November 21, 2009
Where does one begin when talking about the best friends he has ever had except to say that I have been truly blessed in having so many animal friends in my nearly 50 years of life.
As a boy, I had a German Shepard police dog as a playmate that lived down the road from me. As a young teenager, I had the opportunity to bottle feed baby tigers and lions. Then, in my latter years; I started working with gray wolves; having known and loved over one hundred of them.
I had a pair of wild geese come every year and nest by my house and let me hand feed them on their nest, then bring their babies to see me. I have had squirrels, rabbit’s, skunks, raccoons, birds, and one snake that I can call my friends.
Once while at the park I had wild rats come up to me and tap me on the ankle asking me to feed them. Then, my pet rat Gabby came into my life. Some people may say she is nothing more than a rat. How can she be so special?
My wife bought her from a breeder for my Granddaughter. Once Gabby and I met, we became the best of friends. I fell in love with her and she with me, and by her choice, she became my pet.
I could walk around in a store with her setting on my shoulders. It always caused quite a stir. Some would freak out, but most people were very interested. I can honestly say Gabby never met a stranger she loved everyone she ever met.
Gabby was with me most all the time. When I came home from work, my wife would have her on the sofa. She would stand on her hind legs raise her little arms and squeak out the word “Diddy”. I would let her run around on the bed with me and most of the time she would sleep with me curled up against my shoulder.
On October 26, 2009. Gabby was having problems breathing so I took her to the veterinarian and found out she was eat alive with terminal cancer. The veterinarian gave her only about two weeks to live. He put her on medication to help her breathe and also to reduce the pain she was in.
Then on the night of November 20, 2009, she got much worse and was having a very hard time getting her breath. I knew then that I must give her the very last act of kindness I ever could.
With sadness of heart the early the next morning I took her to the veterinarian and at 9:15 AM November 21, 2009, the love of my life left this world to be with the Lord in Heaven.
When I found out that Gabby was dying I called around to find out how each veterinarian would euthaniz a pet. All but one simply gave the animal a lethal injection in most cases straight to the heart. I would not here of this when it came to my Gabby, I insisted that she first be sedated and fully asleep, then euthnized. I could not live with seeing her put through anymore pain.
The vetererian was very kind and sedated Gabby and then left us in the room alone, so we could spend our last few minutes together. She went to sleep with me kissing her and telling her, I love her. Then she died in my hands, as it should be.
I encourage you to please read and sign the Gabby petition, for the benefit of all our beloved pets. Once the petition becomes a bill, I will once again e-mail you and encourage you to write your representive.
Yours truly,
Larry M.S. Barclay
Here are a few Gabby links
http://www.in-memory-of-pets.com/personaltribute.php?ID=79399
http://www.in-memory-of-pets.com/candleprayer.php?ID=79501
http://www.in-memory-of-pets.com/photopost/showgallery.php?cat=535