Eulogy for a Friend

I know I say it every time we lose a furry friend, but it's true: "He was special."

Slugo was an amazing person. He may have only been 18" long nose to tip of tail, walked on all fours, and have very wiry, curly whiskers, but to me, he was my friend.

We saw him in a small cage at a local pet store, all bubbly and wanting attention. Christopher noticed him first, and we left thinking we can't take another one. But his little face kept popping into our minds all that night, and the next day, we went to get him. Best decision we ever made.

Slugo was one of the happiest, friendliest little guys you could ask for. He wasn't very healthly from the get-go, and we had to take him to see the doctor more often than most, but he was worth every penny. He brought joy into our lives, and we hope we did the same for him. I will always remember the cuddles, the wrestling matches between him and my hand, seeing his little butt running down the back of the couch, and of the many times I passed his home and saw him sleeping contentedly in his little cube hammy.

While the talk may have appeared one-way on my part, there was plenty of communication coming the other way - Slugo's expressive eyes conveyed not only an intelligence, but a sense of humor and mischievousness. Yes, Slugo knew how to enjoy life, and that's pretty important when you live only two years if you're lucky...and he wasn't. We're not sure how old he was, but he was still growing up when he came to live with us last year. At the most, he was a year and a half.

With love comes risk, and always, always pain. Some say it's not worth it, but I disagree. It most definitely is worth it. Slugo, I love you, and if there is more after death, I hope you are at peace...and happy.