Zak ❤️🌈

[elusive]

At the grand old age of four years & three months Zak finally passed into his forever sleep this morning.

He didn’t quite seem himself yesterday, nothing I hadn’t seen before & he came out for some crocks once during the day & got stuck in with his usual enthusiasm.
He has some food around 5 pm & after an hour or so I noticed he hadn’t touched it & when I spoke to him he seemed to be struggling a bit getting out of his nest so I helped him out & he enjoyed his chicken as I held the plate for him.
I woke a bit late this morning & was expecting him to be waiting impatiently for breakfast but the last meal I put in for him in the evening was untouched.
He was awake & stirred at my voice so I got him out & held him for a while knowing his time couldn’t be far off.
I put him back in his little nesting spot & helped him get comfortable & very soon after he slipped away.
It felt as though he had been waiting for me to say goodbye.
There was no stress, no struggling for breath or any of the difficult things I’ve seen at this point with other hamsters, it was just easy & peaceful, he was as kind to me in death as he was in life.

He’s been such a big part of my life for such a very long time, I can’t even begin to put into words just how much he meant to me, we were so close, I sometimes thought we were like an old married couple who knew each other so well we never needed to ask what the other wanted or needed.

There are no words, all I can say is Thank you Zak, I love you with all my heart & I always will, I will miss you so, so much but you’ve earned your rest now.

Rest easy now my amazing little friend, run free & play well at the bridge, the hamily will be waiting for you there

 

[RainbowBrite]

Oh Elusive, I am so very sorry to hear such sad news. My heart sank when I saw your had posted in the rainbow bridge thread.

Zak was a little miracle. He had such a zest for life and his love of food was so cute. He had the most amazing care any hamster could possibly have. You were both so close and you knew what he wanted due to how close you were.

My heart goes out to you as I know he meant the world to you. I am truly sorry for your pain.

 

[Frida]

Dear Elusive, I'm so sorry to hear your sad news of Zak passing away. Your relationship with Zak was truly wonderful.

 

[Maz]

I am so sorry Elusive. It has brought tears to my eyes reading about the love and care and knowing what a loss it must be. It was a peaceful ending and it is so very sad he has gone. Zak was an amazing hamster who lived longer than any other hamster I've been aware of, due to your love and care and his amazing zest for life. And I know he was very very special. Play well over the Rainbow Bridge, little Zak.

Big hugs to you and take care of yourself - we are all thinking about you at this difficult time.

 

[Daisy]

I'm so sorry to hear Zak has passed away. He was an amazing hamster in so many ways. I'm so sorry for your loss of such a special friend.

 

[Coco61]

Oh Elusive, like RB, my heart sank at seeing the thread in the rainbow bridge. Although it was bound to happen soon, it is still a shock that has saddened us all.
Your beautiful tribute to your special Zak is deeply moving. It encapsulates in few words how he was embedded in your life as you were in his. I have absolutely no doubt that Zak waited to say goodbye to you this morning. None at all. He sensed he was slipping away into his forever sleep and wanted to see and hear you again and have your gentle touch to help him go. That it was gentle, peaceful and dignified in his own home is comforting.

Bless you Zak, a little gentleman to the end but big in spirit and love. Restored to health across the bridge with so many to greet you, look back to your heartbroken mum and send her a sign to tell her that all is well with you now. It will comfort her and reassure her as she misses you so much.

 

[elusive]

Thank you all for all your kind words, it’s much appreciated & a comfort to know you care & understand.
I have so much to be thankful for with Zak & I’m trying to remember & focus on that but the grief is hard.

 

[RainbowBrite]

I completely understand. We can tell ourselves how lucky we are to have had such a precious hamster but it does not really take away the pain, or at least not for me anyway.

We are all here for you.

 

[elusive]

I’ve done the hard part now, I have some boxes I decorated some time ago & chose this one for his final nest, and a little plaque for him.
The memorial garden area is quite crowded after all these years so he’s in a large container just by my door, never too far away, I’ll find the right plant for him soon.

 

[Maz]

That is a really beautiful box and memorial Elusive. I am sure you will find a special plant for his planter.

 

[RainbowBrite]

Oh they are so beautiful. What a beautiful tribute to precious Zak.

 

[Member ID2]

Oh elusive, i'm so sorry to be so late and have only just now scrolled down to the rainbow bridge where i sadly saw Zak's name.

Zak's bond with you was almost surreal. You lived side by side for such a very long time that you probably feel alone now.

Your life together was wonderful and Zak made sure that you were together right to the end.

Play well at the bridge dear Zak. I hope that there are some crocks waiting for you.

 

[Hank]

I'm so sorry to hear this, you have given Zak such a great life. Thank you for sharing Zak with us, and I know he thought me what great things Crocks were!
Your memorial is such a beautiful tribute.

 

[Coco61]

Zak’s final resting place in your chosen box and the plaque are just perfect. Exquisite with natural decoration and a plaque that can only make you smile when glancing at it. Just by the door, nearby and reaching out to you, I am sure they will be comforting in times ahead even if it makes your heart ache a little more at first.
The right plant will come to mind with all your horticultural knowledge, elusive. I hope you will show us your choice in time.

 

[elusive]

Thank you Coco.
I have some ideas for the planter but it will have to wait till it’s cooled down before I can do anything.

 

[elusive]

Zak’s plant arrived yesterday & I’ve just planted it out in his pot.
I love heucheras & have several but wanted something special for him & chose Heuchera “Timeless night”.
Just leaves at the moment but it will have tall spikes of tiny flowers that the bees love when it grows.





I’ve ordered him an angel wing memorial plaque too but it took me a while to decide what I wanted so don’t have that yet.

 

[RainbowBrite]

That is so beautiful. I love how carefully you chose the perfect plant for precious Zak. What a beautiful plant to think of Zak each time you look at it.

 

[Frida]

The plant looks lovely for Zak

 

[Maz]

A lovely plant choice that’s very appropriate. The angel wings are a lovely idea too.

 

[Coco61]

That is such a beautiful pot now for Zak. So carefully thought out.
Will the plant flower this year? Bees for Zak too-perfect.