Yesterday morning, our dear Benjamin left this world for a better place where he won't suffer any more.


We love you and miss you, Benji-boo. You brought us a lot of happiness and laughter in the five years we had together.

Updates

Benjamin is doing so much better! The (new) vet suggested treating first for an inner ear infection, which could cause the head tilt and eye scanning and has the infinite advantage of being treatable. After a few days of antibiotics, his head is upright, the eyes are steady, his appetite is back, and he generally acts much more energetic. Thank God for banana-flavored liquid Baytril.

In other Tracy family news, Alex is preparing to go before the South Georgia Annual Conference of the UMC for his ordination interviews in a couple of weeks. Whether he gets ordained or not, he'll be taking a church appointment & we'll be moving in June, but getting over this hurdle will mean a lot to him.

As for me, I've been pooped today. Apparently my body will be done constructing the placenta soon & I should get my energy back. This week, baby is around 2 inches long (!!!) and is developing hair follicles, nail beds, and sex organs.

I leave you with a sight I just beheld to my immediate left. When she's very relaxed, Maggie flops on her side and grooms her front paws in a way that reminds me of a girl stretched out on her bed & doing her nails. I'd reach over and rub her fuzzy white belly (Maggie's, not the hypothetical manicure girl), but she would never forgive me.

Sick bun :(

We think that Benji has E cuniculi, which is a parasite that affects the neurological system. His hind legs seem to just stop working periodically, and then a few minutes later, he hops around like his normal self. That started Saturday, and he spent the day at the vet Monday for observation. Now he keeps holding his head turned to the left - not tilted, just turned - and his eyes move back and forth as though he's reading a teleprompter. Again, it happens for a minute or two, and then he acts normally again. It's hard to diagnose and hard to treat, but we've left a message for the vet asking for some medication to try, even if she' s not sure it will work.

I'm worried about our little guy, and we would appreciate prayers.