Howard..

Spiffy-Kat · 02-17-2008, 12:51 PM

He was pretty old when I got him. He was neglected so I decided to bring him home. He never pinched, he never hid when he was in my hands. He loved his popcorn, and sitting inside the hermit hut with Ace. While the others were asleep, he'd always come out and climb around, causing a little too much noise in my bedroom. The day before his death, he was perfectly fine, drinking, eating, etc. The next day he was still, so I assumed this was normal. A week past and he was still in the same spot, eyes out and all. That stinky fish smell came from his body, but I still didn't believe it. I picked him up and he did not flinch, move his eyes, and his body was totally limp. I knew then. I moved him into the mini tank for another day, just incase, but nothing, he was gone.

His death is still a mystery, no mites or anything, but I think it was old age.

RIP Howard, you were a good crab.

Hildegarde · 02-17-2008, 02:12 PM

It can be so frustrating with crabs dieing for reasons we don't know. If it's a dog or a cat, we usually know when they are sick and when they are ready to die.

It's still a mystery how a crab can be up and about, eating and drinking and the next day be dead.

I am truly sorry for your loss.

Spiffy-Kat · 02-17-2008, 05:49 PM

Thank you Hildegarde. :]

I keep thinking it was my fault. I hope not though.

DaisyCrab · 02-17-2008, 06:48 PM

Aw, I'm sorry to hear that. I always got a kick out of the name Howard for a crab, it was very cute. I would agree with you that it was most likely old age, don't blame yourself.

krackersmom2 · 02-17-2008, 08:48 PM

Oh, how sad! You brough tears to my eyes. At least when a hermit crab dies, we hold on to that glimmer of hope that they are preparing for a molt...not like a mammal. I'm currently in that stage with Hercules...I think he's gone, but no heavy fishy smell yet...I'm still praying

Hildegarde · 02-18-2008, 04:00 PM

Spiffy-Cat: Don't beat yourself up about it. It absolutely wasn't your fault. Instead, you made his last days very happy ones.

Spiffy-Kat · 02-19-2008, 01:49 PM

Thanks guys. :]

And I'll pray for Hercules krackersmom. I hope he'll be alright.

alli'smommy · 02-19-2008, 02:40 PM

Oh, you brought tears to my eyes also. What a beautiful obituary for Howard. You gave him a wonderful home, and you can find comfort in that. Howard was truly grateful for your love, I'm sure. So sorry. RIP Howard...

Hermie's rule · 02-19-2008, 04:13 PM

He sounds like a little too sweet crabbie..

02-17-2008, 12:51 PM	#1 (permalink)
Spiffy-Kat "Never Molted" Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Canada eh Posts: 57	Howard.. He was pretty old when I got him. He was neglected so I decided to bring him home. He never pinched, he never hid when he was in my hands. He loved his popcorn, and sitting inside the hermit hut with Ace. While the others were asleep, he'd always come out and climb around, causing a little too much noise in my bedroom. The day before his death, he was perfectly fine, drinking, eating, etc. The next day he was still, so I assumed this was normal. A week past and he was still in the same spot, eyes out and all. That stinky fish smell came from his body, but I still didn't believe it. I picked him up and he did not flinch, move his eyes, and his body was totally limp. I knew then. I moved him into the mini tank for another day, just incase, but nothing, he was gone. His death is still a mystery, no mites or anything, but I think it was old age. RIP Howard, you were a good crab. __________________ Sammy Howard Ace <3

02-17-2008, 02:12 PM	#2 (permalink)
Hildegarde (Medium Crab) Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Gainesville, Florida Posts: 749	Re: Howard.. It can be so frustrating with crabs dieing for reasons we don't know. If it's a dog or a cat, we usually know when they are sick and when they are ready to die. It's still a mystery how a crab can be up and about, eating and drinking and the next day be dead. I am truly sorry for your loss. __________________ The Kids: Big Momma, Bwana, BiBi, Honey, Aggie, Stretch, Sparky, Houdini, Tang, Zeke & Izzie; The Big Guys: Kaiser, Mo-de-law', Belle & SuzyQ; and our 15 new Little Ones; all PPs and our baby Es: Killer, Ol' Yeller, Scooter, Mr. Greenjeans, Orange and our tiny Smidgen.

02-17-2008, 05:49 PM	#3 (permalink)
Spiffy-Kat "Never Molted" Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Canada eh Posts: 57	Re: Howard.. Thank you Hildegarde. :] I keep thinking it was my fault. I hope not though. __________________ Sammy Howard Ace <3

02-17-2008, 06:48 PM	#4 (permalink)
DaisyCrab (Small Crab) Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Ontario, Canada Posts: 326	Re: Howard.. Aw, I'm sorry to hear that. I always got a kick out of the name Howard for a crab, it was very cute. I would agree with you that it was most likely old age, don't blame yourself. __________________ Bigs Tank:Daisy, Georgina, Jay-Jay, Brat, Martha & Hogan Smalls Tank:Casper, Robby, Carrie, Lucky, Tessa & Phoebe, Felix & Molly

02-17-2008, 08:48 PM	#5 (permalink)
krackersmom2 (Large Crab) Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: South TX (near the beach) Posts: 1,088	Re: Howard.. Oh, how sad! You brough tears to my eyes. At least when a hermit crab dies, we hold on to that glimmer of hope that they are preparing for a molt...not like a mammal. I'm currently in that stage with Hercules...I think he's gone, but no heavy fishy smell yet...I'm still praying __________________ 12 PP's: Spooky, Baby, Flash, Rocky, Herbie, Violet, Fester, Zeus, Neptune, Mars, Luna and Apollo R.I.P:Hercules

02-18-2008, 04:00 PM	#6 (permalink)
Hildegarde (Medium Crab) Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Gainesville, Florida Posts: 749	Re: Howard.. Spiffy-Cat: Don't beat yourself up about it. It absolutely wasn't your fault. Instead, you made his last days very happy ones. __________________ The Kids: Big Momma, Bwana, BiBi, Honey, Aggie, Stretch, Sparky, Houdini, Tang, Zeke & Izzie; The Big Guys: Kaiser, Mo-de-law', Belle & SuzyQ; and our 15 new Little Ones; all PPs and our baby Es: Killer, Ol' Yeller, Scooter, Mr. Greenjeans, Orange and our tiny Smidgen.

02-19-2008, 01:49 PM	#7 (permalink)
Spiffy-Kat "Never Molted" Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Canada eh Posts: 57	Re: Howard.. Thanks guys. :] And I'll pray for Hercules krackersmom. I hope he'll be alright. __________________ Sammy Howard Ace <3

02-19-2008, 02:40 PM	#8 (permalink)
alli'smommy "Preparing For Third Molt" Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: southern ohio Posts: 756	Re: Howard.. Oh, you brought tears to my eyes also. What a beautiful obituary for Howard. You gave him a wonderful home, and you can find comfort in that. Howard was truly grateful for your love, I'm sure. So sorry. RIP Howard... __________________ love my hermies...

02-19-2008, 04:13 PM	#9 (permalink)
Hermie's rule "Preparing For Second Molt" Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: In front of the crabitat! :) Posts: 377	Re: Howard.. He sounds like a little too sweet crabbie.. __________________ "For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son that whosoever beleiveth in Him shall not perish but shall have everlasting life." John 3:16

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