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Yesterday evening as I got off work, I answered Vinh's frantic telephone call. Something was wrong with Bummie. His eyes, which had been only slightly crusty a few days before (and had been treated successfully with warm water and a compress) were now hard, shiny, and unblinking. His breathing also was frantic, noisy, and fast. The vet that I had taken Oreo to last year when she had her tumor was along the road home, so I dropped by to make an appointment for Bummie and then rushed home. I was very alarmed at his state which was more shocking than the picture I had imagined in my head after listening to Vinh's description. We google-d some symptoms, tried to clean his eyes with saline...but was fairly hopeful that a vet visit could fix things since Bummie was still moving about quickly and deftly. But he didn't eat or drink at all that night. I removed his wheel and we set him in the bathroom. We checked on him throughout the night and I dropped some water onto his head in the hopes that it would make it down into his mouth. We were very worried about him, especially Vinh who took great pride in Bummie's calm temperament and claimed special possession over him since I had given Vinh the hamster as a graduation gift. Sad to say, we were also worried about the money. We've been trying to save up money to get out of our living situation since it has become unbearable (two families with very different living practices and outlooks). We also have debt and loans to pay off and the thought of a base $65 examination fee + unknown medication costs was depressing and frightening. There was no doubt in our minds that we would pay it, it was just how we would be able to make ends meet afterwards that bothered us. The next morning, I found Bummie stretched out, limp, whiskers vibrating, and hind leg kicking in the air. His breathing was so soft and faint...we knew he was dying. And he was in pain. The vet confirmed out suspicions and graciously only billed us half the examination costs. Vinh was very depressing and disheartened. It was left to me to make the hard decision to euthanize Bummie and to leave him at the vet's. We didn't have anywhere to bury him back at the house (Vinh's brother would certainly deny us the ability to bury a dead hamster in his antiseptic yard) and I thought that actually watching Bummie die would only further devastate Vinh. Rest In Peace, Bummie. 5/16/2007 - 8/01/2008