Sleep Well, Brown Jenkin

[Loz]

My brave little gerbil, Brown Jenkin passed in the night. He had been declining rapidly the past three or four days, I believe this was the result of a second stroke (his first was several months ago). We had been snuggling together a lot this past few days and I am sorry that he went alone in the night. As far as I can tell he went peacefully.
After his brother, Blondie Bear had died last year, I was determined to fill the gap left by his passing as far as I could. The result of this was the creation of a bond between Brown Jenkin and myself that went beyond what I could ever have imagined between human and gerbil. He was a beloved member of the flock.
He is now freely roaming fields of sweetcorn, peanuts, kale and the occasional apple, with all the cardboard he could ever hope to chew through. Bless you my little Brown Jenkin and farewell.

[Marianne Marlow]

Oh, I'm so sorry.

I like to think he was reunited with his brother Blondie Bear and they're chewing cardboard together.

You're having a tough week loz, I hope you're okay.

[criswell]

I'm so sorry Brown Jenkin has left you. He was a marvellous little fellow and I loved hearing about his adventures. It made me feel close to my own gerbils again even though it's years since they left me.

He was a total superstar.

I'm sorry you're had to say goodbye to two of your friends so close together.

[Loz]

It's a brutal week.
However, both of my friends had been poorly and the end results were not unexpected. Harsh that it's happened so close together though.

Brown Jenkin is buried next to Blondie Bear in my garden. I hope that somewhere they are snuggling together again at night and that BJ is letting BB do all the hard work, just like when they were together in life.

Thank you for your thoughts, Marianne Marlow and criswell

[lemonora]

So sorry to hear that 😔
Sorry for your heartbreak this week💔

[ladybird]

Just awful, I am so so sorry…what a dreadful week 😢😢😢

[Marianne Marlow]

He was such an amazing little fellow, I am glad he got lots of snuggles with you as it must have given him great comfort.

[ffiscool]

I’m So sorry to read this. You had a great bond which Brown Jenkin would have enjoyed.

RIP little one

[sweetpea]

I am so sorry for your loss. What a sweet boy little Brown Jenkin was.

[Loz]

Thank you everyone, you're being so kind and your words are a comfort.

I've been cleaning Brown Jenkin's apartment and it's now all clear of his things. That's made it all hit hard. The budgies are quite quiet this morning and spending a fair bit of time in their aviary. Perhaps they sense the mood. They are such a comfort though, their quiet little chatter.
They've gone from five to four this week, the flock seems suddenly so small. A tough week indeed.

[Ira]

Aww, Brown Jenkin I will miss reading about his antics and the times you spent cuddling. It sounds like he really enjoyed his time with you, and now he and Blondie Bear can get up to all sorts of antics again.

[Loz]

Thank you, Ira. I will miss the little lad very much.

[tweetiepiesmom]

I am so sorry for you. I loved reading about him and his interactions with the budgies. Although I have never had a gerbil, I felt like I experienced a gerbil pet through your stories. Indeed a very tough week for you and the flock. I hope you can all take the time to process the changes in your lives - rest and breathe!

[ariella]

I’m so sad to read this loz. I know you were thinking he was starting to fade but even so, it doesn’t stop the loss being felt so keenly.
I’m sure Brown Jenkin will be reunited with Blondie Bear and Patch too.
It has been a really tough week for you and the flock.
We’ll all miss hearing about him. Rest easy, BJ.

[Loz]

Thank you, tweetiepiesmom and ariella

It's a comfort to know that Patch's and Brown Jenkin's stories touched folks and were enjoyed by them. The boys lived well in the all-too-short time they were mine.