Tonight we went out without a care in the world... and got ack to find our beautiful, tiny little cinnamon hooded doe, Stella, curled up and barely alive. she died in our arms 5 minutes ago, and I am absolutely devastated.

Stella was such a wonderful little lady, so friendly, and soft, and known for her willingness to please. She would do anything for a yoggie drop, and loved nothing more than to lie on her back while being fed copious amounts of them :cry: she was so beautiful - her eyes were always the first thing that people noticed - so calm, and deep and huge - like big black beads.

She had the most winning nature, loving cuddles and so laid back - even after a bad start, when we brought her bac kfrom the Wyevale centre - she was so scared we couldn't pick her up at all - she shot off accross the cage if we tried. It didn't take long for her to become a total pet class entry - and she got a third at the last Boscombe Down. She was so special... and the last few months were blighted by an enormous tumour on her throat :( then lately I noticed tumours growing in her tummy, growing quite quickly - and I knew that there was nothing much we could do... :( tonight she just gave up...

she leaves behind a very devastated, heartbroken Merryl and Iris... the last of the two original LoGrats ladies left now :*(

I hardly know what to do or think... I don't think KArl or I will sleep much tonight :(

rest easy now Stella hunny - free from your massive tumour and all the respiratory problems you had... and anything else that ever ailed you - you'll be a big scary rat at the bridge - because you spent your whole mortal life wanting to be big and scary...:*)

go and find Julie, Judee, Chloe and Ratclyffe - they've been waiting for you... and please, all of you wait for Iris and Merryl - they miss you all so much - our big girls cage ain't so big anymore with only two tiny old girls in it :(

O Stella - PJ Harvey:

o stella maris you're my star
stand on ground look up at her
just hanging in the gold stones
just hanging there face froze

but i think i see her smiling
gold
o stella maris you're my star
in your blue blue tavern you light my lantern
o stella's large
pink on her face glowing this place
a place for heroes only
gold
o stella maris you're my star
pin you to my chest
sell you to the rest
wish as
i kiss her gown
send those angels down to woo me now
i think i see her smiling
gold

xx