Goodbye, Asnee

[docbree]

My friend just came over and I was proudly showing off my snails, when I noticed that Asnee (AKA momma snail) had passed away sometime today. I guess she was sick and that's why she quit laying eggs last week - or maybe she just couldn't handle the ammonia spike as well as the younger ones. I am so glad I still have 3 of her babies plus a partial clutch of her hatchlings. She was my first snail and I will always remember the hours I spent watching and photographing her.

Rest in Peace

[Chickadee]

I'm so sorry for your loss. RIP Asnee

[docbree]

Thank you, Chickadee. It's amazing how attached one can get to an invertebrate.

[pbgroupie]

I'm sorry for your loss.

[docbree]

Thank you, pb.

[LittleMulligan]

I'm so sorry doc.

[docbree]

Thank you all so much. It has been a very bad couple of weeks. Our 2 year old betta died last week (2 days before Asnee) - in a separate tank. Yesterday, the small blue snail I "rescued" a month ago with the broken shell - who never grew at all but his shell was repairing and he was trying to mate - died, too. I thought I was taking good care of my wet pets - but now I'm feeling like a really bad caretaker. I checked the water parameters: pH 7.4, nitrate a little less than 5, barely registered ammonia. The 4 remaining snails seem to be fine - active, eating, growing (see my other post).

[LittleMulligan]

Don't beat yourself up, doc...we all know what good care you take of your wet pets...it's just no matter how much we love 'em & how much we try, we can't save 'em all. That's the hard part about being an animal person. But I'm betting the time they spent with you, they were happy...and very well cared for.

[docbree]

Thank you! That's so sweet and I really needed to hear that

[JamieMonster]

RIP Asnee! So sorry for your loss.

[docbree]

Thanks, Jamie. My Avatar is a photo of her.

[JamieMonster]

What a pretty girl!

[Amysnail]

I'm so sorry to hear about Asnee, I'm at a loss for words. I know how hard it is. Don't beat yourself up about your little rescue not making it, its not your fault. You can't ever think you don't take proper care of them. You love them. You understand them, you realize they are family members. You have made me realize it doesn't matter what other people think, they are our babies! Please don't second guess yourself as a snail mommy. If you ever need to talk, send me a pm. I'm always here.

[docbree]

Thank you, Amy. You are a real dear.