In Loving Memory-Abu

Re: In Loving Memory-Abu
Abu was special...he was my first. He was born with a prolapsed rectum and had three surgeries to correct the problem before he came to me. I knew there was every chance he would not live to adulthood, but I still adopted him. In spite of his rough start, he had an extremely sweet disposition and a determination to survive. Everyone came to know him as 'the little snake who could.' Abu made friends wherever he went. He even tugged at the heartstrings of professed snake-haters. My stepson had a difficult time adjusting to sleeping by himself in his room. Since that room didn't have much traffic, I placed Abu's terrarium in there. The little boy who used to cry every night settled down and started sleeping the nights through. He claimed that he was doing better because Abu protected him from nightmares. To this day, he thinks of snakes as protectors. Just as I began to entertain hopes Abu would grow into a handsome adult, tragedy struck. He became very quiet and lethargic. I rushed him to the vet, but it was too late already. His kidneys had failed. I took him home and made him as comfortable as I knew how. When I next checked on him, I found that he'd passed away. I picked up his little lifeless body and held it against my heart as I cried deeply. I don't know how long I cried while cradling him...but it was long enough to sense the very beginnings of decomposition. I found a beautiful wooden box that I knew would fit him. It had been scented with a fragrant incense. I looked a little further and was able to turn up a piece of deep ruby velvet that I could wrap him in. Carefully, I wound his body into a circle and wrapped him in the rich fabric. He fit perfectly inside the box. The box went into my freezer and there it remains for now. I've considered having him made into a Life Gem to wear close to my heart. It's ridiculously expensive, but one day I'll find the money to do it.