I'm so sorry for the loss of your Max.. My ferret had a tumour and we did the rounds of oral steroids. So hard with something so slow and insidious like that to know when... I just wanted to extent my full empathy. Sometimes it feels impossible to do right by them, then they're gone and you can't even snuggle them for comfort.

I'm glad you did right by Max no matter how hard it was for you. I'm glad the vet was a close friend of yours too.. and that Max got to end his time surrounded by people who loved him and he was comfortable as could be in the setting. Sorry the Happy and the bitter coincided for you.. But glad you'll have some summer down time to recuperate in and a new bike to throw yourself into in the mean time. So sorry about Max... I know you'll always miss him but I hope you find normalcy in your life soon. Take care of yourself.