Farewell Iisakki

[etana]

One of my all time favourite snails, sweet little Iisakki, passed away last night after a puzzling illness I hadn't seen before. 

He was the child of Zorst's famous mafioso snail Marrow. He never grew very big and had a bad shell (not yet visible in the above photo), but he had the personality to make up for the lack of size. He had children who are now twice his size and still growing.

He always preferred my boyfriend to me, which was a lot of fun and I'm also glad that he got to say goodbye to my bf before he had to go.

Iisakki was famous for his "I DISAPPROVE" face, though he usually didn't hold it for long so I didn't get many pictures. However his children have inherited it, which makes me laugh even though they're being all grumpy with me.

I'll post a few more pics, you've seen them all before but that's because they always were my favourite pics.

Here's him being happy:
 

He always got along very well with my two Achatina balteata. Here's Iisakki with Maija. He and Mauno were even better friends.


And of course, the precious shot that I have had as my phone's background image for months. Iisakki meets his baby, who hatched in a different tank, for the first time. 


Rest well little Iisakki, I miss you so much right now. 

[jolovessnailies]

Rest in peace little one, you were a beauty. He sounds a little character Etana love and I really love that picture of him with his baby. Do you think little one knows that his dad/mum has departed? I hope you are alright too sweetie,

Hugs
JO xx

[etana]

I think he actually was one of the last snails to lean against him (so many went and patted Iisakki's shell or just sat there for a while), he's all big and gorgeous now and just as bright white as in the baby photo.

I always try to make sure that my snails know a friend has died, so they don't run around the tank panicking, looking for the lost one. Right now someone has been working hard to bury him in the coir though, which is odd.

I don't know where Mauno has gone, I have to look him up tonight just to make sure he is ok and interested in eating. Maija fell in her sleep, right into a pile of fresh poo. Oops.

[etana]

Small update on Mauno. I gave my snails sweet potato and everyone else ate but Mauno just kissed and patted everyone and did not eat.
I grabbed him, bathed him under the tap, and placed him on my palm with some sweet potato. That was when he ate, with one eye pointed straight at my eye most of the time.

He is bonding with Aimo the biggest, handsomest and grumpiest fulica now. Or really Aimo with him - he has a thing for both my A. balteata. Not that I mind, it's nice to see someone kiss Mauno platonically (surprising that he isn't wooing Mauno, Aimo is a fulica after all lol).

[jolovessnailies]

That is good news Etana love, he has found a new buddy. I love seeing them have platonic kisses although it is sometimes only platonic for one of them lol! Mine all get on well and usually have a baby hitching a ride on one of all of them. It is so lovey how they do not mind. My hatchlings are doing really well, such plucky little guys and they do take liberties in there on occasion but the grown-ups just accept it.

How are you coping with the loss sweetheart?

Hugs
JO xx

[etana]

Yeah I love watching hatchling & adult interactions, some snails teach and discipline their own young while the others are just super mindful to not hurt them.

I'm...umm, what to answer. Thanks for asking Jo. I'm still not finished accepting it. It's as though he hasn't left. His biggest child is so much like a huge version of him! He dug a tunnel in the tank and when he came out, my heart jumped a bit because his face was exactly like Iisakki's.
I guess it'll be more real when I clean up the shell and put it to where I keep the other empty shells of my favourite snails who have passed on.

[jolovessnailies]

It is lovely to see isn't it Etana love? Most of my adults are very good and are quite happy to take a baby to the water bowl or food plate. Oh darling, I really am so sorry for your loss and that it is hard to come to terms with. In a way, I am glad his little offspring is very much like him because he will always be there with you. I take pet deaths very badly and always ask why can't they just be with us forever?

Hugs
Jo xx

[Zorst]

I really feel for you Etana as its always so tough when you loose the especially when you have a real bond with them but its great that you have an offspring from Iisakki who will keep you remembering him and his antics. It sounds like you have another Marrow in the making there if he's getting that big lol. I do hope that Mauno pals up with another snail soon as they are very social.
I too loved that photo when he first met his own baby.

Virtual hugs

Zorst