The body was lifeless.
I couldn't detect a heartbeat, breathing had stopped.
What are the steps for CPR?
I tilted the tiny head back and gently pinched the nostrils shut.
I blew gently until I saw the tiny chest rise with the air.
I tapped the chest with my fingertips.
I kept this up for several minutes.
When all efforts at resuscitation failed, I carried the lifeless body downstairs, opened the back door and tossed it out into the snow to be recycled.
Pet mice are expendable.
(c) 1984 Jana L. Shellman
No comments:
Post a Comment