Fat Rat Central’s Memorial

I must admit i was skeptical about getting a rat as a pet, as big of a wildlife fan as I am… but after my roomate and wife conspired against me and got not one, but two (!!!) I discovered how truely incredible pets they are. Smart and effectionate, and loads of fun. The aspect of caring for them and playing with them became second nature to me. Chucky and his littermate Vegas would fight sometimes, but never seriously. I was getting ready for work today at 6 Am, and as usual, I checked on them to see if they have enough food and water and to see if I needed to change their bedding when I returned from work. I also played with them for a little bit, which is an achievement for Chucky, because he was a very cowardly and antisocial rat, but he was loved nonetheless… I returned from work today and turned to change their bedding, and when I opened the cage door, nothing happened. They usually rush the door, but Vegas was in his nest and Chucky was laying huddled in a corner. I made an attempt at moving him, and it became very clear that he was no longer living, as rigor mortis had set. Chucky, we might not have been close friends for most of your life, but you broke the ice before you died, and I will miss you and so will Vegas. were’ all mourning your loss buddy… I hope your free and happy now.

I lost my friend Ben today. I was getting ready to go to work and as I passed his cage I saw that he had passed away. I knew it was coming with him being almost four years old-that has to be over a hundred in rat years. I’ll really miss him. He loved to sit on my shoulder and stick his whiskers in my ear and chitter until I giggled. He liked to go outside for walks with me. Most of all he loved to harrass my cat. His cage was a glass aquarium with a wire topper on it with different levels. When my cat came over by the cage he would climb up and out, down the wires and touch noses with my cat just to say, “Ha ha, I could beat you up kitty. Don’t even think about trying to act tough to me.” I always got a huge laugh out of that-while watching my feline pet very closely just to make sure Ben didn’t push him too far. I could tell he wasn’t doing very well lately. He seemed a bit listless and didn’t run around as much when he was out of his cage. I knew he was really old as far as rats go but I didn’t expect he would go as suddenly as he did. I just wish I could have been there for him. I would have liked to be there with him for his final moments. This will have to be his tribute-since I still live in an apartment and couldn’t bury him. I wish I had a picture. I’ll have to find one and post it when I have a chance.

I just discovered my daughter’s rat dead in his cage. His rat brother was running around and eating, but I noticed they weren’t fighting or squeaking at each other. When I finally checked (knowing something was wrong) I found Grissom just laying curled up in his cage. When I took him out, Speedy ran around the cage looking for his brother. They have never been apart. I feel sorry for Speedy now that he is going to be all alone. I feel guilty that I hadn’t checked on them earlier today. We’ve had our rats for almost three years, and I know that is their average lifespan, but I’m so sad. I sobbed for an hour after I found him. Now poor Speedy is squeaking and I’m crying, again…

I got Trixy and her sister off of Craig’s list in March, 2004. She was spry and spunky, and loved food. I had another rat named Emmie, who trixy followed Everywhere. She had this darling little face that was so sweet and sad, it could litterally make you cry. After Emmie’s death in early 2005, Trixy became the leader of the rat pack. Her sister Charms died soon after from a birth defect. Trixy was now my only rat, and I loved her more than ever. She went with me everywhere, even on vacation. A cancer tumor was discovered on Trixy in May, and it grew bigger throughout the mounths. Some people would look at her and say she looked discusting, but I loved her all the same. I got a new rat named Olive, a three-mounth old dumbo. Olive loved Trixy and Trixy was like a Mother to her. Trixy passed away in my hands at two in the morning on september 3, 2006. She will always be remembered.

Trixy the Diva

trixy and Olive