Splinter
I adopted Splinter from a local pound about a year and a half ago. He already had a respiratory infection, but I did not want him to die alone in the shelter so I adopted him and from the first time I held him, he was the sweetest rat ever. He never tried to bite me. He loved avocado, cheese, rice gerber baby cereal, garbanzo beans, soy beans, and peas. He loved to be scratched between his shoulder blades. I kept him in a cage for awhile, but eventually I made him a bed in my bottom desk drawer and he ran around my room as he pleased, in and out of tunnels I made for him whenever I got a box. He loved people and would climb on anyone who came in the room. He was extremely active until he began to get very sick. The entire time I had him, I treated him with antibiotics off and on and took him to an exotic vet occasionally. But when he wasn’t able to breathe easily, I made the decision to euthanize him because I adopted him to keep him from suffering and to make sure he was comfortable and had a good quality life. When it was apparent that he was not happy, I choose to end his suffering. Now I know he is at peace and I will see him again, where he will be healthy and happy, playing with other rats, and eating garbanzo beans. I love you Splinter (or “rat rat” as I called him).