in memory of Krümel...

[ratcreature]

Krümel
2.12.2006 - 18.12.2008

I had Krümel put down this afternoon. He was suffering, couldn't breathe anymore, and the meds weren't helping. I cuddled for nearly an hour with him early this afternoon, watching tv with him and petting him, just like I always used to do in the evenings. He kept having panic attacks though, when his breathing was getting too bad, but I wanted to have some time with him to say goodbye, and I hope it comforted him too.

Krümel was one of the most cuddly rats I've ever had, he was patient with being petted, and loved dozing next to me and sometimes on me and getting belly rubs, and he liked to keep me company. He'd come up on my bed to be petted and scritched. I think in part it was because he was alone with me for a while after Ben killed Krümel's brother Gonzo (in the awful socialization failure) before Emil and Ignatz joined him.

He was a great rat and I miss him.

Comments

[devildoll.livejournal.com]

*sniffle* I'm sorry. *hugs you*

[ratcreature]

Thanks. Right now I miss him a lot. He often used to sit right next to my laptop when was browsing LJ in the evening. My other two current rats are less patient when it comes to cuddling. You pet them a few times, and then they want to do something else, which is okay, but Krümel would just stay for a while, like cats stay on your lap and such. Not always, but often. It was just soothing.

[lunamazes.livejournal.com]

RIP. *Hug*

[ratcreature]

Thanks.

[mecurtin.livejournal.com]

Oh darlin', so sad for you both. But he needed to go, and he had a good and loving life with you.

[ratcreature]

Thanks. I'd like to think he was happy with me.

[auburnnothenna.livejournal.com]

You have my sympathies, because that's a hard decision to make for a beloved pet. Having the strength to make it doesn't mean not hurting or feeling sad.

[ratcreature]

Yeah, it's always hard. I tend to wait as long as possible, because I want to be really sure not to take away any time away from them or miss chances for a turn to the better, but past a certain point when there is just suffering without bright spots and no hope for further treatment, it's really the least cruel option.

[yahtzee63.livejournal.com]

{{{{{{}}}}}}

[ratcreature]

*hugs back*

[kassrachel.livejournal.com]

He was beautiful; he looks like such a sweetheart. I am so sorry for your loss.

[ratcreature]

Thanks, he really was a good companion rat.

[jacquez.livejournal.com]

I'm sorry.

What a sweet boy.

[ratcreature]

Thanks, he really was.

[brownbetty]

I'm really sorry.

[ratcreature]

Thanks.

[friendshipper.livejournal.com]

I'm so sorry. *hugs you*

[ratcreature]

Thanks.

[ileliberte.livejournal.com]

I'm so sorry :( RIP Krümel

[ratcreature]

Thanks.

[astridv.livejournal.com]

I'm very sorry {hug}

[ratcreature]

Thanks.

[http://users.livejournal.com/_bettina_/]

I'm so sorry you had to put him down! *hugs*

[ratcreature]

Thanks. I've gone through this with several rats, but it never gets any easier to make that decision.

[hugglewolf.livejournal.com]

I'm so sorry, sweetie. He was a lovely little guy. *squishes you*

[ratcreature]

Thanks, he really was. I'll miss him.

[secretrebel.livejournal.com]

So sorry, I know how much you loved him. :(

[ratcreature]

Thanks. He was easy to love.

[tassosss.livejournal.com]

I'm so sorry. Putting down a friend is so hard.

[ratcreature]

Yeah, it is. Thanks for the sympathy.

[sherrold.livejournal.com]

He looks like a very sweet creature; I'm glad you had him as a part of your life, and sad that that part is over. Good luck.

[ratcreature]

Thanks.

[jimandblair.livejournal.com]

oh, I am sorry ((ratcreature)).

[ratcreature]

Thanks. *hugs back*

[elynross.livejournal.com]

Oh, I love that picture of him all curled up, asleep! What a sweet, sweet baby.

I'm so sorry.

[ratcreature]

Thanks.

[seperis.livejournal.com]

*hugs you* I'm so sorry, honey. The pictures of him are adorable.

[ratcreature]

Thanks.

[gnatkip.livejournal.com]

I've been thinking about the two of you the past few days. *hugs*

[ratcreature]

Thanks. *hugs back*

[cirrussundog.livejournal.com]

Very sorry to read the news. He seemed a rat of great charms.

[ratcreature]

Thanks.

[prof-h.livejournal.com]

I'm so sorry for your loss. It's always hard to lose a pet, and it sounds like Krumel was really special. {{{hugs}}}

[ratcreature]

Thanks.

[http://users.livejournal.com/__marcelo/]

*hugs* He was very beautiful, and sounds like an awesome rat.

[ratcreature]

Thanks, he was awesome.

[droolfangrrl.livejournal.com]

*does some calculating at http://www.taletn.com/rats/age/ *

Wow, he was 85 in people years? You must have taken real good care of him.

*hugs the ratcreature*

You done good, hon. I'm sorry it hurts.

[ratcreature]

I don't know about 85, and of course it's like with humans, you hope they get to be over a 100, especially once they are in their 80. But yeah, rats usually die between 2 - 2 1/2 years, though I've heard about some that get older.

[jcalanthe]

Aww, I'm so sorry to read this! I send you lots of supportive thoughts.

[ratcreature]

Thanks.