in memory of Ignatz...

[ratcreature]

Ignatz
8.3.2007 - 16.7.2009

I had Ignatz put down this afternoon. I posted a lot about his sickness before, and there was nothing to be done. The spider venom didn't slow the cancer down, and at the end the bulge on his throat from the tumor and the wound bleeding had gotten so large that he could not even groom his face with his paws any longer or walk without struggle, and the myco didn't respond anymore to antibiotics and his breathing was getting very labored. I tried to give him as much time as possible, and he fought hard to hold on, but of course we all loose to death in the end.

Still, two years and a little over four months is not such a bad age for a rat, and I hope he enjoyed what time he had. I'm sorry that Emil will be alone for the end of his life though, but he's just far too old that I'd risk baby rats with him for very little time of potential company.

I'll remember Ignatz as a good rat and companion to me: good natured and affectionate, playful and sometimes cuddly, and never aggressive (not even to the vet).

Comments

[sanj]

Oh, I'm so sorry!

[ratcreature]

Thanks.

[kass]

I am so sorry for your loss. I always enjoyed reading stories about Ignatz and I know how hard it is to lose a beloved pet.

It sounds like you gave him a really good life.

*hug*

[ratcreature]

Thanks. *hugs back*

[gchick]

I'm so sorry. He was a very lucky rattie to have you.

[ratcreature]

Thanks.

[cathexys]

I'm really sorry. Those were lovely pictures! Thank you for sharing.

[ratcreature]

I try to remember the good times as well, rather than just how sick he was at the end.

[auburn]

I'm so sorry. You truly did everything you could to give him good time and I think he must have been very content and happy with you for those two years and four months.

(Your posts about Ignatz and Emil have rather changed my attitudes toward rats, too, because of how fond you obviously are. So thank you for sharing.)

[ratcreature]

Yeah, I hope he had a good life, at least I did everything I could to make it so.

And I'm glad to have succeeded in showing the lovable side of rats to you.

[cereta]

Oh, sweetie, I'm so sorry.

[ratcreature]

Thank you.

[marcelo]

I'm sorry. You loved him very much and took good care of him, and it showed.

[ratcreature]

Thank you.

[rheanna]

I'm sorry. {{{}}}

[ratcreature]

Thanks. *hugs back*

[astridv]

I'm sorry. It's so sad to lose a pet. (((hugs)))
Ignatz was a cutie.

[ratcreature]

Thanks. *hugs back*

[bethbethbeth]

Oh, hon...I'm so sorry to hear this. Ignatz was a good friend to you and, even more, you were a good friend to him.

[ratcreature]

Thank you.

[elynross]

I'm so sorry -- he looks such a pretty thing, with such lovely, glossy fur.

[ratcreature]

Thanks. Ignatz was great to cuddle and pet -- rats' fur is as soft as a cat's, and unless they just had a pissing contest (the winner of scuffles tends to pee on the looser) they don't really smell either, so you can bury your nose in their fur...

[parhelion]

I'm sorry to read about Ignatz. It's good you had some fun times together to remember.

[ratcreature]

Thanks.

[telesilla]

*hugs a bunch* I'm so sorry. He was an adorable little guy.

[ratcreature]

Thank you. *hugs back*

[gnatkip]

I am so sorry.

The pictures are lovely; the climbing-the-tree one especially made me smile.

<3

[ratcreature]

Thank you.

[reginagiraffe]

I'm so sorry for your loss!

*hugs*

[ratcreature]

Thanks. *hugs back*

[shadowvalkyrie]

*hugs*

[ratcreature]

*hugs back*

[giandujakiss]

I'm so sorry.

[ratcreature]

Thank you.

[steammmpunk]

I'm so sorry. *hugs*

[ratcreature]

Thanks. *hugs back*

[idlerat]

Very sincere (though somewhat belated) condolences. I know how hard it is from my own experience. I feel for you, and I'm sad for Ignaz. Er, don't know you well, but ((hugs)) if you want 'em.

[ratcreature]

Thank you.

[jt93.livejournal.com]

dude. im so sorry for your loss. it sucks to lose any of your family.

[ratcreature]

Thanks.

[slashbluegreen.livejournal.com]

looking at all those rat-playthings, the yummy food, lots of company and playtime, I'd say the little fellow had a wonderful life.

[ratcreature]

Thank you.

[devildoll.livejournal.com]

*hugs you*

[ratcreature]

Thanks. *hugs back*

[artaxastra.livejournal.com]

I'm sorry. I know it's very hard to lose a beloved pet.

[ratcreature]

Yeah. I try to remember the good times and that the pain now is worth it to have had him in my life.

[droolfangrrl.livejournal.com]

Hugs from all of us, Little Bit, the guinea pig, as well.

[ratcreature]

Thanks. *hugs back*

[argosy.livejournal.com]

I have rats too. Your Ignatz looks quite a bit like my Spider. I'm sorry to hear about your loss.

[ratcreature]

Thank you.