in memory of Emil...

[ratcreature]

Emil
8.3.2007 - 11.9.2009

I had Emil put down this afternoon. The vet said that with this rapid a decline it was most likely a tumor inside, and that there was no sense to try antibiotics further in the bad condition he was in. And he had been suffering the last few days. (I even thought for a moment earlier today that he had died on his own because his body was so cold when I checked on him and he didn't react anymore, but after a moment I saw and heard that he was still breathing.)

Anyway, I cuddled with him for a while at home to say goodbye, hoping that even though he didn't seem very aware anymore he maybe still enjoyed being with me and lying on a warm body when his own wasn't even maintaining body temperature anymore, and then I brought him to vet to end his misery.

I hope I helped make the two and a half years he had a good life for him. He was only sick for a short time, barely two weeks, and he had never any health problems before, so he was luckier than many of my other rats. Though of course today it doesn't feel lucky.


I actually have baby pictures of him the breeder sent me, here he is with his siblings when his eyes were still closed (I think he's the one in the middle of the pile):


And a baby picture with his eyes open (he's the second from the left at the bottom, looking at the camera):


Once he was five weeks he and his brother Ignatz moved in with me, and as a young rat he was of course very hyper, so I have lots of blurry pictures:


Anyway he was an curious young rat, exploring things:




He also liked really uncomfortable looking sleep positions (notice how he disdained the comfy basket behind him, and instead chose to sleep squeezed into some contortionist pose).


He got more sensible about that as he got older, eventually his favorite spots were soft hammocks and baskets.

He loved yogurt:


and of course scrambled eggs (I have yet to meet a rat who doesn't):


In general bribery with food helped to get a picture taken:


Otherwise there was half a rat in it more often than not (though in this one only Ignatz moves out of the picture):







For the first time in years I am without rats. It feels very lonely.

Comments

[elynross.livejournal.com]

I'm so sorry. What a lovely, sleek boy he was!

[ratcreature]

Thanks. He was a very pretty rat. His grey is officially called "russian blue" and his fur had a nice gloss, and it was very fine and soft as well. Unfortunately he liked sitting still to be petted for a long time less well than some of my other rats whose fur wasn't as silky.

[tartanshell.livejournal.com]

Oh, I'm so sorry. *hugs* Thank you so much for sharing these photos of him.

[ratcreature]

Thanks. I'm trying to keep the good times in mind, and remember him at his best rather than how sick he was at the end.

[jimandblair.livejournal.com]

sorry, sweetie

[ratcreature]

Thanks.

[caiusmajor.livejournal.com]

I'm so sorry to hear that. :(

[ratcreature]

Thanks.

[janissa11.livejournal.com]

*HUGS* I am so sorry -- for such small creatures, they leave huge holes in our lives when they leave.

[ratcreature]

Thanks. My place feels really quiet and empty right now.

[sanj.livejournal.com]

Oh, I'm so sorry.

[ratcreature]

Thanks.

[cordelia_v]

I'm so sorry for your loss. It's so much in such a short period of time. I'm sorry for that.

[ratcreature]

Thanks.

[wemblee.livejournal.com]

Here via friendsfriends. I'm sorry for your loss. :( *gentle hugs*

[ratcreature]

Thanks. *hugs back*

[jacquez.livejournal.com]

I'm so sorry.

Rats are heartbreaking -- always gone too soon.

[ratcreature]

Thanks. They really are hertbreaking.

[devildoll.livejournal.com]

Oh, honey. I'm so sorry. I loved the pictures, though. Adorable.

[ratcreature]

Thanks. He really was adorable. I try to remember the good times.

[red-eft.livejournal.com]

I'm so sorry.

[ratcreature]

Thanks.

[minnow1212.livejournal.com]

:Hugs: I'm so sorry.

[ratcreature]

Thanks.

[yahtzee63.livejournal.com]

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

[ratcreature]

*hugs back*

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

I'm so sorry! *hugs*

[ratcreature]

Thanks. *hugs back*

[hsavinien.livejournal.com]

My sympathy for your loss. Looked like a sweetie.

[ratcreature]

Thank you.

[purelyironic.livejournal.com]

I'm so sorry. *hugs you*

[ratcreature]

Thanks.

[hugglewolf.livejournal.com]

I'm really sorry to hear your sad news, sweetie. He was a cute little guy. I know what you mean about the loneliness. We got Lady right after Shane our german shepherd passed, and now our house seems ...wrong somehow. I still find myself shutting the kitchen door so she won't try to get in there during the night, and being surprised that she doens't bound up to meet me when I come home from work.

But I believe they go to a better place and we will see them all again.

*hugs you*

[ratcreature]

Yeah, I still keep forgetting for a moment that I don't have to feed any rats any more, because it has been part of my routine for the last years.