sketchi
Well-Known Member
I usually try to stay out of this subforum since I don't want to think about my ratties dying. but it's happened. I've lost my youngest boy.
I didn't want to make this thread but I can't sleep and I can't stop randomly crying.
here are some pics from the first day I got him:
some favorite pics:
and pics from the last day... :sad3:
he was my most energetic rat, always on the go. he loved adventures, and getting into all sorts of mischief. one of the more memorable mis-adventures was when I let them free-roam around the house, and he burrowed a hole in my blanket. when I tried to find them again, of course I could only find Strider! after spending the whole day looking for him everywhere and worrying that he's lost, hungry, and thirsty somewhere, finally I sat down on my bed and, what do you know, something nudges me beneath the blankets! he'd chewed holes everywhere, ruining a very expensive duvet, but since everyone was so worried about him we gave him treats instead of scolds. lucky guy!
Strider is the real 'boss' of the group, but Noodle was always the first to do everything. he would lead the way to new places, find innovative ways to escape from the top of the CN (jumping across conveniently placed food bags or sidling down along the wall like 007), and Strider would follow. he was stronger (or perhaps just fatter!), smarter, and more outgoing than Strider, but he always submitted to Strider's many licks. he was always the big softie.
this is the only time I saw Noodle grooming Strider, for a change (and only because Strider let him!):
and Noodle was the first one to welcome the newcomer, Milky. he had a big heart, and never even came close to biting anyone. he went limp in your hands like putty, and was so trusting with people. he was the only rat who would let you cradle him upside down while he ate. when I took him outside, he'd run after me like a dog. a lot of people have met Noodle since I bring my rats to school (and everywhere else), and many were touched by his special brand of ...spasticness? always always busy, curious, and adorable.
I should've expected this... all his siblings have died, months ago. ): I was hoping he'd managed to escape whatever ailed his littermates, and had somehow convinced myself he'd live for at least another two years. although our time together was unfairly short, I am so grateful for the year I did have with him. I never knew just how much of my heart he owned until he passed. nothing will ever replace him. he was such a special rattie. I only wish I had more time with him. everything happened so quickly and suddenly. it still feels like a dream I'd wake up from any moment. I don't want to believe it. I will never again get to coo "noodley-nood!" and have a grey head poke out, scrambling for food. why do rats live such short lives, and yet effect us so deeply.
goodbye noodle, I really loved you. I wish I didn't have to say goodbye so soon.
I didn't want to make this thread but I can't sleep and I can't stop randomly crying.
here are some pics from the first day I got him:
some favorite pics:
and pics from the last day... :sad3:
he was my most energetic rat, always on the go. he loved adventures, and getting into all sorts of mischief. one of the more memorable mis-adventures was when I let them free-roam around the house, and he burrowed a hole in my blanket. when I tried to find them again, of course I could only find Strider! after spending the whole day looking for him everywhere and worrying that he's lost, hungry, and thirsty somewhere, finally I sat down on my bed and, what do you know, something nudges me beneath the blankets! he'd chewed holes everywhere, ruining a very expensive duvet, but since everyone was so worried about him we gave him treats instead of scolds. lucky guy!
Strider is the real 'boss' of the group, but Noodle was always the first to do everything. he would lead the way to new places, find innovative ways to escape from the top of the CN (jumping across conveniently placed food bags or sidling down along the wall like 007), and Strider would follow. he was stronger (or perhaps just fatter!), smarter, and more outgoing than Strider, but he always submitted to Strider's many licks. he was always the big softie.
this is the only time I saw Noodle grooming Strider, for a change (and only because Strider let him!):
and Noodle was the first one to welcome the newcomer, Milky. he had a big heart, and never even came close to biting anyone. he went limp in your hands like putty, and was so trusting with people. he was the only rat who would let you cradle him upside down while he ate. when I took him outside, he'd run after me like a dog. a lot of people have met Noodle since I bring my rats to school (and everywhere else), and many were touched by his special brand of ...spasticness? always always busy, curious, and adorable.
I should've expected this... all his siblings have died, months ago. ): I was hoping he'd managed to escape whatever ailed his littermates, and had somehow convinced myself he'd live for at least another two years. although our time together was unfairly short, I am so grateful for the year I did have with him. I never knew just how much of my heart he owned until he passed. nothing will ever replace him. he was such a special rattie. I only wish I had more time with him. everything happened so quickly and suddenly. it still feels like a dream I'd wake up from any moment. I don't want to believe it. I will never again get to coo "noodley-nood!" and have a grey head poke out, scrambling for food. why do rats live such short lives, and yet effect us so deeply.
goodbye noodle, I really loved you. I wish I didn't have to say goodbye so soon.
I'm sad I couldn't give Noodle a last meal of frozen peas, since he didn't want anything to do with food on his last day. ): I buried him with some though, so I hope he's having an infinite buffet of frozen peas now.
