Winston lost his brother and I NEED HELP

Im sad to report that Teddy passed away a few days ago.
He was old and hadnt recovered completely from his last kidney infection so it was not a surprise. Ill miss him dearly.

I need advice for his brother, Winston. He is a social butterfly and the sweetest boy and has always been nervous without his brother. I would love to get him a new cage mate, but im about to move and the transition is already a pain. I bought him a teddy bear and a bunny to curl up with and he loves them. But you can tell hes lonley and getting depressed.

I know it will take time for him to adjust and im trying to pay extra attention to him but...
I'm planning on leaving for a week for thanksgiving. I have a friend coming over every day to give him food and water and hold him for a bit, but otherwise Winston will be completely alone. Is there any advice on how to make sure my baby feels safe and happy while im gone? I know its a tough question. I just cant imagine coming home to my baby passed away due to a broken heart.

PLEASE HELP!!!

A lone rat needs to spend hours and hours a day with you …. it still doesn't replace having a rattie friend but it helps
Good that you got him a teddy bear and a bunny to cuddle with.

Without his brother and with you leaving …. not a good situation.
The only thing I can think of that would help (other then new rattie friends) is if your friend could come over and spend time with him so they are friends and then your friend spending hours each day cuddling him and spending time with him …. and it would be best if he lived with your friend while you are gone - at their place or yours

I would get a new buddy for him ASAP. It's the only solution really. Rats need company to thrive. Leaving him all alone is risky. I once left a then recently bereaved rat alone for just 18 hours before his new buddies had arrived only to come back to him with him in full blown respiratory crisis. Got back just in time. Will never risk that again. Sorry if that's not very helpful.

Another thing you can do is wear a shirt or a piece of fleece under your clothes so it smells like you, and put that is his cage - it will likely get chewed

Btw, make sure the bear and bunny do not contain small parts - esp the stuffing because he may chew them
Personally, I would take him with me or I would not go,
and I would make getting 2 younger rats or a spayed older girl, an absolute priority

There's already good suggestions, have the friend come over before you leave so the rat can socialize with him. Also, any chance the rat can go to the friend's house? So Winston won't feel so alone? Or any chance you can bring him with you?