Goodbye Whiski November 2015 to February 27, 2019

We had to say goodbye to our little Whiski last month. This was my daughters pet rat that we had bought a few years previously. I had noticed that Whiski had been not acting himself for a past couple months or so. First, we wasn't hanging out at his regular spot, the hammock. We also wasn't re-arranging his furniture like he normally would after his room had been cleaned. Still, he was very attentive and wanted to spend time with the family and eat his treats (crackers, peanut butter, milk). Near the end of February we noticed that his walk was off, and wasn't as interested in his treats. On February 26th, I had taken Whiski out of his room to spend time with him. When I put him back, he wanted to come back out, scratching at his door. I took him out, rubbed his head a little bit until he feel asleep. I put him back in his cage and covered him with a blanket so he'd stay warm. I made an appointment the next day for him to see the vet, and most likely to have him put down. I was worried when they told me that I was NOT allowed to be in the room with him as they put him to sleep (like, what are they doing that I cannot be there for?). My daughter was too upset to come for this ride. Anyway, I get back home from work and Whiski had passed away. A little sense of relief that he didn't have to suffer long, and that he wouldn't have to suffer at the hand of a vet. In hindsight, though, Whiski had a spoiled life. He lived longer than he should have, especially considering he only had us. Human companionship though is all he knew, and he was like any typical family dog (having had owned dogs before), just loving anyone that came around. Never a bite, never a squeak, just scratches from his sharp nails, and that allergic reaction that comes with that. Whiski was lucky in the sense though that he never got sick during his short time with us, until the last few weeks, which I assumed was him just reaching his elderly stage, being close to 100 years old in 'rat years'.

Isn't it weird, though, how you can love these little tiny rodents? But really, rats are probably once of the smartest, tamest and loving animals out there. And I am glad that I spent that extra time with him the night of February 26th, if anything to ease him into his last few hours, knowing that he isn't alone.

We miss you, Whiski.

Picture 1 is Whiski enjoying some milk, picture 2 is Whiski on my daughters lap, enjoying a ride, plus he got a free 'donut hole' from the coffee shop.

I'm so sorry for your loss.. I'm glad he had a good long life with you.

I am so sorry , I know how attacjed we get to them. I am still morning my buddies . Be courageous , the best way to get through it is to get other little ratties and spoil them .

My condolences to you; losing a rat is difficult. Losing my rat was like losing my dog-- who I had known a whole five times longer.

For me, I found that cremating my boys and putting them on a special shelf helped ease some of the grief. I would like to get a tattoo of them one day, but that's just my grieving method.

My condolences for your loss. Your buddy there looks like a pretty chill guy.