Stephanie
Well-Known Member
After a huge struggle Mrs. Sniffles told me this afternoon that it was time to let her go. After the tears have stopped I will write her tribute. She was taken in to be pts at 3:00 pm and will be sorely missed forever.
Mrs. Sniffles ??/??/???? - 1/28/2008
- Thread starter Stephanie
- Start date
Help Support The Rat Shack Forum:
Godmother
Well-Known Member
So sorry. Your dear girl had such a struggle the last few days.
mamarat
Well-Known Member
I'm so sorry, you tried so hard.
jorats
Loving rats since 2002.
Oh Stephanie... I'm so truly sorry. You've fought so hard for her. She was a trouper till it was time.
Willow Bean
Well-Known Member
Oh no, Stephanie!! I am so very, very sorry for your loss! My eyes are watering up as I am writing... I was really hoping that she would pull through, especially with you fighting so hard for her... *hugs*
Stephanie
Well-Known Member
Thank you everyone. I have pretty much been in a fog since it happened today. I feel horrible about it but for purely selfish reasons. I miss her so much already and I know the days to come will be even harder. I am hoping that her sister Precious pulls through this with at least not me having to make this decision. It is by far the hardest thing I have ever had to do. Here is Mrs. Sniffles story:
About a year ago I was perusing craigslist and noticed a posting for four females to go as snake food. They had never bitten but they were skittish so their owner felt that they would not make good pets. I brought it to the attention of Rattie Ratz rescue and unfortunately they did not have the means to take them in. So I decided to myself. I begged my husband to drive me 45 minutes away to get them and give me the money for them as well. I didn't want to pay the lady but she gave me no choice.
We got to her house and she had them in a tiny little carrier. She said that her pet sitter had not fed them while she was on vacation so they were a little skinny. When I looked down into the carrier I saw the most adorable 4 girls ever. A beige self I immediately knew was Meeha, A blue self who told me her name was Sapphyre, a blue hooded who I knew was Precious and the tiniest little black hooded I had ever laid my eyes on. Now I have a male named Mr. Sniffles and that went through my mind but my hubby took one look at her and named her Rascalitta. I knew it wouldn't last long because in my heart of hearts I knew she was Mrs. Sniffles.
After speaking with her previous owner a bit more I found out that they were kept in an aquarium (I am guessing no bigger than a 20 gallon) on pine even though she knew it was bad for them. They were being fed something horrible though I can't remember the name of it off hand. So i grabbed the girls and gave her the money and was off to the house to get them all set up in a nice loving home with proper everything.
When we got them home and settled hubby told me to leave them be since they were so scarred but I knew they just needed some love and attention. I took their cage into the bedroom with me and opened the door. No sooner than the door was open did I see a little black streak come flying out at me. Mrs. Sniffles was on he go and nothing was going to stop her! She ran around the bed peeing on everything in site while her sisters stayed in the cage cowering. She would run back in the cage and tussle with them as if to say "Come on girls we are finally home". After about an hour of exploring she settled down next to me and proceeded to give herself a good washing. When she was over that she found out that my mouth was so very very very dirty and tried to crawl down my throat.
Over the months the girls opened up wonderfully and while we lost Sapphyre too soon we knew she was in a better place. Mrs. Sniffles comforted me through all of it and seemed to hold her sisters together as well.
After a while the girls all started showing their age and we dealt with some pretty severe respiratory issues with all of them. Meeha left us next after she had her tumor removed. It was very sudden and very painful but again Mrs. Sniffles was there to try and comfort me. Her and Precious seemed beside themselves with depression though and I decided to integrate them with my other girls. Intro's went very well after a while and they finally got together just a month ago. Poor Mrs Sniffles had been chronic with respiratory issues for a while though and even though she cheated death twice this last time did her in. From everyone that I have spoken to and the vets as well she seemed to have had a pituitary tumor. She was so far gone that there was nothing more she could give. She was such a fighter I had to make the decision for her. She had been in and out of consciousness for about 12 hours before I made the call. She finally told me it was time to let go at around 2 pm this afternoon when I held her close and looked into her eyes she just started bruxing and boggling and licking my hand as if to say "It's ok mom, I want to go be with my other two sisters."
I put Precious in with her to say good bye there was a quick groom and then Precious could bear it no more. She ran off back to her cage and sat in a corner sulking. My children and husband all gave her some final scritches and kisses and we left for the vets.
Just before I handed her to the doctor she looked up at me and gave me more kisses. I knew it was right but I wanted so badly to be selfish and keep her with me till the end.
I will never forget my sweet little girl not in a million years. I know we will meet again but it seems so far away now.
About a year ago I was perusing craigslist and noticed a posting for four females to go as snake food. They had never bitten but they were skittish so their owner felt that they would not make good pets. I brought it to the attention of Rattie Ratz rescue and unfortunately they did not have the means to take them in. So I decided to myself. I begged my husband to drive me 45 minutes away to get them and give me the money for them as well. I didn't want to pay the lady but she gave me no choice.
We got to her house and she had them in a tiny little carrier. She said that her pet sitter had not fed them while she was on vacation so they were a little skinny. When I looked down into the carrier I saw the most adorable 4 girls ever. A beige self I immediately knew was Meeha, A blue self who told me her name was Sapphyre, a blue hooded who I knew was Precious and the tiniest little black hooded I had ever laid my eyes on. Now I have a male named Mr. Sniffles and that went through my mind but my hubby took one look at her and named her Rascalitta. I knew it wouldn't last long because in my heart of hearts I knew she was Mrs. Sniffles.
After speaking with her previous owner a bit more I found out that they were kept in an aquarium (I am guessing no bigger than a 20 gallon) on pine even though she knew it was bad for them. They were being fed something horrible though I can't remember the name of it off hand. So i grabbed the girls and gave her the money and was off to the house to get them all set up in a nice loving home with proper everything.
When we got them home and settled hubby told me to leave them be since they were so scarred but I knew they just needed some love and attention. I took their cage into the bedroom with me and opened the door. No sooner than the door was open did I see a little black streak come flying out at me. Mrs. Sniffles was on he go and nothing was going to stop her! She ran around the bed peeing on everything in site while her sisters stayed in the cage cowering. She would run back in the cage and tussle with them as if to say "Come on girls we are finally home". After about an hour of exploring she settled down next to me and proceeded to give herself a good washing. When she was over that she found out that my mouth was so very very very dirty and tried to crawl down my throat.
Over the months the girls opened up wonderfully and while we lost Sapphyre too soon we knew she was in a better place. Mrs. Sniffles comforted me through all of it and seemed to hold her sisters together as well.
After a while the girls all started showing their age and we dealt with some pretty severe respiratory issues with all of them. Meeha left us next after she had her tumor removed. It was very sudden and very painful but again Mrs. Sniffles was there to try and comfort me. Her and Precious seemed beside themselves with depression though and I decided to integrate them with my other girls. Intro's went very well after a while and they finally got together just a month ago. Poor Mrs Sniffles had been chronic with respiratory issues for a while though and even though she cheated death twice this last time did her in. From everyone that I have spoken to and the vets as well she seemed to have had a pituitary tumor. She was so far gone that there was nothing more she could give. She was such a fighter I had to make the decision for her. She had been in and out of consciousness for about 12 hours before I made the call. She finally told me it was time to let go at around 2 pm this afternoon when I held her close and looked into her eyes she just started bruxing and boggling and licking my hand as if to say "It's ok mom, I want to go be with my other two sisters."
I put Precious in with her to say good bye there was a quick groom and then Precious could bear it no more. She ran off back to her cage and sat in a corner sulking. My children and husband all gave her some final scritches and kisses and we left for the vets.
Just before I handed her to the doctor she looked up at me and gave me more kisses. I knew it was right but I wanted so badly to be selfish and keep her with me till the end.
I will never forget my sweet little girl not in a million years. I know we will meet again but it seems so far away now.
SQ
Senior Member - Vegan for the animals
I am so very sorry for your loss.
Thank you for sharing such a wonderful tribute the Mrs. Sniffles :heart:
Thank you for sharing such a wonderful tribute the Mrs. Sniffles :heart:
lilspaz68
Well-Known Member
That was lovely Stephanie and definitely befitting such wonderful rats as Mrs. Sniffles and her sisters. :heart:
mamarat
Well-Known Member
What a beautiful tribute to your little :heart: rat. You gave these girls their forever home and so much love and care.
Melissa's ZOO
Well-Known Member
I am so sorry for your loss RIP Mrs. Sniffles :cry:
Melissa
Well-Known Member
I'm so sorry. 
Phyllis
Well-Known Member
:roseopen: I am so sorry, she fought so hard to stay with you, bless her & you too, what a great Rattie Mommie you are!
`~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Dear Lord, please open your gates
and call St. Francis
to come escort this beloved companion
across the Rainbow Bridge.
Assign her to a place of honor,
for she has been a faithful servant
and has always done her best to please me.
Bless the hands that send her to you,
for they are doing so in love and compassion,
freeing her from pain and suffering.
Grant me the strength not to dwell on my loss.
Help me remember the details of her life
with the love she has shown me.
And grant me the courage to honor her
by sharing those memories with others.
Let her remember me as well
and let her know that I will always love her.
And when it's my time to pass over into your paradise,
please allow her to accompany those
who will bring me home.
Thank you, Lord,
for the gift of her companionship
and for the time we've had together.
And thank you, Lord,
for granting me the strength
to give her to you now.
Amen.
- © Brandy Duckworth, 1998
`~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Dear Lord, please open your gates
and call St. Francis
to come escort this beloved companion
across the Rainbow Bridge.
Assign her to a place of honor,
for she has been a faithful servant
and has always done her best to please me.
Bless the hands that send her to you,
for they are doing so in love and compassion,
freeing her from pain and suffering.
Grant me the strength not to dwell on my loss.
Help me remember the details of her life
with the love she has shown me.
And grant me the courage to honor her
by sharing those memories with others.
Let her remember me as well
and let her know that I will always love her.
And when it's my time to pass over into your paradise,
please allow her to accompany those
who will bring me home.
Thank you, Lord,
for the gift of her companionship
and for the time we've had together.
And thank you, Lord,
for granting me the strength
to give her to you now.
Amen.
- © Brandy Duckworth, 1998
Fidget
Senior Member
I'm so sorry for your loss of your very special little caretaker.
My hopes go out to you and Precious that you can find comfort in the love you shared with Mrs. Sniffles that will remain with you always.
My hopes go out to you and Precious that you can find comfort in the love you shared with Mrs. Sniffles that will remain with you always.
Nickelrat
Well-Known Member
I'm so very sorry. :cry: She was really beautiful, inside and out. :heart:
Moon
Well-Known Member
What a gorgeous tribute to Mrs Sniffles. I'm so sorry for your loss.
Bronwyn
Well-Known Member
A beautiful tribute! I'm so sorry for your loss. :roseopen:
:roseopen:LA
Well-Known Member
That was a beautiful tribute. I'm so sorry for your loss of your darling girl.
chicky82
Well-Known Member
That was a lovely tribute to your sweet girl, I'm sorry for her passing :roseopen:
Stephanie
Well-Known Member
Thanks every one I am feeling a bit better now that I have thrown myself back into the swing of things. Precious was beating the living crap out of celest letting her know she wasn't dead yet the other night so I am sure she is starting to perk up. The meds seem to have no effect on her but as long as she is fighting I will too!! I really appreciate all of the support I have gotten from you guys this past week it has really helped alot. PLus the lolcats, rats and dogs site really helped as well.
