When is it time?
If you have a rat friend in your life at some point you are going to be faced with that moment when you know that
your rat is nearing the end of his or her life. The problem is when is it that time? Is it when they get a tumor, is it
when they develop sores on the tumor? is it when they slow down? or do you just have to take it on a case-by-case
basis? I have had many rats throughout my life and the worst part about them is that they leave us so soon. Right now
in my life with rats I have one senior rat, her name is shadow. I guess I am writing this mostly because shadow is really
going downhill these days. When I got her she was a really active rat, in fact she was the most active rat I have ever had.
Shadow used to jump up and over the side of the tub when I had a bath and had a few unexpected baths that way.
She also used to jump into the toilet on occasion, onto my bed and onto my lap when she was in the mood. About
a month ago shadow got a tumor. Many of the rescue rats I have had get cancer so I was not too worried. Often they
are able to live for a long time with a tumor. I decided that I would keep shadow until she was no longer happy or
comfortable as that is what I have always done. I have been asking myself all kinds of questions lately about life and the
role I play in the lives of my rats. I never put a rat to sleep without knowing that it is time but it still makes me feel as
though I am playing with something that is not my decision. I am sure we have all had that feeling when the time is
nearing but you are just not sure that it is here. I think that you will KNOW when the time has come. My rats have
always told me when it was time for them to leave. My rat Whisper actually climbed onto my hand after not eating
for almost 3 days and looked at me and I could almost hear her telling me "LET ME GO" so I took her in to the vet.
At the vet I placed my hand in her cage to pick her up to say goodbye. She climbed on and sat with me for about
half an hour before she licked me climbed off, looked at me and then walked into her house and lay down. I went in with
her when she left this world and held her. It was a very simple process beginning with some sedative given to her in a
small tank. When she came out I held her is a warm towel for about 5 minutes while she slowly drifted into a peaceful
state. For here the vet took her for a brief moment and gave her a shot in the heart which ended her life in a blink. I held
her in the towel for those last few seconds, there was no struggle, she just faded away in my hands while my tears fell
all around her. No matter whether they tell us that it is time to go or not it is always hard to lose a friend. I know that
the time when I am going to lose shadow is fast approaching. Now when she walks she falls over, it is very hard to watch.
But she is still happy; rats adjust so easily that her loss of balance is not affecting her. She is in a large cage and still
maneuvers around it without a problem. I become teary just thinking about losing my friend of three years. Isn't it crazy
that we could love such a small little soul so much? NO, it isn't! Rats are wonderful pets worthy of our complete
devotion, love and time.
AYRI WYLIE
Update: Since writing this article about 3 months ago my shadow is still here. She is still wobbly but she gets around
and is still enjoying life. I hope to enjoy her company for days, weeks and even months. I will be here with her untill she
decides to leave me