On Monday a little before midnight, our little pet rat Havarti passed away.
Yes, we had a pet rat. And no, we didn't catch her in our apartment and just decide to keep her, we actually wanted a rat and went to a pet store to buy her.
Havarti did not get to live her full age due to an inoperable brain tumor. Her first symptoms began during the summer and she gradually declined from there. She started spending much more time sleeping, not being able to climb and jump on things, and eventually had a hard time eating and walking. We had been giving her medicine to slow the process but after some time, it stopped working. Last Friday we realized that she was really having a hard time and debated taking her in to the vet to have her put to sleep. We decided to wait, hoping a higher dose of the medicine would help her get better. Unfortunately it didn't, but we're glad that she passed on her own rather than having to take her to the vet. Hopefully she died in as much comfort as possible. I sat with her bundled in a small towel and snuggled her on my lap for a couple hours until she went.
Now every time I walk down the hallway and pass the room with her cage in it, I have to fight the habit of peeking in to check on her or see if she's waiting for us to come greet her.
We buried her today.
Havarti Kaefer
June 2008-October 2009
June 2008-October 2009
p.s. my nerdiness as a crazy animal lover and pet owner is now over...for the time being.
5 comments:
You are the only person that I've ever known to always have a pet rat! I remember the one you had in your bedroom when I would come over to play when we were little. :)
I'm sorry to hear about Havarti. It's hard to lose a pet no matter what.
Im so sorry about Havarti! I had pet rats when I was little, so I feel your pain :( RIP Havarti!
That second pic of Havarti is so cute. Little Havarti.
oh, my heart aches for you.....so sad.....Havarti loved you both! And maybe it is some consolation to think that - even though her life was short, she lived as a "princess" rat in your home. Many animals (people for that matter) don't have such nice treatment as you and Matt gave Havarti. In time, your heart will heal as a new pet comes into your life to love you. =+) rubyslipperz
Stacie, that is so sad! I can understand the sadness at an animal passing away. And Havarti looks so much like my (former) pet rat Missy - it's crazy!
I'm glad she didn't have to go to the vet - they hate that.
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