Chronica... I miss you... Did you ever know a rat that died?

I have 6 female rats at the moment. I have never had more than 2 at a time before this. Unfortunately, one of my babies has a large and extremely fast growing tumour just behind her left 'arm'. It has quadrupled in size in about a month. I hate that they are so susceptible to cancers, breathing / lung disorders and only have a lifespan of around 2 years, but I love the little blighters! :-) Mine are manchester hooded domestic bred rats. 3 are caramel and white and 3 are chocolate and white. I call them 'my little ratatoullies'...lol. It always breaks my heart and my sympathies go out to you for the loss of your little mate. x

I'm sorry you lost your little friend. I've been keeping rats for several years now and it's a sad part of rat ownership that they don't have the longest lifespans. I have six rats at the moment, 3 bucks and 3 does. (Dad and five bubs, sadly we lost their mum a few months back). It does get easier to let them go, especially if they're very sick towards the end. I have so many memories of all of the rats I've owned - even when you have a lot of them you never forget one, their personalities are so big! Incidentally, my username comes from one of my rats! Dagda. Now he was a character!