Ratley -- my heart, my love -- 9/14/05 - 6/28/08

[mandycoot]

I am heartbroken to say that I made the decision to let my sweet old girl go on Saturday. Nearly two years of battling respiratory illness reduced her always slim body to a weak system of bones and organs, but it way only when her spirit began to wane that I knew the end was truly near.

I'll miss you, my love. You were my first rat, the one that started it all, and you have taken a huge chunk of my heart with you.

She had my family totally hooked! My mom bought a tiny stuffed animal just to remove the hat, then attached elastic - Christmas 2005


Healthier times - 2006


What to do with all the Martin's packing? - June 2007


A bit older, with her bud Thunder (RIP) - November 2007


The night before. For the first two years of her life she was a steady 365g. That last week she was down to 165g.

[slynx]

I'm so sorry you lost beautiful Ratley.  She was a very special girl, and I just love the expression on her face in the photo with Thunder.  What a hole she leaves.

[Storer_Rats]

Awww.....poor ol' girl.  I'm sorry for your loss, she was lovely.

[fuzzybee]

Mandy, I'm so sorry.  What a special girl she was.  She did the most wonderful job of inspiring you to become a fantastic and caring rat-lover, and she stuck around a good, long time, too.  I can only imagine the loss you're feeling.  I love the story about your mum - Ratley truly was well-loved.  Rest in peace, beautiful girl.
Thinking of you.   

[Nokithis]

oh mandy, i'm so sorry. 

[Cigar]

What a gorgeous girl, I'm sorry for your loss. Play hard at the bridge with Thunder!

[coeurfragile]

I'm very sorry 

Ratley knows that she will always be special to you because she was your first little one. From your pictures you can tell that it was her time to go, the last one is so sad. She battled for two years against illnesses because she wanted to be by you.

She will be missed!

[baileyjane]

Oh Mandy, I am so sorry about your loss of beautiful Ratley.   {{{HUGS}}}

[lilspaz68]

What a beautiful memorial Mandy.    Ratley would be honoured.

She was a lovely girl and even in her last pic you could see that spirit shining soo brightly.

I am glad she found you, lived such a wonderful life with you, and she has now done her job.  She has started you off on your path.

I am sorry you had to say goodbye, but she is fat and sassy now, bouncing around probably saying "Lookit me now Mom!!"

((hugs))

[dwankrista]

I'm so sorry.     Play hard, sweet girl.

[liza]

Oh no, I am so sorry Ratley had to go. It is so very hard to let the very first one go, the one who got everything started... But you know? I still feel my darling Dante's presence. He was my very first rat, the one that made me fall in love with rats. He was my world, my soulmate, the one whose spirit will never leave mine, no matter what. I was so very close to him - and still am.
I am sure Ratley won't ever leave your side. You gave her a great life, you nurtured her throughout her sickness and never gave up on her. You then gave her the greatest gift of love by letting her go. She would want you to look at her pictures and share her stories with a smile. You were very fortunate to have shared part of your life with Ratley and you will always have those sweet memories with you. She won't be far away from you though her body is no longer with you.

My heart goes out to you.

Ratley is a very beautiful angel girl now who will tell others how wonderful you were to her. 

[wonderrodent]

Oh Mandy, my heart just sank. I am so sorry you had to let Ratley go. Unfortunately, we have to make this hard decision sometimes but she is in a good place now and doesn't have to suffer from her horrible respiratory illness anymore. She was such a sweet, adorable girlie! 
Run along, angel face, and play hard with all your friends. Help mom to be strong!

BIG (((HUGS))), Mandy! My  goes out to you.

[JR1030]

Oh, I'm sorry.  What a tough loss for you.  (((hugs))) 

[Tattooed]

So sorry about your poor baby. 

[Breakthenight]

I am so sorry!*hugs* She looks like she was a character, and I bet you gave her a great life

[anita1216]

Im so sorry for your loss. Its terribly difficult to lose such a precious little furperson. *hugs* I hope you feel better soon.

[italianqt]

That was a beautiful post. What a darling girl. I'm so sorry.

[scout]

Mandy, I'm so sorry to hear about Ratley. It is a bittersweet final gift we give to our most precious rat friends to keep them from suffering. May your heart heal quickly from your loss.

[Ratlovingkippy06]

I am soo sorry Mandy I too have just lost my very first rat a few weeks ago,  i know you feel like your heart will never stop hurting or feel the pain from this loss. Stay strong, she was very pretty and will be missed. Keep your head up and hugs*

[Ktina]

OMG.  I'm so sorry Mandy!  I fell in love with her even though I only met her for a little bit.  She was so tiny and sweet.