The ending of my beginning is today.    Lucky was my first real rescue rat.  She was the one who made me realize that people could abandon baby rats in pet carriers outside in a parking lot in chilly October.  She helped me find the homeless rats in the shelters and I took one home for her as a companion.  Then I found rat forums and rescues and everything else is history.   
She was soo special in everything she did, setting me on this wonderful path, and her personality was always calm and loving with me, with other rats, with everyone.   She was never sick a day in her life and I was shocked a couple of months ago when she started going  blind from cataracts, then soon after a mammary tumour popped up (never grew) and last week she was diagnosed with PT.  She was stable until yesterday and then her health and happiness plumetted.
My beloved girl...I cannot talk now...     We WILL meet again I promise you!

her first night...

As a young lady...

23 months old

a few weeks ago

last night with Tawnie, my 2 sweet sickies


Tawnie was part of my life at the end of hers.  She was a shelter rat that had been neglected and then abandoned. I fell for her and her sister since she was soo old and frightened, had been thru a spay for a hemangiosarcoma and her breathing was awful.  Her breathing got worse and worse, and she started to waste away, but while her health declined her happiness and even liking for me grew.  At the end I decided that I would be making the same decision within the week and no matter how sad Lucky's last night was, it is much worse for me personally to watch a rat gasp for breath at the end of its life...so I let Tawnie go with peace and dignity. 
It was wonderful to have met you little one, with your beautiful dark expressive eyes trying to figure me and my kindnesses out. 






:smt049

Oh Shelagh. Lucky and Tawnie couldn't have asked for a better mom. You can see it in the looks they give you in the pictures and they way they radiate comfort and trust. I'm so sorry for your losses.

I'm so sorry Shelagh. You were there for me so if there is anything that you need please let me know.    for the girls.
They looked so happy!!!!!!

I'm sorry about your girls.  You cared for them the best and most loving way right up to the end. <hugs> 

Oh hun, I'm at a loss for words.    I'm so sorry for the loss of your two beautiful girls.

beautiful tribute to your girls  *hugs*

   I am so sorry to read about your wonderful, beautiful girls.  You gave them the second chance they deserved and they loved you so much for that.    hugs 

*hugs*

Oh Shelagh, I'm so sorry for your losses. Those girls had the best momma out there and I'm sure they knew it. 

Play hard, ladies, and breath easy. 

Melissa

These threads always make me sad but right now I am just at a complete loss of words. I am so so sorry Shelagh. 
You were so lucky to have wonderful girls like them and they will be waiting for you. ((hugs))

Breath easy girls and play hard and be sure to jump in the yoagie pool and swim a few laps before consuming to your hearts content!!!!  And while you are in the yoagie pool be sure to pull Sable out.  I am sure she has been in there way too long!!!

Smooches to their cage mates who have lost today as well and what flavor of ice cream should I send to you today Shelagh with a huge spoon and whipped cream to top it off with   

Staci

I'm so sorry Shelagh. *Hugs* I understand completely the need for others to know how wonderful and how much you love your babies. Sharing our feelings is the road to healing. We can tell others, who have never loved these wonderful animals, how we feel, but they will never truly understand our grief. That's why we come here to share our feelings with others who know what we are going through and can share our grief as well as our memories. Yes, it is a celebration of their lives and we should embrace it.

Play hard at the bridge girls!

Oh my I am so so sorry! What beautiful little fur kids! I am so glad they found you as they could not have asked for a better mom! Play hard little ones and visit your mom often 

Kristin