Willard came into my life in March '08, when the rescue manager I volunteer for bought him for my birthday. He was full of personality and so incredibly social with everyone.
Because of him, Johnny & Nigel joined us in 2008, as well. He was a favorite amongst everyone who met him. No one could deny the sweetness Willard shared with everyone he met.
He was also great when it came to introductions. He would approach the ''new guy'', groom them, and then cuddle for a nap. Absolutely no threat and no confrontation. Never a concern with introducing a new rat to him.
He was 2 months shy of 2 years old, and apparently, this 2nd bout of respiratory distress wasn't going to give up. I almost lost him the first time, but the 2nd time around, despite medications, he just was getting worse every day, instead of better.
He had to go to the vet this morning because he was gasping when I checked on him in the morning. He was put on oxygen and giving something to help open his airways (forgot what it's called right now). Despite that, he didn't get better. He did stop gasping, but he would start up again if he got excited at all.
Anyways, enough about that...bottom line is Willard was euthanized tonight, and I miss him with all my heart, but I couldn't watch him struggle to breathe, when the medication wasn't doing it's job for him.
Willard in the middle of his two cagemates & friends, Nigel & Johnny. They will miss him...their big brother:
