Fergus is better or so it would seem. I still struggle with him when taking water, but he is eating on his own. Soft foods he can lap up, he isnt able to chew. The stress has my asthma flared up, but only out of sheer worry for my beloved old man. Time has grown short for both him and his brother, leaves an ache that I cant even explain easily.

I find that even facing their eventual deaths, I am settled in some small way. I look at them and feel such love and honor to be part of thir lives no matter how short. They give so much in the time they are with you. Boggles the mind that people cant seem to understand the bond a rat forms with his/her humans.

I will thank good breeders for these calm, loving and trusting companions. They take the time to play and fuss with babies for weeks. That gives me friendly and happy ratkids that look to me for friendship and comfort. I am often surprised and amused by the lengths a rat will go to get some attention.

The cage will always be in the living room, a big part of my life. I enjoy having the boys right there next to me. I can be sitting on the couch and reach in for a tickle or a nibble. They enjoy a stroll on the couch while I read or peek a boo under the blanket on my lap.

I ramble out of anxiety this evening, the worry that one morning I will wake to find one of my little men gone on to the bridge *sighs*

Love comes in many packages, but none quite as wonderful, quite as curious as the love of a rat for his “mommy”