Remy

Some people know that I had to put my beloved rat, Remy, down yesterday - and for those who don't I'm letting everyone in on what happened.

   He took a turn for the worst on Friday after he stopped drinking water willingly a week ago. He wouldn't lift his head, eat or drink, or stand up on his own. I took him to the vet to see if there was anything we could do and our vet, Betheny, told us he probably had liver failure from the yellowing of his skin (which we attributed to the leftover iodine from his last surgery). She said that would have probably died later that day. I got to hold him and love on him for a while and was there when she gave him some anesthesia to make him go to sleep. They do this with smaller animals because they need to put the needle into his heart since his veins are so small. There have been accounts from people under this sort of anesthesia that said it felt very euphoric, and so my dad and I, along with our vet, felt good about Remy feeling so relaxed and happy as he went to sleep. I told him goodnight and that I loved him very much and showered him with kisses and scratched his back (he loved to sit in my lap and cuddle while I rubbed/scratched his back). You are right to assume that I have been bawling this entire time, although I managed to keep a conversation fairly well.
   Betheny told me that I did everything correct in taking care of him and that I couldn't have prevented his liver failure. She said if we had even come in at the earliest signs, I would have had a battle on my hands that would have ended the same way. She knew he was incredibly loved. People were very fond of Remy when he came in for his two quick surgeries to remove small benign tumors. He was quite the ladie's man and was very loved.

   We buried him out with our dog George (he died a year ago on graduation day which is the same day I had to put Remy down), and my cat, Johnny (who died in March), out in the wooded area behind our house. He's buried in his little play tube that he loved so much.

   Remy loved to give kisses and take rides on shoulders. He loved to cuddle up with me and take naps while I worked, or even took a nap as well. The little guy never bit once and was incredibly intelligent. He was the only rat left for sale in the pet store in Portland when I went to see about a pet to keep me company. He was seven months old at the time. Why no one had chosen him yet was a mystery to me, because that Remy was one of a kind. I can only guess that he was meant for me and I was meant for him. Some people make fun because I was so attached to a rat, but it's only due to ignorance that they think that.

   Rats are incredibly smart and fiercely loyal. They are a great pet and companion to have and I recommend them to anyone wanting a buddy. Males are typically more cuddly than females, but both have their good points. Each has their own personality that will make you laugh and think they were such an amazing gift to have.

I love you so much Rem-Rem. You'll always be my little chef and I'll think about you often. You were such a gift to me and changed a lot of peoples' opinions about rats. Your personality was so big that you seemed like a little person. That made it even harder when I had to make the best decision for you to let you go. You will be impossible to replace. You were one of the best things to ever happen to me.

 I love you, puddin'.