Just this side of heaven is a place called Rainbow Bridge. When an animal dies that has been especially close to someone here, that pet goes to Rainbow Bridge. There are meadows and hills for all of our special friends so they can run and play together. There is plenty of food and water and sunshine, and our friends are warm and comfortable. All the animals who have been ill and old are restored to health and vigour, those who were hurt or maimed are made whole and strong again, just as we remember them in our dreams of days and times gone by. The animals are happy and content, except for one small thing: they miss someone very special to them who had to be left behind. They all run and play together, but the day comes when one suddenly stops and looks into the distance. The bright eyes are intent; the eager body quivers. Suddenly it begins to break away from the group, flying over the green grass, strong legs carrying him faster and faster. YOU have been spotted, and when you and your special friend finally meet, you cling together in joyous reunion, never to be parted again. The happy kisses rain upon your face, your hands caress the beloved head and you look once more into the trusting eyes of your pet, so long gone from your life but never absent from your heart. Then you cross the Rainbow Bridge togetherSammy had been suffering with respiratory problems since last October. An x ray the week before he died showed a mass on his lung. My vet refused to give up though and we were sent home with tabs.
Sammy seemed to make a great improvement over the weekend and even the vet was pleased with him. On the Thursday night he tucked into a big bowl of mash and gravy with all his cage mates. I knew he didn't really have long but I didn't think he would leave me quite so quick.
On the Friday morning he really had taken a turn for the worse, he was very lethargic, wouldn't have his baby food and generally un well.
I sat with him for an hour willing him to go in my arms and telling how much I loved him and how special he was. At 12.20 he left me for the Bridge surrounded by his cage mates.
I held him for another hour untill his little body had gone cold....
He is now buried in my parents garden with a little cross marking his grave. When the weather gets better will shall put a little flower there.
Sammy was such a very special little rat. Apart from being my first boy and also first from a breeder he was such a character. He would often sit by the cage door waiting for me to pass him kitchen roll so he could "make the beds", when he'd had enough he'd go to bed himself only to find all the other boys there.
As he got older he began to lose his fur on his upper body but his tummy was always like a rug.
Play hard at the Bridge my little Sammy and take deep deep breaths, know that mommy loves and misses you always.....
This is the only picture I have of little Ben.He was having treatment at the time and we were advised to keep him on his own.As you can probably tell he was not at all happy about it.
Ben went downhill very quickly in the end,although he had been given antibiotics previously, this time they failed to work. Since losing him I have spoken to various ratty breeders who have been very helpful, telling me what to look out for in the future and how to administer drugs more efficiently.
Ben will not be forgotten.I'm sure he is having the time of his life at the Bridge.He can breathe properly again and is munching away at his very own corn on the cob. God Bless little Ben .
Another of our family passed away just 2 weeks before Ben. I think that made it a lot harder to deal with, losing 2 members so very close together.
Although not a ratty, Scully was still a valued family member. I'd had her since she was 6 weeks old, at one point it was just me and her.Although not a friendly moggy she did like to sneak into the bedroom when you weren't aware. You'd be woken up with what you thought was a train running through your room when all it was was her purring in your ears. She also had a great fondness for pulling ear rings out.
Scully was only 7 years old when she died, she also went very quickly, within a matter of days.About 4 months before she died we brought another little black kitten to keep her company. Scully was not that impressed at all, often giving her the odd "tap" on the head. Eventually, though, she did learn to put up with her.
I like to think that Scully has got herself her very own armchair,in front of a nice warm fire, where ever she is.
Hopefully we shall not be adding this page too often in the future.
