Wheelie Rat said good-bye

[maryjane]

Mr. Wheelie Rat passed away last night at the ripe old age of almost 3 1/2. Most rats live an average of three years so he was definitely enjoying his retirement years. The strange thing is, last night I dreamed I went out to the rat cages and he had passed away. Then when I woke up and went to feed them, there he was already gone. I like to think that he came and said good-bye to me in my dream. Yesterday he looked and acted just fine, I had no reason to think he was leaving us, other than his age. He loved to run on his giant wheel and I could always hear him late at night out there, Squeak, Squeak, Squeak on the his wheel. Though he didn't like to be handled and came from a snake food tank at the pet shop, he enjoyed his life a lot and was always a fat, friendly big guy (not like his brother Mr. Angry Rat who would like to eat me ). I'm certainly glad he was able to live his life to the fullest as part of the family here.

[TAWhatley]

I'm sorry for the loss of Mr. Wheelie Rat, MJ, but very glad he had a long and happy life with you.

Terry

[Charis]

I'm sorry, Mary Jane. What a sweet face that fellow had.
I believe he did come to tell you good bye.

[mr squeaks]

Oh, there's no doubt in my mind that Mr. Wheelie came to say goodbye, MJ. Follows one of favorite sayings: "nothing is impossible, only unknown."

I am very sorry for your loss...I have always thought that rats can be wonderful companions...and they are very smart!

I know he had a wonderful life with you...I wouldn't be surprised if he comes to visit you again...in your dreams...to tell you he is just fine...

With LOVE and HUGS

Shi

[Hillybean]

Aww, MJ, I'm sorry that he passed on.
You did give him a good life. His age shows it, he was a very lucky rat.

He reminds me of my Ritz. A rattie I had about 5 years back. Ritz fell from a ceiling of a pet shop, was attacked by the store cat, and left in a bucket in the back to die. I took him home and doctored him up.He was two weeks old when I got him. He lived to be 2 years, and then had to be helped to cross the rainbow bridge (put down) due to cancer. Anyways, he was a great rattie, went everywhere with me and even had his own table and dinner plate. His photo takes up several places on the walls around the house.

Your Mr.Wheelie and him looked similar.

I'm positive he said goodbye, and his thanks.

-Hilly

[Margarret]

MaryJane,
I'm sorry for your loss of Wheelie. Goodbyes are a sadness,even when the one who passes is aged and it is time. You gave him a comfortable life and old age.

Margaret

[Reti]

What a sweetie he was. Glad he had a wonderful and long life thanks to you.
RIP Mr. Wheelie Rat.

Reti

[Trees Gray]

I'm so sorry to hear about Mr. Wheelie. He has such a sweet face and looks quite content in his happy life with you in that picture, and that says it all!

Sending a hug for comfort.

[Dezirrae]

My heart-felt condolences Mary Jane. How wonderful that you rescued him from the pet store - I'm sure he loved you deeply and don't doubt at all that he came to you to say goodbye... and to give you a "dream hug". It's so difficult to loose beloved pets no matter how much time they've spent with us. Be comforted in the fact that you both shared a beautiful 3 1/2 yrs together.

[TheSnipes]

Originally Posted by maryjane

I like to think that he came and said good-bye to me in my dream.

He did! And to say "Thanks for giving me a happy carefree life, MJ! You are a great mom!"

[Lady Tarheel]

Maryjane, I'm really sorry Mr. Wheelie has passed away. I know you loved him and his long life is a testament to your good care of him.

[cyro51]

Thank you for giving him a life...and a long one (in rat terms) at that.

Cynthia

[maryjane]

Mr. Angry Rat (Mr. Wheelie's brother) accepts your condolences gratefully (and wonders if anyone has any extra food and/or weapons he can borrow for his plan to take over the world ). He already had his things packed up so he could move into his brother's level of the big cage. . . now he has two levels and the wheel as well (which he never used before, but suddenly is using). If an animal must pass away, I'm glad when they are able to do so on their own after a nice long life as Mr. Wheelie did. So many times I have rats, especially, who have tumors or respiratory problems when they get very old, and it is hard to watch them in pain. Thankfully Wheelie was in good health and didn't suffer at all. That makes me feel much better!! I know he is happy now too running in the cat-free section of Heaven!

[flitsnowzoom]

Sorry about Mr. Wheelie-Rat . Sounds like he had a wonderful life though and was able to enjoy it to the max.

That is a great picture. I love those cute little pink toes.

Maybe Mr. Angry won't be so angry any more now that he has to grow up to measure up to Wheelie's place.

[Rooster2312]

MaryJane,

So sorry to hear of Mr Wheelie's passing. He was a lovely looking rat and very similar to rats I've kept in the past. I've had 7 over the years and know the pain of losing them, sometimes much sooner than expected due to the illnesses you mentioned. They are great, interesting and intelligent creatures that make fantasic pets. Over the last few weeks, I have been considering getting one or two as I miss not having them around.

You gave him a lovely, happy life and he was so lucky to have been saved by you from the snake tank. I too have saved one in the past from an equally horrid existence and found it so rewarding to care and love them as they deserve for the rest of their short lives.

Hugs to you,

Lindi