R.I.P. Ben

I had to have my little dumbo rat companion, Ben, put down yesterday. His little body shut down from the toll of old age and it was clear that suffering had taken over. Above are photos of him rummaging around in a garbage can I'd fill with paper. He and Socrates (his friend who passed away just a few months ago, also from old age) would run amok, enthusiastically shredding it all up and would hop around building little nests out of it that they'd stash their treats in.

A garbage can play pin is oh-so-fitting for rats. Especially a big fat, brown one like Ben. A sewer would be, too - but the closest he ever got to that sensation was the kitty's drink well water fountain full of frozen peas and edamame. He'd be completely soaked after diving for those peas all night, stashing them around my room.



Oh Ben. I hate how short a rat's life span is. The worst part about loving a companion animal is knowing that ultimately, inevitably, they have to die one day. And out of all of the ways a little fuzzy (or non-fuzzy) person could die, living a long life full of lovins and ultimately dying from old age, with as little suffering as possible, is one of the best. You'll be missed, Ben.

The Dapper Rat: Showing the world just how charming rats are!