Fitz-rat

[oyceter]

Hi everyone,

I don't know who really reads this, but for any of you who used to read about the rats... Fitz-rat passed away last night. The vets said he was having seizures because of a brain tumor. He was two-and-a-half years old.

I got my rats in February of 2004, and I picked Fitz-rat because he just kept crawling all over me. Like me, he would do pretty much anything for food, and unlike me, he would do pretty much anything for a good scritching. Later on, I found that if I scritched him around his chin, he would lie on his back with his feet waving in the air.

I tell everyone this story because it's so Fitz-rat:

He ran away once, and I panicked, especially when I found he was hiding behind large kitchen appliances, under little nooks and crannies that made him impossible to grab. I thought he'd be lost for days and days, but when I saw his nose poke out from under the oven, I grabbed his favorite treats and shook the container in the vain hope that it would lure him out.

Instead of being anything near cautious, he abandoned all hopes of freedom and ran straight up to me, standing on his hind legs to beg for the treats.

That was my rat. He was friendly and happy and totally domesticated, and he loved nothing more than to flop down in some person's lap so he could be scritched all day long. He liked lying down, all flat and rug-like. He liked beating up poor Fool-rat, and he was always the rat who could figure out the fastest way to get to food, or things that smelled like food.

Sometimes he'd bounce around the couch and bounce right back and try to stick his head under my hand. If I ignored him, he'd bounce around, then bounce right back and try again until I paid attention to him.

I loved him a lot, and I miss him a lot already.

I think Fool-rat is very lonely right now because there's no one for him to curl up with, so I'm looking to adopt some more baby boy rats.

- A very sad me

Comments

[batwrangler.livejournal.com]

I'm sorry to hear about Fitz-rat. He sounds like he was a wonderful boy. (The only bad thing about rats is that they don't last nearly long enough.)

[nazmo.livejournal.com]

Further proof, if any was needed, that we are either the play-things of a cruel and capricious god, or that there really is no rhyme or reason for anything.

Excellent pets, as smart as you can find in such an unassuming package, and with a life-span that barely allows you to get used to having them around before they're gone.

[octopedingenue]

I'm so sorry.

I think it's a good idea to adopt another rat. It won't replace Fitz-rat, but it will help Fitz-rat and you to have someone new to play with. A baby rat will be lucky to have you.

[avrelia.livejournal.com]

I am so sorry. I loved your stories about him and he seemed to be such a cute rat.

[littlebutfierce]

Oh no, I'm sorry to hear this. Losing a pet is so hard.

It's really cool that you named them Fitz & Fool, btw...

[slrose.livejournal.com]

{{{hugs}}}

He was a very lucky rat to have you.

[thomasyan.livejournal.com]

I'm very sorry for your loss.

[rachelmanija.livejournal.com]

Maybe a pair of baby rats would be good-- they could keep Fool-rat company, but also have someone of their own size to play with.

It's good that Fitz-rat was able to be a ninja escape rat who comes back to his cage of his own accord, right up to the end.

thank you

[angeyja.livejournal.com]

That was a grand memory post of Fitz. I am so sorry he is gone, and very glad that he had you to be with while he was here.

--angela

[buymeaclue.livejournal.com]

Awww. I'm sorry. I didn't know Fitz-rat, but rats are lovely, clever little guys and he sure sounds like a good one.

[wordsofastory.livejournal.com]

Oh, I'm so sorry. He sounds like a wonderful pet.

[dsgood.livejournal.com]

My sympathies.

[ponygirl2000.livejournal.com]

Poor little guy. I'll miss hearing about him.

[tyreseus.livejournal.com]

I've never had a rat of my own, but my best friend used to have the most adorable little friend named Shakespeare. Your stories always remind me of him. My condolences.

[ellarien]

I'm sorry. It sounds from your stories as though he was a good rat, and had a good life.

[graygirl.livejournal.com]

Oh noes! I am so sorry for your loss. :\

[pinkdormouse.livejournal.com]

HUGS (and extra scritches to Fool-rat too).

[londonkds.livejournal.com]

Oh dear, I am sorry. I'd check to make sure that there's not likely to be inter-generational conflict, though.

[rue10.livejournal.com]

Oh! Fitz-rat! :( :(

[wemblee.livejournal.com]

I'm sorry. :(

[fiveandfour.livejournal.com]

Oh, I'm sorry to hear that. It sounded as though he had a very sweet personality.

[canandagirl.livejournal.com]

Oh, I'm very sorry I didn't read this until now (I'm a terrible LJ friend, I know)! Anyway, I'm horribly sorry for your loss. I know you're down here in L.A., and I hope this weekend cheers you up some. *Hugs*

[qiihoskeh]

I'm a little sad too. I'll miss Fitz-Rat.

Perhaps this is an appropriate time to take you off my reading list.

Best wishes.