Saturday, January 21, 2012

Simone (2009 - 2012)

Yesterday evening we made a sad trip to our vet's office and had our fourth rat, Simone, put down. A few weeks ago she was found to have a mass around her kidney that was going to take her eventually. After we got the news we resolved that we'd make her final days as comfortable as possible -- that we'd go for quality of life, not quantity.

One thing that Simone's vet suggested we do for her was to take her outside and let her bask in the sunshine. So on a couple of occasions at noon, within the span of a week, I took Simone from her cage, placed her in her pet carrier filled with her bed and fleece, and took her to our backyard. After putting her carrier down I opened the top door so she could stand and look about if she chose to do so. Both days were bright and sunny.

I had attempted to take pictures of all of the rats (we're on our fifth rat, Bailey, now) we've had at one time or another but they never really turned out. But with not knowing how much time we had left (perhaps a week or two) I had to see what I could get.

Here are pictures from the first time she sunbathed on the 13th:

Simone

Simone 

And here is one from yesterday:

Simone

This is my final picture of her, taken a few hours before she left:

Simone 

You would have no clue that she was so gravely ill.

On both occasions she even jumped on top of the flipped-up door, despite her condition; I had to gently pick her up and place her back inside. We were outside together for almost 15 minutes. I watched her lie down in her bed, getting comfortable but very curious about being outside. For the moments that she was still she seemed to enjoy the warm sunshine..at least, I like to think she did.

Then I took her back inside our house. And hours later she laid herself out on the floor of her cage, her hind feet splayed out to either side. It was time.
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12 comments:

  1. KathyJanuary 21, 2012 at 2:58 AM

    I'm so sorry to hear about Simone. She was beautiful and well cared for and loved by you. Run free, little one.

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  2. DeclanJanuary 21, 2012 at 3:45 AM

    Well at least the end was peaceful for her. Mum has had four rats in her time. She says she had to take two days off work when she lost her first one, (Nuts) as she as so upset. They are wonderful and much under-rated creatures! Deccy x

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  3. genjiJanuary 21, 2012 at 4:34 AM

    So sorry about Simone. She looks like a very sweet girl.

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  4. Tucker The CrestieJanuary 21, 2012 at 7:42 AM

    So sorry about Simone ... sometimes the tiniest of creatures are the ones who make the largest spaces in our hearts. She obviously had a good life with you and was well-loved.

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  5. houndstoothJanuary 21, 2012 at 10:27 AM

    I'm very sorry for your loss! That last picture of her is my favorite. Do you just keep one rat at a time? I have a feeling our dogs would completely short circuit if we had one here!

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  6. UnknownJanuary 21, 2012 at 8:44 PM

    we actually had four rats at one time: bella, bianca, simone, and dot. simone was the longest-lived of the four at two-and-a-half years (which was last week). bailey, our fifth rat, arrived around mid-year last year.

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    Replies
    1. houndstoothJanuary 22, 2012 at 4:46 PM

      It makes it doubly hard, I think, when it's the end of an era, so to speak. I bet they were good company for one another!

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    2. UnknownJanuary 23, 2012 at 11:51 PM

      well, we were hoping to put bailey in the two-story cage that simone was living in. but he's had this persistent upper respiratory problem and it was best for simone that we kept them in separate rooms.

      Delete
  7. BZ DogsJanuary 21, 2012 at 11:02 PM

    So sorry about Simone. I had a wonderful white and gray hooded rat in college, Aggie, who was the sweetest, friendliest soul around. He loved to beg treats off anyone who walked into the room and would scamper down the hall to the nearest pair of legs to be picked up. A fine and lovely companion.

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    1. UnknownJanuary 21, 2012 at 11:15 PM

      thank you. she was looking so good after my wife figured out several weeks ago that simone was allergic to wheat. this was after several months of trying out different things to determine what was causing her to scratch her face and sides. after we stopped feeding her anything with wheat in it simone stopped scratching. and giving her omega-3 fish oil daily made her coat very soft. to have her get to that point, only to fall ill because of the tumor, is cruel and unfair.

      these rats are "tumor factories", and that's unfortunate.

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  8. Witty AngelJanuary 22, 2012 at 12:01 PM

    I'm so sorry to hear about Simone. I've owned a few rats (and currently have two) so I know how difficult it is to say good-bye. The hardest part is that you have such a short time with them, but they make that time with you so special. Simone was lucky to have such a wonderful family of rats, dogs and people.

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  9. Greyhounds CAN SitFebruary 5, 2012 at 1:13 AM

    I used to have pet mice when I was young and have often thought of getting a rat but somehow I think Frankie and Beryl would see it as dessert, so it won't happen. Simone was beautiful. I love her stunning pink eyes. It sounds like she had a wonderful life with you and I'm sure she enjoyed her outings in the sunshine. So sorry you have lost her. I didn't know they have such a sort life span, it doesn't seem fair.

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