i just wanted to know if anyone has made any posts about small animals.
i had a beautiful little brown rat called jenny who was four who had to be put to sleep on monday.
i can't stop crying i loved her so dearly, some people might think thats she wasn't as important as a dog or a cat but i loved her so much.
it hurts me so much i feel such a sadness. she was an unfaltering companion. always there for me, never questioning, never let me down like a lot of friends and family. i'm just so lonely without her, i've been sleeping with her ashes next to me in a little box. i just feel so empty.
i don't know how i'm ever going to feel any better. she was my one true friend, such a happy lovely funny little rat. i feel absolutely heart broken about losing her. i miss her so much.
this is so hard i never thought it would be like this. i'd do anything to get her back. i wish i had appreciated her more when she was here.
i just can't believe she's gone. i'm so lonely.

I am so sorry for the loss of your little Jenny. You don't need to fear coming here and posting about the love of your life. It does not matter what kind of furbaby anyone has lost, the pain is still there. I realize since you loved your baby with all your heart your loss has shattered your heart.

My sister had a couple of rats and she loved them too. When each one died she cried for weeks. She had a ferret and she loved him as much as any other baby. We have people here who have lost wonderful rabbits who were their babies and they are heartbroken too and miss them so much.

I once had a lizard who my husband would bring to bed each morning. I would say give me kisses and he would put his lips against my check. He would sit on me and crawl all over me throughout the day. I had him for about 7 years. I loved him with all my heart and I thought he was wonderful. When he died I cried for the longest time and so did my husband.

So you see it doesn't matter what they were, it only matters that we loved them. It could be a pet crab, snake or a tarantula and the pain would still be there. So don't let the fact that Jenny was a rat keep you from posting and seeking comfort.
Ann

I am so sorry that your little rat Jenny had to be put to sleep on Monday. She sounds such a dear little girl. You must have cared for her very dearly for her to live to such a good age, you must have loved her very much.

I had a large brown rat living with me for 6 months. He wasn't mine, but I had volunteered to look after him for my son's friend while he was away. When he first came to live with me I knew nothing about rats, or what wonderful, loving little pets they could be.. I came to love that little boy dearly. He lived in a large glass cage in my front room. It was about 4 feet long and filled with shredded paper. It wasn't long before I started bringing him out and petting him, and it was then that I learnt what wonderful, intelligent little creatures they are. He would sit on my knee and let me stroke him while I was watching TV, or sit on my shoulder and nibble my hair. He would explore all around the room, behind all the chairs and sofas, but would come again as soon as I called him. His name was Rolly.

It made me realise that rats are just as loving, and just as full of their own individual personalities as larger animals are. He was as bright as a button and would come immediately if I called him and held out a biscuit. He would take it from me with his little hands and stand on his back legs while he nibbled his way through it.

So please don't think for one moment that anyone would ever think that your little Jenny, was in any way less important than a dog or a cat. It sounds to me as if she was a really special friend to you who was always there when you needed her to cuddle and talk to. I am so very sorry that she has had to be put to sleep, you must miss her so very much and I am so sorry that you are feeling so lonely.

Please know that I am thinking of you.
Bless your little Jenny.

With love
jilly

I had no idea rats could be so intelligent and affectionate. I learned something today. It is too bad they have such a negative image. I guess we should remember that all animals have value, not just "traditional" pets like dogs and cats.

While I know nothing about rats, I raised a baby squirrel that I found a few summers ago. I know these little creatures can form very strong bonds with their "humans", and their humans with them. I cried so hard when my little friend went to the wildlife sanctuary.

I'm so very sorry that you lost your little friend.

I'm sorry to hear about Jenny. I had pet rats for years and I loved them so much. They really are great companions....better than hamsters in my opinion. They are smart and gentle and they really do respond to their humans. So I feel your loss too.
Like Ann said, a loss is a loss...no matter how big or small the animal was. And you did give her a great life.

I'm so sorry for your loss of Jenny. No matter the size or species of our furbabies, they're all special. Several years ago I had 2 hamsters in my classroom...Chip and Dale. Dale actually turned out to be "Daleen." During winter break that year I brought them home and Daleen had babies. When the break was over, I decided not to take them back to school because I'd gotten so attached to Chip, Daleen and all the kids. I found good homes for the babies and kept Chip and Daleen. Daleen was my favorite...I'd take her out of her cage and play with her and hold her...she was so dear. I remember being so very sad when she developed cancer and I had to have her put to sleep.

You're in my thoughts.
Kathleen

I am sorry for you loss of Jenny. I had a rat named Dionysus that I was very close to when I was in college. He was so tame that I could put him in my pocket and take him to class with me. He was just really happy there. I used to wear workshirts because I could button the pockets closed so he would not fall out. He was a great companion to me. I think rats have a bad rap and they are actually excellent pets and very clean.

I do not think it matters what type of animal you bond with, you feel that loss when they are gone. I am thinking of you.

Nancy

Jenny was important to you. It was your love for her and the bond that you shared that is the main thing. The species doesn't matter. We form a bond with our fur-friends that only other fur-friends can understand. She was not "just a rat" - she was your friend and your comfort, your joy and your laughter.

I am so sorry for your loss.

dee dee

thankyou everyone for your lovely kind words. it's good to know i'm not alone in feeling so down about it.

i suppose things will get easier with time.

Yes, things will get easier in time..............and I'm also sorry about your sweet Jenny.
No matter if our pets have fur, feathers or fins, we love them all the same and feel the same pain when we lose them.

Thinking of you.
Lynn