My darling Blanche

To my favourite pet, Blanche, who was put to sleep at 2am today due to a tumour. She would have been 2-years-old next week.

She was one of my first pair of rats, and is now reunited with her sister Stella who was also put to sleep nearly 8 months ago. Blanche is the reason I fell in love with rats; she was flawless in every way and exactly how a rat should be. Not once did she ever bite, she was always affectionate and sweet, she'd never go far from me, loved her cuddles, her grub, made me laugh with her antics, and never complained; even in this past week when she was undoubtedly in pain she was as ever gentle and continued to be in good spirits.

And I will miss her. Rest peacefully my sweet one - 1-8-2010 - 23-7-2012

I've dropped a tear in the ocean - the day you find it is the day I'll stop missing you.

My first picture of Blanche with her sister Stella on the day I brought them home back in October 2010



My beautiful Blanche



Blanche with Dorothy who will miss her now shes gone



She loved her bubble baths



Blanche with her Easter egg back in April



The last photo taken of Blanche, taken only 2 days before she was put to sleep

Oh Gillian I'm so sorry she's gone. She was so beautiful.

I am sorry to hear this she sounds like a real heart rat who had a lovely life

All I can say is how sorry I am. I know it isn't any use She had a great life with you, being spoiled rotten and I'm sure she loved every minute of it. Their lives with us are just too short *hugs*

There's three of my friends bawling here, having made the mistake of asking me what was wrong. We're all very sorry for your loss.

There's three of my friends bawling here, having made the mistake of asking me what was wrong. We're all very sorry for your loss.

I'm so sorry Gillian, she was a wonderful girl, and it feels a bit like one of our own going, as we've all got to 'know' her through your posts and photos

(((((((hug)))))))

Run free lovely girl, go and find Stella...

xx

Thank you everyone for the thoughtful messages. Times like this I appreciate this forum most because to all my other friends Blanche was 'just a rat' and can't understand why her death would upset me. But it isn't about who was loved, its about how much they were. I love this poem, I've amended it for rats obviously but think it says it all!

From time to time, people tell me, "lighten up, it's just a rat," or, "that's a lot of money for just a rat." They don't understand the distance traveled, the time spent, or the costs involved for "just a rat."

Some of my proudest moments have come about with "just a rat." Many hours have passed and my only company was "just a rat," but I did not once feel slighted.

Some of my saddest moments have been brought about by "just a rat," and in those days of darkness, the gentle touch of "just a rat" gave me comfort and reason to overcome the day.

If you, too, think it's "just a rat," then you will probably understand phases like "just a friend," "just a sunrise," or "just a promise." "Just a rat" brings into my life the very essence of friendship, trust, and pure unbridled joy. "Just a rat" brings out the compassion and patience that make me a better person.

Because of "just a rat" I will rise early, and look longingly to the future. So for me and folks like me, it's not "just a rat" but an embodiment of all the hopes and dreams of the future, the fond memories of the past, and the pure joy of the moment.

"Just a rat" brings out what's good in me and diverts my thoughts away from myself and the worries of the day.

I hope that someday they can understand that it's not "just a rat" but the thing that gives me humanity and keeps me from being "just a human."

So the next time you hear the phrase "just a rat." just smile, because they "just don't understand."

I get that all the time too,I just think if you don't 'get it'-that an animal is worth the effort,then you shouldn't get/don't deserve rats...that's a lovely poem sums up what a lot of us feel I'd say

Yes, I've posted that one on FB myself in the past, it has very deep meaning for all of us here I'd say (((hug)))

xx

so sorry 2 hear she gone run free little one xx

Awh No. I'm very sorry for your loss. I was really hoping she'd pull through. She's re-united with her sis now.