#rossi rat

[todaysbird]

Yesterday, we said goodbye to our sweet Rossi. He was a beloved friend to us, and was adored deeply as a Dad and brother by his fellow rats.

Rossi, you were larger than life, and you will be missed so dearly. I have never known a rat who could appreciate beauty like Rossi - nothing made him boggle like looking out the window during a sunny or especially rainy day and admiring the world around him. He was a gentle guy who made friends everywhere he went - and he was quite well traveled! From NH to NY back to NH, then to NC, Rossi was a steadfast buddy we could always count on to have a cheery attitude, no matter what was going on.

This will be a tough time for us, and for the Rat Family, but I’m so grateful that Rossi & Hotch graced us with their presence in our lives. Thank you to everyone who’s loved Rossi from afar, whether you followed his updates closely or just really liked that picture of him playing the Sims.

[todaysbird]

My boys have gotten so old…

I don’t want to be all doom and gloom, but Spence, Hotch, and Rossi are now 2.5(ish) years old, which is near the end of a rat’s (feasible) natural lifespan. I’ve been posting about them all since they arrived, and while those updates aren’t always frequent, they’re hugely adored in my household. The boys have been through four moves and a lot of up and downs with me in our too brief time together. There have been times my pets were really the biggest bright spot for me, and I’m grateful for the love given to me by these little friends.

Hotch and Rossi are both in what I’d consider hospice care. Our time together is coming to a close, and Spence, sadly, is likely to follow soon after. He’s Hotch’s biological brother and unrelated by blood to Rossi, but the trio are inseparable. They’re also well loved by Zinnia and Petunia, our other female rats, and I’m not quite sure who will keep them in line without their rat dads around.

It’s tough to love rats, because the time together will never be long enough. But I’m so grateful that I’ve got to have the time at all, and I’m hopeful I can make this time in the boys’ lives very special with lots of love and treats.

also, photodump of some of my favorite Boy photos to celebrate their wonderful ratty lives.

[todaysbird]

Wish my sweet Rossi well. He isn’t feeling very good today. I’ve made a call to his vet, but we started today out very rough, with a lot of heavy breathing and skittish behavior, which is very out of the norm for his personality. He’s pretty old, so this isn’t a surprise, but I’m not ready to say goodbye to the big man :,) He is feeling a bit better & perked up after a snack and some meds, so fingers crossed he can turn it around.

[todaysbird]

I would like to humbly request more rat pictures. The boy. The man. The lad of all time. He who is the handsome. <3

a Plotting Rossi for you!

[todaysbird]

pleased by himself

[todaysbird]

happy to report that Rossi’s healthcare scare may be just that - he’s feeling much better after a few days on meds. he’s still an older gentleman, but hopefully we have some more happy, healthy months ahead of us.

[todaysbird]

this rodent is my everything.

[todaysbird]

cuddle pile