Sad Days

The reality of life and death can be pretty harsh, especially for kids. And that's very apparent in our household this week, as it's become evident that Chase's dearest friend, Peach, needs to be put to sleep. She's a little over 3 years old and blind in one eye. But we can deal with all that. What we can't deal with is the huge tumor that is growing on her side and has now gotten so large that she can't move well any more. Tumors are very common in female rats, especially when they reach this advanced age. But her quality of life is starting to suffer and this is where we feel the need to have her humanely put to sleep.

Yet, this is a sad decision to make. To have to sit down with your 12 year old and discuss the reasons why he should or shouldn't make the decision to end her life is very hard. And Chase is, obviously, distressed by it all. Yet in the end we had to admit that it was time. So we're taking our last few days to say goodbye to a wonderful, wonderful rat that we all love.

Peach is Chase's little buddy, sitting in his lap while he reads and, before getting too big, hanging out in Chase's shirt, peeking out through the armholes. She is absolutely the most sweet and calm rat and has been his best buddy for 3 years. She will be sorely missed.