Leela. (Patreon)

Hey, guys. I'm so sorry for the lull in updates the past week or so. We lost Leela, our sweet ratty angel, one week ago today. It was sudden, but in an entirely different way than with past rats we've lost. She was healthy, very bright and happy. She was an older rat at about three years, but she was doing well. And then, she started acting strangely. She was a bit off kilter, and slower. She was still grooming and playing though, and ate with no issue. My first guess was that it was a minor stroke, as older rats are prone to them, sadly. I made a vet appointment for the next day and we were able to confirm it was indeed a stroke, but a very mild one. Joe (my fiance) and I thought she would pull through though, as she still seemed healthy and happy.

 
But then she kept getting wobblier throughout the night. She was suddenly having trouble walking, leaning to the side and laying down in places she didn't usually lay down. We cuddled with her for so long into the night. Leela loved snuggling. She loved being pet, and demanded attention from me when I was trying to draw during their free range time. I'd end up putting down my work and petting her for over an hour sometimes. She was just sweet. So, so very sweet. What animals aren't though, really. Leela was just extra sweet. She eagerly licked the fingers of every new person she met, and loved chewing at the moulding in our room (our favorite hobby of hers *cough*). She hoarded paper towel tubes with her sister Lilo, and the two of them destroyed so, SO MANY fabric houses together. I miss the sound of them drinking their waterbottles too loudly at night, and their little faces popping up whenever we walked into the room. They were my life. Joe and I don't want kids of our own, so our rats are our babies. We love them so very much.

Leela was our last rat for a while, as Joe and I plan a move to Japan in Spring 2020. We've had rats for nine years, and our room was their room, and things have been a little rough. I'm getting better every night, but it's a very difficult adjustment. Our rats are our children, you know?

So, anyway. I apologize for being so quiet. I just wanted to let you all know what's going on.

<3