My lovely old girl left me last month, but it's taken me some time to feel up to writing this.

Willow came with her litter mate, Frost, in August 2009. They came as company for my very first girl who had been kep on her own. They came from my friend who had an accidental litter. I had the pick of 4 lovely girls, but when I stuck my hand in the girls cage Frost and Willow scampered up my arm, tied themselves up in my hair and then bounced across to my brother for more snuggles. I had to have them after that, even if they looked pretty much identicle.

Frost and Willow on their first night home. Willow is at the front of the picture.


It didn't take long to figure out there was something a bit special about Willow. SHe wasn't a very snuggly rat, but she would bounce about like a looney if she was after something, and from her first night home she would sit on my knee and groom my fingers. She could be a bit grouchy, but that was just part of her character.

Willow grooming fingers.
(video)


Bouncy, even in her old age (She was at least 19 months old here, and she's climbing a verticle plastic bar)


She was a beautiful roan girl. I don't think i've got 2 photos of her that look the same. She also had some funny little quirks, my fave one being the way she slept. She would lie on her back with all her legs in the air, often with another rat lying on her tunny.

Beautiful baby.


Funny sleeping positions



I never expected Willow to live so long. Frost was PTS at 23 months old as she had a PT, and I expected Willow to die within a few weeks of Frost. She managed to amaze me as she was still looking lovely and glossy until she was 26 months old. It was only then that she stater to lose weight and look 'old'. She was still lovely and naughty though, and was an alpha until a few weeks before she was PTS. The only good thing about her growing old was the fact she became a lovely snuggle bug.

Having a snuggle with mummy.


I think what got her in the end where her kidneys. She lost a huge amount of weight and just felt like a bag of bones. Despite that, she was stubbon to the bitter end. After the injection to send her to sleep she just wouldn't leave.

My lovely old girl. I'm so sad you had to leave, but so happy you decided to stay with me for so long. I will see you again one day

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Cara,
Owned by Fern, Heidi, Asteroid, Bubbles & Fizz
Missing Snippet, Frost, Willow & Nix


Opinions are like armpits. Everyone has them, and some stink.

so sorry for your loss.
You have some Lovely pictures of them. Happy memories of them will live with you for ever.
R.I.P Willow and have fun at the Bridge xx

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what a lucky girl she was, Im sorry

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Pets are Gods way of apologising for our families x

She's gorgeous, sleep tight beautiful Willow xx

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