Yesterday we lost our beautiful little man, Einstein.
I'd originally bought the rats, Einstein and Freud, for Woody's birthday in 2011.
For 2 years, they'd been hectic, fun-filled, cheeky little things that would spend 8+ hours a day out of their cage, on the sofa with us, asleep or watching tv.
We watched as they got older, and more laid back, wanting to play less and sleep more.
We knew their time would be coming. They were 2.5 years old, and a rats lifespan is 2-3 years. But we weren't expecting it to happen so suddenly.
A lot of people expect rats to be dirty vermin type creatures. I guess that's how they're portrayed in the media. But let me tell you now, rats are super intelligent, extremely loving, and highly entertaining!
Yesterday started like any other. I came downstairs first thing, cleaned up the dog mess, fed the dog, sat down and ate breakfast and watched the news. Only when I started doing my hair did I look into the cage and see poor Einstein laying across his food bowl. I thought it odd, and obviously as I looked closer, I noticed his eyes were open and he wasn't breathing. His brother, Freud, was up and about and I instantly realised. I burst into tears and ran upstairs - Woody was just waking up but when he heard me sobbing he instantly got up and came to see.
Of course, the unimaginable, unthinkable had happened, and Woody scooped him up quickly for a goodbye cuddle. He was still warm, and I kick myself thinking that maybe if I had looked in on him before feeding the dog, before eating my breakfast...maybe I could have been there with him for his final minutes. But I mustn't dwell on the what-if.
We said our goodbyes, gave him a kiss, and Freud sniffed him goodbye, and Woody bravely dug a grave in the garden and we buried him.
The oddest thing - as we were digging the hole, Woody came across a little angel ornament that just appeared in amongst the soil. Perhaps it was always there, but we never noticed it before. So it now sits above Einstein, always to keep him company.
And now, amidst the random outbreaks of tears, I am focussing on Freud and making sure he is okay. We bought him a teddy and placed it where Einstein has been laid. He nudged it, breaking my heart, to see if it was alive. At night, he snuggled next to it. Daddy sat up with him when he was a bit nervous, and told him he'll be okay because he has his daddy here so he's not alone.
My heart is broken, but I am so so happy to have been able to know the little dude, and have had him in my life, and been able to give him the best life I possibly could.
Einstein Wood; 30/07/11 - 16/12/13.
With all our hearts, we will miss you forever.
xo
