I rescued Pendleton from a shelter about two years ago. He was apparently taken there by a first grade teacher who'd had him in her classroom. It was love at first sight for both of us... We were immediately attached to each other. He's been a great apartment mate to have my last couple of years at school. He's given me someone to talk to, since I've chosen not to have roommates. He's all I need! He ate meals with me (he loved frozen blueberries, ice cream, pasta... and pretty much whatever was on my plate.) He would hang out on my shoulder while I did homework and sleep snuggled up to my neck when I watched TV. He really loved hanging out in my sweatshirt pocked while I sat outside on my deck. He was so loyal to me. If my friends were holding him and he heard my voice, he immediately jumped to me. Unfortunately, like many, many rats, Pen developed a tumor. I tried having it removed with surgery, but my very kind vet was unable to remove it all. It gave us a couple more months together, though, and time for me to prepare (I thought) for his death. My dad drove me to the vet to have him put down, and we both cried for a good long time that afternoon. Dad really loved him, and had always spoiled him rotten on visits home. He still thinks it's a little odd that he ended up loving a rat! I've found that people can be pretty insensitive, now that I'm back at school trying to adjust to an empty apartment. Rather than showing sympathy for my grief, they get caught up in the fact that he was a rat. They freak out and pretend to be grossed out, even making comments like "Good... rid the world of a pest"! I've learned that it's best to share my thoughts with only my close friends who loved him too. Rather than try to explain how smart and loyal rats are, it's easiest just to not say anything at all. When he was alive and well, I was all about dispelling the myth behind rats and trying to get people to not be afraid of him, as many people with unusual animals do. But now is not the time. If I'm blessed with more rat babies in the future, I will once again rally on their behalf, but for now, I will just miss Pen in my own way. To anyone having similar difficulties... please get in touch. I'll understand, and I'm sure many people you find at Rainbow Bridge will understand too.