Another Visit to the Oak Tree

I don't think any tears were shed this time as we revisited the oak tree to bury Ginger, Benjamin and Michaela's pet rat.  It was pretty obvious that she had been suffering for the last two or three days, so we were all happy to see her out of her misery.  Maybe she died of a broken heart after Midnight died, or maybe she was just living on borrowed time, having outlived her life expectancy of two years.  Nonetheless, no one was particularly "broken up" this time, especially not Marshmallow, who came to join the burial and claim her triumph over the rat that had taunted her through the window.

 (Our two neighbor girls were over playing and joined us for the burial.)

So, this little chapter of our lives with rats is over....for now.  We told the kids that we could discuss the possibility of more rats at the end of the summer.  It's been a good experience for them.  They've had fun with them, and have learned to work together when it came time for the weekly chore of cleaning the rat's home.  They've faithfully collected their money together each time more food needed to be purchased.  I have to agree that the rats made much better pets than hamsters.  They are indeed much more social and fun, so if your child is begging for a hamster, and you can get over that long tail, consider a rat instead.  :)

Bringing Ginger and Midnight home, Feb. 2010:

 It didn't take long for our outdoor cats to discover the rats:

Looks like torture, but Ami really did like the rats!

RIP Ginger and Midnight: