Dusty the Rat

by Gregory
(NY)

Dusty was a dark haired fancy rat, with dumbo ears, and a big heart.

He lived his entire life with me, alongside his brother Lucky, and was as sweet as anyone could hope a rat would be.

Every day when I entered my room he would run up to me and say hello, of course hoping that I had some delicious treats to give him, which I almost always did.

His favorites, just like his brother, were broccoli, cantaloupe, and watermelon.

Dusty didn't live in a cage. He had the entire room at his disposal, and he hung out and slept in just about every different nook and cranny his room had to offer.

He was my best friend, and whenever I needed him, he was there for me, and he loved being pet, especially behind his big ears.

Dusty grew sick at the end, and nothing I could do would bring a bounce back into his step. One morning I found him crawling to the door, gasping for air, and I wanted to hold him as he passed, but he wanted to be alone. I put him down by his little house, and left for half a minute, but by the time I had returned he was gone.

Lucky was very sad at his passing, and for a couple weeks I used folded black socks to give him something like Dusty to cuddle with, but Lucky knew the difference, and after a while pushed the socks away.

Dusty passed on 11/11, and not too long after, Lucky passed away on 1/1.

I will miss them both forever, and they will always be in my heart, and be fondly remembered.