Ratablog

Ellie in a Box

Please allow me to introduce our second guest Rat in a Box, Ellie:

Ellie passed away early last July, but she has a very special place in my heart. I confess I tear up every time I see her lovely face. She was a very loved little girl, and Abita and I consider her friend MousiesMom an aunt to our rats.

In the extended entry: Ellie's biography, by MousiesMom.

Ellie (4/1/01 – 7/2/03)

Although I love all of my ratties dearly, Ellie Belly will always be my favorite. She was truly that one in a million furry friend that wrapped herself around my heart and will remain there forever.

I brought Ellie Belly and her sister Bailey home with me one day after stopping in a neighborhood petstore. I took one look at that beautiful face and was hooked. Of course, those dumbo ears and lightning blaze on her forehead sealed the deal. Ellie was laid back, sweet and friendly. She immediately became a mommy’s girl. At playtime, she would rather hang out with me that play with her cagemates. I could never walk by the cage without Ellie giving me the “oh mommy, can I come out for just one smooch” look. She was the best little friend anyone could ever ask for.

As Ellie Belly approached two years old, she began to have health problems. She developed a cyst next to her private area and went in for surgery. Unfortunately, the cyst had ruptured through her urethra. The vet performed magic on her and rebuilt her delicate privates back to working order. Ellie spend the next three weeks in a huge collar while she healed. But that collar never slowed her down a bit. She still toodled around and lived for cuddles from mom.

A few months later, Ellie began to experience seizures. We never knew what caused them but I tried to help keep her comfortable and worked with the vet to find a dose of phenobarbitol that would help keep the seizures under control. It was a long hard road, but Ellie Belly just kept fighting. Her wonderful personality never changed and neither did her love for me.

Ellie had a fast growing tumor that we decided not to remove at first as she would not be a good candidate for surgery with her neurological problems/seizures. But as it became obvious that Ellie would leave me soon otherwise, we decided to try the surgery anyway. Ellie made it through the surgery. She was a fighter like nobody’s business.

For the next two weeks, I hand fed Ellie baby food and cuddled with her almost non-stop. Although she kept on fighting, it was obvious that she was only doing this for me. It was Ellie Belly’s time to say good-bye and leave me for a better place.

My heart broke as I held my dear Ellie Belly while she was helped over the bridge. The only thing that helped me through was the thought of Ellie Belly hopping across the bridge, greeted by her best pal Mousie. Mousie met her halfway and the two passed across the bridge together……..both looking back to me as if to say “mom, we’re ok, and we’ll love you forever”.

Posted by Publius at February 14, 2004 08:10 AM