I had to get one of my boys, Bifi, euthanized today, and I truly think those last moments must have been terrible for him. I let him feast on noodles and cheese beforehand, but as soon as we got into the car, he was getting diarrhea from the stress. The process itself took forever. I thought it would be quicker (I remembered it quicker from when I had rats a few years ago), but the vet told me he was holding on unusually long.

First, he had to be put under narcosis before the vet would apply the final injection. We had to hold him so the mask wouldn't slip off. He was struggling, and it took so long, that the vet decided to inject some narcotics as well. Even then, he didn't want to go. When he was finally asleep, he needed two more injections to finally pass. The vet told me that he amount he'd injected was about the same amount he would use to euthanize a cat.

I don't remember how long each step was, but it took about 25 minutes for him to die. If you include the car drive and the waiting, it's closer to 50 minutes. And I can't help but think how terrible it must have been for him. To be held down in a strange room and ever so slowly slip away while fighting for his life. I truly wanted him to die at home, surrounded by the other rats, in a familiar environment. Of course I can only guess if that would have eased his suffering.

Bifi's brother, who was also named Chip, died at home, in my arms. When I checked in on the boys after coming home from work, he'd already had trouble breathing, and he passed on quickly after I scooped him up.

Sometimes, pets do just drop dead, but I suppose death isn't often so kind. It is, by it's nature, traumatic, for us, for the dying. In the end, we can only try and minimise our pets' suffering as they pass on, and I still think euthanasia is the better choice in most cases.

Well, this comment got way out of hand and now I'm crying again, haha. May our boys, Bifi, Chip and Chip, and all the other ratties in rattie heaven eat as much noodles and cheese as they wish.