A 2 AM knock at the bedroom door
was his daughter holding her dying pet.
His mind said,
“It’s only a rat.”
His heart said,
“It is not the rat that counts here.”
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Our 18-year-old daughter has had a fondness for rats since grade school. They are intelligent, clean and friendly. She is on her fourth set and loves them dearly. Last night we lost one to old age. Her mother sat with her most of the night waiting for the last breath to be drawn. It was sad but not unexpected. The heartbreaking reality of pets - we love them, but out live them.
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If you wish to take the Sunday 160 challenge, here are the rules:
1. The Sunday 160 only uses EXACTLY 160 characters (including spaces).
2. Keep on schedule - post after 8:00 PM Pacific Time on Saturday.
3. Let me know you have posted via a comment on my site.
(Be sure to mention you have posted a 160. Provide a link if you can)
4. Visit at least one other Sunday 160 writer.
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28 comments:
Rats!!!
They are like......Rats!!!!
Loved your Vermin 160 MM
I Played....G
man that is tough, losing a pet...they are like family members..glad you listened to your heart...
working on one for tomorrow monkey...
So very sorry for your daughter's distress. My sister's family had a pet rat named Scarlet until she passed away--very sweet pet.
http://bodhirose.wordpress.com/2011/08/06/wee-hours-loom/
Gayle
So sorry Man.. Hoping everything is fine..
Someone is Special
That is sad!
I´m up today.
My connection is pretty bad right now, I´ll pop by later today when I´m back home.
aww, that's sad. I've heard rats were intelligent. I am going to try hard to post tomorrow evening after I've had some sleep :)
Yep. I've been there with mice, gerbils, cats, and a rabbit.
Mine is up
It's funny how a loved one's sadness is your own. At least it is for big-hearted folks. Great poem you big-hearted man.
uh oh!!! Hope she's dealing with it well..
Hugs xox
Forlorn Hopes
At least she was with it at the time, so sad, our pets are family.
'Heart' felt 160.
Hope you don't mind sharing? HERE
As a former rat keeper I understand totally. Sympathy to your daughter.
My 160 is about loss of a different kind.
Oh! So hard to witness.
Reminds me of when my pet rabbit Penelope took her last breath.
Maybe my 160 will help?
http://www.goddesswrite.com/2011/08/soaring.html
I'm so sorry, Monkey Man! That is tough to go through.
Almost forgot. I played this week.
My kids experienced the deaths of their beloved kitties (who were already fairly advanced in age when they were born). It was a difficult fact of life to learn. Of course there have been numerous funerals for fish...we weren't very good at fish.
I played today...although I must have been DREAMING?
We lost two cats in a 7 month time period and it was very sad. But I think its an important experience, including having to say goodbye.
here's mine...
http://fillingahole.wordpress.com/2011/08/07/one-less-frivalous-purchase/
Cad - your link doesn't work.
HERE is a link to Evalinn's 160.
that's so very sad ~ you're daughter sounds so very caring ~ Lib
I'd like rats better if it weren't for the bald tails. But I'm glad you knew it wasn't about the rat.
That's so sad. She must be heart broken. I'm sorry....
I played too ~ http://libithina-giantacorns.blogspot.com/2011/08/third-wheel.html
I grew up on a farm, and do not recall having a close attachment to rats.
But I could identify with your story, if I change the animal to "horse"! Thanks, MM.
Only you could pull off a poem about a rodent.
...however, I'm sorry for your loss...right thing to say in this circumstance, right?
Rats.
I hate sad endings.
Awwwww!
*sniff*
Stellar ad moment, you deserve a prize. Especially for disposing of the - um - issue so your wife didn't have to. Gold stars.
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