When I took you home you looked so happy. You trotted around your new home in happy little circles, ears perked, eyes bright.
I got you a little buddy to help you learn what it was like to be a real rat, but you didn't like him much. You didn't mind him outside the cage but you didn't like sharing your cage. We found out together that you didn't really want Artemis around. My friend at work was looking for a rat just like Artie so I let him take your buddy home.
A couple months later something happened.... I'm not sure what it was but you were never really quite the same. I think the strike you took caused some form of brain damage that got worse as you aged. I tried so hard to teach you to be a happy rattie, but you just couldn't. You turned on us and attacked mom so viciously she went to the hospital. I hated the fact we feared you, but there was nothing else we could do.
I spent so many months after that trying to help you understand why we feared you but you just couldn't. You wanted us to stay out of your cage, but you'd still come greet us. You loved it when we talked to you or gave you treats through the bars. I still spent time with you every day, but I started to notice you just weren't quite the same any more. You started falling face first from the top of your cage into the bottom ladder, which couldn't have been good. The first few times I thought it was an accident, but I noticed you ran up just to fall again.
I knew it was time... I tried everything I could... I loved you... and because I loved you I knew it was time. I'm sorry Demitri. But I know you lived a good life. I hope your next life is easier than this one was.
R.I.P. 3:15 pm March 19, 2007.
