A Remarkably Long Lived Rat Named Ben
by Sharon
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This is the story of Ben. It started 5 years ago, when I walked into a pet store and saw a cage with a mama rat and a litter of babies; they didn't even have their eyes open yet. There was a sign on the cage that said "feeder rats". If I had had enough money I would have bought them all on the spot. I asked for 2 feeder rats, the boy put them in a bag and said, "What are you feeding them to?"
I said, "Nothing."
He said, "But they are too young to leave their mother."
I
told him, "You are going to kill them anyway."
So, I bought my babies and left. I raised them with a syringe. When they were big enough I took Ben down to be neutered. Ben's sister died 2 years ago, but Ben is still kicking. He is 5 now and showing his age, but he is loving and playful and has been a good friend and companion for me and my grandchildren.
I have been thinking about him a lot because I know we will lose him soon to age and I will miss him terribly.
Ben lost all his hair when I put him in his first adult house. I used pine shavings. Not good. Then he lost his hair again when someone fed him some dog food. Now he is losing his hair to old age. But, he doesn't seem to mind. He loves to kiss when I hold him and he loves to play in packing peanuts. My mom calls him an old sewer rat but I just call him "sweet baby".
The picture below is of Ben and my oldest granddaughter Taylor.
