Stop all the clocks...

cut off the telephone,
Prevent the dog from barking with the juicy bone.
Silence the pianos and, with muffled drum,
Bring out the coffin. Let the mourners come.

We had a death last night at Catz 'n' Ratz. Poor little Lucy Rat died of unknown causes. She was only about 6 months old. She took ill on Thursday evening, and I took her to the vet on Friday afternoon. The vet, a specialist in exotic animals, couldn't even say what was wrong. Maybe viral, maybe bacterial. He began treatment and gave me some Baytril and Prednisone syrups to treat her at home. But around 10:30 last night her little heart gave out. We buried her near some bushes by the swimming pool. I miss seeing her happy face at the top of the cage when I open the lid, and I'm going to miss how she gently chewed the ends of my fingernails. She had a short but very happy life. No rat was spoiled or cared for more. In that I can take consolation.