RIP Payton...

[thegirlnextdoor89]

So I got my little man, Payton, almost 2 years ago. He's a rat. I know some people think that's gross, but he was my friend.
I rescued him from a feeder tank, he was going to be snake food otherwise. He was supposed to live with one of my anti-social rats, Gideon, but Gideon decided that he didn't like Payton enough to live with him. Payton was kind of neurotic with other rats, so he lived on his own, but had short playtimes with Gideon each day.
Payton was a sweet boy. He liked to act all macho, but he was a cuddlebug most of the time. The past few days, I could tell that he was fading away. He was really confused. He didn't seem to recognize me, and couldn't swallow very well. Today, he was cold, and his breathing was laboured. His eyes were half shut, and all he wanted to do was be held. He wasn't very aware of his surroundings, I'm not even sure he could hear me crying and talking to him. He was just leaning into my hand, slowly slipping away. I had to go to work, and I didn't want to have to put him back in his cage and let him die while I was gone, so I took him to get put to sleep. I didn't get to be there while he got euthanized, but his hours were spent in someone's arms, whether it was mine or the vets.
I miss him...it's hard watching a part of your life just die...

What sucked, was that some people were being so hurtful about it. When I called to see if I could get him euth'd, the receptionist refused to call him by his name, instead saying "the rodent", in a really snotty tone. When I got there, there were 2 girls with a baby waiting. The girls looked like they were still in high school, and they kept staring at me. My mom finally told them that I was holding a rat, and they started saying really loudly to each other "OMG it's a rat!" over and over again. Then, when I told the receptionist that I was there to get him put to sleep, the girls heard me and started saying all sarcastic "Aww poor rat". I was already really upset, and they just made it worse.

[udontno]

I'm really sorry about the loss of Payton. It is obvious that you cared deeply for him. You did him justice by letting him spend his last moments in someone's arms, just like he wanted.

It bothers me when people behave in that fashion. I'm not a big fan of snakes, but I'm not going to look down on someone if they bring one in there like they did with you and Payton. You have to let people like that go. You can't let what happened with them get to you.

[L'espoir]

Ignore those people who were being nasty, Jen. You and Payton don't deserve any of that. I am so sorry to hear about Payton passing away as well. I hope you are doing OK.

[thegirlnextdoor89]

I still miss Payton..here are some pics of my little man.

He's the one sleeping while Gideon tries to wake him up.


He's the one yawning:


Me and Payton right before I went to get him put to sleep...