Rats make great pets, but their lives are so short. Oreo passed away sometime. As I was letting everyone out for the evening, I saw Oreo's body in the cage. She's been sick for a while, so it's not a surprise. I'm glad she's no longer suffering, I just wish I could have done more for her.

I estimate she was 2 - 2½ years old, the equivalent of a ~50 year old human. She was a clever girl (especially for being a "dumbo" rat- with the large ears), even figuring out how to open the door to my room (it doesn't completely latch closed). She had a great fondness for granola bars she'd hunt down, and enjoyed spending time running through the leaves (for a very long time, there was a big pile of leaves right by my apartment I'd let her out in).