I just wanted to share a dream I had when I ended up having surgery this august. So first of all I have a love for animals and have always had a connection with them. About 4 years ago as a freshman in college I ended up taking in this rat. The owners of the rat were boy college students who decided they didn't want him anymore and then put him in the middle of a parking lot in -30 weather of minnesota. He was lucky to be alive when I got him. In the end he lost some fingers and part of his tail. For the next four years Oliver(the orphin) was the most amazing animal I've ever had. Such an odd thing to have a rat for the first time, a creature most think are gross and dirty. He was the smartest animal I've ever had and the most affectionate. I always had this certain bond with him right from the beggining. He was so gentle that my mother took him to her special education class in which they acted better when he was around. At around 4 years of having him he started getting older, where most rats only live to be 2-4 years old. He started losing the use of his back legs and I knew it was getting time for when I'd lose him. I honestly didn't know how I would handle finding him one day. In August I got violently sick and finally after a week they saw I needed to have my gallbladder out immediatly. The day I had surgery when I was in surgery I dreamed of Oliver on my chest in the hospital. It felt so incredible real. I was petting him and i knew that he was saying goodbye. When I came out of recovery the first thing I said was when are you going to tell me about Oliver. My dad looked shocked and I knew that the dream was true. Oliver had died that morning. By doing that I knew that there was life after death that he was okay and happy little porker still.

That's awsome. Henny and Penny (the guineas) haven't even sent me a postcard.

awsome. ^^ said it best.

wow, that really struck a heartstring. we recently lost our dear little pet rat, Oreo. rats are the most amazing creatures. they are really just a smaller version of dogs. they come when called, they are loyal, and they are sweet as all get out. i love them to death.

those guys were awful to do that to the rat... i'm glad you found him. he was lucky to have someone like you to love him. so many people only think of rats as being snake chow or else they believe them to be a filthy, terrifying menace. they're just the opposite. they are warm and cuddly and lovable. i wish more people knew this. i have always had rats growing up. i love them <3

RIP Oliver & Oreo...

What a great story. Thank you for sharing.

I had rats at one time. They were very affectionate as you said he was.
It sounds like he gave you a visit in spirit...probabaly a thank you for saving his life.