3/15/03-1/22/06
Unfortunately, good ol' Albert's old age caught up to him. He was having
breathing episodes and was apparently in more pain than not, I had to have
him put to sleep. Albert was the remaining brother of three for the Menlo
Park Rescue in 2003. His brother Willie
died in October last year and his brother Hank
died in May of 04. His other two "brothers" Spike
and Chester also recently passed
on, leaving Albert by himself for a few months. He celebrated his 2
year, 10 month birthday on the 15th, but I knew by his decreasing health
that everyday he had was a present.
Albert was a great lap rat. Loved to be pet and loved attention. He
was super smart.
When he'd sit on my lap and wanted a treat, he'd actually start tugging
on my pants until
I gave him one. Sometimes I'd be so busy typing something on the computer,
I wouldn't notice
and he'd end up chewing a hole in my pants.
His favorite foods were always his peas and corn, but toward the end,
he absolutely
loved vanilla custard baby food and avocados. His favorite treat to
stash and to eat,
were his chocolate teddy bear cookies.
He also loved any kind of noodles. It was apparent the last few months
of his life, he missed his brothers. He was alone most of the time.
When I'd get home, he'd come scampering to me
and I'd (gladly) have to give him attention until bedtime.
Albert was the cover boy for the documentary DVD
cover Rats: The Great Underrated Pet.
This is Albert on my lap on his last day as I tried
to comfort him as his breathing started getting worse.
Albert lived longer than any rat I ever had and was one of the best. I sincerely thought he wouldn't make it through October so the last three months have been a great gift. He will be missed very much and everyone should be lucky enough to have an Albert in their life at least once.