Izumo's End

Izumo passed quietly in his sleep today. When I got up this morning I found him cold and sluggish, but still with me. I held him and petted him and sang to him, and told him I loved him and that he had lived a long, courageous, wonderful life, and it was okay for him to go now. Then I put him in the hammock with his cagemate, Anzu-hime. They snuggled together, both sleeping. Late this afternoon, my friend Phi and I went out to get food. When we left the house, he was asleep. When we came home, he was gone.

Surprisingly, Anzu-hime remained curled up with him, despite the fact that he was beginning to stiffen. I've never seen a rat stay with the body of a companion after his death. It was touching, and a sign, I think, of how bonded they were. She seems alright. Not very lively, but it was a warm day and all the rats are a bit drowsy.

I was grateful to have Phi here to offer me a shoulder to cry on. I will really miss my Izumo, the One Eyed Pirate Rat. I'm so glad that I had him in my life. So glad that he was able to stay with me as long as he did. And glad that he was able to leave this life peacefully.