That is a beautiful idea. I think I will do that.

Planting some flowers in the spring sounds like a nice idea. Maybe we will do just that. We have always had our babies privately cremated by a company here in the Seattle area that does pet cremations. They give us back the ashes in a pretty polished cherry wood box and the animal hospital makes a plaster cast of their foot and handprints. So we have all of our babies home with us. It is very expensive but an indulgence we just have to have. We also had our two wonderful gerbil brothers cremated. I know it is just their physical shells but it is always comforting to us to have them back with us at home, even though we know their spirits are flying free and playing at the Rainbow Bridge. Thanks Catherine. I will talk with you soon. This post was edited by Vlad at November 4, 2014 4:32:11 PM PST

Thank you Catherine, it always helps to know that others understand how precious our time is with our four legged (or no-legged) babies is. Thank you also, Catslave, for your condolences...it is so kind of you all to say such comforting things, and it always helps. I will see you all soon. Love and hugs to all your babies.

Thank you so much Catherine, that was so comforting to read...I appreciate it.  You are so right...those last four months with Achilles was extra special and the three of us had a very close and precious 4 months that we will never forget.  Rats DO teach us to live for the moment, because they do, and also to never take anything for granted. Sending my love  to Jake and your other babies...I am very glad he had a good shed and that he feels good again. Love to you all. This post was edited by Vlad at November 2, 2014 7:07:11 PM PST

AnimalFamily, Catherine and Bock, thank you so very much for your kind words...it truly is comforting knowing that others understand the grief and the heartbreak of losing our baby. It does help to be reminded that we gave our boys a very spoiled, pampered life, full of love while they were here with us. AnimalFamily, it was so true what you said...Achilles and Maximus were treasures and Marc and I did have a very deep bond with them..they were our children in every way.   I think the loss of Achilles is even harder than it was with Maximus because we had four extra months with Achilles after his brother died, and those four months were incredibly special and full of so much deep mutual affection and love..and Achilles was always our very special "heart rat" with his huge capacity for giving us so much love..he was just a very happy and loving baby that craved our affection every minute and gave us so much back with his smiling face and his wonderful kisses.   Achilles was our sunshine and now our sunshine is gone and it leaves a huge void. He was the longest lived ratty we have ever had too...so we had a very long time with him, more than any of our other babies...he was 2 years and 8 months when he left us...which is a very long time for a rat. Rats have an incredible ability to wrap us humans around their little fingers...for everything we did for our babies, they gave us back a thousand times over with their affection and love. There is a saying among the rat folks...people do not own rats...rats own their people. :) It is true.  Their high intelligence makes them more like miniature children than a four legged critter. We loved every second of our time with our boys and we never wasted a moment with them. It is so hard for rat people because a rat has a very short lifespan compared to dogs, cats and other pets. Even having a ratty for 2 years is an accomplishment. I think this is why people who love rats always make the most of every moment, every second, with their babies.  We always know it will go too fast.   Marc wanted me to tell you all that he appreciates all of your kind words very much, as do I. I read him all of your comments and he cried.  I think his tears were good tears though, not sad ones. I am glad I have my little avatar picture of both of my boys, peeking out of my sleeve.  Whenever I make a post here, I see my two sweet boys.  That is a good thing. We will get through this and start healing. Thank you everyone, so much for being there and for all of your condolences. It means a lot, really. I will be back soon, I hope, with a proper picture memorial of our sweet baby. Hugs to you all. This post was edited by Vlad at November 1, 2014 11:32:50 AM PDT