I must have been looking for this board because I knew this day was coming sooner rather than later.
I found Ruby dead in her cage last night. I made her a little bowl of whole wheat pasta and veggies and when I took it upstairs, I saw her. It breaks my heart...she had one of her little hands clasped around the cage bar, like she had been sitting there waiting for me. I haven't cried until just now...I haven't had a minute to myself.
Ruby was so sweet. And fearless. Neither of my dogs would go near her because she chased them. A rat that chased them made them a little nervous. (So much for schnauzers being "ratters"
. She had a Wodent Wheel, but never used it. She'd fill it with CareFresh and hide food in it, but never figured out how to run in it. She was one of those rats I could do anything to- nail trims, baths...she'd just let me. When she was a baby, I kept her in my pocket at work. She liked to peek out and surprise dogs, cats, and especially clients who would usually comment on my cute little "mouse" or "hamster". I still have the scrub top with the little hole chewed in the corner of the pocket.
I was going to post a picture of her, but they're on the old hard drive that's broken. 
( She was an albino, with super long guard hairs mostly around her head. She only had her left eye, so she was always winking. It fit her personality because she was so much fun and always into something.
Anyway- thanks for listening. You guys are the only ones who understand. Even my DH after all these years (and all these rats) still doesn't "get" it. I think he thinks I want him to make it better, when all I really want is for his to listen, kwim?
~Rachel
She sounds like a really great girl. I'll give my boys a special treat for her in the morning. I know it hurts, and I think all of us here know how you feel. It sucks that so many people just don't get it, but it's good that all us "rat people" have each other.