Unfortunately, a week after I had to say goodbye to Darty, and only 6 weeks after I bought them, Jack died due to the resulting respiratory distress, and we had to put Algy down a few days later. Then my tiny, precious heart-rat Darcy got ill. Nothing diagnosable, just extreme old age. He basically just lost all his motor functions, and spent all his time sleeping. I made the decision to put him down too - his death was very beautiful and peaceful, at least, and he was 3.5. So, I lost four rats within a month.
Then Richelieu was by himself, but clearly lonely and pining, so I adopted a fat little cinnamon girl called Kitty for him. Then two more girls needed a home, so I adopted them (Lizzie and Jane). Sadly, Richelieu died a little while after, at the end of September - he went into respiratory distress and had a seizure, which was the worst thing I have ever seen. (cont - sorry this is so long!)