Eadie developed a small lump in her groin during the second week of March, which was duly checked by the vet and found to be solid. Surgery was scheduled, and Eadie returned home to her family and Roy. The lump was so small, and Eadie so healthy, no one suspected what would happen.

Eadie died early Monday morning, March 22nd, 1999. She was given isoflourane gas and never woke up again - her body was unable to handle the shock of the drugs and surgery. We later learned the tiny lump was, in reality, an extremely malignant cancer that had already destroyed her liver. I will never forget seeing her body on the table, her back feet carefully bandaged with tiny white 'socks' to protect her bumbles, the groin incision so neatly stitched, and her beautiful black shoe-button eyes.

Eadie's House was created in honor of 'Beady Eadie', and the work we accomplish on behalf of domestic rats is dedicated to her memory. Eadie opened our eyes to the unspeakable suffering inflicted on small companion animals in the United States. Eadie is a hero in our eyes, and a shining example of the innate capacity of rats to forgive and love.