Name: Willow Sex: Doe Variety: Black Berkshire (mismarked) Date of birth: 5 December 2000 Died: 23 February 2002 (lung tumour) Number in litter: 12 Weight: approx 290g

Holly and Willow were our first two rats. They're sisters and we collected them from Gill Thomas when they were 6 weeks old. If Holly and Willow weren't so lovely we wouldn't have got all the others!

Willow was shyer than her sister and sometimes needed to be persuaded to some out, but she was very active when she was, and she really seemed to enjoy human company. Willow came when her name was called and she learnt a few simple tricks.

Willow had respiratory problems for lot of her life, and she never went to any shows, but I'm sure she'd have done very well in the pet class if she had!