I am sorry for your loss. All pets are special, but what you described in your post is what I call a "soul pet", my equivalent to a human soulmate. I had a cat like that, he was part of my life for 18 years and 5 years later I still get teary eyed when I think of him.
My heart goes out to you and your beloved friend, Armadillo. Sending hugs and good thoughts your way.
I'm so sorry about the little guy. I have never had one either but I had a mouse once I raised from a baby with it's eyes closed. It of course was a wild one I found out of it's nest in the middle of the sheep shed.
I turned him lose when he got big. He was getting out of his bucket and my mom was getting a bit mad at me. He wanted to go wild again so I let him.
Your little guy looks very cute. To bad they don't live any longer than that. Big hugs
I am so sorry. Never had a rat (well, we have a bullterrier girl we call a rat because she looks like one), but I had a bunny - he was my best friend all throughout primary and high school.