Heartbreak!

[hoo-t]

I have gotten many of my breeder rats through adoption at my local PetCo. I adopted 2 females roughly a year ago. One of these girls was pretty skittish, and really didn't want a whole lot to do with me. The other was just the opposite. Any time I came near her cage, she came running, wanting attention. When I first got her, I considered not breeding her, simply because she was such an awesome pet. In fact, that's her name, "Awesome". Out of all the rats that I have had, she is the ONLY one that has ever LICKED me the way a puppy does! Every time I open her cage, she comes running, licks my hand, and wants attention. Well, today I found her dead in her cage. She apparently died giving birth, as there was one baby there with her (also dead).

Most of my breeder rats are just that, breeders. A few find their way into my heart. "Awesome" was the one that dug deep into my heart.

RIP, Awesome!

Steve

[littleindiangirl]

Oh no! That is terrible. I know I would feel just the same if I lost one of my rats. My condolences.

[Kara]

Steve,

So utterly sorry for your loss. It's amazing how such "simple" animals can touch our lives in a profound way.

Not to mention it speaks volumes when you respect prey as much as predator. You're aces in my book!

K~

[rabernet]

Steve, that's tough! I know how you feel - when Foxy passed away unexpectedly, it was tough. I had kept back one of her daughters though, and now her grand-daughter looks just like her - and almost as sweet as her!

[tigerlily]

I'm very sorry Steve. I'm not looking forward to losing my ratties. I haven't lost one yet, but I can imagine how much you will miss her when you go in the room. Do you have any pictures of Awesome?

[hoo-t]

thanks so much for the replies! I never thought I would get so attached to a rat! But I've been fighting back the lump in my throat ever since I found her. I knew when I started this that they would only live a few years, and I really don't know how old she was when I got her.

I didn't mention it in my previous post, but her cage mate also recently died. She was the other rat that I got at the same time, and she did finally come around to be more sociable. Her name was "Possum". Yeah, "Awesome" and "Possum". Not sure, but I think they were sisters. I held back one baby from the pair. Since they always raised their babies communally, I don't know which one was the mom. The baby I held back was a male. He looks just like mom and auntie, except for the big, low set ears. Awesome and Possum were het dumbo. Guess I'll have to come up with a name for the boy now. Anybody got any suggestions for a name? Should rhyme with Awesome and Possum. "Blossom" doesn't sound very masculine!

Unfortunately, I don't have any pics of Awesome.

Steve

[frankykeno]

How about Dawson? It's a male name and rhymes.

I'm so sorry Steve. I know how it is to get attached to these ratties. We're facing the final days of HoneyChild and Casanova who were our original pair to produce feeders for us. They are both nearing 3 years of age so we know they are not going to be around all that much longer and I'm dreading the day I find them like you found your Awesome.

[Ginevive]

Awe; sorry about that. I know that once in awhile, a rat stands out as exceptional and friendly, when mostly you just keep them to breed and feed off..