Goodbye to an old rat buddy

[frankykeno]

Christmas was a joyous, lovely day other than a very sad bit last night. We went in after supper to feed the breeder/feeder rat colony and found old Casanova down. He was still alive but unable to move fully and sort of in and out of alertness. I assume the old fella had a heart attack or stroke of some sort. He wasn't in any pain at all though, just not fully responsive to touch or voice.

We brought him out, wrapped him up and just spent time sitting quietly with him. He passed gently in the night, in his sleep. I know for some of you, this might seem a bit much for what was in effect a breeder rat but Nova was our first male. He was always more of a pet, even more so since his retirement from the active breeder group. He fathered over the years some spectacular litters and contributed so much to our ability to keep snakes. He never put a tooth into anyone, rat or human and was just a big love right to end. I put this thread here in Pets rather than in Feeders to honor the old fella and just say goodbye to a dear old rat. The rat room will seem somehow less without the big guy standing up to beg for his treat of leftover pb & j sandwich.

Casanova in his prime....



Hanging out with his almost identical son, SuperNova.....



From last night, even in his last moments he was gentle, snuggling up with me then with Mike, bruxing a bit when he could....Mike and I will really miss this grand old rat....

[NightLad]

I'm so sorry to hear of his passing. At least he was able to go peacefully and gently, surrounded by those who loved and cared for him. Not many humans could hope for better. Clearly he was a loved pet.

The man who owns the Exotic Reptile store I get my (live) feeders from got in a dozen weened rats a couple weeks ago. I visit him weekly for a live purchase, and I'm able to look through his stock myself to pick one. This past Monday he said to me, "You can gave anything but the white one... he's my buddy now!"

So, I can understand how a 'breeder' or even 'feeder' can become a 'pet'!

Again, I'm sorry for your loss. But just remember; he had a long, full life doing what he did best... and he left a legacy of sons and daughters to prove it!

[rabernet]

Awww, Joanna - I know how you loved that big boy! I know that you will take with you lots of memories of him, as well as cherish the fact that you were able to spend last moments with him before he passed on. I'm sure it was just as special to him. What a sweet boy!

[frankykeno]

Again, I'm sorry for your loss. But just remember; he had a long, full life doing what he did best... and he left a legacy of sons and daughters to prove it!

He surely did. He was at least 3 years of age which isn't bad at all for a pet store bred rat and he had a great life. Produced literally hundreds of offspring for us and went within 2 weeks of his longtime mate, HoneyChild, one of my original females and another very special old friend who also became a pet more than a colony rat.

Thank you for your kind words.

Awww, Joanna - I know how you loved that big boy! I know that you will take with you lots of memories of him, as well as cherish the fact that you were able to spend last moments with him before he passed on. I'm sure it was just as special to him. What a sweet boy!

I sure did Robin. I doubt Mike and I will ever bond to another rat like we did with old Nova. I remember bringing him home, a freshly weaned rat. Becky always said he was a great looking Hooded and he certainly produced some lovely offspring over the years. Not a genetic fault in a one of them, and most with his great temperment too.

He seemed very comfortable and in no pain at the end, which is always a blessing for any animal one cares about. Always a gentle big male, he went gentle at the end and that's the best of it.

[frankykeno]

Kind of a neat mix up, a good accident perhaps but we had put Casanova in with three breeder females last week, completely by mistake. We mixed him up with his son SuperNova, who is so identical to his father you can't tell them apart except by carefully examining them side by side. So the old fella may have left a legacy of three litters if he managed it. We already have some of his offspring in the breeder group but it would be neat if any of those three females took from this happy accident.

[MeMe]

I am so sorry to hear about Nova. I know how much you loved that guy.

[fishmommy]

I think it's awesome when people care for their breeders and feeders like pets. All animals are beautiful and deserve our respect, no matter their purpose.

The native americans understood that, and I'm glad some people still do

[littleindiangirl]

This was really a somber thing to read this cold morning. I know my breeders are very much my pets, and I can only hope that I can hold each and everyone of them as they go quietly in the end. I'm sorry to hear about this, but hopefully you can find the same joy in another animal down the road.

[lillyorchid]

Awww I'm so sorry that you lost him. Sounds like you gave him a great life. I'm sure another little rattie will come and steal your heart away again.

[recycling goddess]

it is an honour to learn from you jo... the kindness, caring, loving way you treat all your critters speaks volumes to the light within your soul. actions always speak volumes louder than words to me. i'm lighting a candle for casanova - for his speedy movement into the light. may he come back, as a new breeder/friend to you soon.

love
aleesha