Goodbye to an old rat buddy

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....

http://i41.photobucket.com/albums/e2...reederMale.jpg

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

http://i41.photobucket.com/albums/e2...Supernova1.jpg

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....

http://i41.photobucket.com/albums/e2...XmasDay071.jpg

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!

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! :hug:

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Originally Posted by NightLad

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!

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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.

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Originally Posted by 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! :hug:

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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.

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.

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

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 :gj:

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.

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.

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. :hug: 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

Awww Jo... I am sorry to hear about the loss of Nova. If people could see this side of snake keeping they would have a totally different idea of the hobby. We love our rats and care for them as much as we do our snakes.

To loose an animal you have cared for and looked after can be hard. But the knowledge that you gave him a great life with loads of girls, great food, and many head scratches and then to pass away warm and content with people that love him what more could any of us ask for.

:D

:( Too bad to loose such a wonderful old guy, but at least you got to comfort him through his last hours so he went in peace. My most loved old rat girl is really slowing down now, so I understand...You have my sympathy and comfort, Joanna. :tears::sniff::hug:

I'm so sorry to hear of your loss. I never would have guessed in a million years that I would have pet rats some day. But, thanks to my BP I do have pet rats, and mice, that I could never feed off. My rats have shown me just how loving and affectionate a rodent can be and I love them. Again, so sorry for your loss.

Aw. Sorry to hear Nova's passed into Spirit. He looked a real sweetie:(

I am so sorry to hear about Nova's passing Jo. Nova's legacy will live on for years - what an accomplishment!

We got a trio of blue dumbos a few months ago that we bonded with and they have become very friendly. We haven't been able to feed out the babies yet. :oops: I know I will, probably this weekend, but it will be hard.

Poor little old guy. He had a great life for a rat. I remember when you got the little bugger. *hug*

Thanks everyone for your very kind posts. Mike and I and the kids are really touched by this.

Jo, I come a little late to this. Sorry to hear of his passing, I enjoyed reading your posts about him when I lurked the feeder forums. He was obviously a well loved rat and in that last photo you posted he looked content and loved and I'm sure he felt that way.

I have my fingers crossed that he managed to be 'manly' one last time for your ladies.

Thanks dear.

Sorry for your lost bud, He's in rat heaven, treats when ever he wants!!

Thank you so much Cody for your kind thoughts for old Nova.

The great part is that today I was able to confirm that all three females that Casanova was with prior to his passing of old age are all preggers! Yep the old dude had it still going on and managed to pass on his genes three more times! :banana:

Talk about dying in the saddle! :D

I'll definitely be holding back some future breeders from the three expected litters. I have a few of Nova's offspring currently in the breeder group but they will all retire someday soon so it is just the greatest thing for me to have a chance to continue on this original line. :)

I'm sorry I missed this thread as well. I know how much you enjoy your rats and with him being one of your firsts, I'm sure hold a very special place in your heart.

Way to go Nova. You will be sorely missed, but not forgotten.

Sorry to hear about Nova passing! He was a super stud and you guys did a great job caring for him and making his life pretty good!

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Originally Posted by tigerlily

I'm sorry I missed this thread as well. I know how much you enjoy your rats and with him being one of your firsts, I'm sure hold a very special place in your heart.

Way to go Nova. You will be sorely missed, but not forgotten.

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I think that's why we were all so attached to the old guy since he was our first big ole stud rat. He did a wonderful job while he was here. :)

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Originally Posted by jglass38

Sorry to hear about Nova passing! He was a super stud and you guys did a great job caring for him and making his life pretty good!

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Thanks Jamie, I know the old rat had a great life and a gentle passing. For some it may seem a bit soft of me, but you know me Jamie, I've a soft heart for big ole scruffy males - must be why I like you! ;)

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Originally Posted by frankykeno

The great part is that today I was able to confirm that all three females that Casanova was with prior to his passing of old age are all preggers! Yep the old dude had it still going on and managed to pass on his genes three more times! :banana:

Talk about dying in the saddle! :D

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Hi,

Now that's the kind of recycling scheme I want to be involved with in my final days.:please:


dr del

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Originally Posted by dr del

Hi,

Now that's the kind of recycling scheme I want to be involved with in my final days.:please:


dr del

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HAHAHAHAHAH Derek, you slay me! :rofl:

oh this made my day even more special than it has been.

:hug: i'm in tears with the thought of him carrying on. are you keeping a male as a future breeder jo?

Oh yep you can bet I will Aleesha. Nova's line has never produced a sickly offspring, never shown any genetic issues and generally just are good stable rats that breed well and produce well so I'm going to be picking through all three litters for a few nice females and perhaps one male.

will his baby be "super nova"?

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Originally Posted by frankykeno

Thanks Jamie, I know the old rat had a great life and a gentle passing. For some it may seem a bit soft of me, but you know me Jamie, I've a soft heart for big ole scruffy males - must be why I like you! ;)

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Who ya calling scruffy!? :D

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Originally Posted by recycling goddess

will his baby be "super nova"?

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Actually his son that is currently a breeder male in the colony already has that name. :D