I hate coming home to dead rats.

:(

I came home tonight to find Trevor dead.

He is my babe from Pepper and Maurice. Sweetest little Agouti Berkie and a breeding machine like his dad.

Gentle with his females, covers them multiple times, and a great co-parent. He was just over 14 months so no idea what happened, but it was a heart breaker.

He was promoted as he had great genetics, his parents are both 5th generation offspring of mine, and were the quintessential good mom and good dad poster rats.

AND... he escapted at 5 weeks of age and lived in my loft for 3 months till I could catch him, so by the time I got him he was too big to feed off. I would be up late working and would always see him running along the wall out of the corner of my eyes.

Crazy rat!!! :rolleyes:

Just a really nice rat and he will be missed. :(

Ironically enough, I held back his last 3 daughters as future breeders, so stupidly I take a bit of solace in that.

Bruce

Sorry Bruce :(

Luckily we have not lost any rats yet...but we lost a soft fur a week ago, a biter.

At least his line will live on, I am sure his daughters will be great rats, too.

Sorry Bruce. No telling what he got into during all that time on the run. At least he is survived by his daughters...

Many long times ago I had a rat named Phfft. He was a free range rat, having run of the house. He'd eat out of the cat food bowl with the cats, trade sniffs with the dogs, come when you called him, sometimes, or tapped on the floor three times. He spent a goodly amount of time under the sofa in the living room.

He fathered many a baby and, as you can see, is fondly remembered even now, years after he bit the big one.

Sorry for your loss.

I think I'd cried more over the loss of some of my pets along the way than I have over some of my lost family. You've got a good heart, Bruce. Have you got any pictures of the big guy you can share?

That's really sad, Bruce. People ask how I can feed such cute creatures to my snakes, and I tell them it breaks my heart every time. They are wonderful animals, and it's clear you take a lot of care with yours.

JonV

I'm so sorry for your loss. It was never easy when I lost one of my ratties, each one held a special memory.

I had an escapee as well, she lived (loose) in the snake room for almost three years. She'd run up to me and nibble my feet, and try to get me to chase her around. She'd dart around me until I payed attention and played with her. I'd put her back in the cage (daily), but she'd escape before I left the room. It never seemed worth it to really make an effort. She was potty trained, didn't chew on cords, so it didn't make a difference.

Anyway, so sorry for your loss. :hug:

aww so sorry to hear about your rattie.. he sounded like a great rat.

Are you people serious? :O I could never get upset over a rat. Not even a little bit.
Now if my dog died...

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Originally Posted by Dave763

Are you people serious? :O I could never get upset over a rat. Not even a little bit.
Now if my dog died...

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You've never had a pet rat, they are like little dogs with a smooth tail.

Bruce, I am so sorry to hear you lost this guy. I love my girls and boys and am heart broken whenever I lose one. :(

BIG HUGS :hug: :hug:

I don't like coming home to dead rats, but my reason is a little different. I hate the smell. I breed my rats for feeders, so why would I get upset if they die?

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Originally Posted by Wh00h0069

I don't like coming home to dead rats, but my reason is a little different. I hate the smell. I breed my rats for feeders, so why would I get upset if they die?

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No reason at all.

Of course if you ever made the mistake of befriending one, you wouldn't have to ask that question.

I feed hundreds a month but I still recall fondly the ones that were pets.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Dave763

Are you people serious? :O I could never get upset over a rat. Not even a little bit.
Now if my dog died...

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A pet is a pet period!! Sorry to hear for your loss :(

I know exactly what you mean. My fiancee and I have never had one die on us but she has already told me when we start our colony that I am going to have to feed them to the snakes because she won't have the heart.

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Originally Posted by wilomn

No reason at all.

Of course if you ever made the mistake of befriending one, you wouldn't have to ask that question.

I feed hundreds a month but I still recall fondly the ones that were pets.

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Agreed, We had a pet rat for a short time and when he passed away it was really hard. My girlfriend and I both took it hard.

Sorry for your loss Bruce :(

What a terrible way to end a day. I'm sorry Bruce.

We lost our favorite male rat just a couple days ago. And yes, it was a heartbreaker. He was such a sweet boy, retired, and living the life of luxury. He was a Petco adoption and already advanced age. Even if they are "just breeders", they become pets. And rats can be so very loving. Especially the big old lazy boys! Rest in peace Trevor and Wylie!

Steve

:( sorry Bruce

Sorry about your loss, thats an excellent name for a good pet though.