Odd combination ...

[Bdadawg]

Last week I got a call from a local nature center. It seems they had 3 kangaroo rat pups (I think they got dumped off on them), anyhow they were having no success bottle feeding them and 1 of the pups had died. They wanted to know if I would bring down one of my nursing females and see if she would take them in. So I packed up my best surrogate mother rat and 5 of her pups (they were 4 days old) and went down.

I estimated the kangaroo rats to be around 10-12 days old ... they were covered in fur and slightly larger than her 4 day old pups ... but still had eyes closed and ears glued back.

I did have reservations about a rat mothering another species and voiced my concerns ... So we put the kangaroo rats in with her and i was ready to do a quick grab. She went over and started cleaning them ... everything looked good so I went home. The next day I went down again to drop off a bag of mice and asked about the rats ... they brought me to their "nursery" and said that she was being a great mom, but they asked if it was normal for the babies to have a death grip on a teat. The female got excited when they opened her enclosure and ran across the cage to see if they had any "treats" for her the 2 kangaroo rats were dragged back and forth across the cage 2-3 times and never released their hold on her.

I didnt think enough in advance to bring a camera to take pics ... but hopefully will remember to do so on my next trip. Just thought id share what I thought was an odd combination.

Bryan

[Jake_la_serpiente]

That is great! I have seen a baby pig nursing on a dog with puppies, so I think as long the mother is willing, the species may not exactly matter.

It is amazing how accepting animals can be, and how UNaccepting humans can sometimes be. We can learn a lot from our furry friends!

By the way, if you do get some pics, I would love to take look!

[jglass38]

It is amazing how accepting animals can be, and how UNaccepting humans can sometimes be. We can learn a lot from our furry friends!

That's the truth!!

[Blu Mongoose]

Many years ago we had some strays come to our house. 1 dog, 1 cat, both expecting to drop a litter any day. One day I reached into the dogs box and pulled out a limp body. I was so upset to think her puppy had died. Instead it was a kitten, very much alive.. The cat and dog took to sharing parenting of the 2 litters. Haven't seen it since. Amazing.

[frankykeno]

How wonderful that she's fostering the little kangaroo rat babies! I've noticed even with my feeder rat babies that once they get a good grip on, poor momma rat will have to drag them about with her if she wants a drink or a snack. My albino female rat is smart. She purposely sets up her nest smack dab beside her drinking bottle so she can nurse and just turn her head to grab a quick drink LOL.

Years ago we got a young female lab who was in heat but had never bred. At the same time we got a kitten, just weaned. I don't know if the kitten started it or the dog coming out of heat was hormonal, but the next thing I knew the dog was nursing the kitten and she didn't have a drop of milk of course LOL. I had to break them up as the kitten was scratching the heck out of the dog's tummy trying to get a drink. Funny enough but it seemed to bond them tightly. They remained the closest of friends for many years until the lab's passing at age 10+ (that kitten lived till the ripe old age of 18).

Touching part of their story is that Shadow the lab laid down by the back door in a patch of sunlight one evening and just died in her sleep. Puss Puss, the kitten she'd once tried to nurse was right at her side when we found them. We sure can learn a lot of life lessons from our furry companions.

[recycling goddess]

jo, that's a beautiful story. thank you for sharing it.

[4theSNAKElady]

..stop that Jo......you're gonna make me cry...very touching story.

[frankykeno]

Awww heck when I was typing I was all misty eyed myself. Those were two of the most wonderful pets I'll ever have the honor of knowing.

Their bond was amazing, even to the point if Puss Puss (aka Puster Kitty aka Puss Puss Kitty Kitty....yes I know...wierd name LOL) acted up and I went to deal with her, Shadow the female lab would stand between us, not growling but definitely wanting to know why I was upset with "her" cat. Gawd help the stupid neighbourhood dog though that wanted to take a run at Puss. Smart cat would dash for her big lab buddy and I swear she'd sit and smirk while Shadow went postal on the poor witless dog that dared to chase her "baby". LOL

It took Puss awhile to stop searching for her buddy after Shadow passed but since they are both now gone on to their well deserved rest, I may be silly but I kinda hope their spirits are together again (dang now I'm misty eyed again! sorry)

[recycling goddess]

misting up again...

(i believe their souls are/have been connected through all their lives jo)