About My Pets

I'd like to introduce everyone to my animals. I have 2 Labrador retrievers, 4 finches and 16 domestic fancy rats. It's a houseful, but it's fun.

Oh, how things have changed since I first started this page. It started with the 3 dogs, Max, Buddy, and Fizzy. And the 2 rattie boys, Stewart and Caramel. There have been some additions, and sadly, some subtractions.

Last year I lost my Fizzy. We had to put him to sleep. He had bitten a child very badly and I could not risk him biting another. Then in January of this year, I lost my best friend ever - Max. He was so sick with tumors and cancer that there was nothing the vet could do. He tried to operate, but like he said, if Max had been human, a regular MD would have sewn him up and sent him home to die. I couldn't let my boy suffer anymore, he was weak and in pain. So I hugged him and kissed him as they let his life go. It was quiet and painless for him. It tore me apart and I lost a big piece of my heart the night he died. I will never forget and I will always love him.

I have a new girl in the family now. Samantha is a Labrador Retriever mix (shhh! Don't tell her she's not all Lab, she thinks she is). She's black as night and just gorgeous. Her coat shines in the sun and she just loves being here. Check out her page as soon as I get the pics and stuff up.

Since I started this page, my rattie family has grown dramatically. I've had three losses now, Skweekers, Bootsie, and finally, Stewart - my big old squishy boy. Losing Stewart was almost as bad as losing Max. Stewart was so ill for such a long time. I gave him meds by syringe and food the same way, but nothing helped. I found him an hour after a feeding. He was gone. Like Max, he took a piece of my heart with him. I realize that I only had him a few years which is a long time for any rat to live, but these little guys make a big hole in your heart when they go.

So much has happened with my ratties and my dogs. Buddy was limping so bad and it looks like he has a tumor on his front leg. I have talked to the vet and it will be very expensive to have the removal. I have a 401k that I think I can take out. It will be enough for the surgery.

I sometimes wonder if I have the heart to take all of this. It hurts so bad when I lose one of the animals. I know each one by name and personality. Each one is so different from the other. And I love them equally. How much love can a heart hold?

Note

Today is August 15th, 2005 and I have taken Caramel to the vet to be neutered. I am hoping all goes well. Sometimes ratties can't handle the anesthetic. Keep your fingers crossed for him.

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Yeah, just called the vet and Caramel is doing great! He came through his surgery just fine and will be home soon. This is great, maybe in a week or so I can put him back with the other rattie boys or even with the girls if he is still a bit grumpy and bossy. Those girls will quickly put him in his place!

:-))

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September 21, 2006

Buddy is fine. The vet said it was a little arthritis and gave me some medicine for when it acts up. He has to lose some weight because he's such a fat boy, but we'll work on that. At least it's not anything life-threatening. I don't know if I can take losing him too.

As anyone who owns rats will testify, getting pictures of them - good pictures mind you - takes time and patience. So, if you don't see any pictures of the ratties, just check back later. I am really trying to get some of them. If the darn rats would just stay still for a few seconds it would be great! But nooooooo, they have to check out everything and sniff and dig into my furniture and roll around and hide under the blankets. Jeeze. I wish I had half that energy.

And, since I seem to have a bunch of rats, it is going to take some time to get their pages done. I'll get there eventually. I just started working on this site again, so I need to gear my brain up a bit.

Anyhow, enjoy my animals. They are all unique individuals with personalities and quirks that sometimes drive me nuts, but always leave me loving them.

Rat Thought for the Day

Who's The Boss!

You must let your new rats know immediately who the boss is. Look him straight in the eye and clearly say..."you're the boss!"

Friday, February 01, 2008 01:20 PM -0700