Well Hades and Diego are big boys, half brothers about 8 months of age. They are getting accustomed to their new digs. They were in a home without other rats and were not ill ever so they got to go right in the room. Both are big boys. I will post a picture as soon as the camera is charged!
Sam is doing ok. She greets me at the door of her cage for her food. Every time I think she is starting to move slower she shocks me and runs around!
I found out that Harlan has the 2018 diet available commercially as Native Earth through PetFoodDirect.com. That isn't the diet I really wanted, but it is good that there is one. I'll have to place an order for May/June to last until the September show when I'll run up to Seattle to get some more. (Sounds like a jaunt rather than a 180+ mile drive. :-)
Well, gotta go and get cracking on cleaning the last 2 cage parts and dismantle the shelves. After almost getting the room done I decided the shelving was going to have to be scrapped as it takes up too much room. Total bummer.
The lives of the lovable vermin of F.A.T.E.
Sunday, March 30, 2008
Saturday, March 22, 2008
Samantha and Tweek News
Well, Tweek gave us quite a scare on Monday. Doctor called and said he was prepping her for surgery and after he shaved her, she stopped breathing. He brought her back and said he wanted her on heart medication for a few days and then they would try the surgery again. Her tumor was a damned if you do and damned if you don't tumor as it was already getting very large and it would kill her sooner than her heart would. I gave her medication, Lasix and Enapril. Diuretic and a blood pressure medication. She had her surgery rescheduled for Thursday. I asked if they could see Sam then (Sam's appointment was made for Saturday). They moved her to Thursday too.
I was anxious at work while I knew Tweek was going under. After lunch I just couldn't wait any longer so I called them. Tweek had made it through surgery and was waking up. Phew. Doctor was examining Sam.
Doctor called about 10 minutes later. Tweek was waking up fine and was still a bit groggy. But Sam was the bad news. Her tumor was really bad news.
I originally noticed a slight oddness in her walk and in the alignment of her leg. When I made Tweek's surgical appointment, before the Mercer Island, Washington rat show, I tried to get Sam in to be seen that same day but no openings. But I was able to get her in when Tweek went in for her second attempt. By the time she got into the vet (2 days before her original appointment), the "oddness" with her leg had gotten bigger and worse. The news from the doctor was grim.
At the very least he would have to amputate the leg. But he was certain he couldn't get all of it and he was really certain it was one of 2 cancers, possibly three. The tumor was very deep and so wrapped around the leg he was certain it was already in the body as well. He said he'd do the surgery, but he couldn't promise anything. I asked how long she had without the surgery. He said possibly 2 months. So we made the choice to give her hospice. I want her last bit of time on earth to be happy with her sister and helping her sister adjust to getting used to new ratties so when Sam has to leave, Zelda would be ok.
So here it is, late Saturday night, and I'm rearranging the rattie room to accommodate this tragedy. The upside is that I'm glad Sam and Zelda have been with me since 6 months of age. I originally adopted them from the Oregon Humane Society and we got off to a rocky start but they're wonderful little girls. They are now only 13 months old.
By rocky start I mean I didn't take the cage with them when I adopted them from the Humane Society. That was a mistake. Zelda pouted for 18 hours. As long as it took me to get her home and in her new cage until the next evening when I got home from work and went in to check on her to see if she was still pouting as she was that morning. I broke down and went to Petco and found the same cage only bigger. After putting her in that, she stopped pouting. Now she is completely out of that cage, but has a similar wheel--that's how she keeps her girlish figure. Of course Sam usually runs on it with her. Now Sam doesn't run on the wheel, but she does get on it and walk.
I hope Zelda is okay when Sam has to go. I think this time will allow Sam to prepare Zelda. I think they know.
I've lost one mouse by walking in and finding that he had passed. I lost my very first rat, Pokey, in 1994, when I walked in and she had died at 9 months of age. I've lost 2 senior boys adopted this past July. One passed in my arms at home, the other at the vets when I had him PTS. I honestly can't say it is easy, but I do prefer being there when they pass so they know they aren't alone.
I wish this was a happier post. I thought I would be happy about getting the room done this weekend, but it isn't as exciting with the knowledge that Sam won't really get to play in it for very long.
One saddened Rat Slave says goodnight.
I was anxious at work while I knew Tweek was going under. After lunch I just couldn't wait any longer so I called them. Tweek had made it through surgery and was waking up. Phew. Doctor was examining Sam.
Doctor called about 10 minutes later. Tweek was waking up fine and was still a bit groggy. But Sam was the bad news. Her tumor was really bad news.
I originally noticed a slight oddness in her walk and in the alignment of her leg. When I made Tweek's surgical appointment, before the Mercer Island, Washington rat show, I tried to get Sam in to be seen that same day but no openings. But I was able to get her in when Tweek went in for her second attempt. By the time she got into the vet (2 days before her original appointment), the "oddness" with her leg had gotten bigger and worse. The news from the doctor was grim.
At the very least he would have to amputate the leg. But he was certain he couldn't get all of it and he was really certain it was one of 2 cancers, possibly three. The tumor was very deep and so wrapped around the leg he was certain it was already in the body as well. He said he'd do the surgery, but he couldn't promise anything. I asked how long she had without the surgery. He said possibly 2 months. So we made the choice to give her hospice. I want her last bit of time on earth to be happy with her sister and helping her sister adjust to getting used to new ratties so when Sam has to leave, Zelda would be ok.
So here it is, late Saturday night, and I'm rearranging the rattie room to accommodate this tragedy. The upside is that I'm glad Sam and Zelda have been with me since 6 months of age. I originally adopted them from the Oregon Humane Society and we got off to a rocky start but they're wonderful little girls. They are now only 13 months old.
By rocky start I mean I didn't take the cage with them when I adopted them from the Humane Society. That was a mistake. Zelda pouted for 18 hours. As long as it took me to get her home and in her new cage until the next evening when I got home from work and went in to check on her to see if she was still pouting as she was that morning. I broke down and went to Petco and found the same cage only bigger. After putting her in that, she stopped pouting. Now she is completely out of that cage, but has a similar wheel--that's how she keeps her girlish figure. Of course Sam usually runs on it with her. Now Sam doesn't run on the wheel, but she does get on it and walk.
I hope Zelda is okay when Sam has to go. I think this time will allow Sam to prepare Zelda. I think they know.
I've lost one mouse by walking in and finding that he had passed. I lost my very first rat, Pokey, in 1994, when I walked in and she had died at 9 months of age. I've lost 2 senior boys adopted this past July. One passed in my arms at home, the other at the vets when I had him PTS. I honestly can't say it is easy, but I do prefer being there when they pass so they know they aren't alone.
I wish this was a happier post. I thought I would be happy about getting the room done this weekend, but it isn't as exciting with the knowledge that Sam won't really get to play in it for very long.
One saddened Rat Slave says goodnight.
Wednesday, March 19, 2008
Smudge It
Ok. I was NOT going to get another rat any time soon but I'm a sucker for hard luck cases.
Ad on CL - 30-40 day rattie girl, may go for food or pet. Was bought for food, snake not interested and I'm not interested in another pet rat. Then some pictures were posted.
So, I called John...take money out of the bank, get at least 5 one dollar bills. Go to this address. Give them $3...
He went and got her. She is a little button of a girl. She is black and white, but her tail is all white except for the end real close to her body, it is black, like the paintbrush was dipped too far up the handle.
Right now she is in quarantine, but eventually she'll probably move in with Shäst, Precious, Lucy, and Nona or be spayed and move in with Pip, Spot, and Patches. We shall see.
Ad on CL - 30-40 day rattie girl, may go for food or pet. Was bought for food, snake not interested and I'm not interested in another pet rat. Then some pictures were posted.
So, I called John...take money out of the bank, get at least 5 one dollar bills. Go to this address. Give them $3...
He went and got her. She is a little button of a girl. She is black and white, but her tail is all white except for the end real close to her body, it is black, like the paintbrush was dipped too far up the handle.
Right now she is in quarantine, but eventually she'll probably move in with Shäst, Precious, Lucy, and Nona or be spayed and move in with Pip, Spot, and Patches. We shall see.
Sunday, March 16, 2008
Vermin Village
Well, the room is shaping up nicely. I am getting a cupboard/shelf set up in it for the miscellaneous stuff. I'm also cleaning the cages. I have to find a home for the 8 bags of food and 4 more bags of bedding. The full play area will be back up by the end of next weekend. Yeah!
Saturday, March 15, 2008
Tumors Suck
I'm so bummed. I found a tumor on Tweek and she is having surgery on Monday, March 17th. Today, while doing the weekly check on Sam, I found a tumor on her back leg. I'm so bummed. Sam will go for her pre-op appointment on next Saturday. Poor little girl. I feel bad because her cage mate, Zelda, will be by herself. I'm thinking I should introduce her to the other two girls so she can start bonding with them and then introduce Sam and Tweek to the three of them. That would be good for all of them to have so many companions of varying ages. We shall see how it goes. Tumors suck. I don't care if they are benign or not, they suck.
Tuesday, March 4, 2008
Veggie vs. Rattie First Strike
The six pack brothers started the wave - Tip, Top, Brick, Braque, Crinkle and Mr. Wiggles surveyed the scenery. They moved.
The first wave of ratties shot forth. They entered the Parsley Forest determinedly. Parsley parts flew around the cage. They clutched it in their mouths, they hauled it up and down the 4 stories. One even took it for a ride in the Wodent Wheel! It was a parsley massacre.
The brothers spotted little round red bodies originally hidden in the Parsley Forest. An army of grape tomatoes stared unblinkingly back at the 6 pairs of rattie eyes. The war was lost before it began. The ratties moved in for a second strike. The poor tomato soldiers never had a chance. No trace evidence of their existence remains here.
Then the ratties spotted a limp foe. Cooked green beans. Shivering on what was previously the Parsley Forest floor. The beans huddled in a pile. The ratties didn't bother to hide their superiority. They sauntered over and walked by the forest remains as if to say..."you aren't worth eating...believe you are safe." Then one by one, the ratties promptly snatched an unsuspecting bean. There was no resistance.
This was repeated in 16 battles. In only one did the tomato prevail...albeit a bit wounded. Pip, just like her human papa, does not like tomatoes. One bite and the medical brigade came and removed the injured soldiers from the battlefield.
Tomorrow...kale, bananas and celery intend to enter the fray. Will they return?
Reporting from the battlefield, this is the Rat Slave. I have to go and peel some potatoes.
The image to the left is actually the brothers Rico, Baxter, Worth and Mosco. They have a hammock, a house, and other stuff in their cage. What do they sleep on? The Parsley Forest floor!
The first wave of ratties shot forth. They entered the Parsley Forest determinedly. Parsley parts flew around the cage. They clutched it in their mouths, they hauled it up and down the 4 stories. One even took it for a ride in the Wodent Wheel! It was a parsley massacre.
The brothers spotted little round red bodies originally hidden in the Parsley Forest. An army of grape tomatoes stared unblinkingly back at the 6 pairs of rattie eyes. The war was lost before it began. The ratties moved in for a second strike. The poor tomato soldiers never had a chance. No trace evidence of their existence remains here.
Then the ratties spotted a limp foe. Cooked green beans. Shivering on what was previously the Parsley Forest floor. The beans huddled in a pile. The ratties didn't bother to hide their superiority. They sauntered over and walked by the forest remains as if to say..."you aren't worth eating...believe you are safe." Then one by one, the ratties promptly snatched an unsuspecting bean. There was no resistance.
This was repeated in 16 battles. In only one did the tomato prevail...albeit a bit wounded. Pip, just like her human papa, does not like tomatoes. One bite and the medical brigade came and removed the injured soldiers from the battlefield.
Tomorrow...kale, bananas and celery intend to enter the fray. Will they return?
Reporting from the battlefield, this is the Rat Slave. I have to go and peel some potatoes.
The image to the left is actually the brothers Rico, Baxter, Worth and Mosco. They have a hammock, a house, and other stuff in their cage. What do they sleep on? The Parsley Forest floor!
Monday, March 3, 2008
Tweek's Weekly Exam
I did Tweek's weekly exam last night and found a lump on her shoulder. :-( It is very soft. She is scheduled on Monday for a check of it. Hopefully it will be something minor. She is running all around and playing so she appears to be dealing with it ok.
Saturday, March 1, 2008
Tickle's Time & Legacy
Tickle, the rattie on the left side, joined his brother, Mr. Chuckles, at the Rainbow Bridge on March 1, 2008. He was 2 years and 1 month old. They were both adopted from the Oregon Humane Society in July 2007.Tickle was an outgoing rattie, more so than his brother Mr. Chuckles. Tickle loved doing pirouettes on my shoulders, bruxxing and boggling all the time. As he got older, he loved to snooze in his hammock and while he was in it keeping himself covered with a paper plate or a large piece of paper.
After his brother's passing, he would not bond with other ratties so he lived alone. I made sure to spend more time with him.
Thursday night he seemed a bit "off" to me, but was still active and playful, eating and drinking. Friday night he took a turn for the worse. He'd have periods of his normal self and other times where he appeared to be having seizures. He also had trouble keeping himself clean so I had to do it for him. I spent the night holding him. Saturday showed no change and his playfulness was lessening and he was showing very little interest in food. He was starting to feel cold, even with the heating pad. I knew it was time to let him go.
My husband made the call and we brought him to Rock Creek Veterinary Hospital. I was so upset that I started bawling before we even got in the car. When we got there, I balked and said they had to check him first to make sure that I wasn't imagining anything. No, we were supposed to bring him, his sounds were really bad. The doctor was really nice to our little guy and I got to stay with Tickle and hold him.
After he passed, I wrapped him in the last hammock I made for him from green polar fleece that he didn't actually use. I brought his remains home and placed him in the freezer to await transport to the Oregon Humane Society on Monday for private cremation.
Tickle and Mr. Chuckles may not have been with our family long, but their legacy will live on here. They were such good ambassadors that they charged us to stepping in for 37 of the 39 ratties that currently live with us. (2 are from a breeder so are not rescues.) Each rattie is special and has a story, some good, some not so good, and a few downright harrowing.
Tickle and Mr. Chuckles will never be forgotten. I take solace in the fact you are together again. I know I will eventually stop crying but right now...
Rest in peace my gentle little giants, the Founders of Vermin Village.
Tickle (1/2006-03/01/2008) and Mr. Chuckles (1/2006-11/15/2007)
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