tianakaesha

Thankyou everyone for your kind words of support and sympathy. It really has helped me deal with all that has happened. I was somewhat lucky with Senna, in that, I was able to prepare myself (somewhat) for what needed to happen. It does not make it hurt any less, but I was able to say my goodbyes. I would not have been able to deal with this half as much if it was not for the support and love of my friends here at DOL...

Thankyou everyone for your condolences. It really has been a tough day and without the help of many of my friends I would be a bigger wreck than I already am. Arolf Senna was sent to the bridge today after his agression issues became too much. He was now a risk to me, all the other occupants of the house, and above all, children. It has been a battle since the day I got him, and after him biting me on several occasions the decision was made with the advice from our vets. It hurts like hell, but he is now safe from his demons.

Tonight I went to give my babies their hugs, to find Bran had left us. He was from my first litter. And the type of rat I have been trying to breed towards since. He was named after a warrior, strong and brave, from a book of celtic mythology He was not show quality, but he had star quality and that is why we kept him. He was special from the word go and no one will ever deny that he was something amazing. He was the boy I took everywhere to show off how good rats were. He came when he called. He would run when I called his name, climb up my leg and body, sit on my shoulder and brux in my ear. He never once bit me, or bit any other rat. He was boss, but in a gentle way - showing his dominance through other means, and not bouncing on top of others like some rats do. My heart is aching. He was a favourite. A mum is not meant to have favourites, but I did. And he was it. He was so much like his father... He has not been well, and I have been exepcting his death. That does not mean I was prepared. He'sbeen living in the bedroom for a few weeks now - I've been trying to mate him one last time. Unfortunately, I do not think she is prengant. I think in his old age he was infertile. He is survived by Topsy Turvy, who I will now mate to his inteded bride... and I will make sure that the Sparkle Sparkle A litter does not die out completely.... He was something so special And now he is gone. He was born November 3rd. Died 19th May. Sleep my baby, sleep. Bran as a baby

Salli, we often advertise rats as "the dog for people who cannot have dogs" They are very doglike. You can train them too - clicker training even I am thinking of doing this with Norbert. She was extremely special.. I miss her so much.

Sparkle Sparkle Liadan was from my very first litter. She was named after a character in The Sevenwaters Trilogy. She was the brave one, the strong one, the silent one. Liadan stole hearts wherever she went. She was a champagne hooded rat and, champagne being the hardest colour to see, was often difficult to judge - especially being judged indoors under lights. However, she was an almost perfect hood. Her marking had one small flaw, but it was not this that gave us trouble, it was the champagne colouring! Nevertheless, Sparkle Sparkle Liadan brought home the first ever certificate with the name Champion on it. Granted, it was only a reserve champion - but it was a first, and one of the happiest days I have ever had showing. The 'A' Litter was very special. It was a culmination of my favourite two rats, who have since gone to the bridge. They were amazing rats who were known by many people. The 'A' Litter was the best litter I have ever had the pleasure of breeding. Her brother Sparkle Sparkle Bran is still with us, though he is an old decrepid man now... biding his time. My greatest regret was missing out on breeding Liadan. My heart breaks that little bit more when I think that I do not have one of her babies. I have her nephew, but it is not the same. Hopefully I shall have another litter of nieces and nephews soon, but it is still not quite there. Though if any turn out like her in any way I will be blessed. Liadan started to get old about a month ago. Her body weight dropped and she slowed down lots. We spent a very special day lolling on the couch the other weekend, as I knew her time was coming. She bruxed, snuggled with me, snuggled with the cat (she was the only litter I had that was brought up with the cats as equals) and she licked my fingers. Finally my princess was a licky rat. Tonight I went to check on my babies to find my precious little girl. It is not fair to have to find them... but it happens. My heart is achine already for her. I want her back. I want my baby to snuggle me and lick my fingers and be with me forever. She was perfect. So perfect, and now she is gone. We are going to hope that her brother managed to sire this current doe... and hope that the 'A' litter legacy will keep going. We still have others - but now I do not have her. Rest baby rest, mamma's dreaming and crying for you. Go and see the others - go and be with your mum, Shakespeare, your dad Conor, and the others you have lived with over the years. I love you This is her marking - so perfect and easy to see as a baby...

Salli, I am so sorry for your loss. I know the feeling of not being able to look at your pet the same way after it kills another pet. That is what I faced with my cat and my mice one day.. ;) I know the pain an anguish. I am thinking of you tonight. *hugs to you and your daughter*

I cry at least once a week for my darling Xander. At times just saying his name is enough to make me burst. You never 'get over them' They're impact on your life is too big to get over. I would recommend talking to your hubby though. It is hard to think about making him think about Chewy too - but it is hard holding in the grief for yourself. A cuddle from hubby can often be just as healing as a lick from the poochies

No words that I have not said already. she's now got her wings.

I have been thinking about this quite a bit... Quite a lot of us rent by the looks, and many can't bury our pets here, but what if you cannot pay for cremation? It is terribly heartbreaking to leave your pet at the vets for 'disposal' but to add that extra cost of cremation makes it almost impossible for some people to ge their pets back... Xander came home with me... but he was a cat and we bought him a very big pot.... but for a dog - I would not have the luxury of a pot big enough... I think it is sad that for many, it is just not an option to have their pet back...

persephone I do not see it as cruel or as inhumane. I grew up on a farm and at times, it is the quickest most painless thing that can be done. Rather than letting an animal endure more than it should need to. the hardest part for me though is not the paying - but the signing of that form. I cry thinking about it. The number of times I have had to sign that form... makes my heart break. I just wish they call all go in their sleep... nicer on them. nicer on us... My cat Xander is also in a pot, on our balcony. When we buy a place they will all be buried... or I will have them all cremated.

Pet Cremation is what I wanted for my rats, but it is expensive. I think the minimum cost is something like $90 but that is when they cremate your pet with everyone elses pet and you get alocated a certain amount of ash... I was horrified that I would be ending up with not 100% of my pet! So one day, when I can afford it, everyone who is buried in the pots I have, will all be sent off to be cremated together and put in one urn. Yes, the ash is mixed together, but at least they are still all your own pets! Lia, I have had to deal with some very insensitive vets - one who scoffed at me when I said that I wanted my rat gassed first - that is why it was not a surprise when I found out she charged me extra. Yet, they did not charge me as much to have my darling Xander put to sleep, as I had already paid for hospital care, that he did not need... Talking about the death of our pets is a very tricky and emotional topic, but I think it is good to discuss simply because we can understand what happens a bit more before emotions take part. Many times I have had to rush to the vets with tears in my eyes... they know the look and quickly (usually) print off the form I have to sign before I even say a word... They are extremely caring in that manner. I guess I am somewhat unlucky owning Pet Rats, as they only have a lifespan of 2-3 years. If you have many of them the same age, it is unfortunate but they all tend to die around the same time. I have lost about 10 animals in the last six months simply due to old age... my latest passing away Thursday.. He was coming up to two and a half... I find that my girls seem to live longer

I actually thought it was illegal to bury any animal in your backyard... but I have to be wrong there because vets would not release the body back to you if that was the case. All of my rats get buried in huge big pots with plants so that when I move houses they can come with me and one day be buried on my own property. However, with burying on a rental property... I think it is poor taste to bury your pet in someone elses backyard... Rental properties are often sold/renovated etc... *shudder* that is too much of concern for me to consider.. fluffy being disturbed...

GOLLY! granted yours was not a regular situation... but that is quite a lot! If you do not mind me asking, were you able to pay over time - being that it was your regular vet? $5 for a mouse is very sweet of them. I have been charged anywhere from $15 to $140 for rats. $140 included a necropsy to find out the reason for his death - these prices are all from the same vet practise. It changes every single time I go there. Thanks for your post dru

OK... so it is tough on anyone that has to have an animal put to sleep. In times of crisis (like when my cat was put to sleep) you rarely even look at the bill, you just throw over the counter the exact change or your credit/debit card. However, with the rats I have had cause to occasionally call up and find out how much the process will cost. Especially after being charged extra last time when I requested that my rat be gassed/sedated before giving her the final injection. (cost me $30 extra - bringing the cost to $70 I think - no cost for removal as she came home with me) Anyways, I have found that the cost of euthanasia seems to differ greatly for many reasons (I have had this discussion with a lot of rat owners so thought I would ask dog owners). The area where you live, the vet practise, or the pounds where you can take your animal all seems to weigh heavily on the price on which you have to pay. For instance, I was discussing with someone recently who had to pay $200 to have their old rottie put to sleep, and use the removal service as they lived in a rental. And yet, someone else I was speaking to only had to pay the local pound around $50 (not sure if they used the removal service or not). This seems ridiculously absurd to me to have such a gross difference in the price. The lady with the first dog did not have the money to pay the vet fees and had to borrow money of friends/family because the vets insisted it be paid on the spot. I know it is not an excuse, so please do not yell at me for my next comment, but it almost makes you understand why some people surrender their terminaly ill/injured/agressive/in-need-of-medical-attention pets... it is often cheaper to dump the animal than pay to have it put to sleep. Or worse, the animal gets left to suffer because they cannot pay for it... I do not condone the dumpage of any animals... but to be charged $200 to have a dog put to sleep seems to be amazing to me. So if you have had the unfortunate experience of having to deal with this with any pet (rat, dog, cat, bird, ferret, mouse) what has your experience been with costs?

nooooo!! it cannot be sleep well little merry... sleep well. Ana... My thoughts are with you and Jake. Give pippin a huggle from me

Shakespeare, March 2001 - January 17th 2004 She was the beginning. The reason for the Sparkle Sparkle rattery. She was my breath, she was my life, she was the heart and sole of my love for them all. Cancer has been part of her life for a year now, and we thought she would have left us long ago. But she fought to stay with us, to bless us with her kisses, her love and her friendship. The summer has been hard on her. I have cherished every moment that she held on. This morning she was bouncing on the door and gave me cuddles and kisses. She was alive and perfect and breathing this morning. And now she has gone. My heart shatters. My head is in turmoil. This weekend was supposed to be full of love, happiness and celebration. Now it is tainted with your death. You are my everything. And now you are gone. You touched everyone. Your blood is part of our great lines. I love you so much, but now you are gone. My tears burn my face as I think of you. My head throbs and my body aches. Pain is weak compared to what I feel now. Rest baby, rest. Know that I love you. Be peaceful. Be free. ___________________________________________ Dirge Of Love Come away, come away, death, And in sad cypres let me be laid; Fly away, fly away, breath; I am slain by a fair cruel maid. My shroud of white, stuck all with yew, O prepare it! My part of death, no one so true Did share it. Not a flower, not a flower sweet, On my black coffin let there be strown; Not a friend, not a friend greet My poor corse, where my bones shall be thrown: A thousand thousand sighs to save, Lay me, O, where Sad true lover never find my grave To weep there! William Shakespeare

Today my very first mouse died. She asked me to adopt her. it took me a while to listen. why would someone who owned rats go for something as unintelligent as a mouse? I fell in love with her, with her blaze. I thought I had better adopt two though, so just picked out out of the cage to be her friend. Squeak died a long time ago... but Bubble lived until she was nigh on two. that is around 70-80 in mousie years. She was frail, hunchbacked and ricketty on her feet in the end, but still as cheeky as ever... Today however, she decided she needed to be with her sister Squeak, over at the rainbow bridge. I do not grieve for you like I normally do. You were so different... so instead of tears of pain, tears of joy - for you lived long, you lived well, you loved life, and I loved you. you were the bestest mousie a girlie could want. I love you bubble. say hi to squeak, vavara, mashika and mystic!

Zoe died today. She was staying with us for a month while her humans went to england on holidays she was such a beautiful rat. black with a white belly. She was alive this afternoon. But tonight she was not. Far too young, even for a rat to die. Her humans returned home today and I just had to give them the news. The young boy will be told tomorrow upon waking. My heart breaks for him, as I believe this was his first pet. Now Daisy, his other rat has no cage mate. And Zoe is now at the bridge Say a prayer if you will for the little boy, who tomorrow upon waking will learn that his first pet has gone to the bridge. Sleep sweetly Zoe