Pet Forum / Mammals / Rats / November 2006

I am so sorry to hear about that. That is so sad. :(  I'm very glad
though that you took them in and cared for them and give them the homes
they deserved.  It is heartbreaking yes but you had such a big heart
for doing it too!

Oh god, Vanessa, that is absolutely heart breaking. I'm so sorry for you
and for sweet Horus.
You are one of the best rat moms out there... and you know ratties in
shelters need you and I think it's wonderful that these rats get a break
before leaving this world to live with so much love and care from you.
Thinking of you and your crew...

[snip]

That's painful just to read. I'm so sorry for you & Horus. I hope he
manages to integrate into a new colony. All the best,

This is very sad. My heart goes out to Horus and yourself.

I'm trying to think of ways to help Horus through his grief. Have you
taken Phoenix's body away? Could you leave the body with Horus for as
long as possible? Horus obviously needs extra time with Phoenix's body.
A friend often uses Bach Flower Rescue Remedies to help her dogs during
stressful times. I don't know a great deal about them, but my friend
seems to think they help. Seeing as it's hard to counsel a grieving
rat, it may be worth giving these a go. They're cheap and you can get
them from naturopaths and health food stores.

Poor little Horus. Ratty licks being sent to the both of you. I really
hope he picks up and finds happiness again.

Dewi

I know a lot of people who are scared to get pets because they lost a
pet once and they don't want to go through the loss and sadness again.
but think of it this way:  there's nothing we can do about life and the
cyce of life and lifespans.  and better to have loved and lost then
never loved at all.  You enrich their living years and see them off to
the other side with loving arms.  Do it again and again and again.
Don't let their inevitable end prevent you from falling in love.

Hi

I'm so sorry to hear about your loss but you gave Horus the best life ever
in the end. I'm send peace and love your way.

April

I can feel the pain and the love through this message. But love is painful.
It wrenches at my heart daily...and it is a pain worth every tear and drop
of blood. I would never go back, change a thing, for all the roads my life
has traveled, all have led to making me a better person. I have had ratties
off and on for 15 years. The years WITHOUT were the worst.

Bless you and your little ratties. My LOVE I gladly share with a person such
as you.

Lynn kitty
Often I say to myself that I have to take a break from having rats,
that their short lifespans are heart wrenching, and too many of them
spend their entire lives battling health concerns.
I adopted Horus (then Puddles) and Phoenix from a shelter in Toronto in
the spring.  They had been mentioned on Canada Rat Adoption as not
adapting well to the shelter environment, and suffering from myco and
parasites.  They were estimated at a year old.  It was mentioned that
they were at the top of the list of rats in the shelter that would
really benefit from getting out.  I decided to do just that.
When I saw them for the first time, I was so saddened by their
condition.  Their breathing was very laboured, and both were absolutely
infested with lice.  Their coats were dull and sparse, and each strand
was covered in nits.  I also estimated their ages at much more than a
year, probably closer to eighteen months to two years.
I treated them both with Revolution for the lice, which cleared up
easily.  Their coats were back to normal very quickly.  Their breathing
issues weren't as successfully treated.  They have been on antibiotics
and treatments almost solidly since they came home with me.  It has
been a constant battle, especially with Phoenix who never seemed to
improve for more than a week at a time.
These two, almost more than any pair of rats that I have ever had, have
been inseperable.  They adored each other and would not part, even when
freeranging.  I will never know if they were siblings, but that doesn't
matter because they were closer than even some of the siblings that I
have had.
Phoenix passed away this morning, around 1:00am.  I stayed up until he
was gone.  When I took Phoenix out to comfort him, Horus would freak
out and start chewing on the cage bars.  I wrapped Phoenix in some
fleece to make him comfortable, and placed him back in the cage.  Horus
was immediately glued to his side, and never left.  After he died, I
tried to remove him but Horus wouldn't let me.  He kept draping his
body over Phoenix and continuously groomed his face and head.  I
couldn't bring myself to take him out.  Horus would grab my hand and
lick it furiously every time I would stroke Phoenix or try to lift him
out.
My heart breaks for Horus, who is now alone.  Watching his display for
his brother, it took everything I had to not break down in tears.
Every time I picture it, I just have this empty, awful feeling in my
stomach.  I will try and integrate him in with another colony so he
will have company for the rest of his life.  As sad and heart wrenching
that it is, I marvel at the level of love and affection that these
creatures are capable of.
My favourite pictures of them are here (Horus on the left, and Phoenix
on the right):
http://picasaweb.google.com/nessie1/MultipleRats/photo#4978393437513777170
http://picasaweb.google.com/nessie1/MultipleRats/photo#4978393432949850130

I'm so sorry, Vanessa.  Try and take comfort from the fact that you gave
sweet Phoenix a wonderful life after you rescued him and Horus.  He would
have passed away feeling throughly loved and cared for.  I hope little Horus
recovers as soon as possible - I've seen rats grieve for their cagemates, it
breaks your heart.  Take care, and give Horus a big snuggle from me.

Tracey