Pet Forum / Mammals / Rats / May 2004

I'm so sorry Derek... she may turn up though, rats are very resilient. There
was this couple that lost their rat outside, almost a month later they found
her living under the porch... so you just never know.

Oh noooooo!!!!! I am so sorry.

But don't - please - give up hope. Rats are incredibly tough.

There's a story on my webpage, in the "About" section, titled The Story of
Henna & Laura, about two tiny baby rats from my first litter 20+ years ago,
who escaped into my outside rattery aged only 3-4 weeks. In brief, they not
only survived but were recaptured a year later in superb condition and took
only a little time to become tame again.

She had probably found a haven somewhere and is so caught up in learning to
cope on her own, that she might have forgotten how to return.

Best wishes for her, wherever she is... and you might yet have an unexpected
surprise.

Sue
----------------------------
pendragon fancy rats
Portsmouth, England, UK
www.pendragonrats.co.uk
First established 1981

Don't give up hope . Fingers crossed that she turns up safe and sound, All
the best,
Rosalind

You haven't got a piano have you? Three of my girls escaped a couple of
years ago after the door of their cage wasn't shut properly. We found all 3
were inside the piano and we could not get then out. It was an old piano and
they had made a hole through the material at the back. It was days before we
were able to get them out and that was only by dismantling the piano. It was
really weird to hear the piano making tunes on its own.It was like a
labrinth in there, and the treasures we found inside including my watch.
Needless to say most of the keys inside had been chewed, they'd had a rare
old time. I actually felt sorry for them when they were returned to their
cage and their adventure was over. We ended up having a bonfire with the
piano in question. I can laugh about it now. One of the guilty party,
Matilda is an old lady now and the only surviving one of the trio. Luckily
the piano wasn't in good working order so it was no great loss and my
critters were more important anyway. So, if you have a piano check it
out.All the best,
Rosalind.

Don't lose faith.  Rats tend to chew on things when and where they feel
safe and content.  Meaning that they usually chew things in dark or out
of the way areas. Just because you haven't found anything chewed doesn't
mean she isn't busy some place devouring what she thinks is a good meal.
 Any rat owner can tell you that they have discovered things long after
the fact that have been chewed to pieces.
  I think it is time for the proverbial gloves to come off in this
fight.  Yes, thats right....it's time to order a pizza!  (Always worked
for my little lost ones)

More great advice! Thanks everyone for giving us hope. I guess we should be
a bit more patient.

Regarding treats -- we have left grapes and cheese out in every room (both
are favourites of hers), but perhaps we should try something more aromatic.
Time to start cooking chicken!

Derek

As you know rats love nothing better than a good old gnaw, have you had a
look around for signs of where little teeth might have been? Good luck with
your continued search,
All the best,
Rosalind.