Her Luck Ran Out

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Lucky rat died today during surgery for a malignant tumor, aged 34.5 months (or around 85 in human years). Even if she had survived she had other tumors growing, so perhaps really it would be providing her but a scant few more months of quality living. It was a series of tragic events that led to her passing; her tumor went from the benign to malignant variety and grew quickly, but of course, she'd kept it hidden from us. Our usual vet was overseas, and the locum - unfamiliar with rodents - didn't feel confident enough to attempt surgery and spaetlese, who provided us the rat in the first place, was interstate. When we made the booking for Lort Smith it was further delayed by another week during the Easter break.

Lucky was so named because she had been earmarked as snake food, was rescued from such an event by spaetlese. Before she made it to us she had escaped her cage and had spent a couple of nights in a house with non-rat friendly cats. Having cheated death twice, she did lose a tip of her tail to a cage accident, but made it through that fine. She had also already gone through one tumor operation. Ever lithe of form, gregarious and curious of nature (yes, even on the rodent scale of things), I like to think that we provided her a happy life. But my parting moment as she looked up at me whilst holding my finger with her front paws is in burned into my memories forever. Farewell, Lucky.

Comments

[17catherines]

I'm so sorry for your loss.

[iris]

Poor Lucky. :( I'm sure she was thankful for your ownership, though. She went through a lot before she came to her final home, so I think she was Lucky to have you as an owner as well. Best wishes.

[ecosopher.livejournal.com]

Oh, she did very well to live to such a ripe old age with so many close shaves! But of course, it's still so sad to see them slip away. Adam and I have discussed having rats again when the children are a bit bigger, but... I'm not sure I can cope with losing them so often. Sigh.

Lucky was also lucky to have such a loving home. The memory you describe is a wonderful one.

[ratfan.livejournal.com]

Very sad to hear about Lucky. It does sound that even without the delays, if there were other tumours on the way, the outcome would not have been altered. And that's indeed a good rat age. Condolences from Coconut and the boys.

[i-amthecosmos.livejournal.com]

Sorry for your loss, and thank you for this post telling us about her.

[leo-sosnine.livejournal.com]

Well, we all are going to die and soon. On the bright side, this specimen had pretty decent life I suppose. I wonder how many of his brethren made this far.

[txxxpxx.livejournal.com]

*hugs* The stress surrounding her passing would have been felt far more strongly by you than it was by her. I am sure her overwhelming impression was that she was in a warm, happy, friendly place and was loved. And realistically, could any of us want for more?

[leecetheartist.livejournal.com]

Aw, condolences. She sounds adorable.

[delphipsmith]

I love this story. Lucky was indeed lucky. My husband and I currently have three "rescue rats" -- Smudge, George, and Nibbles. He was at the pet store, saw them in the "feeder rat" cage, went all mushy over them and brought them home. They're very sweet.

Years ago we had a bunch of gerbils; one of them got a tumor on its leg and we took it to the vet for surgery. The vet was so intrigued by the idea of operating on a tiny rodent, which he'd never done before, that he did it at cost (that is, no charge for his labor). The gerbil cost $3 and the surgery was over $100, but it was worth it :)

[splodgenoodles.livejournal.com]

Lucky was lucky, but I am sorry for your loss.