More from the Dead Rat Society

[tcpip]

At some stage I'll make a post that doesn't involve yet another offering to Thanatos. Picador, one of the collection of ratlings of January 1st 2012, just died at twenty eight months, or 70 human years. She'd slowed down a great deal in the past month or so, undoubtably the result of a stroke, which is quite common in aging rats. Nevertheless she was still very fond of her foods, as she always had been. Of the three that we kept from 2012 (Picador, Pranker, Pierrot), Picador was most certainly the slackest and the most reclusive of the trio, preferring the delights of sleep and food - unsurprisingly she was also the most rotund. In her last month however she really quite came out and enthusiastically welcomed time snuggled up with her human servants.

This leaves our household with but one rat; the everyoung Prankster who - despite two tumor operations and evidence of yet another - is still bright-eyed, active, and wiry. When she runs about, her tail is still held high, evidence that he musculture and nervous system is still youthful. If it wasn't for her propensity to tumors, I wouldn't be surprised if she made it well into her fourth year. Realistically, I have to be prepared for yet another rodent demise.

Comments

[iris]

Oh, no! :( Best of wishes for Prankster. Is it normal to keep rats by themselves? I always thought they were more social creatures, but I have known people that have had only one rat as a pet.

[tcpip]

Usually it is highly recommended that multiple rats are kept simultaneously. They will adopt humans as part of their colony, but it's not quite the same :)

[carlowe.livejournal.com]

Sad to hear it.

[tcpip.livejournal.com]

It was expected. I worry that Prankster may develop the opinion that she's the last rat on earth...

[redcountess]

I'm sorry about Picador, and Lucky, as I've said before, they live such bright, but short lives xo

[tcpip.livejournal.com]

"The light that burns twice as bright, burns half as long.."

[fluffyblanket.livejournal.com]

¡Muy interesante!
¿ Por qué escibes en español?
I greatly admire the breadth and depth of your writing.

[tcpip.livejournal.com]

No, I don't write in Spanish. My knowledge of that language isn't high enough (yet).

[txxxpxx.livejournal.com]

:( Sorry to hear it.

[tcpip.livejournal.com]

Thanks txxpxx. Let us know when the beetle colony is up for more corpses.

[ratfan.livejournal.com]

As a founding member of the D.R. Society, I'm sorry to hear about Picador. Sounds like she had a very good time. Best wishes from Coconut and her boys.

[tcpip.livejournal.com]

Thank you, and scritches to Coconut and clan.

A founding member! Now I'm thinking about when was the first rat?

To google!

Yes, yes, central Asia, dawn of history. Knew that... Aha! Rattus fuscipes, c3 mya. Hey, it's the Australian Bush Rat. Who knew? Australia is the original rat home.

http://www.ratbehavior.org/history.htm

(Older of course depending on where you put the genus line)

[ratfan.livejournal.com]

I joined when *my* first rat passed away! I claim no supernatural qualities!

[tcpip.livejournal.com]

And after 3my of caring for rats, you would be a minor deity.

[splodgenoodles.livejournal.com]

I'm sorry, it's hard to lose loved pets.

[tcpip.livejournal.com]

I would have to be crazy to pick pets that last between 2-2.5 years, are affectionate, intelligent, and are best in multiple numbers. A glutton for emotional punishment.

[splodgenoodles.livejournal.com]

Just remember it was you who said that and not me, okay? ;)

What about parrots?

Or land turtles, maybe?

[tcpip.livejournal.com]

We have a turtle! OK, he's long lived but not exactly the smartest or friendliest of creatures. But he does bring some amusement with his outdoor waddles.

[mrteufel.livejournal.com]

I've been recently enamoured with parrotlets. When I retire to a place that allows pets, I'll get a pair of budgies or love birds. They're every bit as smart as rats, cuddly too! But they live far longer. (It's a bit unfair to the poor rats, really.)

[tcpip.livejournal.com]

I must admit I've never really taken to birds. I might give it a go in the future.

[strang-er.livejournal.com]

Sorry to hear of another passing, inevitable as it may be. I hope Prankster has many happy and healthy rat-years ahead.

[tcpip.livejournal.com]

Thanks strang_er ; at a rate of 1 rat year per twelve days she should get a few more in!

[mr-figgy.livejournal.com]

Sorry to hear about the newest loss. Domesticated rats are some of the most adorable common pets I hear about, and I place them in the category with hedgehogs that they'll really endear themselves to you while lasting maybe four years. A friend remarked about having a 7 year old hedgehog and I can only imagine the geriatric issues, 7 is a long time. But I know the pets in your menagerie get the best of care, so however many years these rats get must be the best years any rat can expect.

[tcpip.livejournal.com]

Thanks for the kind words mr_figgy; we do try to look after our rodent friends, even if sometimes in hindsight we worry whether it was good enough.

You can be assured if we were in a location with hedgehogs we'd have one of them as well!

[mrteufel.livejournal.com]

It must be hard to lose a pet. I only had a pet dog for a couple of years, never really got close, and I left before the family moved. I believe they gave him to a neighbour. So I've never had a pet die on me.

[tcpip.livejournal.com]

As I've mentioned once before, with rats.. I have seen so much death.

(Also a whole lot of bruxing, bouncing, stashing, and generally being little nutters)