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.

[carlowe.livejournal.com]

Sad to hear it.

[redcountess]

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

[fluffyblanket.livejournal.com]

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

[txxxpxx.livejournal.com]

:( Sorry to hear it.

[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.

[splodgenoodles.livejournal.com]

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

[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.

[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.

[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.