I talk about rats too much in here.

[corknut]

I came back into my room this evening and found Lotus, one of my rats, dead in her cage. There was nothing physically wrong with her and she was only a baby, so we're guessing that she just had a defective heart (she was a white rat, and there's good evidence that they're genetically weaker than the fancies). She looked like she had just keeled over very suddenly; there wasn't any sign of pain or struggling. Right now I'm sitting here with her cagemate, Xena, and she's like. Skitterish and shaking and just generally freaked out and traumatized. I feel bad for her, bawww.

Having pets that only live for a few years at most sucks, gaiz.

Comments

[rinhriveiel.livejournal.com]

How old is "just a baby?"

I'm sorreh. :(

[banerry.livejournal.com]

We don't know exactly, but probably about three or four months? I don't know a *ton* about how quickly rats grow, but when I got them in mid-July they were pretty tiny.

<3333

[idgiebay]

Oh no, the poor baby! D: I'm sorry to hear that.

[banerry.livejournal.com]

I knowwww. D: I feel really bad, even though it... just happens sometimes with small animals. :\ She was my favorite of my rats, though. ;_;

[idgiebay]

I know how it goes. :< I had two rats that both died, one of a stroke and one of complications from a surgery. It was very sad. ;_; *hugs*

[banerry.livejournal.com]

Awwww, I'm sorry. D: I've had two rats die before (one early this past summer, and one like... five years ago), but both were old so I was expecting it.

Do you have any rats still alive?

[idgiebay]

It's all right. I hadn't expected either of them to die so soon, especially the one that died of complications, but they had a good year and a half with me, at least. I think some of their issues had to do with the fact that I bought them from pet stores, though, since a lot of pet shop rats tend not to be as healthy... Next time, I'm going to go through a breeder.

Nope. Those were the only rats I've ever had. My mom and my sister hate them, so I can't have any as long as I'm still living at home. You can bet as soon as I'm out of here I'll get at least two more, though. :D They're my favorite pets.

[banerry.livejournal.com]

Really? I didn't know that! D: All of the ones I've had have been through pet shops (there aren't any rat breeders around here, unfortunately), and this is the first time I've had an issue. The other two that died lived for over three years each, and one of the ones I still have now is probably pushing four.

That sucks. :/ My mom used to be kind of freaked by them (or, mostly by their tails), but now she's a lot more used to them and she actually kind of likes them. XD And I agree; rats are wonderful. I always want to have a couple around.

[idgiebay]

Oh, ones from pet shops can be happy and healthy! They're just more likely to have health and behavioral problems, or so I've heard. They come from the rat equivalent of puppy mills. I actually worked at PetSmart for a year, and we took care of all of the small animals to the best of our abilities, but we had no control over where they came from. A lot of the rats there weren't socialized very well, and a few of them had breathing issues.

Haha! My mom hates their tails, too. She actually got sort of used to them, but it's my sister that really dislikes them, and since she co-owns the house with my mom, she, unfortunately, has authority over what can and can't live here. :|

They're so social, too, omg. I loved letting them sit on me or crawl in my shirt whenever I was at my computer. XD

[banerry.livejournal.com]

adsfjk now I feel bad about possibly supporting rat!puppy mills. D: I know at least some pet stores get their small animals from breeders, but I don't know about the bigger chains. Our pet store chain up here is PetCo, and so far I've gotten four rats from them, all of which have been healthy (except, I guess, for this one) and very well-socialized. But when we lived in New Jersey years ago my sister and I each got a rat from PetSmart-- mine was extremely friendly, while hers was skittish and didn't even like to be picked up or taken out of her cage. :/ So I guess it varies.

My sister doesn't mind them, at least; she's indifferent to most animals and rarely goes in my room anyway.

Saaaame. XD Lotus (the one who just died) used to sit on my shoulder and groom my hair and lick my face; it was so adorable. I have to wear old clothes when I have them out though, because oh my GOD they chew holes in everything.

[fruitsgrow.livejournal.com]

Aw, I'm so sorry to hear that. I remember when Toulouse died from a brain infection; he was only a month old and my favorite. It's pretty hard to lose them so young.

[banerry.livejournal.com]

Yeah, really-- this one was my favorite too. :/

[anesidorian.livejournal.com]

Aw 8( The poor thing...

[banerry.livejournal.com]

I know. :(

[clockmaster.livejournal.com]

Gah that sucks >: I like rodens and hamsters too, I have one too and I was so sad when the first oen died.

/hugz

pfft that icon

[banerry.livejournal.com]

I remember you showed me a picture of your hamster once! And rodents are win, I just wished they lived longer. :/

Isn't he the cutest thing ever? 8)

[lylith-st.livejournal.com]

Yes, the actual one is named Cuddy but I have a male one long time ago. I don't have pcis of him :( He was a hamster panda, grey and white.

Btw I submitted the virus:

http://tripled-mods.livejournal.com/8505.html?thread=5604153#t5604153
And blamed tou >3

yyyyyyes

[banerry.livejournal.com]

Awwww. D: And a hamster named Cuddy is hilarious. XD

OH HO HO, I SAW. >:)

^.^ ♥♥♥

[clockmaster.livejournal.com]

D: indeed...pfff don't ask me why I named her like that, I was a super house fan that time XD

EKKEKEKEKEEK >3 wonderful~

[banerry.livejournal.com]

I've recently become super-obsessed with House. I never was in the past; whyyyyyyy. I blame the upcoming premiere. XD

[clockmaster.livejournal.com]

I was more of a fan of the first season I have to admit. I liked the old team better. but House is always good 8)

[banerry.livejournal.com]

I liked the old team better too. D: But on the other hand, I (... unlike most of the rest of the fandom, ha) like it more the more insane and unbelievable it gets. XD IT'S LIKE CRACK IDK

[clockmaster.livejournal.com]

...Add to the part of the fandom, I think that they're doing a bit too much crack


/hides.

[banerry.livejournal.com]

GOD LYLITH YOU KNOW YOU'RE NOT ALLOWED TO HAVE A DIFFERENT OPINION FROM ME

[clockmaster.livejournal.com]

I'M SORRY OTHER PEOPLE INFLUENCED MEEEEE ;A;

/offers gold and jewels and pretty thigns >>

[banerry.livejournal.com]

... OKAY FINE BUT YOU'RE ON MY SHIT LIST 8|

[clockmaster.livejournal.com]

NOESSSSSSSSSSSSS 8(

WHO ELSE IS ON THAT LIST?

[banerry.livejournal.com]

... THAT. IS A SECRET. 8)

[clockmaster.livejournal.com]

B|

[banerry.livejournal.com]

[super-pineapple.livejournal.com]

GET A TURTLE. THEY LIVE FOR FREAKING EVER.

[banerry.livejournal.com]

MY MOM ALREADY HAS TWO. 8D ... Well, they're tortoises, but...

[century-fox.livejournal.com]

:( I'm so sorry about your rat! *hugs* And poor Xena...I hope she will be okay =/

[banerry.livejournal.com]

Me too. D: I've been slowly introducing her to my other rat in hopes that they could live together, so hopefully that'll work out.