My Lovely Rats

It’s been a few months since my last two lovely boys passed away. It was November 26th and Dublin was getting very feeble and off his food. Jinx took a bad turn during the night, and we were very upset to find him barely moving in the morning of the 27th, so I had to make the harsh decision to put them both to sleep. I knew that Dublin would only decline very fast without his brother so I thought it was kinder to let them both go together. It was not just the end of days for these two wonderful little guys, but the end of an era, I had decided not to bring any more rats into our lives for the time being, as it is not so practical having to house them in the garden shed (a consequence of my partners allergies), not to mention the heating bill. So I will make this my last post, a farewell to my sweet pixies Dublin and Jinx, and a tribute to all our rats gone by. To the Rainbow Bridge my little ones xxxxxxxxxxxx

Today My Lovely Rats Say Bye-Bye

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I have quite sad news about Dublin, he is getting old now and his back legs arer just not working so well for him anymore. I’m pretty sure he’s got degenerate osteoarthritis. He doesn’t appear to be in any pain or discomfort at the moment but he has to waddle along and drag his back legs behind him to an extent I’m keeping a close supervision of his condition but I know too well there’s not much a vet will prescribe if anything for this type of illness since he is so small Jinx is still crazy and energetic, but he has lost a lot of weight recently and I’m desperately trying to keep both rats’ weight up by completey spoiling them! I’m adding small animal vitamins to their food and I’ve started with a few drops of echinacea to help with their immune systems. They are 2 and a half now which is getting on a bit for rats so I don’t think a few extra treats will harm, and I want to make their last weeks or months as comfortable and happy as possible. I’ve also split the cage in half and closed off the bottom half of it, so that Dublin doesn’t have to climb up and down ladders. It’s a good idea with elderly rats to check they can access food and drink easily and are kept warm during the colder months, because they cannot retain body heat so well in advanced age. On a lighter note, I just have to add, all this attention and dedication to these little guys is so rewarding, the other day Jinx and Dublin were snuggled up in my arms and Jinx closed his eyes and fell asleep Dublin gives me ratty kisses every day and he is just tooo cute!!! Here are some photos taken last month.

Today my lovely rats have been mostly eating all their favourites

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At last an update! I’m posting this in November, but these photographs were taken back in September. The boys were very good to pose for me, possibly due to the incentive of treats being given!

Dublin and Jinx are getting old and somewhat skinny, so I’m trying to give them all their favourite healthy foods like scrambled egg just to make sure they’re eating well.

Today my lovely rats have been mostly eating scrambled egg and salad

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I can’t believe how fast you’ve grown up Dublin and Jinx - you’re two now!! In human terms that’s quite old - you’re in your 60’s! Two little old men!
Here’s some piccies from yesterday’s birthday celebrations with your big sisters Skye and Maya

Today my lovely rats have been mostly eating lots and lots

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There’s nothing really new on the ratty front, so here are some up-to-date photos of the small furry fellas Click on each photo to bring it up larger.

Today my lovely rats have been eating Yorkshire pudding pieces

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I can’t believe it’s been so long since my last post - almost 10 months!
My apologies to anyone who regularly visits the site for neglecting to update it, I intend to rectify that right now! I found it difficult to write about the rats for a while after Shy-Shy died, because he was the reason I started this project and he was the last of the original “Lovely Rats” gang. I have just the two reprobates left: Dublin and Jinx, and here they are looking their usual silly selves:

There is nothing new to report, only that the two of them are still the silliest looking rats you have ever seen. Dublin has mastered the “Daft-But-Cute-As-As-Teeny-Fluffy-Baby-Kitten” look and Jinx continues charge around the place in a frantic but slightly idiotic way, occasionally pouncing on his brother for no apparent reason. Of course Dublin shrugs it off (he has some sense) and is pacified with yoghurt drops and reassuring scritches from the Rat Mother (me)

Today my lovely rats have been mostly eating fruit and nuts.

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Happy Birthday My Lovely Rats Blog - I can’t believe it is three years since I wrote the very first post! I just squished this post in after I realised in May that I’d missed this momentous event! Happy Birthday Blog!!!

Today my lovely rats are mostly eating nostalgic pies

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The last one of the infamous four. My lovely Shy-Shy has departed to the Rainbow Bridge.
We had been on holiday for a week and my neighbour had kindly fed the rats for me, including dishing out Shy-Shy’s baby food everyday. Shy-Shy had been eating okay all the time we were away, and he seemed very happy to see me. He trundled over to the edge of the cage and poked his wee nose through at me, bruxing away. Then over the next two days he just stopped eating and his breathing was very laboured. I tried to coax him to eat and he would only lick a bit of food off my finger, so I decided to take him to the vet. I’m convinced he was just waiting for me to come back.

On 13th July we all kissed him goodbye.

Here’s some memories of a very special little rat…

When Shy Shy first came to live with us he was very nervous and shy, hence his name. He was my daughter Maya’s rat and she named him.

Despite being the most bashful rat of the litter to begin with, he was the fastest to tame and was always way ahead of his brothers in many ways. He was an intelligent boy with a bit of a wild streak!

Here Shy Shy is rat-minding Dublin and Jinx. He was quite protective of them and was the most tolerant member of the group.

He had a sweet baby face even when he was getting on a bit - this is one of the last pictures taken of him.

So here’s a final picture just to show what a handsome rat Shy Shy was… A bright little star, full of personality. He will always be remembered as a special member of the family. To the Rainbow Bridge..

Today my lovely rats have been mostly eating scraps.

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Baby Face

Shy-Shy looking deceptively youthful. Aaw my poor old-man rat is losing his appetite. He refuses his dry rat food mix. He can be coaxed to eat baby oat breakfast though. His breathing has become a little more shallow lately and after the loss of his brothers I think he’s slowing down. He has his routine though (just like an old man!) and watches the younger boys at play time from his box in the cage. It’s desperately sad really. I tried to put my (usually separated) three rats together but it looked like they were going to freak out, and I didn’t want to put any stress on Shy-Shy as his health is a bit iffy. I have a feeling it’s his last days now, poor old thing…

Today my lovely rats have been mostly eating boring old rat food.

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Dublin Scrutinising his Birthday Card

On 24th May the boys celebrated their first birthday with home made muesli biscuits!

Jinx Grabs a Biccy

Dublin Gets his Teeth into it

I wouldn’t dream of spoiling my rats.. I mean.. doesn’t everyone bake for their pets?! They also got little parcels of yoghurt drops and a great party game of “Chase the Feather on a Stick”. This is a type of cat toy which is brilliant for rats - they love to chase it around the floor like a couple of kittens - hilarious!

Today my lovely rats are mostly eating sunflower seeds

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