Valentina the Devine Rat

After Fromage died, we knew that Valentina wouldn't last much longer. Valentina had to be put to sleep today; she had developed tumors all over and was too old to be operated on.

Tina was a sweet rat; a little skittish but sweet. She and Fromage were the best of friends, and we adopted them both (even though we had only intended to adopt one rat). They used to run on the wheel at the same time for hours on end. We joked that they were in Olympic training; they continued to enjoy the wheel until old age (which none of our other rats did).

Tina was out 13th and final rat. We just can't deal with the heartbreak; they are such wonderful animals with vibrant personalities, but each of their deaths strikes us such a blow, and so soon. Two or three years is too short.

Valentina will be laid to rest between the lilies, next to Fromage.

Fromage, and Multiple FO's.

So, in sad rattie news, we had to put Fromage to sleep. She was two years old and had horrible, malignant cancer. We buried her next to Macy. That was Tuesday.

Andrew drove Contstance up to Auburn on Thursday, and came back on the train. The dogs were pacing and going crazy, since there was a change in routine, so I piled them into the car when it came time to pick up Andrew. Niki barked and growled at a police officer. The cop laughed.

FOs:

I finished the entrelac scarf I've been obsessed with, and Joey's socks. Not bad for a week's work. I've also got some designs sketched out (poorly, but they're on paper), that I'll be making demo's of.

I am on FIRE!

I finished another pair of socks last night; woo! I'm also finishing another pair of Andrew's South Dakota socks, Regia Ringel Color #5072. It's pretty old, so no link for the color.

Andrew finished untangling the mess that Elphie made of my next pair of Regia Jubillee sock yarn, so those will go on the needles tonight. I feel very accomplished. I'm not quite through all of the Jubliee that I bought, but at this rate, I will be soon! (Remember, faithful readers, that I bought every color in the line.)

In other news

Last week we had to put Macy to sleep. She was very old, and when Sam woke up Thursday morning, he found her having difficulty breathing and walking. Mom decided after taking her to the vet that Macy wouldn't linger, and Mom preferred that she pass naturally at home with those who loved her. When I arrived after work, at 5:15, Macy was struggling and unhappy, so we elected to put her to sleep to alleviate her suffering. Macy was almost four years old, the oldest rat we've ever had.

Macy's Story

We adopted Macy on August 6th, 2004 from The Silicon Valley Humane Society. We had gone earlier in the week to meet a dog, and Mom saw Macy in her little cage. Finally, on Friday, Mom insisted that I go back, meet, and adopt Macy if she was social and friendly.

She totally was. She was snuggly, and cute, and super affectionate, from the beginning. I was against adopting such an old rat (she was roughly 2 1/2 years old when we adopted her- at the end of a normal rat life span), since we had decided as a family that we were no longer going to have rats, since they don't live very long and leave holes in our hearts with every death. But Mom insisted, so Macy came home with us.

Macy wasn't social with the other rats, but she loved us. She loved to be cuddled, explore, and eat people food. Macy liked going to the vet, and at the vet's, everyone loved her. Macy's charm and adorable looks helped her scam lunches off of the vet staff- who would keep her longer so they could play.

Macy was arguably the cutest rat we've ever had; she was a blue-hooded rat with dumbo ears and a cateract in her right eye. She was indiscriminately affectionate, and so loved. We celebrate having been able to cherish her for the time that we had her.

Audrie II

Audrie II had to be put to sleep today. She had respiratory problems, recovering bumblefoot in both back feet, and was beginning to lose her fur. She just wasn't happy anymore. Audrie was 2 1/2 years old, fairly old for a rat.

She had a rough beginning in life; she was involved in a cruelty case where a man had 80 cages in a one-bedroom apartment, all full of pet rats. He was breeding them and trying to sell them, from what I was told.

Rattieratz rescue had her at their adoption fair, and Audrie picked Sam. We brought her home, and found that her gift was that of projectile pooping. While we were trying to find a name for her, I came up with "#2" (like from Austin Powers), but Sam said that you can't give a number name, so we came up with "Audrie II" (from "Little Shop of Horrors"). Audrie and Topaz were great friends, and I think it was hardest on Audrie when Topaz passed away.

Audrie was a more selective rat; she didn't want to play all of the time, but would let you know when she did. She was a sweet rat when she wanted to be, and man, did she have spunk and a peanut-gut. We all loved her very much.