Alex, Alexy, Xander. My Long awaited for Black Self Boy.
I watched Alex being born, I had asked Clara to give me a Black Self Boy and at about 11am on the 18th July 2012 she did. Alex was always the fattest baby and very chilled out his whole life. Unfortunately he developed long term resp issues at a few months old and at 17 months it was finally all too much for him to fight. On and off medication for almost his whole life, he was still the sweetest boy and managed to stay quite large and muscular. The few days before he passed he was very sick and on steriods and abs but it obviously wasnt enough this time. I found him passed in his cage.
Breathe easy now Lexy <3 we miss you!

Ollie wolly womble, Ollie wog, womble, fatty, old man, ol wol.

Ollie, my first ever adoption. Brought up from Hamilton from Animates from Noire 2 years ago to be friends with Mr fail rat Issac after Keira died. Both boys were exactly the same weight but Ollie soon sped ahead and at one stage hitting 750g, we tried and failed to diet and consider mammary tumors and thyroid issues, but honestly... he was just fat. Constantly at the food bowl stuffing his face. He was one of my 'safe rats' for introducing babies too, being too lazy to bother with them. He moved into the oldies cage a month or so ago and all of his fat slumped down to his ankles, leaving his spine bony and face looking old. I expected to find him passed almost every day in his sleep. Rest in Peace my big boy <3

Miss Bella, my old lady from the beginning. My first girl and almost first rat.
Bella was rescued from trade me by Amber as she was advertised as 7 weeks old and pregnant. She then came to live with my flatmate/friend with another 2 girls from Amber. That was a pretty bad situation for them, fed on 1 lab block and 1 tux biscuit each. After getting the girls away from that owner I had hoped to adopt the 3 girls, but situations changed and we had to move house, instead Bella went to live with a lovely family. Unfortunately Bella had issues and she took a chunk out of the childs finger, by then I already had Issac and Ollie with Alfie and Xavier on the way so I quickly nabbed her. She arrived the same day as Alfie and Xavier and became my oldest rat and only girl. She was spayed and quickly blossomed into a 450g muscular girl who kept the boys inline. At her peak Bella was 497g, had a brilliant thick and shiny agouti hood. She was always a bit sneezy but only ever developed one resp - just a month ago, this was the beginning of the end. The resp was severe and she lost a lot of weight - going down to 320g, she was boney, weak and going bald. I knew she didnt have long, but with a course of doxy and some pred she started gaining weight and was breathing normally. She came off the meds a few days ago and I was happier with her, she was still quite a feeble old lady but a bit more stronger and rounder. She was with me for almost 2 years and made me bleed a few times, in her old age she became lovely and gentle - too feeble to bite but still loving her dinner and pushing everyone else out of the way to get to it. I hope you didnt suffer too much Bella and hope you are at peace, free from any pain.

Toby came to me through a pet shop. He had been returned due to aggression and "allergies" aka mites. He was neutered by them and was treated for mites, before being available. I knew he had been there and made the error of going in one day to see if he still was. When I first held him I couldn't believe what a snuggly boy he was. He was so lovely. However that didn't last. Soon enough he would bite me every chance he got. He was my first proper bite, as well as danielles. This never stopped him worming his way into my heart though. Toby became a heart rat of mine. I never really realised it until just recently. He was always quite a "large" boy, earning the nickname Tubs from day one. RIP Tubsy

Minnie was one of my petshop sucker rats. When I saw her, she was tiny, yet no one wanted her because she was "too old." She reminded me so much of my girl Rhubarb that she had to come home with me. She was named Minnie for this exact reason, my "mini Rhubarb." Minnie helped raise Issac and Keira, had a litter of her own, had grandkids and always tolerated crazy babies. She spent half her life with Danielle. No matter what we tried, she always seemed to find a way to get back to her! She was nicknamed Minnie Moo, Minnie Monster, Miss Minnie, Miss Minnie Moo, Grandma and Mommy. A few weeks ago, Minnie got a groin abscess. Multiple vet visits, different antibiotic combinations etc just would not clear it. Sadly, we had to make the decision to have her put to sleep, as we decided it was no longer fair on her to keep going. RIP my gorgeous girl. Go find Rhubarb and help her look after Keira.

Frida was from my accidental litter. She went to live with cnshannon, who moved away. So I took her back. She was only back with me for a month. But I loved having her around. She had an awesome temperament, typical of that entire litter. Slightly crazy, but super sweet. She was the last rat from that litter that I knew was still around. RIP Lovely girl. Run free with your siblings, mum and dad

Patch and Freckles came to us, with their family as day old eepers. They were lovely black hoods, almost identical. But their personalities were complete opposites. Patch was an active, playful boy. While Freckles was a quiet, relaxed boy who loved cuddles. Both brothers got along with everyone. We never expected to say good bye to them so early, especially on the same day. They were found cuddled up together in their wheel, where they loved to run. RIP Boys.
My Darling Boys, You will be remembered through your many siblings, neices and nephews and forever in your photo blocks on my wall once they arrive im sorry you were separated from your family when you passed but glad you had each other.

Alfie was always the more outgoing and loved to explore everything, he would sit for a few cuddles and then be up and off again. He LOVED his 'girlfriends' Sara and Purdy and his snuggle buddies Issac and Xavier. He was the only goot face in my cages that was safe to touch, would run to the door and be up on my shoulder in seconds. Even at 18 months he still popcorned around like a baby and dunked his whole head in while pea fishing.At just 18 & 1/2 months he had had a couple of minor resps, but never concerned me. he passed in my arms. Im so sorry baby boy, you were too young and I should have noticed something was wrong with you earlier, I hope you werent in pain and that you enjoyed your last 36hours snuggling in bed with me feeding you baby food. I will miss you so much, as will your brother and all your cage mates. Run Free, Popcorn and eat everything with your other 2 brothers.​​​​

​In June 2011, I picked up a shy little rat from Netty. She had collected him for me. A trademe person had him in a tiny mouse cage. He became a lovely, licky boy. But always was a little shy. From around 6 months of age Milo had on going resp issues. I believe thats what took him in the end. Late friday night he was no longer being himself. I wanted to take him to the emergency vet, but sadly I had no way to get him there as I didn't have access to my car. He passed away the next morning before I could get him to the vet.

Custard was part of my accidental litter. She was never meant to stay with us, but she chose Jason. She always loved him, during out time she would popcorn over to him for cuddles. she never sat still for me. When she did I knew it was time to say goodbye.
On Wednesday I got her out for a run around by herself. Instead of being my crazy girl, she curled up on my stomach sleeping. She had already dropped a lot of weight and had a slight resp. She was my first rat to get a tumor. I made the decision not to operate as she was already too unwell (it never really grew thankfully).
Today I helped her on her way.
RIP my crazy girl. Go play with your mum and sisters across the bridge​​​

Crumble was one of my accidental litter. A stunning little hood with a personality to match. Crumble was a bit of a crazy girl. Always on the move and causing trouble.
Around 6 months ago, Crumble developed a headtilt. Antibiotics helped her quite a bit at the time. However around 2 months ago she went downhill rapidly. She lost a heap of weight, antibiotics and steroids were doing virtually nothing.
Nearly everyday I was finding new injuries on her from falling in the cage (which I had set up specially to cater to her falls). She often fell off me or the couch during out time, always landing awkwardly.. I knew it was only a matter of time until I found her severely injured or worse.
I had made the decision a while ago to get her euthanized before she got any worse. It took me until today to both accept it was the right thing and get to a good vet..
RIP my sweet girl. Go play over the bridge with your sisters, mum and aunty.​​

​Ned came to me with his two brothers in September 2010, at around a year old. Unwanted and living outdoors, I quickly fell in love with them. After having them for around 6 months I made the decision to breed a litter from Ned. He was so lovely and healthy. He produced only 5 babies. Rather disappointing as we couldn't have him as a back up breeder at a later date.
He had a very healthy life until a month or two ago when he developed a resp infection. His back legs weren't 100% but he was still happy and active.
I can only assume it was old age that took him. He was the last of the 3 brothers. I found him gone tonight. Snuggled up with Milo.
RIP old boy. Go play over the bridge with your brothers and sons​​

Dusty came to me, with his two brothers, in September 2010 (supposedly 1 year old). They were living outdoors in a cage that was barely big enough, on straw. When he first came he was the sweetest wee ratty. Always wanting cuddles, but also loving to explore. He was never the top rat, however his brothers used to send him out to do their dirty work and pick on everyone below them. About 2 months into owning him, he turned into a quite aggressive rat. He would lunge at me in the cage and huff at me when I went near him. I kept saving for a neuter, but something always came up. A year ago I stopped trying to save for it, his health had declined and he had stopped lunging (although he still bit when I picked him up).
In March this year he suddenly mellowed out completely. It happened while Dani was looking after them for me. He would lick her while he was in the cage. He was the cuddliest, lickiest rat, would alternate between bruxing and huffing at me during cuddles! Trying to prove he was still grumpy I'm sure. Around this time he also started slowly losing the use of his back legs.
A little while ago I found something wrong with his testicles. I couldn't stop blaming myself for not getting him neutered when he was young and he was beyond surviving a surgery. It never really affected him.
Sadly, I found he had passed away this afternoon, his remaining brother cuddling with him.
RIP My Grumpy Old Man. Go find Lucky over the bridge.​​​​​

​​Lucky came to me with his two brothers at around a year old. They were unwanted, living outside in a small cage on hay. When they arrived, although slightly nervous and shy, they were wonderful and friendly with everyone. Lucky was never a cuddly boy, preferring to do his own thing while his brothers sat with me. He shared dominance in their cage with brother Ned.
Around mid march, Lucky started to lose weight. Not a little bit either. Around 450g in his prime, fatty mixes and fatty foods wouldn't get the weight back on. He finally stabilized at a tiny 280g but was happy. In the last two weeks he got a minor resp. Sadly, this caused him to drop more weight and this time everything started taking it's toll on his old body.
Monday morning he wanted nothing more then to snuggle in my dressing gown. I knew then he was letting me know he was ready.
Yesterday I Took him to the vet. Lucky was my first rat to be euthanised.
I'm sorry old boy. I love you. Your brothers and I will miss you​​​​

​He was the least expected. Only 19 months old. He was from an accidental litter of mine and I got him back from his new owners in November. He had an abcess which cleared up nice. But he refused to intro into my boys. He was living alone until I could neuter him. I never did book him in.
Im sorry boy. I never even got pictures of you.. RIP

She was my first rat and was bitey... I could never get her out of the cage with bare hands, but my partner was allowed to! She loved to just hang out with people, staying with me instead of exploring. I lost her sister a little while ago and sadly following that she wasn't herself. She stopped eating anything except baby food and nutrigel. She just sat in her peg basket everyday only coming out if I annoyed her enough. Thats where I found her.
RIP Bailey, I'm going to miss avoiding any bites, like I had to when I was syringing you nutrigel..​
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Mr Snuggles, the first male rat I ever had. He wasn't overly old, but he wasn't young either. He had been a bit unwell but nothing major and had been on the mend. He was nuts but sweet, never enjoyed cuddles funnily enough... My sister choose his name, it never suited him.
RIP little boy, I'll miss seeing your face at the boy, waiting for a chance to sneak past me.... Run free with your brother.​

Morgan was my 2nd rat ever. I originally got her sister and then went back for her a few days later. I got 2 male rats later on and they got let out together by someone. A few weeks later she gave birth to 15 beautiful babies and I was set on rats. Just after 12 noon today I went to check on the rats... I found her lying on the bottom of the cage so weak I thought she had already passed. She was cold so I wrapped her up in a nice bag of fleece with a wheatbag, attempted to give her rehydrating fluid and some baby food, which she refused. About an hour later she dragged herself part way out and rested her head on me for about 30 seconds before she started twitching. I placed her back in the bag while she took her last few breaths. Im sorry I couldn't do more for you sweetie. Im glad you were still here when I found you, I'm glad I got to spend your last hour with you. I'm even glad you attempted to show me you still had a little life left by trying to get in one last bite
RIP Captain Morgan, Morgie-Moo, f**k my finger, and everything else I've ever called you.

Rhubarb was from my first litter, a litter of 15, my partners sister let my rats out together... I very quickly fell in love with this particular mink berk baby.. She would sit on her back in my hand for tummy rubs.. She would groom my hands.. She was always the first to come to the door for cuddles! All her life she was first to the door.. I always claimed I didn't pick favorites with my pets... But always told she was my secret favorite. I had one litter from her. She obviously didn't have great fertility like her mum, producing only 5 babies, 1 of which passed the first night. The resps started not long after that (just my luck.. Wouldn't have had the litter otherwise)
She had a few resps over time, usually cleared up no problem.. Her last one was bad.. Really bad. At the time I had my doubt if she would get better from the last one... A friend looked after her for me for a few weeks while she was sick as I was too busy to give her all the meds, not to mention my terrible forgetfulness. I finally had her home and gave her the last week or so of meds and she was doing so much better. That was a few weeks ago...
Today I went out to feed them and everything before work.. There was no rhubarb waiting at the door. To be honest I was still half asleep and didnt notice straight away... I patted who I thought was her sister custard (who is currently away being friends with another rat) and went to count them, which was when I found her....

RIP my gorgeous girl, my not so secret, secret favorite. Play hard over the bridge, free from pain. Say hi to your siblings, your uncle, your son and semi-adopted daughter for me..

I never wanted to create a memorials page, but this wee girl left such a hole in my heart I knew I owe it to her to do this. Keira was handed to a staff member of Little Eepers with her two brothers at only a few days old. She was smaller then her brothers and we both had doubts on if she'd even make it through the first few nights. She surprised us by being one of the two that pulled through. After 2-3 hourly feeds every day and night, they finally had their first taste of solids. From then on Keira was strong, she grew and grew, she gained stability and decided she was the dominant rat. Sadly Keira left us far too soon, on August 27th she was having a play with other rats, when suddenly one attacked her. There was nothing that could be done for her, it all happened so quickly but she never felt a thing.
Keira, I'm so sorry you had to leave us. I'm sorry we couldn't help you. You were loved by everyone, even those who never met you. We will miss you, Issac will miss you. No one will miss you more then your human mum. Run free with Max, your other siblings we never met and your rat mum.