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As my web site grows, I've found it necessary to split some of my personal rat pictures
from other rat-related pages. For no other apparent reason, here's our rodent roster, most
of whom you will see in the following pages:
Robin "Ratnick":
Our first rat, and the only female we've had. She was a rescue from the school where
Marilyn teaches, and she was a rather fun, though expensive, rat. Four tumor surgeries
kept her going to almost the age of three, but, finally one morning, she looked at us and
said it was time for her to move on to the land of eternal peanut butter.
Shadow "the Rat Boy"
and Blackjack: Two littermates, also retired school pets. Blackjack came to us
with some serious respiratory problems that he was never able to overcome. Shortly after
he came home, we had to euthanize him, as the vet felt that his respiratory problems
(probably mycoplasmosis, as we now know about) had gotten almost to the point of
pneumonia. Shadow also had some breathing problems, but he responded well to the
medication, and was grew to a rather ripe old rattie age. I think the aerobic exercise he
got climbing the stairs of our condo helped!
Rosie and Houdini: These
were the two hamster brothers we retired from school (see a pattern here?) Houdini loved
to escape his school cage, hence the name. As hamsters go, I guess they were okay.
However, we had to keep them in the kitchen so the squeaking of the wheels wouldn't keep
us up all night!
Ricky "Ratbone":
We picked out Ricky at a rat show, or should I say that he picked US out. He was an
English Blue Satin, and I wanted to name him "Basil Ratbone." (See my "Rats
on TV" page for the part of the reason). Marilyn liked Ricky, and I gave in, more or
less. I always called him by his nickname "Ratbone". Ricky was, by far, the
lickiest, most affectionate rat we've had to date. He developed some intestinal problems
at about 15 months, and died at the youngest age (18 months) of all our brood. Ah, the
good die young, I guess.
Joey "Da Rat":
Formally, his name is Joe Cool. He was named for the way that he curled up in my jacket at
a BARMCA meeting one night and slept there for about 90 minutes while I walked around the
meeting, yakking, etc. Didn't bother him. Joey passed on in July at 2 years and 7 months.
Reese and Zin: More
formally, "Grey Reisling" (a blue Berkshire) and "White Zinfandel"
(very light beige, almost pinkish in color). Our newest additions, two littermates we got
at the local pet shop. Zinny is probably the most aggressive rat we've had, and
consistently tried to pick fights with Joey ever since he was a pup. Reese left us in
September, 1999, and Zinny almost made it to 2000, but not quite.
Remy and Jack: In keeping
with the boozy theme, we present our newest members, "Remy Martin" and
"Jack Daniel". Again, two littermates we got at a pet shop nearby, they were
Marilyn's "surprise" gift about a week after Zinny died.
Click for Pix: PC Rats Party Rats
Cute Rats
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