Ok, so I get back to the cottage and find that Mario (one of my rats) is dead. This is a bit upsetting, but not ever so surprising, he was looking a bit ill for some time. The thing that was more upsetting was finding that Luigi had chewed his face off down to the bone.
Ew. I’m trying to pluck up the courage to do something with the rest of him. Feeling a bit disturbed.
The Pacifist | 18-Feb-08 at 3:39 pm | Permalink
They had food, right?
Jon | 18-Feb-08 at 4:44 pm | Permalink
If it was looking ill, why didn’t you take it to a vet?
Suz | 18-Feb-08 at 4:55 pm | Permalink
That happened to our hamsters!!! One died and the other ate its face!!
Why don’t you get a cloth or a tissue or something and throw it over the rat so you can’t see it, then scoop it all up and dispose of it?
Be brave Claire! Or wait til Dan gets home!
Scatman Dan | 18-Feb-08 at 6:18 pm | Permalink
Paul, Jon,
Yeah, nice. Good show of sympathy, there. Bet your comments helped Claire a lot.
Eskoala | 18-Feb-08 at 6:27 pm | Permalink
Paul: yes, Jon: he was getting old, I don’t think they have a cure for that yet.
Suz: I thought I remembered something similar happening to someone! In the end Matt P picked up the remains and helped clean out the cage thoroughly for Luigi to be put back in. He’s a star. Especially because he made me tea.
Jon | 18-Feb-08 at 8:05 pm | Permalink
I had rats when I was a kid, and they lived for about 7 years…
Eskoala | 18-Feb-08 at 8:08 pm | Permalink
I’ve heard they can live to that long, but I don’t think it’s common. In any case, it’s a little late to be having this conversation, isn’t it? It could have been any number of things, maybe I could have done something about it, but it’s all too late now anyway, so how about some condolences instead of criticising my animal care?
Selina | 18-Feb-08 at 9:29 pm | Permalink
Awww Claire!! Yes I lurk on abnib but I had to comment here, I’m so sorry about your rat!
Pets dying is horrible!! I don’t know how long you had them or how attached you were..but I’m sorry 
Jimmy | 19-Feb-08 at 10:21 am | Permalink
Is there any way to give sympathy while at the same time asking for photos? Because, you know, cool.
Seriously thought, I’m sorry- I know you loved the little plague bearers.
Here, have some pictures of puppies-
http://bandm-puppytales.blogspot.com/
Eskoala | 19-Feb-08 at 11:44 am | Permalink
Selina: Thanks, yeah, I didn’t realise how attached I was to them until this happened, really. It’s a shame.
Jimmy: Heh, no, for some reason I didn’t take any photos, sorry. The image is quite indelibly marked on my mind, so I didn’t think I’d need any! I was a little bit scared of Mario turning into a zombie rat or something — with half his face missing I was just thinking “stay dead, stay dead”… I’ve probably watched too many horror movies.
Aww, your puppies are still so cute! I’ll keep watching for more of their antics as they grow up.
Jen | 19-Feb-08 at 12:06 pm | Permalink
Poor Claire, I remember when my gerbils ate their babies, it really put me off them, it’s weird, the mixture of feelings. But it’s normal, remember that, but only for rodents, don’t eat Dan’s face.
Love jen