Genetics to knowledge: Aa Dd rbrb (possibly carrying Siamese, Mink and Dumbo)

I knew this day was coming... but I was so scared of it, I just blocked it out... you see, Ape was more than just a rat to me, he was a close friend. We talked to each other (well - it was a rather one sided conversation) and we were generally very close. He was from our litter with Rivendell Zeus and Epiphany Electric Aunt Jemima - and was 2 last May. He was 28 months. He was such a fab old boy - and one I'm not sure I'll come to terms with losing - we became especially close when I lost his brother (my heart rat) Tris last year.

He sired a litter for us, with Rivendell Tuna Fish Promenade... sadly it went horribly wrong when Fish picked up an infection and passed it on to her babies. Only 3 survived past 3 weeks, and all three had problems. There was beautiful Brauti who went to live with Sarah P, and Tin and FAB who stayed with us. None of them lived to a grand age, but we never expected them to. Tuna herself died young - probably to due with the infection she'd pickedu p which we could never clear...

You can understand our reluctance to breed Ape again, with that litter in our minds - but we eventually decided to try, as he was such a perfect buck in so many ways, and the chances of the first litter going wrong being his fault were pretty slim. We did mate him up, to Bongo Fury Squid Eating Dough - and we got the most wonderful litter - of which I have four beautiful rats to remember him by - including his gorgeous (and practically identical) son, Gator Possum.
 

To Ape:

I'm going to miss you my son... you were a good friend to me when times were rough. I remember when I decided I was keeping you - regardless of whether you were the best in the litter. You were a few days old then - and massive. The biggest kitten in the litter... and when your colour started to come through you looked so much like a baby otter. We knew your name would be Apes Ma, but we were planning on calling you 'Otter' as a pet name. It never stuck though, and through your life you remained Ape! Suited you though, because you were such an intelligent, yet lumbering sort of beastie.

When we were expecting your first litter I was so excited   you were so gorgeous and had done pretty well at shows, and your betrothed was a wonderful girl too - I was so upset when it was obvious that things had not gone to plan - but for all that we had two lovely girls (albeit for a short time) and we owe you for that - but then you went on to give us your second litter - and your sons and daughters are so much like you in so many ways - they are why we breed - and having them makes losing you somehow a bit more bearable...

You made it to a good age, and you were healthy right up to the last minutes, with your temperament never faltering. You were perfect until the moment you died - and I'm grateful for that. Ben will miss you though, you've been such friends the last few months - and Ben was snuggled to you all of last night, and wouldn't leave your side this morning. He was looking around the cage when we took your body out... :*( He's going to need extra special attention now Ape - and I don't think he'll be long behind you - so wait for him.

Run free my beautiful, gentle, wonderful old man. Go and find Beastly and Tris - tell them how much I loved all three of you, and give your mum and dad a snuggle from me... I'll miss you so very very much :*(



Ape was named after a poem by Captain Beefheart - and it always made me cry anyway - so here it is - for him. For Ape.

Apes Ma - Don Van Vliet
 

 

 Sired a litter for Bongo Fury Rats in 2007

Sired a litter for Bongo Fury Rats in 2009

Pedigree