Genetics to knowledge: aa rbrb Dd (possibly carrying siamese, black eye, choolate and mink)

Well… what to say about little FAB? She had a life riddled with problems. She was one of Fish’s litter… which of course went badly wrong, with only 3 survivors, and all three of those having had pretty serious problems. We are pretty sure mum picked up an infection while she was pregnant, and this passed on to her babies, leaving Brauti with funny teeth, Tin with a very odd personality, constant head tilt and strange seasons, and poor gentle FAB with septic arthritis and not so great breathing.

FAB started developing a mass in her abdomen just after we got to Ireland. She was often bleeding from her bits, and was obviously in some discomfort. We treated her with antibiotics and metacam, but it made no difference. Her breathing was just too poor to risk a spay :*( and then in the last week she had slightly harder lumps developing more externally, so I think it could have been a form of cancer, or it could have been her arthritis giving her trouble, I don’t know. On Monday however, poor little FAB was in rather a lot of pain and distress, and her hard, distended belly felt even rounder :*(. I knew it was time to stop pushing her on, and we took her to the vet.

We were laughed out of a few places not many vets here would dream of putting a rat to sleep. We did eventually come to one vet though, who was ever so kind, and although he had never encountered rats as pets, he was very willing to learn and listen to our advice, and very interested in their care and ailments. He was very gentle and kind, and made FAB’s passing as comfortable as she deserved.

FAB was one of a kind, really quiet, not especially fussed on humans, but got to you anyway. She was such a sweet, gentle nature… and her little disabilities made her all the more endearing somehow. Watching her hobble and bumble along, with not a care in the world, always made me think of just how strong and willing to fight our ratties are.

Tin is missing FAB terribly at the moment, she’s not the sort of rat who deals well with change, and she and FAB were rather close. She also became very close to Gina in her last few months, and so she’ll be missing her too.

Goodbye my beautiful, strange little girl… you were so full of character, and taken far too soon… though it was kindest for your damaged little body :*(

Run free FAB… go and find Hickory and your mum, they’ve been waiting for you I’m sure :*(
 

For FAB I have chosen one of the songs we were listening to the night before her passing... it seemed so fitting…

Ripple - The Grateful Dead - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LqOcA5O_TTg

If my words did glow with the gold of sunshine
And my tunes were played on the harp unstrung,
Would you hear my voice come thru the music,
Would you hold it near as it were your own?

Its a hand-me-down, the thoughts are broken,
Perhaps theyre better left unsung.
I dont know, dont really care
Let there be songs to fill the air.

Ripple in still water,
When there is no pebble tossed,
Nor wind to blow.

Reach out your hand if your cup be empty,
If your cup is full may it be again,
Let it be known there is a fountain,
That was not made by the hands of men.

There is a road, no simple highway,
Between the dawn and the dark of night,
And if you go no one may follow,
That path is for your steps alone.

Ripple in still water,
When there is no pebble tossed,
Nor wind to blow.

But if you fall you fall alone,
If you should stand then whos to guide you?
If I knew the way I would take you home.

La dee da da da, la da da da da, da da da, da da, da da da da da
La da da da, la da da, da da, la da da da, la da, da da.

Run free lovely girl... :*(

xx

Pedigree