Bongo Fury Rattery
Bongo Fury Hobo Chang Ba
Lavender
Bred by Laura Jones and Karl Woods
DOB: 08/03/2007 - 29/10/2009
Genetics to knowledge: aa Bb dd mm Rbrb (possibly carrying Mock Mink)
:*(I have no idea how to begin - Hobo had become such a close companion, because he needed that bit more care than the others with his HLD in old age. He was a perfect rat - always fabulously friendly, always healthy (never had a sick day in his life) and always gorgeous... :*( he meant so much to me...
Hobo was a lavender boy, born in our second litter in early 2007. He's was Peaches' son through and through, and totally had her temperament :*) He was the cuddliest old chap - and licked like nothing on earth! He and his brother Vince become good companions for Zeus and Savannah later on, and Hobo sired 2 fabulous, and small, litters. One for Emma Jarratt - we had two of his sons back here with us (sadly, both are waiting for Hobo at the bridge) - and one for us, we kept Squid and Caddy. He was great grandad of the litters we have now - and I'll always think of him as some sort of foundation rat. I'm so pleased we can continue his wonderful personality and gentle character.
I really don't know what to say about him - he died as he lived, peacefully, without fuss or pain. He just went to sleep and never woke up. He was such a special rat... I really don't know what I'll do without him...
Run free you fabulous old guy...
And for him - this beautiful poem - because it's so fitting... it has long been one of my favourite poems, and it popped into my head today :*(
Do Not Go Gentle Into That
Good Night - Dylan Thomas
Do not go gentle into that good night,
Old age should burn and rave at close of day;
Rage, rage against the dying of the light.
Though wise men at their end know dark is right,
Because their words had forked no lightning they
Do not go gentle into that good night.
Good men, the last wave by, crying how bright
Their frail deeds might have danced in a green bay,
Rage, rage against the dying of the light.
Wild men who caught and sang the sun in flight,
And learn, too late, they grieved it on its way,
Do not go gentle into that good night.
Grave men, near death, who see with blinding sight
Blind eyes could blaze like meteors and be gay,
Rage, rage against the dying of the light.
And you, my father, there on the sad height,
Curse, bless me now with your fierce tears, I pray.
Do not go gentle into that good night.
Rage, rage against the dying of the light.
Do not go gentle into that good night,
Old age should burn and rave at close of day;
Rage, rage against the dying of the light.
Though wise men at their end know dark is right,
Because their words had forked no lightning they
Do not go gentle into that good night.
Good men, the last wave by, crying how bright
Their frail deeds might have danced in a green bay,
Rage, rage against the dying of the light.
Wild men who caught and sang the sun in flight,
And learn, too late, they grieved it on its way,
Do not go gentle into that good night.
Grave men, near death, who see with blinding sight
Blind eyes could blaze like meteors and be gay,
Rage, rage against the dying of the light.
And you, my father, there on the sad height,
Curse, bless me now with your fierce tears, I pray.
Do not go gentle into that good night.
Rage, rage against the dying of the light.
Annnnd - here's the song he was named after - because it encapsulates his free spirit!
Hobo Chang Ba - Captain
Beefheart:
Strawwood claw rattlin' m' jaw
I can't call it usin'
It's just sumptin' soothin'
Feather times uh feather
Mornin' time t' thaw
Hobo chang ba
Hobo chang ba
Standin' still is losin'
Feather times a feather
Mornin' time t' thaw
Strawwood claw rattlin' m' jaw
Hobo chang ba
Hobo chang ba
Hobo chang ba 'o
Hobo chang ba 'o
Stand t' gain m' ground
Lay t' rest the law
The ocean is m' mother
'n the freight train is m' paw
Hobo chang ba
Hobo chang ba 'o
Hobo chang ba
The rails I ride 'r rustin'
The new sunrise m' trustin'
The rails I ride 'r rustin'
The new sunrise m' trustin'
Strawwood claw rattlin' m' jaw
Hobo chang ba ooh
Hobo chang ba, Hobo
Strawwood claw rattlin' m' jaw
I can't call it usin'
It's just sumptin' soothin'
Feather times uh feather
Mornin' time t' thaw
Hobo chang ba
Hobo chang ba
Standin' still is losin'
Feather times a feather
Mornin' time t' thaw
Strawwood claw rattlin' m' jaw
Hobo chang ba
Hobo chang ba
Hobo chang ba 'o
Hobo chang ba 'o
Stand t' gain m' ground
Lay t' rest the law
The ocean is m' mother
'n the freight train is m' paw
Hobo chang ba
Hobo chang ba 'o
Hobo chang ba
The rails I ride 'r rustin'
The new sunrise m' trustin'
The rails I ride 'r rustin'
The new sunrise m' trustin'
Strawwood claw rattlin' m' jaw
Hobo chang ba ooh
Hobo chang ba, Hobo
xx
Sired a litter for Daikoku Rats in 2007
Sired a litter for Bongo Fury Rats in 2008