Genetics to knowledge: aa rbrb Dd Mm (possibly carrying mock mink and dumbo)

I just don’t know where to begin… Peaches was more than a rat to us… really she was the start of the silver line that we have, as far as we’re concerned… and was just a phenomenal rat. She did well at show, as she was a stunning girl… and we had excited plans to breed from her. Her first litter was a dismal failure. It was our first litter too – maybe that’s why? Stress and panic… but in any case, all her babies died as they were born, or just before, or just after, we don’t know as she cleaned up nicely for us :*(

Anyway – after much persuasion on the part of fellow breeders, we decided to try her again, and thank goodness we did. She gave birth to a wonderful litter on her first birthday, and they were just amazing babies. She was such a perfect personality. She was strong, dependable, gentle and quiet. She was never in any fights, though she would end them if they started in the cage – she was a very very good alpha, and distinctly, though quietly, the boss.

She had the most soulful eyes, and Deb gave her ‘Most Beautiful Eyes’ at the last show she went to. Sadly, after this she developed a nasty skin infection, which we managed to clear up, but we think that caused a secondary infection in her ears, and she was left with a nasty head tilt. She went on for so long looking all wonky, but every bit as bright and happy as ever. Very recently she became very frail indeed, half the rat she once was, and she was just not herself anymore. The last couple of days, she really wasn’t her old self anymore, and I knew we couldn’t hang onto her frail little body any longer… just let her go and have her memory :*(

So… end of another era… Peaches has gone… to join Sharky, Viv and Zowie, and the babies from her litter who sadly passed on before her. And finally she’ll be reunited with her first litter… :*(

Run free my wonderful old girl… life will not be the same again, not without you :*(

Here’s a link to the song she was named after:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v-cEkk-n8OA

and some lyrics to a very special song for her :*(

How Long Will I Love You – The Waterboys -  (will be making a montage for this later):

How long will I love you?
As long as stars are above you
And longer if I can

How long will I need you?
As long as the seasons need to
Follow their plan

How long will I be with you
As long as the sea is bound to
Wash upon the sand

How long will I want you?
As long as you want me to
And longer by far

How long will I hold you?
As long as your father told you
As long as you are

How long will I give to you
As long as I live to you
However long you say

How long will I love you?
As long as the stars are above you
And longer, if I can

:*(

Had a gorgeous litter of 13 in 2007.

Pedigree