All Rats

M.A.R.C.H.
My Amassed Rat Clan History
All my rats, their summarized histories, births and pertinent info.
Last updated 1/22/06

Kalli
Poppy

=Rat still with me
Note 10/10/06


	OSCAR 3/98 – 12/12/98 Named by friend Brother of Felix. Uncle of Kato, Dusty, Hercule & four girls
Obtainedby:Pet store save. Interestingtraits: Super friendly, never was fixed,loved humans & rats alike, puppy-like. Notes:Oscar was the best pet I ever had. He was friendly and smart, would come whenever I called him and would even sleep on my bed sometimes, waking up the next morning in the exact same spot. He was the poster-boy for why rats are great pets. Oscar has, in a round-about way, saved many, manyrodents. He was my first rat (with his brother) and because he was so great,I delved into the rodent hobby full force and have saved numerous rats over the years. Had he been a bad pet, who knows if I would have stuckwith rats as pets. I still miss this guy all the time. I wish more people had the chance to see him. He died way too young. Cause of death:Stomach cancer.
	FELIX 3/98 – 12/23/99 Named by friend Brother of Oscar. Father of Kato, Dusty, Hercule& four girls
Obtainedby: Pet store save. Interesting traits:Friendly, strong, alpha rat, obeyed most orders, neutered. Notes:Felixonly came into my household because I went to buy Oscar, but didn’t wanthim to be alone, so I took one of his brothers. I picked the rightbrother. Felix was a great rat, strong, happy, the alpha rat of the bunchand super human friendly. He outlived his brother by a year. He fatheredseven babies (with Brook) although was neutered shortly afterward. He wantedto be around me all the time. He was one of the great ones. Cause of death: Respiratory.
	LUKE 5/98 – 2/5/00 Named after Paul Newman in "CoolHand Luke."
Obtainedby:Pet store save. Interesting traits:Extremely smart, playful, strong, neutered. Notes:Luke was one of the smartest rats I’ve ever owned. He could figure outways to get to places the others couldn’t. He was very playful. He wouldplay with strings or wires like cats would. He loved to wrestle his brothers.After he was fixed, he really became more of a pussy cat. He had also beento the doctors probably more than any rat, getting stitches from a fight,getting fixed, getting medicine, etc.. Everyone who came over always lovedLuke the most. Cause of death: Respiratory.
	CLAUDE 7/98 – 6/12/99 Named after the Invisible Man,Claude Raines.
Obtainedby: Pet store save. Interesting traits:Friendly,a bit shy, picked up stuff quick, neutered. Notes:Claude was basically obtained to replace Monty when I thought Monty wasgoing to die (he’s still alive at this writing). Claude was pretty shyat first, and was always shy around new people or rats, but once he gotto know you, was a great pet. He would pick up stuff quickly. When he couldn’tfigure out how to jump out of the tank, he saw Felix do it, then realizedhe could. CJ was named after Claude, not just because he looks like him,but to remind me of Claude all the time. Cause of death: Unknown (got sick one day, died the next).
	MONTY 7/98 –7/25/00 Named after actor Monty Clift.
Obtainedby: Pet store save. Interesting traits:Hadstroke when he was little, but outlived all his counterparts. Notes:Monty is the most amazing of all the rats. He had a stroke when he wasa baby. I thought he was going to die. Instead, he outlived everyone andis still kicking around, the happiest rat alive. He’s got a constant headbobbing and no coordination, but doesn’t seem to know it. Each day whenhe comes out of his cage, he prances all over like a horse, letting theworld know he’s out and about and the place is his. Because he’s neverbeen fixed, he doesn’t get along with any of the other rats and has tobe in a cage by himself. Because of that, he gets to run around the houseall day while I’m gone. He’s the watchdog of my home. update: Monty lived to be two,then suffered another stroke. He died a week later. He was one of the greats. Cause of death: Second stroke.
	BROOK 10/98 – Originally named Brooks after OriolesHall of fame third baseman Brooks Robinson. Dropped the "S" whenwe found out she was a girl. Mother to Dusty, Kato, Hercule& four girls
Obtainedby: Pet store save. Interesting traits: Smartestrat ever. Had seven babies very young. Notes:I thought Brook was a boy when she was a baby and named her Brooks. Aftershehad babies, a name change was in order. I dropped the "s" and helped herraise her seven babies. She was very smart and could get into places evenLuke couldn’t get to. She was very agile and fast. She went to a greatrat home with two of her daughters.
	DUSTY 12/6/98 – 2/5/00 Named after Giant’s manager DustyBaker. Brother to Herc, Kato & 4 girls.Son of Felix & Brook.
Obtainedby: Born at home. Interesting traits:Aquired best traits of both parents. Amazing fur. Neutered. Notes:Dusty was one of the three sons of Brook and Felix. He was the smartestof the three and the strongest of all the boys next to his dad. His furhad many shades of brown mixed in and people used to marvel at it. He gotthe best of both his parents qualities. His mom’s smarts (and looks) andhis dad’s toughness. In his whole life, he only left my home three times.Once for this neutering, and two other times to go to the park. Cause of death: Respiratory.
	KATO 12/6/98 – 2/8/00 Named after Kato from "ThePink Panther" series. Brother to Herc, Dusty & 4girls. Son of Felix & Brook.
Obtainedby:: Born at home. Interesting traits:Shy, looked just like dad except for white dot on forehead, neutered. Notes:Kato was the shiest of the Brook litter. He was always human friendly becausehe had been hand held since he was three days old, but of the babies, hewas the last to come when you had treats or wanted to play. Even as anadult, he was be the last, always hesitating as if he was expecting somethingbad to happen. But once he came to you, he didn’t want to go. He lovedto be pet behind the ears and was the closest to his dad. In fact, it washard to tell he and his dad apart during his adulthood. The only disguishingmark was a white dot he had right on the top of his forehead. He was agreat fella’. Cause of death: Respiratory.
	HERCULE 12/6/98 – 6/25/99 Named after Hercule from"The Pink Panther" series. Brother to Kato, Dusty & 4girls. Son of Felix & Brook.
Obtainedby: Born at home. Interesting traits:More of a loner, tough, spitting image of his dad, didn't like cheese,neutered. Notes:Hercule was the roughest of the three boys. He loved to fight and wrestle.He wasn’t into getting pet too much either. He was human friendly becausehe had been hand held since he was three days old, but he was the mostindependent of all the rats. He was a great guy, though. Once he decidedhe did want some human companionship, he’d sit in your lap or come to youfor treats. He had a wheezing problem since he was little and died longbefore the others, way too young. Cause of death: Respiratory.
	MIMI 7/99 – 6/7/00 Named after the sound she wouldmake while sneezing when she was a baby: "mi…mi…mi…mi…"
Obtainedby:Pet store save. Interesting traits:Super rambongous, smart, always comes when called. Notes: Mimiwas saved from a Petco (with the usual poor conditions). She was so rambunctiousin the bin, and playful and alive, it was impossible for me to leave herthere. When she first came, she wanted to play all the time, way more thanthe others wanted to. As she got older, she put a little weight on andwasn’t so playful. Still always loveable, Mimi was the boss of the clanuntil Mickey came. She’s still number one because she does what she’s told,never caused problems, never gets into things, and loves to be pet. Andwhen she’s in a good mood, she’s funny to watch. She’ll prance all overthe place like a rodent ballerina. Myall time favorite girl. Update: Mimi'srespiratory problems caught up with her on 6/7/00 Cause of death: Respiratory.
	HANNAH 10/98 – 1/25/01 Named after actress Darryl Hannah.
Obtainedby: Pet store save. Interesting traits:Amazingcolors, super friendly, loves to climb. Notes: Hannahis a stunning little girl with great colors and an amazing mask. Very playfuland active, when I saw her in the snake food bin, there was no way I couldlet her go. Closest to Mimi, she spends a lot of time wrestling Josh. And she and Mickey seem to spend a lot of time together too, which is weirdbecause they have the same face, yet there’s no way they could know theyhave the same face. But when sleeping in the hammock, it’s Mimi she’s nextto the most, probably because Mimi “took her under her wing” when she firstarrived. Hannah is a calm girl who loves her treats and loves to run aroundthe house, but always obeys. Update:Hannah, who had been completely healthy during the last outbreak of respiratoryproblems amongst the clan, succumbed to cancer (stomach cancer I believe)on January 25, 2001. She is one of my all time favorites. Cause of death:Cancer
	MICKEY 7/99? – 3/18/01 Named by previous owner Sister to Cocoa.
Obtainedby: From lady who couldn’t keepher anymore. Interesting traits:Big eyes, smart, agile, pesty, super inquisitive, chews everything, alpharat. Notes:Mickey is the alpha rat of the current clan. She came with her sister Cocoafrom a couple who couldn’t keep her any more. She the most agile of thewhole clan. She’s the only one who can maneuver her way over the barrierin the door to my room (that keeps the rats in the room when they’re lose)and out into the rest of the house. She very smart, but also a pest. Sheconstantly gets into places the other rats haven’t even tried. But shealways comes when I call. Everyone loves her mask. Update:Mickeydevelopeda tumor the last month of her life. It's not known if it had anything todo with her death. Causes of death:Unknown
	BELLE 1/2/00 – 6/21/00 Belle: French for "beautiful" Sister to Hillary.
Obtainedby: Pet store save. Interesting traits:Manx rat, very mischievous, doesn’t like to be held. Notes:Belle came from a Petco where she most likely would have ended up as snakefood had I not superceded. She, with her sister, are my first Manx rats.She will come for treats, climb on your shoulder, go straight to her cagewhen it’s time for bed, but she will NOT LET YOU HOLD HER. She and hersister are the first rats I’ve had that I’ve not been able to get to thecomfort level of being held. She’s also very mischievous, getting undermy bed through spots where the others couldn’t fit or get to (the bed isblocked off because of phone wires). Cause of death:Reasonunknown.
	HILLARY 1/2/00 – 6/2/01 Hillary: Greek for "cheeful orhappy." Sister to Belle.
Obtainedby: Pet store save. Interesting traits:Manxrat, doesn’t like to be held. Notes:Hillary, like her sister Belle, does not like to be held. She’s the firstto arrive when treats are offered. She’ll climb right up to your shoulderand sit, even give you a kiss, but she doesn’t like to be held. Her furis beautiful, though. A deep, shiny black, she’s an attractive pet. Sheand her sister are so similar personality wise, it’s a good thing theylook different or you’d never be able to tell them apart. Update:I believe Hillary might have had a stroke. She seemed to have limited useof her front paws. I put her on medicine and she started doing better,being able to run around and move and hold food. She actually spent a goodportion of her time outside the cage, mostly staying under the drawersbut occasionally coming out to run around. Suddenly, she seemed toget worse and died the morning of June 2nd. She lived exactly one yearand six months to the day. Despite being a snippy girl who didn'tlike to be held and didn't like other rats touching her, the last few monthof her life she mellowed out. She was a good little girl. Cause of death:unknown.
	RUPERT 12/25/99 – 10/7/00 Named after Rupert Pupkinfrom the film "King of Comedy." Brother to C.J.
Obtainedby: Pet store save. Interesting traits:Super playful, friendly, obidient, nuetered. Notes:Rupert is a great pet. Loves to be held and scratched. Comes when you callhim. Very good when running around the house. When I needed a boy to goalong with Josh, I saw Rupert at a Petco. He was playful and funny andI knew he’d be the one. Then his brother CJ was playful too. I didn’t knowwho to take, so I took both. Rupert loves to play with humans and if youget him started, he’ll forget he’s playing with you and jump on the nearestrat and wrestle. When he was little, I couldn’t tell what color his furwas because there were so many different shades, from green, to brown,to gray. As he got older, his fur has progressed into almost the exactsame as Dusty’s. Update:Rupe passed away on 10/7/00. He was one of my all time favorites and ismissed. Cause of death: Respiratory.
	CJ 12/25/99 – 6/6/00 Named "Claude Jr." for his likenessof the late Claude. Brother to Rupert.
Obtainedby: Pet store save. Interesting traits:Mostplayful rat ever, spitting image of Claude, neutered, super active. Notes:What’s most amazing about CJ is that when he first came, he was as shyas a rat could be. But soon he became the most playful rat ever. He’llwrestle your hand, your foot, a wire, a rope, a piece of cloth, anythingthat moves. He’ll play with your hand, then do a lap around the room asfast as he can, then stop right in front of you like a puppy, waiting topounce. No rat will ever make you laugh as much as this guy does. But whenhe’s in a place he’s not familiar with, he gets real shy again. So he spends99% of his time in my room. Update:CJ passed away on 6/6/00 Cause of death: Respiratory.
	JOSH 1/2/00 - 12/26/00 Named after Negro Leaugue HOF catcherJosh Gibson. Brother to Joli
Obtainedby: Pet store save. Interesting traits:Playful,doesn't like cheese, neutered Notes:Joshwas obtained from Katie’s petstore in Mar Vista, California. He was ina tank with two other baby rats. A nice lady purchased one of them forher girl. That left the two and I decided I would take them since if Ididn’t, they would surely end up as reptile food. One was a girl and onea boy, so I knew eventually, the boy would have to be fixed. Josh was theshyer of the two rats. But as he got older, he lost his shyness. His favoriterat to play with is Hannah, for some reason. Many times in the middle ofthe night, he’ll wake me up because he’s getting too rough with Hannah.He’s a great guy, though. Update: Josh got sick and didn'ttake to his medicine. He was a lovable and playful boy. He is missedvery much. Cause of death: Respiratory.
	JOLI 1/2/00 – 3/13/00 Joli: French for "pretty." Brother to Josh.
Obtainedby: Pet store save. Interesting traits:Beautiful fur, extremely human friendly. Notes:Joliwas a very shy little girl the first day she arrived at my place. Afterthat, she wanted to be on me all the time. When the cage would open andall the rats would run to their veggie plate, Joli would run to me andsit in my lap. She was a beautiful albino rat. Unfortunately, she had arespiratory problem and died very young. Cause of death: Respiratory.
	CHEETAH 9/99 – 12/29/00 Named by previous owner (afterTarzan’s Cheetah).
Obtainedby: Saved from a lady who couldn’tkeep anymore. Interesting traits:Hates Mickey, agile, climbs over everything. Notes:Cheetah came from a lady from Stockton, California, who couldn’t keep heranymore (along with Petey). Born in Corvalis, Oregon, Cheetah is a veryactive rat who still often fights with Mickey. She loves to climb all overthe place and has adapted quickly to her new roommates. Amazingly, sheonly fights with Mickey and no one else, due to both rats wanting to bethe alpha rat. At this writing, Mickey still is, but I think Cheetah thinksshe is. Cheetah’s fur is a shiny black, with little streaks of brown. Update:Cheetah, who lived in numerous homes and almost went to another, endedup living with me for almost a year. Although she liked to pick onthe newer rats, she was one of the most human friendly animals I've everseen. She developed respiratory problems and never took to the medicine,passing late in the evening on December 29. She will be missed alot. Cause of death: Respiratory.
	PETEY 6/99 – 5/30/00 Named by previous owner.
Obtainedby: Saved from a lady who couldn’tkeep anymore. Interesting traits:Rex rat, super soft, overweight, loves to be pet, shy, loves crackers,neutered. Notes:Petey is about as loveable a pet as anyone could ask for. A rex rat withthe softest fur you’ve ever touched on an animal, Petey loves to be pet.He’s very shy and doesn’t like confrontations. He loves his cage and willpick out a spot and stay there all night. When you give him treats, hegoes nuts. He will take the cracker (and believe me, he LOVES crackers),turn and run to a hiding place in a split second, as if he thinks you mighttake his treat away. Petey was also born in Oregon, a couple months beforeCheetah. Cause of death: Respiratory.
	SWAN,G.G., SOX TWINS 12/6/98 – Swan after main character in "SwanSong" by Robert McCammon, G.G. for "golden girl," and sox twins becauseof white sox & can’t tell them apart. Were all renamed by their newowners. Sisters to Herc, Kato & Dusty, daugthers to Brook and Felix.
Obtainedby: Born at home. Interesting traits: Notes:The four daughters of Brook and Felix were hand held since their thirdday and became very human friendly as they grew. GG (for golden girl),is about the prettiest rodent I’ve ever seen. It seemed her fur almostglowed. When I took the girls to a show to find homes for them, everyonefawned over her. Two of the girls went to a nice couple who had a greatcage for them and traveled with them in their Winnebego all over the country.The other two girls, along with their mom, when to the Tanaka family andlast I heard, were all doing fine.
	LEANNE 1/99 – 9/99 Named after the town from whereshe was from, San Leandro, Ca.
Obtainedby: Saved from couple who couldn’tkeep her anymore. Interesting traits:Loved to sit on shoulder, fast, loved to explore everywhere. Notes:Leanne came from a couple in San Leandro, California, who also owned acouple ferrets. They were real nice people who treated Leanne well, butfelt she’d be better in a more rat ridden environment. Leanne was a supernice girl who loved to climb up on your shoulder and sit. Unfortunately,she had a respitory problem from the start. She spent many visits at thevets and for a couple weeks, was getting a daily shot (from me, which Ihad to stop because I couldn’t do it anymore). Leanne enjoyed her timeat my place. Sadly, it wasn’t as long as it should have been. Cause of death: Respiratory.
	COCOA 7/99 – 11/99 Named by previous owner. Sister to Mickey
Obtainedby: From lady who couldn’t keepher anymore. Interesting traits: Extremelyfriendly. Notes:Poor Cocoa was the reason why I kept Mickey. When I first saved Mickeyand Cocoa from the couple who couldn’t keep them anymore, I had originalplanned on finding a good home for them. But Cocoa was so sweet, I couldn’tlet them go. I decided to keep them. But Cocoa had a respitory problemfrom the start and didn’t last long. She was a nice little girl and fitin well with the clan. Cause of death: Respiratory.
	BOOBOO & BORIS 1998 Boo Boo named after Yogi Bear’sbuddy. Boris named after Boris Karloff.
Obtainedby:Pet store saves Interesting traits: Notes: BooBoo & Boris were two brown rats I purchased in the early days of Oscarand Felix. Boo Boo lasted one week, dying of a respiratory problem he hadbefore I even had him. Upon further investigation, all the rats at thatpet store, Allens in Venice, sadly had the same problem. Boris, who waspurchased a couple months later, looked just like Boo Boo. Although hewas purchased from a different store, he only lasted a week too. Cause of death: Respiratory.
	PUKU 3/31/00(?) – 8/23/00 Puku: Swahilli for "rat"
Obtainedby: Petstore save. Interesting traits:Very friendly girl, snowy white fur. Notes:Born in horrible petstore conditions, she was oriignally going to to anotherperson who wanted a couple girls, but I ended up keeping her as I got attachedreal quick. A beautiful, friendly girl wholoves affection, Puku is one of the definitions of why rats are good pets. Update 8/23/00: One of the alltime sweet little girls, Puku passed away from a respiratory problem. Cause of death: Respiratory.
	APRIL 4/12/00(?) - 10/19/01 Named after birth month.
Obtainedby: Pet store save. Interesting traits:Beautiful face, super friendly.. Notes:Another save that I got too attached to. April will be the boss whenshe's older. She is the most playful rat I've ever had. She wants to playall the time. With me, with the other rats, with herself. Super, superhyper, she's a sparkplug if there ever was one. Update: The great April suffered from various respirtory problems her whole life. Generally, she responded well to medicine, but finally succumbed to pneumonia on 10/19/01. See here. Cause of death: Pneumonia
	SAMANTHA 2/00 (?) - 12/28/00 Named after "Bewitched" Mother of Eppy, T-Bone, B-dub,Columbus, Rorschach, Dunbar, Cisco, Spot, five others.
Obtainedby: Pet store save. Interesting traits:Originally scared of humans, now craves attention. Notes: Abeautiful girl who came from petstore scum, she had no human interactionuntil she came here. She was totally afraid of everything. Now she justloves a good scratch and will follow me everywhere. Had 12 babies June22, 2000 (from same father of Swirl's babies I believe). She wasoriginally a save I was trying to find a home for but decided to keep. Update:Living with the rest of the clan in harmony, along with daugther Eppy. Update: Hardto believe that this girl, who brought so much joy to a lot of people quicklysuccumbed to respiratory problems on December 28. I hope a lot ofpeople adopt older rats knowing that you can end up with a pet like Samamtha. Cause of death: Respiratory.
	SWIRL 2/00 (?) - 2/25/02 Named because her face looks likeit was dipped in chocolate/vanilla swirl ice cream. Mother of Andy, Wallace & Lucky.
Obtainedby: Pet store save. Interesting traits:Another rat who has come along way. Notes: LikeSamantha, Swirl was a save I was trying to find a home for, but got attachedto. A beautiful, sleek girl, she's finally safely been incorporatedinto the clan. Update: Celebrated her second birthday with Thelma on 2/7/02. Thelma died on 2/15/02 and Swirl followed her on 2/25/02, dying of unknown causes. She died in her sleep in the hammock and didn't appear to be in any pain, although that is only a guess. It's possible she was a lot older than two. Swirl was a good girl and arguably, the most beautiful of the rodents I've owned. Cause of death: Unknown
	LUCKY 5/24/00 - 9/11/01 Named because she's lucky, oh yeah. Sister of Andy & Wallace. Daughterof Swirl.
Obtainedby: Pet store save. Interesting traits:Very, very playful and mischievious. Notes: Formerlyknown as "Four-Spot."Couldn'tfind a home for her by the time Samantha's babies came so I decided tokeep her. She got along so well with my other rats, it was just naturalthat she stay. She loves April and like April, will jump and playwith any rat, no matter the size. Update: On one of the worst days in American history, 9/11/01, Lucky passed on. She was lying in her cage when I let the rats out that day. She is missed. Cause of death: Unknown.
	SUGAR1 5/00 - 8/17/02 Named for her bright white fur. Sister to Sugar 2.
Obtainedby: Breeder scum save. Interesting traits:Veryshy, but getting more friendly each day. Notes: Is the sister to the other Sugar and since I can't tell them apart, I callthem both Sugar. One Sugar twin is a little friendlier than the other. One hates to be held while the other can go for a good scratch now andthen. Couldn't find homes for them so I kept them. Update: After losing partial use of her back legs due to old age, Sugar ended up rooming with Kirby for a short while. She finally gave in to old age and passed away on 8/17/02. Cause of death: Natural causes.
	SUGAR2 5/00 - 3/24/02 Named for her bright white fur. Sister to Sugar 1.
Obtainedby: Breeder scum save. Interesting traits:Veryshy, but getting more friendly each day. Notes: Is the sister to the other Sugar and since I can't tell them apart, I callthem both Sugar. One Sugar twin is a little friendlier than the other. One hates to be held while the other can go for a good scratch now andthen. Couldn't find homes for them so I kept them. Update: 3/24/02- Sugar got sick out of the blue, a respiratory problem and died within 24 hours. As soon as I noticed it, I attempted to apply medicine, but even up to her last hours, she didn't want to be touched. Although she wasn't the friendliest girl, she was beautiful and made me laugh sometimes and I tried to give her the best life she could possibly have. If there is a heaven, I hope she's up there smiling down. Cause of death: Respiratory
	ANDY 5/24/00 - Named after Andy Partridge of theband XTC. Brother to Wallace & Lucky,son of Swirl.
Obtainedby: Pet store save. Interesting traits: NueteredThe more outgoing of the two brothers. Doesn't like cheese.. Notes:Formerly known as "Two-Spot." Andy was one of three remaining babies ofSwirl's that the petco scum were selling for 99 cents a piece to snakepeople. I couldn't let them sell these little sightless babies so I gotSwirl and the three babies. They're all still with me. Andy is theadventerous one of the two brothers. Update:Andy and brother Wallace went to live with Bob Cunningham in San Diego,where he will be treated like a king
	WALLACE 5/24/00 Named after Mel Gibson's characterin Braveheart.. Brother to Andy & Lucky, sonof Swirl
Obtainedby: Pet store save. Interesting traits:Nuetered,Friendly,a bit shy, likes any treat he gets his hands on. Pretty shy boy, but willsit in your lap forever for a good scratch. Notes:Formerly known as "Three-Spot." Wallace is the shyer of the two brothers.He stays close to his cage, rathre than venture out. Wallace was one of three remaining babies of Swirl's that the petco scum were sellingfor 99 cents a piece to snake people. I couldn't let them sell these littlesightless babies so I got Swirl and the three babies. Update:Wallace and brother Andy went to live with Bob Cunningham in San Diegowhere he will live the life to complete luxury.
	EPPY 6/22/00 - 4/1/02 Named Epsilon, the fifth letter in the Greek alphabet (she's the fifth girl of the litter).. Sister to T-Bone (11 others), daughter of Samantha
Obtainedby: Born at home, mom was pet store save (who was pregnant) Interesting traits:Friendly, hyper, happy, hilarious. Notes:Eppy is the fifth girl out of the five girls born to Samantha, the only oneI kept. Once she was moved in with the rest of the clan, she fit in just perfect, playing with big and small rats alike. Update: 11/29/01, Eppy is still doing great, living a happy life. Update: 4/1/02, Eppy developed a tumor the last month. I debated taking her in to have it removed. Unfortunetely, Eppy never liked to be touched or held, which made it harder for me to deicde if I should take her in. It would have been hard for the doctor to even look at her with her putting up a fight and even harder for me to give her medicine for weeks afterward. I thought about it for a long time and decided with her personality and nearing the age of two, it would probably be better for her to live out her life here, rather than getting stitches (which she most certainly would have tried to get out) and me fighting her to give her medicine, which would be just about impossible to give her. She finally gave in on 4/1/02. I tried to make her as comfortable as possible. Even though she was never a "huggy" rat, I always loved Eppy a lot because of her mom and siblings and tried to give her the best possible life, which I think I did. She will be missed. Cause of death: Mammory tumor.
	SCHOTZIE 6/15/2000 - 11/29/00 Named after former childhood pet. Sister to Suzie
Obtainedby: Rescue. Interesting traits:Beautiful albino, shy but getting better. Notes: Avery shy girl her whole life, Schotzie was starting to spend more timeout of the cage toward the end. She succumbed to respiratory problems onNovember 29, 2000. Cause of death: Respiratory.
	SUZIE 6/15/2000 - 1/15/2001 Named after former childhood pet. Sister to Schotzie
Obtainedby: Rescue Interesting traits:A little more friendlier than her sister. When she gets older, she'llbe the alpha rat. Update: Suzy became one of themost lovable of the clan. Friendly to humans and rats, she was too gentleto ever be alpha. In December she got sick and for a month, fought a respiratoryillness that finally took her life. She is missed. Cause of death: Respiratory.
	CINNAMON 7/00-11/29/01
Obtainedby: Pet store save. Interesting traits:Was very shy but is finally coming out a lot now. Still gets picked onby bigger rats but is getting bolder. Notes: Cinnamon has become a very happy and playful girl. She still doesn't like to be held too long, but always comes when called and loves to stash treats inher cage, as well as stealing treats from the other cage. UPDATE: The poor girl suffered a stroke around August of 2001. Although it hampered her ability to stand straight up or run normally, she still got around well and seemed to be happy. She even liked to be picked up and scratched, which is something she never would allow before. Sadly, it finally overcame her on 11/29/01 in the morning. She passed in the cage she loved, close to the spot where she had stashed hundreds of treats over the last year and a half. Her lilfe was short, but total quality. Cause of death: Stroke
	THELMA 1/00 (?) – 2/15/02 Named by previous owner (aftermovie I suppose). Sister to Louise, mother to Tatu,Tammy & Kasi.
Obtainedby: Saved from people who didn'twant her any more. Interesting traits: Absolutelyone of the nicest rats I've ever owned. A little shy around the otherbigger rats. Notes: WhenI first obtained Thelma, my plan was to find her a good home. But a weekinto her stay, I realized she was so a sweet girl who enjoyed my companyas much I as enjoyed hers. There was no doubt she'd be staying. Shecame from a home where they had decided if no one came to get her, she'dend up as snake food (which her sister and babies). As it standsnow, I'd live on the street before I'd ever let anything happen to Thelma. Update:Thelma has finally settled into the clan well. She goes out and exploresthe room now. The fighting with the others has dwindled. 12/30/00 Update: 2/15/02 - Thelma died after a quick bout with respiratory problems. She will be missed. Cause of death: Respiratory
	LOUISE 1/00 (?) – 8/13/01 Named by previous owner (aftermovie I suppose). Sister to Thelma, aunt to Tatu,Tammy & Kasi.
Obtainedby: Saved from people who didn'twant her any more. Interesting traits: Moreoutgoing than her sister, adapted to new rats quicker, super friendly. Notes: Whata beautiful girl Louise is. Just like her sister, she's very friendly andeven more outgoing. As long as I'm alive, she's going to have a greatlfe. Update:Louise, one of the all time greats, suffered a series of strokes and lost use of her legs. She passed on 8/13/01 and will be missed very much. Cause of death: strokes/unknown
	TATU 9/28/00 (?) - 7/21/01 Name means "three" in Swahili(for the three distinct dots on his back) Brother to Tammy and Kasi. Sonof Thelma, nephew of Louise.
Obtainedby: Saved from people who didn'twant her any more. Interesting traits:Playful,, neutered, extremely happy. Notes: Tatuwas one of the first of Thelma's litter I knew I was going to keep. He'sa super happy boy who loves humans and rats alike. He loves to play andjust loves climbing on stuff all over the room. Often he and his sistershave wrestling matches throughout the night. Update: Withthe passing of Josh, Tatu has become the "man" of the clan. He's growingso fast and is one of the happiest rats ever. 12/30/00 Update: Tatugot real big and happy and lived a short, but satsifying life. He obtaineda resperatory problem and quickly passed. He is missed. Cause of death: Respiratory.
	TAMI 9/28/00 (?) - 7/30/01 Named by my girlfriend. Sister to Tatu and Kasi. Daughterof Thelma, niece of Louise.
Obtainedby: Saved from people who didn'twant her any more. Interesting traits:Playful,but doesn't like to be held, unlike her siblings. Notes: Tammyended up being the odd girl out in the litter. I didn't want her goingto a home by herself (and she did have offers to be an only rat in a coupleof different households). She's too social to live by herself. Idecided, despite the fact I'm overloaded with rats, I'd keep her so she'dbe better off around the other rats and her siblings. She's a playful ratand will climb on your shoulder but she doesn't like to be held, just likeEppy. She is identical to Tatu except she only has one dot instead of three. Update: Tami followed her brother a week later, suffering from the same respiratory problem he had and not responding to the medication, just like he did. In fact, the poor girl, right up to the end, made it as hard as possible to give her medication, as she just plumb hated to be held in any fashion. Tami was a fighter, though. She was pretty much the boss of her cage, even more than her mom or the bigger rats and even though she was the closet to Eppy, would still get in little rumbles with her. It's very sad how short the rats lives are. I wish Tami and Tatu could have at least lived a few months longer, but the short lives they did have were good. If there is a heaven, Tami, Tatu and Kasi are all happily frolicking around, wrestling and begging for cheese. Tami is probably fighting any other rats who try to get on her cloud. Cause of death: Respiratory.
	KASI 9/28/00 (?) - 1/6/00 Named Swahili word for "energetic, vigorous." Sister to Tatu and Tammy. Daughterof Thelma, niece of Louise.
Obtainedby:Saved from people who didn't wanther any more. Interesting traits:Playful,loves to play, loves to be held, shiniest black fur ever. Notes: Kasiis just a beautiful girl in every sense. Her fur is the shiniest blackfur I've ever seen on a rat. She is super active, just loves to play withhumans and rats alike. There was never a time that she was afraid of thebigger rats. When she first moved in with them, she would fight themback from the start, despite the fact some were three times as big as her. Kasi is the ideal rat. Update:Kasi started developing a little weaze. I gave her medicine. She didn'tseem to bad. A little over 24 hours later, I came home from being out oftown for a day, to find her passed on. She was a fun, happy, gregariouslittle girl and I'm still blown away by her passing. 1/6/00 Cuase of death:Unknown
	Kirby 6/22/00 - 12/18/02 Named after former majorleaguer Kirby Puckett Brother of Tbone and Spot. Sonof Samantha.
Obtainedby:Mother saved from bad petstore. Shewas pregnant and had babies 21 days after arrival. Interesting traits: Notonly a super playful boy, but tough. Can take a bath and not complain unlikehis brothers. Very friendly. Notes:Kirby is a great boy. Originally sent to a new home, his owner couldn'tkeep him so he and his brothers ended back with me. Update: 11/29/01, His brother Spot has been living with him and now they get along well. Both boys are getting more time out of the cage than any other rats I've ever had, (except for Monty) Update: 12/18/02 Died of old age. See "Bye Kirby" Cause of death: Old Age
	TBONE 6/22/00 - 10/10/01 Named for "t" shape on back. Brother of Kirby and Spot. Sonof Samantha.
Obtainedby:Mother saved from bad petstore. Shewas pregnant and had babies 21 days after arrival. Interesting traits:Nuetered,friendly boy. Hates baths. Loves his brothers. Notes:Tbone is a great boy. Originally sent to a new home, his owner couldn't keep him so he and his brothers ended back with me. Update: T-bone suffered from a respiratory problem and didn't respond to his medicine. The huge boy passed on 10/10/01 and is severely missed. Cause of death: Respiratory
	SPOT 6/22/00 - 4/30/02 Named for the SPOTon his back. Brother of Kirby and Tbone. Sonof Samantha.
Obtainedby:Mother saved from bad petstore. Shewas pregnant and had babies 21 days after arrival. Interesting traits: Spotis the friendliest of the brothers, but also the biggest baby. Whines likea little girl when it comes to bath time. Notes: Spotis a great boy. Originally sent to a new home, his owner couldn't keephim so he and his brothers ended back with me. Update: 11/29/01, Spot has been living with his brother Kirby since T-bone died and for some reason, the two get along great. He's learned where he can and can't go in the living room and like his brother, has been the ideal rat. Update: Spot got sick and passed on 4/30/02. Always a people friendly rat, he will be missed severly. More here. Cause of death: Respiratory
	WINNIE 11/15/00 (?) - 12/16/01 Named after Winnie the Pooh
Obtainedby: Pet store save. Interesting traits:Very inquisitive, loves her big sisters, loves the big cage. Good climber Notes:Winniewas saved from a crappy Petco where she was in the snake food bin, waytoo young to be away from her mother. She was, in fact, the only albinoof the babies so I took her knowing she'd be next to go for food. Update: Winnie, the sweet tempered, happy girl died unexpectedly on Decmeber 16, a couple days after Rose. She was a friendly girl who got along with all the other rats, never fought, always enjoyed a good scratching and was about as perfect a pet as you could ask for. As someone once said, sometimes rats just die. It's sad but true. Winnie is another example of rats getting the short end of the stick on their life expectancies. Her death was surprising and she will be missed. Cause of death: Unknown.
	BLITZEN 11/10/00 (?) - Named during Christmas.
Obtainedby: Pet store save. Interesting traits:Goes crazy for treats, will stick his hand out of the cage and reach fortreats, no matter how many feet away you are. neutered. Notes:Justlike Winnie, Blitz came from that crappy petstore and way too young tobe away from his mom. He came with his brother, Dasher, who had respiratoryproblems and died. He and Tiny were both available for adoption but sinceno takers came, I had them fixed and kept them. Update:Blitz went to live in a new home in Castaic California where he lives thelife of a king! (2/01)
No pcture yet	Tiny 11/17/00(?) - 1/15/01 Named because he's so small.
Obtainedby: Pet store save. Interesting traits:A lover of rat wrestling, neutered. Notes:Sameas Blitz and Winnie, only smaller. He's developed into a super rat. Cause of death:Unknown
	KJ 3/3/01-5/20/01 Named after his roomate/step-fatherKirby (Kirby Junior)
Obtainedby: Pet store save. Interesting traits:Friendly, frisky, happy, neutered. Notes:Thelittle guy was obtained with a hairless baby out of a Petco snake foodbin for two bucks. The hairless baby died a week later. KJ ended up gettingpaired with the lone Kirby. They got along great. A few days after KJ wasfixed, he died. He is missed. Cause of death: Unknown
	IRIS 6/3/01 - Sister of Violet
Obtainedby: Pet store save. Interesting traits:Shyer of two sisters, treat stasher Notes:Iris came with her sister on the same day that I picked up Lily, Rose and Daisy from a lady who couldn't keep them. I stopped by the Petco on the way home and there were these half rex-half hairless babies so I had to save some. Iris isn't as friendly as her sister but she will come to my lap for a few seconds to see if I have treats. She's not as bad as the Sugars when it comes to being held, but she will get ansy after a while if you hold her too long. Update: Iris and her sister Violet went to a great home in San Diego where they will live with two other rats, a hairless dumbo and a regular cute brown rat. I get occasional updates on how they're doing. They are loving life, now that they don't have to share a cage with a slew of other rats. 11/01/01
	VIOLET 6/3/01 - Sister of Iris
Obtained by: Pet store save. Interesting traits:Much more outgoing than her sister, likes to play. Notes:Violet came with her sister on the same day that I picked up Lily, Rose and Daisy from a lady who couldn't keep them. I stopped by the Petco on the way home and there were these half rex-half hairless babies so I had to save some. Violet likes to play with humans and rats a like. She's very outgoing and happy. She also obeys much better than Iris, like when it's time to get back in the cage. She's a half blue rex, half hairless mix. Update: Violet and her sister Iris went to a great home in San Diego where they will live with two other rats, a hairless dumbo and a regular cute brown rat. I get occasional updates on how they're doing. They are loving life, now that they don't have to share a cage with a slew of other rats. Although Iris never seemed to like me that much, I really miss Violet. She was a super friendly girl. 11/01/01
	LILY 6/00 (?) - 8/2/02 Named by previous owner Sister to Daisy & Rose
Obtained by: From lady who couldn't keep her any more. Interesting traits:Friendliest rat you'll ever see, shyer around other rats, loves to ride shoulders. Notes:FelLily is a very nice little girl who came with Daisy and Rose from a lady who couldn't keep them. Lily is a little shyer around the other rats, but when it comes to humans, she's totally at ease. She'll sit on your shoulder forever. You can go clean dishes, brush your teeth, walk around and she'll be fine, right there without moving. Giver her an occasional treat and she's happy. Update: