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Coloring: Hooded rat with Gold coloring and a gold dot on her back.
Personality: Shy and timid. Must have a hiding place to go to or she won't move.
Almost called Dot.
Died: 3/20/2008
The story of Fawn is the story of Esther, Cinder and Daphne as well.
We went to the pet store for some supplies for the other five. While we were
there, I went and looked at the ratties. There were these four, cute baby
ratties of all different colors. When I asked Jennifer to look at them, she
fell in love with them, especially one that reminded her of her first rat.
She eventually decided we had to have them all, because we couldn't break them up.
***
7/11/2007 Fawn was the timid one. She was never very big. It was like
she was the runt of the litter and she knew it. She didn't seem to eat much
if the others were around the food. I don't know if this is typical or not.
But she was always small and shy.
She is also the last to leave the cage. She would be right by the door, waiting
to come out. But, when I open the door, she wouldn't rush out like the others.
And, if I put my hand too close, she would run away. Eventually, she comes
out but it takes a while.
She does this swaying thing at times. She will stop and move her head from
side to side. We think that, even for a rat, she might not have good vision
and is using that to figure things out. We aren't completely sure about it,
though.
In the past six months, ever since Beauty got sick, Fawn has gotten very aggressive.
She has learned to bit on the ears, we think from Daphne. And her and Esther
will have rattie boxing matches. She will even fight with Holly and Cinder,
and she used to avoid them whenever she could. Not exactly sure what it is.
She still hoards food. It is so much fun to watch! If we give her a
little amount, she will eat it right away. But, if there is a lot out, she
has to hoard! It's so much fun to watch her try and hide the stuff.
She doesn't do it as much, or as meticulous as Esther, but she still does it.
2/24/2008
Fawn is doing very well for a two year old. She has gotten a bit fat but we
hope that's because we spoil them. She also puts herself to bed after an hour
of being out. However, I think it's more out of boredom and because we are
boring. If we start to move around in the play area, she will be right over
checking it out and seeing what's going on.
This is the other toy we got them and they all seem to love it! It's a plush
fish that they can go in and lie down. Many times, we will look over, and
one of them will be hanging their head out of it! It's so cute! I tried
to get that with Fawn but my movement got her to move. Still, it's a cute
picture.
3/20/2008
I was at work when I got the call. It's amazing how things like this put other
things into perspective. I was involved in a "discussion" with some co-workers.
We disagreed about what a particular cycle in the software development process meant.
In the middle of this, my sister in law, who had been sick and was at home, called
to tell me that she thought Fawn was dead.
I dropped the argument and came home. I worked from home with her on my lap.
She was gone but I wanted her body near. It was shock. She hadn't been
acting differently. There had been a bit of blood near her bum but there were
no signs of cancer. Further, it would be a little bit, then nothing for a
week. This happened several times. The best our book could tell us was
polyps, I think, and it pretty much has to fix itself. Given her age, surgery
wouldn't be an option.
The night before, we managed to get some blood samples to take to the vet.
She was acting the same. She ate and drank and came looking for treats.
The next day, she was gone. It looked like she bled to death, as the hammock
they sleep in had a lot of it on it.
This is the only time we have asked for an autopsy. The others who have died
it was obvious what happened to them. We weren't sure and we thought we missed
something. The vet was worried only because sometimes an autopsy doesn't reveal
anything. However, that was not the case. It was cancer but of a type
that wouldn't have shown up, even if we had gone to the vet.
It was so tough. We have had warnings in the past or at least knew that something
was happening. We had a few signs that are obvious now but then it wasn't.
Suddenly, she was just gone. We buried her with the others.
I miss her. A lot.
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