Oscar – January 2010 to January 25, 2013 :’( :’(
Baby Oscar pics from his former mom, Silvermoon who loved him very much.
Oscar didn’t enter my life until his mom’s life sadly changed for the worse. Her boys were elderly and sick, and she couldn’t afford the vet anymore and even to euthanize her babies. So she put out a cry for help sad but thinking what was best for her boys. They were 23 months old when Jenny picked them up for me, then she brought them home. The 4 brothers were Oscar (the dominant boy, the alpha protector), Tommy (2nd in command but nervous with people), Loki (the happy subordinate who just found joy in life), and Cecil (the wee brother everyone loved and who sadly had a huge mammary tumour). After he arrived and I saw how much this sickly little man loooved life, a bunch of wonderful people donated towards his cause and we were able to get that horrible thing removed. He was very very happy, but this is where things changed between Oscar and I. Oscar was wary, wondering what was happening next but a good boy. As soon as Cecil came back sans tumour, he changed towards me…he became very angry. He started charging and biting and getting stressed out even with his brothers. He was acting hormonal but he wasn’t able to be neutered due to his ongoing respiratory issues, and my vet doesn’t do chemical neuters so we tried anti-anxiety medications, Rescue Remedy…nothing worked. He still was very aggressive and was trying his hardest to bite me. Sadly Cecil only lived a short time tumour-free (but a happy time it was!) before he left us.and even then Oscar still remained the same. I had to remember that those limpid eyes in the cage, were just waiting for my flesh to approach. LOL He looked so cuddly and I was so sad I couldn’t reach this boy. Taking him out of the cage was always a difficult project and I had to be careful as he would attack my feet and make me dance, etc.
Finally Loki the cheerful joker boy had to be removed from the cage, and he became a bedrat with new old friends. Tommy and Oscar continued to age “gracefully” until finally they both had HED. About 5 weeks ago when Oscar was 35 months of age, I guess he decided to let go of his anger, and the light bulb went off over his head. He then decided he absolutely LOVED me. The transition, long-hoped for, made me incredibly happy. At first I was still a little careful but leaned he would lick not chomp now, cuddle not charge, and wanted to be on or near me as much as possible. These last 2 months made up for everything before, for both of us. They met other sweet oldies, and my formerly rat aggressive boys Tommy and Oscar were in heaven. I let Tommy go 15 days ago with 2 of their new friends, but Oscar was okay as he had a new friend in old formerly rat-aggressive Smitty. He and Oscar and the new baby Tych were often inseparable. So much so, that I found Smitty still in lying with Oscar’s body this morning. Oscar went quietly in his sleep with his friend right beside him…it really was a lovely ending for such a special rat but I will miss him immensely.
Arriving home, Oscar’s eyes are soft here.
Cuddling with his brothers in a low hung double decker (I use these for frailer or disabled oldies so they can walk right in)
gA week later, the first sign of Oscar Issues :P
gAnd it began…”Come closer with your tasty flesh”
What a handsome boy, but notice the slight glitter in his eyes that was not there if I wasn’t LOL
A year ago….my scent was on this empty bottle.
Loki. Oscar and Tommy
June 25/12 – I discovered he wouldn’t try to eat me if he was on my shoulder…hard not to cringe when he would sniff my face and ear…hahaha.
Sept. 7/12 - Mr. Grumpy…he tried to bite me right after this pic
Nov. 1/12 – “Do you have to touch me??”
Dec. 18/12 – The Big Change. He crawled up onto my chest, and I rubbed his ears, got licks, bruxxes and boggles. My heart almost exploded and I did cry.
New friends
Happy boy lying beside me
Glad I finally met *you* Oscar, you are now with your beloved brothers.
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