Tyr

Tyr - August 2010 to October 2, 2012

Poor Tyr, he had such a rough beginning outside in the cold, in a metal cage almost in winter time. He was such a frightened little boy, who grew into a frightened, timid and very vocal adult. Tyr loved his brother, trusted only his brother completely and went through most of his life content with the company of his brother and sometimes other gentle rats. Sadly his brother left us suddenly 6 months ago and poor Tyr was left with Hermes…who was alright but not Bjorn by a long shot. Tyr wasn’t sweet to the older sick boy, and eventually Hermes had to leave his company as well as he was too weak to stay in the cage with Tyr.
Poor shy Tyr developed a mammary tumour that grew and grew…his respiratory issues were off and on, but mostly on. I tried him with a single girl who was pretty nasty with other rats but he loved her and found this difficult woman fascinating. He put up with her little fits of rage and silliness and just loved her from afar. I decided that Tyr was finally happy again, I had to try to keep him around for a bit longer, and arranged to have this large, quick growing mass removed and it worked. He came through very well. We had a terrible 24 hours post-op where I was worried I would lose him, he was so limp and unaware…unable to eat or drink (he almost seemed like he had forgotten) but he finally, slowly came out of that and started the real healing process. Three weeks post-op and we have a small complication that I run him to the vet for, but it was nothing major…sadly we discovered a large mass inside his abdomen and even after gentle palpation it ruptured and we had to put him to sleep. A routine vet visit became a very sad, and sudden end to my brave boy. 

Tyr’s life is best told in pics

Baby Tyr with his one big ball and one small ball :P



Baby Tyr timidly checking out the world



Tyr and his wheel, he would run when he was scared…he ran a lot



Creeping up to me


Tyr’s tumour






Growing super fast



Letting me love on him, without shrieks, shrinking away or running



More loving as he recuperates…I think he’s actually starting to like me




I introduced him to tiny and very gentle old Xanthe and it was a heavenly match. He, the big rough boy, was soo gentle with his new girlfriend, and it was so sweet to watch these two. I almost cried when I saw how they fit together.



My lovely boy found peace and love