My first knowledge of Aura was a frantic email from a shelter forwarded from a rescue friend. She, a male, and their 7-week-old family (1 baby boy and 4 baby girls) were to be euthanized at a high kill shelter in a couple of days. Shock
I said I would take her and her babies, and immediately ordered an R-680 from Martins, I had 2 on the way already, but needed to replace one. Poor little guys had to go into a jury-rigged aquarium topper for a week until it arrived. The male and the baby boy were adopted by Vanessa, another awesome rescuer as well. So the entire family was saved!
Aura had to go in for my first e-spay ever, since she had been living with the male…good thing too as she was a little bit pregnant. I had my fingers crossed on the girls having been separated in time at 6 weeks.
Aura started off a bit nippy, then turned into what I call a Cheeky Nipper for awhile…where they nip, bounce away and grin at you making ALL that wonderful noise. LOL
She was my first rex too.
Not long after, Aura and her young daughters met the other 6 rats who became the original Rampaging Horde…then the fun began for all. :D
She was an integral member of the Horde, she protected anyone harassing her girls, but was a very good alpha until Vesta/Valora took over. Then she watched over the underdogs like Adia and Asha when they joined much much later.
But age catches up to us all…she has already outlived 2 of the 4 daughters, Zuri and Terra who remain, are both now 28 months and starting to look old. She became blind and then sadly developed a tumour on her throat at about 31 months of age along with a smaller one on her hip.
Even though my little girl was getting frail, losing a lot of mobility in her back end, and was completely blind. I would call her name, and her head would pop into the air, she would perk those ears and then trundle over to me for cuddles…she was a lovely soul.
Now she is 35 months old and it is time for me to help her cross…she spent the night sleeping on my chest or by my side, with her former cagemate Asha.
She was a wonderful girl much loved and soon to be grieved by her daughters and remaining Horde cagemates.
Goodbye sweet girl...you will always be missed. Heart
Her infamous grumpy look
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