This journal is now a personal blog only. TRV is no longer taking in rescues.

We apologize for any inconvenience.

We of the good ship ReallyBigTrailer took all the computer giblets from around the house and built me a computer! And it's in the rat room! Yay for me.

*it occurs to Bandit that she still has no idea if the tiny boombox speaker plugged into the DVD drive works*

Excuse me... must... check something.

*mumbles on her way out*

Not too long ago, I was forced to deal with someone I have never met, yet despise utterly. He's a cruel, heartless, feeder-breeding bastard, and he's joining all the Rat forums he can find, trying to score "better looking" rats. I saw his posts on another forum dear to my heart, and have to post about it somewhere.

This chump was keeping his rats on pine, feeding them crap food, knows nothing of genetics and was seriously pissing everyone off on [forum name withheld]. He was about to get iced over there, but made a public apology to me and stopped posting to try and save face.

Here you go world! I'm not protecting this creep, either. That's his username on multiple sites. If you come across him, break out your spear guns. Yes, I got out of hand (after about 6 nasty emails), and I'm not covering up what I did. I stand by my nastiness.

____________________________________________

14:56:49 ‹Bandit_X› ...
25/07/2008 14:57:45 * Crazie311 joins General
25/07/2008 14:57:57 ‹Crazie311› what do u want
25/07/2008 14:58:45 ‹Crazie311› ?
25/07/2008 14:58:48 ‹Crazie311› ?
25/07/2008 14:58:48 ‹Crazie311› ?
25/07/2008 14:58:52 ‹Bandit_X› I want you to make your petty attacks here instead of spamming the boards and my inbox.
25/07/2008 14:58:55 ‹Crazie311› ask me to join chat and not be here
25/07/2008 14:59:07 ‹Crazie311› u spammed my inbox so dont start that
25/07/2008 14:59:08 ‹Crazie311› i dont want to attack you at ll
25/07/2008 14:59:10 ‹Bandit_X› patience is a virtue, by the way.
25/07/2008 14:59:14 ‹Crazie311› i want you to stay in your life not mine
25/07/2008 14:59:25 ‹Bandit_X› you're on a public board
25/07/2008 14:59:28 ‹Crazie311› i asked for advice
25/07/2008 14:59:32 ‹Crazie311› u dont have any then stfu
25/07/2008 14:59:40 ‹Crazie311› seriously
25/07/2008 14:59:55 ‹Bandit_X› you keep repeating yourself, and it doesn't change anything
25/07/2008 14:59:59 ‹Crazie311› i dont care..
15:01:10 ‹Bandit_X› you barely know anything about good breeding or ethics as far as I can tell.
25/07/2008 15:01:19 ‹Bandit_X› you don't care about the animals
25/07/2008 15:01:49 ‹Crazie311› how do i not care about them?
25/07/2008 15:02:19 ‹Crazie311› awaiting a response
25/07/2008 15:02:41 ‹Bandit_X› All reputable breeders have cut back or stopped their programs because people like you are flooding the gene pool with sickly, badly bred pet store rats
25/07/2008 15:02:56 ‹Crazie311› LOL PET STORE RATS
25/07/2008 15:03:12 ‹Crazie311› I went to a breeder 3 hours away to get my rats
25/07/2008 15:03:14 ‹Crazie311› lol
25/07/2008 15:03:19 ‹Bandit_X› oh, so you got yours from another BY breeder then?
25/07/2008 15:03:20 ‹Crazie311› u dont know anything
25/07/2008 15:03:34 ‹Crazie311› and SHE was going to breed my girl for me
25/07/2008 15:04:01 ‹Bandit_X› actually, years of study and my name in the author spot of a rat care book edited by this sites moderators say I do.
15:04:14 ‹Crazie311› not about me you dont
25/07/2008 15:04:29 ‹Crazie311› years of study lol
25/07/2008 15:04:34 ‹Crazie311› u got to college for it?
25/07/2008 15:04:37 ‹Crazie311› ratolligist
25/07/2008 15:05:00 ‹Crazie311› WHY BOTHER AND COMMENT
25/07/2008 15:05:17 ‹Crazie311› SO GO OUT TO A DUMPSTER AND CATCH TONS OF THEM AND GIVE THEM HOMES
25/07/2008 15:05:21 ‹Bandit_X› get off this site. find some other chumps to mess with
25/07/2008 15:05:23 ‹Crazie311› millions of rats breed everyday
25/07/2008 15:05:27 ‹Crazie311› and ur worried about one?
25/07/2008 15:05:31 ‹Crazie311› one rat
25/07/2008 15:05:34 ‹Crazie311› lol
25/07/2008 15:05:33 ‹Crazie311› please
25/07/2008 15:05:47 ‹Crazie311› iw ish i could feed ur rats to my snake they would be happier there
25/07/2008 15:05:46 ‹Crazie311› lol
25/07/2008 15:05:57 ‹Crazie311› insted of with you

_______________________________________________________

You're worried about one rat? he says. Fuck this fucking chump, and fuck those defending him. Argh! This is the same damn arsehole that stated publicly that 'one newborn rat isn't worth saving since there are 20 more' and that medicating/treating sick rats is a waste of money for breeders.

Excuse my language, but shame on Pet and Breeding forums for letting these people in.

Tears running down my face, I look up at you
So much like the sun.
Burning all you see--inescapable.
Unable to wipe away my tears,
You scorch them into memories.
Twin salt trails,
My badge of angst.
Today I meet my new chore.
Filth, loneliness, pain from old injuries.
It's exactly the same as last summer.
No speakers of our tongue,
Not a kind word,
Just empty rushing.
Where?
I wish to be where you are.
Where I was.
There is no sunlight here.

I currently have 16 animals under my care, one of which is a stray I'm calling Nora living in my Feral Shelter outside... Anybody care to stop me? I don't think I could be considered a hoarder, but this is ridiculous!
Curse my soft heart.

Nearly lost Sirius to a fight with Gizmo... I don't know what to do about the rescue boys. They're so aggressive! I nearly lost all 4 of my resident males just attempting intros!
My main concerns used to be food, vet care and socialization but this is really too much for me to handle. The Interloper Tribe is great when there aren't other rats around, but freak around my boys. I really can't do it.

I don't want to transfer them to another rescue, but good homes around here are hard to come by. Any suggestions?

For a plethora of reasons, everybody is still living with me, and likely to remain so. One way or another, we'll get through this!

(I'm gonna have to keep that darn dog on a leash in his own yard! Goofy mutt keeps breaking out! Glad he loves his momma enough to come runnin' when I call.)

Yesterday, I ended up in the Emergency room again for respiratory distress. Matt and were both so sick we couldn't drive, so my mother brought me, and stayed by my side for hours, just talking with me.
While in the hospital, my mom brought up a valid point:
I'm killing myself.
I have 17 animals in my house, 14 of which are under my care. I'm allergic to 13 of them. I also live in a household that smokes heavily in every room, save the Rat Room. I had to make a tough call.

The Interloper Tribe and most likely Lydia Bunny are to be re-homed. Since none of the cages are compatible, I need to spend 8 hours everyday in the Rat Room just to allow everyone exercise and time with me. Even with barely working, and moving my office into the Rat Room, this is just not possible. That is unacceptable.

The animals that live here were promised better lives than what they came from. They get the best food, many toys, tasty treats, proper housing and great medical care... but that is no substitute for time with a human being that loves them. Between time constraints and my failing health, they aren't being cared for the way I believe they should be.

My best friend "Rabbit" lost her dog, sugar glider and her pet snakes in her divorce, and stayed with me for weeks at a time to be closer to her family and job. In that time, she spent many hours asking me questions and helping in the Rat Room. She told me last night that she wanted to take Gizmo with her to her new place back here in our hometown. When I reminded her rats cannot live alone, she asked to take the whole Interloper Tribe.
This made the choice much easier, since I know she cannot keep reptiles where she will be living (nor does she want to), and would return the boys to me if things didn't work out. She has a huge heart, and has been one of very few friends to stick by me when all else seemed lost.

I thank the powers that I have such wonderful people in my life.

As for Lydia, I am sort of stuck. Around here, many people get rabbits as babies and then no longer want them when they grow up. Lydia was surrendered to me when a girl's parents told her one of her rabbits had to go. She was living in a tiny dog crate, with boring toys and a bland diet. She disliked everyone but my only room mate at the time.
I moved her into a very large hutch, and she now gets a new toy every few days, with plenty of hay and fresh foods. She is a much happier bunny, who loves to cuddle but I am afraid she's not getting the attention she deserves.

I may be able to keep Lydia if I can get the Girl's Tribe spayed, but that seems far off in the future right now, so we'll continue to do our best. If a better home comes along, I will not deny her the best life possible. She deserves it.

Typing is getting difficult (they have me on so many drugs right now), I'll sign off for now, but not without commending those that read this through. May the Gods and Goddesses bless your life, your pets and your children.

Out of the many pet stores I've reviewed, Animal Jungle is the only place striving to protect rats, and promote them as the beautiful creatures they are. A.J. now provides their own Animal Care pamphlets, written by staff in their off-time. After reading through the work, I have found it informative and accurate, stressing the importance of keeping rats in pairs, proper diet and veterinary expenses.
My Sugar Glider informed  colleague  "Rabbit" made our rounds, and thus far have only found fault with the glider info.

Good job so far, Animal Jungle!

The Boy's Tribe:
Seamus--Seems to be perkier than ever, although a bit scabbed out.
Mac--the area around his wound is bald! I think somebody barbered the matted hair and skin glue off. Otherwise, he's doing great.
Julien--getting around a lot better in the new cage, his arm seems to be healing.
Sirius--much less freaked out now that he's back in with the old crew.

The Interloper Tribe:
Winston--Healing up nicely, no signs of infection, but we're keeping an eye on it.
Gizmo--More responsive to me now that he's back with his Dad, Winston.
Zytoshi--Still blind. (LOL) He's calmed down more, but not as much as brother Giz.

The Girl's Tribe:
All of them are still bouncy and spastic, but now enjoy their cuddles a lot more.

Big Dopey Bear-dog:
No longer tries to eat anyone but Jules. XP

Lydia:
Still thnks we're all nuts, but very happy with her new cage.

Giant Tank-cat:
Still hates everyone but Mom and Dad. We're not to sure about Dad... poor Matt!

Roomies:
I still want to kill them. I'm not doing your laundry again, Betz!!! And I'm not cooking for you either! So there.

Friday Morning, Aprox. 9:45am:
I got into the Rat Room to feed, water and skritch everyone, and Seamus is acting funny. He won't come out for food and cuddles, so I coax him out by calling his name and telling him he's my beautiful old guy and I want to say good morning before work.
Seamus stumbles and is having trouble getting to me, although I can see he's really trying. I lift his nest box and set him on the ground to watch him walk. He can barely get four steps, and falls flat on his dear face.
I immediately think stroke or brain tumor, tear up and put the food and water directly across from the opening in his box, and plan on calling the vet in a few hours, since I'm running late for work.

4:35pm:
I got home, but had to run loads of errands (it happens to have been my father's birthday), so I check that everyone is ok, and head off.

6:00pm
I check the state of the cages and water bottles, then go to Seamus. Hes stable, but wobbling and wheezing. I check the rest of the rats, since Seamus isn't well, and Jules hurt his front leg pretty badly a few days prior.
Mac waddles up to me, and I pick him up to give him a snuggle and see a gaping hole just behind his right ear.
I yell for my fiance Matt, we get Mac cleaned up and put him back with his brethren, and we go about our business.

7:00pm
Matt and I head in to clean cages, moving everyone to temporary housing (milk crates stacked to keep our crazies in), and I hear Matt exclaim "Someone's bleeding."
He'd just handled Sirius, so we check him over and over, finding nothing. We backtrack to Winston.
Lifting his jaw, we see a HUGE gash across the left side of his throat. Matt runs to the nearest Wallmart for skin glue (forgot to pick it up the previous week) and I clean and disinfect the wound, with help from a room mate that decided to be nice and help out.

10:30pm
Everyone's glued back together, the cages are clean, but after numerous injuries I take another look at Seamus. Flipping him over and ruffling his belly fur, I see a barely healed inch long slash in his side and stomach.
That night, four cages are used for seven males instead of two. Every attempt to bring anyone back together ends in a fight.
Cage 1: Seamus, Mac and Sirius (original kids)
Cage 2: Winston (needs to stay still to heal better, is kept in the crate with a water bottle and food)
Cage 3: Julien (foofs at everything in sight, is kept in Emergency cage)
Cage 4: Zy and Giz (brothers that only enjoy each others company, housed in the crate below Daddy Win's with food and water)

10:45:
I'm very glad I have 9 water bottles, and none want to leak.

Saturday afternoon:
Matt and I purchase a very large, new ferret cage and split the Boys into their original colonies.
Seamus, Mac, Sirius and Julien are placed in the new cage. Julien doesn't attack in the new surroundings without the "Interloper Tribe" (Win, Zy and Giz). All is normal again in the Boy's Tribe.
The Interloper Tribe is placed in the Rabbit's big purple cage, and she goes into the Epic Cage (now clean and bunny ready). All is well.
Lydia the Rabbit looks at me like I'm insane.
The Girl's Tribe has miraculously litter trained themselves, using this digging box as a littler tray.

Sunday:

Seamus' wheezing and limping are nearly gone after a regimen of Duk Soup, Echinacea and Doxy. His Lung Caps are on their way to the house. All is quiet and peaceful. Previously wild rats eat from a spoon I'm holding, and succumb to skritchings.


What a weekend.

Check it out:

http://www.wordclay.com/BookStore/BookStoreSearchResults.aspx?SearchType=smpl&SearchTerm=Ariana

My book "Devoted to Insanity" is now available through Wordclay!
"Devoted to Insanity" is a showcase of my poetry, using rat photographs to convey more purpose to my words. The great members of RMCA donated photos and provided much needed support through the process.

For more info and purchasing information, click here. All proceeds go to my in-home Rat and Small Animal Shelter.

As one or two people may have noticed, my journal information has changed slightly the past few days. I am officially putting TRV on hiatus. It became clear to me not long ago:

This is not the best city for rats. People here tend to lack knowledge about them, their care, and many just look at them as though they are food for some reptilian behemoth in a glass box. This sickens me.
This is no town for rats.
So I opened a rescue. All the facilities and connections I made when I wanted to breed will allow me to maintain a rescue of up to 20 rats here in my home. I have thought this through, and I haven't gone crazy.

My first rescues are said to be 5 little girls in need of homes. The next potential set are 5 aggressive older males, coming to me from the Richmond Rat Rescue.

Any donations would be appreciated, but I'm not begging for them. The local rescue groups have offered me as much help as they can, and I am forever grateful.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

My side project is complete! I've built the boys a massive cage (4.5x3x3.5), and the Girls get to live in FrankenCage. Pictures soon!

We finally moved! Pics and video to follow.

Yesterday Matt and I made another pilgrimage to our favorite store (Animal Jungle), and what did we espy? Little beige rex girls! They're 9 weeks old, and you all know where I'm going later this week... Everyone knows my policy:
If its precious and its still there in a week, it comes home with me!

NOTE: That kind of thinking got me a rat that Matt calls "Master Julien Longtail"

Well, we're moving into our 1200 sq.ft. new home in two weeks, which I am ecstatic about!!! Finally a place that's all mine! *ahem* Ours. Yeah. That.

Aside from the move, I got a job at ######## (RMCA Recommended Vet Clinic) doing Kennel Work and Vet Assisting. It's going well, but the pay is really low. At least I get hours. My seasonal position at the local mall is over the 27th, which I'm happy about--selling jewelry kind of sucks. The people were fun though.
On a more cheerful note, I'm also working as a Personal Assistant of sorts (for $10/hour...now thats more like it!), and my first day (today) went so well that the woman's dog groomer (my former neighbor of 5 years) offered to take me on as her Apprentice! *eep!*
Apparently she makes the 'fat loot' as Matt would say. She works on her schedule, it's her only job, and its something she loves.
Plus, she has a ton of clients that need Pet sitters, and she's going to start handing out business cards for me.

Very tired though, so I'm taking a nap until work rolls around again. Ta-ta!

Another story of loss really touched my heart, so I sent the owner this poem to help with her grief:

"Rest your head my dear one,
May you never know more pain.
Wait peacefully for me at the Bridge,
Until we meet again.
I will be ever thankful for the time we shared on Earth,
Though what I feel is sorrow,
With every Death there is Rebirth.
You left you memory in my Heart,
So I'd never be alone,
You made me love all of your kind,
So I'd give some more a home.
You always made me smile,
And you filled my life with Love,
I hope that now you are my Angel,
Watching me from up above."

I wrote this for an RMCA member who lost a beloved friend recently, and I wanted to share it.

"We all come to grief, and we all have our ways-
We remember our little ones all of our days.
Our hearts feel so cold when they're gone from this Earth,
So we pray to our Gods for the gift of Rebirth.
Perhaps when your heart is ready, my friend,
Another small face will help it to mend."

Just as an update, we're moving to an even bigger house by next month, where I have been given my very own rat room! There wasn't even a pet deposit for rats! I'm so excited.

--Ari of TRV

Update on the Update:

Never mind... plans not panning out again. Job market here is wonky...

Update on Previous Update:

We gave up on renting--we're buying one gosh darn it! And there's no reason this shouldn't work out, because we're the only ones making an offer on the place.. heehee. Bigger rat room.
Additionally, I've been offered a position as a Veterinary Assistant at the clinic my rats go to. Huzzah!

Please read over the RatEthics Questionnaire if you are new to rats:

Thank you!
--Ari of TRV