Kazoo - Lovecraft Kazoku - 22/10/12 - 26/01/15
Parents: Lovecraft Monkeyshines (Monkey) and Shunamite Blue
Variety: Black Essex Temperament: Kazoo was my lovely clown rat, he was playful and naughty from the day I got him. Amusingly i picked him as a kitten as the quieter of my 3 babies, with Raga and Tam being very busy naughty babies. The week after Lisa snapped a photo of him pulling a litter mate around by their tail and from then on he was the most mischievous and naughty baby. Story: Kazoku is named after Alison from Shunamite Stud, both names share the same meaning, meaning noble. I am sure Kazoo will grow up to be noble, but he takes his name tongue in cheek. Kazoo became a dad in August '13, you can find his babies at Lovecraft HQ here. Kazoo went on to be a bit of a pain in the bum (literally) to Tam after he mated (this can often give boys a bit of swagger). He was far too big for his boots and loved nothing more than jumping Tam. He was neutered for this and settled into a much better behaved boy. Unfortunately as the next generation grew up and pushed him down the hierarchy he became quite down, lazy and not really part of it. Me and Lisa tried him with a group of her girls to see if this improved matters and it made a massive difference, he quickly became the active bouncy relaxed boy once more so the move became permanent. Show Performance: Kazoo did well as a youngster in shows, his highlights being a reserve best pet. He also did well in agility. As an adult he noticeably disliked being in a show tank, so quickly became a PR rat which he adored. He could be found at many shows on someone's lap being cuddled and making new friends. Health: Kazoo had a lovely healthy life, only showing signs of HLD in late life. He passed away in his cage surrounded by his Harem of ladies, shortly after showing disorientation and oddness. Its likely he passed from kidney failure or a stroke at the good age of 26 months. |
Tam - Isamu Katame - 15/10/12 - 09-01/15
Parents: Isamu Lo and Behold (Tigerella) x Brandywine Wellington (Welly)
Variety: Agouti Temperament: Tam was a confident solid lad in most situations, he was very loving and very much a mummy's boy, being completely my rat. He was a great alpha, dependable and solid. He was also a great dad, he doted on his sons, being trusted enough to supervise there play time from 6 weeks old and then helping them grow into wonderful adults too. Story: Tam was my first home bred boy, from his mum Tigerella, a doe from my first litter. I named him Katame after Lisa (of Lovecraft Rattery) as both there names mean "Pledged to God", I've returned to the Japanese name theme in honour of my first 2 Tabi boys, Isamu and Yoshi. I am over the moon with Tam, he is a real confident bold and cheeky boy, though seems to always end up at the bottom of the pack. Tam was mated to Isamu Honeymoon in August 2013, his lovely temperament and very Tabi looks making our mind up for us, this is a little earlier than we'd normally like but with limited options he was the best despite his young age. He went on to father a second litter in later life at Lovecraft with the beautiful Delaney. Tam lived to a good age of 27 months and was still active and well to the end when I found him curled up asleep for the last time Show Performance: Tam did well at shows, especially in varieties his highlight was winning Stud Buck and 5th in Varieties and his best coat condition at nearly 2 years old. He attained the title of NERS stud buck champion in his life and genuinely seemed to enjoy shows and meeting new people Health: Generally good throughout life, though he had a few preputial abscesses. He got a what was most likely benign testicular tumour around 26 months old and was castrated after a long course of antibiotics, he did well post op and was healing well, however his kidneys finally gave up after all the medication and he past in his sleep |
Raga - Lovecraft Shiraga 23-10/12 - 26/11/13
Parents: Lovecraft Get Flow (Flow) and Brandywine Wellington (Welly)
Variety: Agouti Temperament: Raga adored climbing and jumping and running, he was a rat version of a fitness junky, if he wasn't bouncing around the rat room, or shooting up the cat activity centre he was running in his wheel or trying to get somewhere forbidden. He was a little shy around new people but is very affectionate with those he knew and loved. He made an excellent solid alpha and grew into a very settled self confident buck. Story: Raga, or Shiraga, is named after Lloyd of Eximius rats, both there names mean 'grey haired'. He was actually Tam's half brother as they share a dad. Raga came to me with Kazoo to live with Tam, they had spent a good week or two all living together before that. I had my eye on him from 3 weeks as as well as being one of the prettier boys he consistently tried to get where he wasn't meant to be, and I just couldn't help falling for him. Show Performance: Raga has done well in shows, performing well in varieties and agility, he placed in Stud Buck a few times. Health: Raga developed respiratory problems from around a year old, despite throwing pretty much every med combo at him he didn't respond and whilst he was still bright and active he became distressed when eating and so was slowly starving to death. I made the difficult decision to put to sleep. Unfortunately due to a mix up at the vets he wasn't PM'd as requested so we don't know what caused his symptoms. |