Personal Update: Chuckie

Hi all, just wanted to let you all know first that Chuckie passed away earlier this evening. I agonized for several days about what to do, but ultimately, he was showing overt signs of pain (which rats hide very well), and he was having far more bad days than good days. I made the decision today to bring him to the vet and they were able to put him down peacefully, and he passed in my arms getting kisses and pets - without pain, suffering, and some pretty awesome drugs that made him feel good in his final moments.

Needless to say, I am devastated. Chuckie was what we call my "heart rat" in the rat community. We had a close bond and I already miss him like CRAZY. He was just the sweetest boy...even when he was chewing up the wood on my closet doors, or climbing precariously onto my work table just to see what he might find up there (and giving me a heart attack every time, since I always feared he would fall). I haven't seen that behavior in him in months, and unfortunately his pneumonia and abscess on his lung would never resolve completely, in spite of continual antibiotics.

Deciding to let your animal go is one of the hardest decisions to make, as I'm sure many of you know. But as they say, it's better a week early than even a day too late.

I know some of you who keep up with my rats will want to know what will happen to Reptar. Will I get more rats? Again, no, I have decided that the heartbreak of their short lives is just not something I can keep doing right now. However, Reptar is "old", he's over 1.5 years, but he's extremely healthy still. He's very active and has had no health issues. But as most of you know, keeping a rat alone (unless there is extenuating circumstances) is cruel. It would be especially cruel for Reptar - a little guy who I also love dearly, but he does not love me as much. He's not very keen on humans, he prefers other rats and treats.

Please rest assured I'm talking with Reptar's breeder about what would be best for him. Luckily, my breeder is amazing and will take any rat back, no questions asked. She has a senior/retirement enclosure for older boys at her home, and so I will be bringing Reptar back to her as soon as possible. He may have to be alone for a week or two with me while we make arrangements. Trust me, this is also heartbreaking. I would love to just keep him, I feel like a total failure for giving him back, but I know I have to do what's best for him and not what's best for me. So Reptar will be well taken care of and will get to live out his retirement with other old, very good boys like him.

All that being said, I may be quiet on social media and patreon for a few days. I usually like to get back to work after grief, as I like being distracted, but I just need a day or two to wallow and mourn.

Thank you all for being here, I appreciate you all so much! And if you're one of the influx of new patrons - hi, sorry for the emo post. Please stick around - we'll be back to regular scheduled programming soon. In the meantime, there's a big library of exclusive videos to watch! Including part 1-2 of the fetish iceberg.

xoxo

Hannah