Presenting: RDPY Sweetheart

Sweetheart didn't just get her name from the heart shaped spot on her back, her personality was another reason. She is so darn sweet! So lovable, so affectionate, she is truly a "Sweetheart" of a rattie.

UPDATE: 03/01/05 As Sweetheart has gotten older she has gotten sweeter and sweeter. She now seeks out my company rather than explore and play. She is very content to just sit on my lap and be petted. If I'm anywhere in the rattery she will climb up my leg to be with me. This rattie truly loves me, has bonded with me, and trusts me. She would rather spend time with me than her own rattie friends. I feel so blessed to have her in my life. It is having ratties like her in my life that makes me realize what great creatures they truly are.

Sweetheart developed a small tumor, (it was the size of a lima bean), on her right lower side on 03/28/05. On 04/05/05 this tumor was surgically removed by my vet. The tumor has been sent to Michigan State University for analysis, to determine exactly what it is, and if the vet got it all.

It was a mammary gland tumor. It keeps shrinking and I think it has completely gone away. Sweetheart appears to be tumor free currently and doing very well. Her sweet loving self.

Update: October 27, 2005.

Sweetheart passed away on July 17, 2005. It was a sad series of events. I had moved her up north and they all had a very nice outdoor pen to live in during the summer. Our Cocker Spaniel, being so curious, dug his way under the side of the pen, leaving a hole for the ratties to get out. Several decided to explore the outside world, once out, our other dog who hates rats killed them. Sweetheart was killed by breaking her neck from the dog shaking it. She did not suffer. But I felt so guilty that I hadn't thought about the possiblity that the dogs could get into the pen, by digging six inches below the wire meshing. A hard lesson to learn. Now the meshing is cemented into the ground.

I still have not gotten over it. I miss her so much.