Paul's Rat Page

Don't forget to visit my Rats In The Media page

and the RMCA home page!

Alas, currently I do not own any rats. With the passing of Mel and Zepher, I realized that my allergies and asthma had vanished with them. So, for the sake of my health, I have decided not to own rats any more - at least until a "magic bullet" allergy pill is developed that will allow me to share the same space with these little furry friends. As wonderful as rats are (and I still think they make perfect pets), my being able to breathe is more important to me.

On Wednesday, January 10th 1996, Mel (short for Melbourne) arrived on my doorstep. He's a little over a year old (so my vet says), and a big burly male. He has a long and winding history which begins with being fed to a snake! He (obviously) survived and eventually fell in with me.

Mel has been 'snipped' and is now living with Zepher. He may be bigger, but she's the boss of the cage. They do seem to get along well, though -- especially in the rat hammock (a folded towel suspended from the top of the cage). He's still a bit jumpy, but after making sure the area is safe, he enjoys spelunking in my couch.

On Thursday, August 7th, 1997, Mel lost his battle with stomach cancer (gastric carcinoma), and had to be euthenized. He was the oldest rat I've ever had (easily over 3 years old, according to my vet), and the memories of him and his antics will stay with me forever. He will be missed. Cancer seems to be the never-ending plague for my rats.

Here's a picture of Mel sulking after being "snipped". And, yes, that is a Bang & Olufsen Beovox CX100 loudspeaker behind him. He deserves the best, after all.

On Saturday, July 22nd 1995, Zepher (yes, an 'e', not a 'y') joined our happy household. She's a terribly cute pink-eyed light tan rat (a "champagne" rat). She enjoys stealing Mel's food (he still hasn't quite got the grasp of the concept that carrots are food), and pestering him to death ("Groom me now!"). What she lacks for in size, she more than makes up for in speed and craftiness.

On Thursday, December 18th, 1997, I had the unhappy task of putting Zepher to sleep. She had the dreaded chronic murine mycoplasmosis, and wasn't responding to treatment. She, like my other rats, will be missed.

Below is Watson eating a Cheerio(tm). She was alway such a hungry beast!

On Tuesday, September 12th 1995, Watson was diagnosed with cancer of the bladder, a terminal condition. She finally passed away on September 18th, 1995. She was a rat who preferred to keep to herself, though she would surprise people with her peaceful purring every once in a while. She, like Basil before her, is missed by all who knew her.

Watson, ???? - Sept. 18th, 1995.

This is a picture of Basil, my first rat. She lived to be almost 3 years old, and was Watson's cage-mate before Zepher arrived. She was an extremely personable rat: she took great pleasure in running over and licking people (mutual grooming). If you scratched her behind the ears in return, she would enter ratty bliss and purr for hours. All who knew her miss her.

Basil, ?? 1992 - July 2nd, 1995.

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