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407 Posts
Hello all - before I get into the subject of this posting, Id lke to say that I am enjoying myself on your forum! Everyone is so nice and I feel that Ive gotten a lot of good information...which I am grateful for! For example, I had a FLEETING thought about 'wouldnt it be sweet to have babies...'. Your site has taught me that for me to breed a rat would NOT be sweet, it would be irresponsible. As a result, I have appts for half my ratties to be neutered in 2 weeks and the other half, 2 weeks after that. Thank you for the good information that saved me from making a selfish choice and possibly/probably propagating more of an already too prevelant problem.
To be honest, Im sort of ashamed to admit the above - Im not a child, and I am not ignorant - you would think I could have figured it out on my own, but I didnt...Im just grateful that the information was here for me to access so I didnt make a horrible decision.
But I digress....
I have a situation that is extremely delicate - advice would be so appreciated.
First off, I swear that the following information is relevant. My 18 year old daughter gave me my first rat just a few weeks ago (I mentioned this in my very 1st post. My 18 year odl daughter is emotionally slow - about 4 years behind her age (issue from birth). I became ill with a heart problem about a year ago when she started going through the NOT fun teenage angst, and between my illness and her distaste for my rules, it was decided that it was better fior her to live with her father for a while. During this time she has bought several pocket pets. I keep begging her to stop because I truly do not believe that she is caring for them properly. I have asked her father to put a stop to it, but he just looks at me and responds with something like, 'they are JUST rodents; get over it'. GRRR
Her latest purchase has been ratties. She adopted 2 from petsmart and bought 2. I took one girl from her before the poor thing got pregnant because I could just see her not keeping them seperated. Then I got a look at how she is keeping these animals. (the 2 she has left - remember, I already have 2 of them at my house now, thank god). The cage is too small. THere are no toys - nothing fun for these babies to do. They are getting restless and aggresive. I dont know as much about rats as ya'll do here, but I know enough about life to know that this isnt good! I talked her into bringing one over to the house and letting me 'keep him for a while'. He was in a hamster cage. no toys, little bedding, and I think he is thin. He wouldnt socialize and just shuddered in his cage. This was yesterday morning. I wiped him down wiht warm rags whicvh he loved...he just relaxed in my hand. Then I got him another cage with ample bedding, toys and lots of stuff to entertain him. Just in one day, he is coming out to crawl into my hand and roll around. He LOVES the fresh fruits and veggies that Ive added to his diet and he is playing, cuddling, etc. Just in ONE day.
She still has one at the house. I KNOW its not being cared for adequately. I know she has good intentions, but its not enough. Actually, I guess I dont need advice - I love my child and dont want her to have hurt feelings because I know in HER mind, she LOVES these babies, but I cant allow what is obviously neglegence occur. That would be even worse.
I know what I need to do...I just need to figure out the best way to do it, I guess. And I need to figure it out FAST - I dont want the last rattie to get hurt, ill, or suffer any negative effects from what I believe is flat out negligence on her part. (that really stings to know Ive raised a child to near adulthood -slow or not - that could neglect an animal...UGH)
OK, so I know what I need to do - any advice on HOW to do it? I can continue taking her rats until I have a jillion here and it wont matter because Im afraid she will continue buying/adopting more. Is there a way to get these places to STOP selling her the animals? Does anyone have ANY kind of advice?
Thanks.
PS
I know that I mentioned Im ill with heart issues. I have arrangements made for my rats should I get sick or if I have to be hospitalized and even made back up arrangements for my back ups. (I just didnt want anyone to worry that my ratties would be neglected if I became ill again) Actually, I swear it is because of THEM That i feel better! LOL!!! YAY RATS!
To be honest, Im sort of ashamed to admit the above - Im not a child, and I am not ignorant - you would think I could have figured it out on my own, but I didnt...Im just grateful that the information was here for me to access so I didnt make a horrible decision.
But I digress....
I have a situation that is extremely delicate - advice would be so appreciated.
First off, I swear that the following information is relevant. My 18 year old daughter gave me my first rat just a few weeks ago (I mentioned this in my very 1st post. My 18 year odl daughter is emotionally slow - about 4 years behind her age (issue from birth). I became ill with a heart problem about a year ago when she started going through the NOT fun teenage angst, and between my illness and her distaste for my rules, it was decided that it was better fior her to live with her father for a while. During this time she has bought several pocket pets. I keep begging her to stop because I truly do not believe that she is caring for them properly. I have asked her father to put a stop to it, but he just looks at me and responds with something like, 'they are JUST rodents; get over it'. GRRR
Her latest purchase has been ratties. She adopted 2 from petsmart and bought 2. I took one girl from her before the poor thing got pregnant because I could just see her not keeping them seperated. Then I got a look at how she is keeping these animals. (the 2 she has left - remember, I already have 2 of them at my house now, thank god). The cage is too small. THere are no toys - nothing fun for these babies to do. They are getting restless and aggresive. I dont know as much about rats as ya'll do here, but I know enough about life to know that this isnt good! I talked her into bringing one over to the house and letting me 'keep him for a while'. He was in a hamster cage. no toys, little bedding, and I think he is thin. He wouldnt socialize and just shuddered in his cage. This was yesterday morning. I wiped him down wiht warm rags whicvh he loved...he just relaxed in my hand. Then I got him another cage with ample bedding, toys and lots of stuff to entertain him. Just in one day, he is coming out to crawl into my hand and roll around. He LOVES the fresh fruits and veggies that Ive added to his diet and he is playing, cuddling, etc. Just in ONE day.
She still has one at the house. I KNOW its not being cared for adequately. I know she has good intentions, but its not enough. Actually, I guess I dont need advice - I love my child and dont want her to have hurt feelings because I know in HER mind, she LOVES these babies, but I cant allow what is obviously neglegence occur. That would be even worse.
I know what I need to do...I just need to figure out the best way to do it, I guess. And I need to figure it out FAST - I dont want the last rattie to get hurt, ill, or suffer any negative effects from what I believe is flat out negligence on her part. (that really stings to know Ive raised a child to near adulthood -slow or not - that could neglect an animal...UGH)
OK, so I know what I need to do - any advice on HOW to do it? I can continue taking her rats until I have a jillion here and it wont matter because Im afraid she will continue buying/adopting more. Is there a way to get these places to STOP selling her the animals? Does anyone have ANY kind of advice?
Thanks.
PS
I know that I mentioned Im ill with heart issues. I have arrangements made for my rats should I get sick or if I have to be hospitalized and even made back up arrangements for my back ups. (I just didnt want anyone to worry that my ratties would be neglected if I became ill again) Actually, I swear it is because of THEM That i feel better! LOL!!! YAY RATS!