Rescue ratty has a long road ahead.

This is Luther. Rich and I picked him up today from our local Animal Shelter . They are seriously the most wonderful shelter, with the most amazing staff, and I can't thank them enough for rescuing this guy and giving him another chance at a happy life.

Luther was found wandering the parking lot of an apartment complex. I'm convinced that someone decided they didn't want to keep him anymore, and dumped him out in the wild to fend for himself. He's an old boy, I'm thinking around the age of 2. He's seriously skin and bones, with a leaky eye, scruffy fur, lacerations to his tail, and the tip of one of his toes missing. Something must have tried to get him while he was out there and he's super lucky it hasn't been cold these last few days, otherwise he would have frozen to death. I hope karma is swift and gives the horrible person who did this to him just what's coming to them.

And yet, despite all that he's been through, Luther is a sweetheart. He just wants to be loved, and is perfectly content to sit in my arms, or ride on my shoulder. I started him on a course of antibiotics to help him heal, and he's got constant access to good food and fresh water. He'll be in a small, cozy hospital cage until he starts to feel better, and then we'll see about getting him into the big colony. Poor little Luther probably doesn't have too much longer left on ths earth considering his age and condition, but I'm determined to make sure that he knows he's safe and very loved while he's here.

Oh look at that face.. Kat, your posts make me cry!

Gah, what is wrong with people! I just want to shake them. How dare they do this to such a beautiful, tender-hearted creature like Luther. Their loss entirely, and your gain Kat.

I'm so happy he's in a wonderful place. I must say, his color is stunning. I've only ever seen one other rattie that was completely white all over. He looks like a little snowball of love - a real beauty!

The story of my first rescue, but she was lucky, a tiny baby still in the petstore box dumped under a car in a parking lot in November. Luther is also a lucky boy even though at the other end of the age spectrum, but he'll make every day count from now on in your loving arms!

fortunate boy. Hope he is soon feeling much better.
I am sure he will love having friends

People sucks!!!! Well, not us on the forum, but you guys know what I mean. Kat, you know it - karma will come there way.... and you my dear should have nothing but wonderful things coming your way!

You guys are all amazing, it's people like all of you that give me faith in the human race, especially after encountering a situation like Luther's. He's so, so sweet, I can't understand how he's this loving after everything he's been through. He's been taking his medicine like a champ, I'm so proud of him. And when he's out for play time, he runs all over and is so excited, so I think we may still get a good few months out of him yet before he really starts to slow down.

I'm lucky that this sweet little guy popped up in my life, especially right now after just losing Nancy. I feel like she sent him my way, knowing that we'd both be good for each other.

Luther= Best Christmas gift EVER Nice one, Nancy :thumbup:

Little Luther has been doing so well. He's been taking his antibiotics like a champ, and I feel like I can already see a slight difference in him. He's been doing great on his new diet, a mixture of my home made rat food to make sure he gets all of the vitamins and minerals he needs, coupled with baby food, which is tasty, easy to digest, and encourages him to put on some weight. He cleans his bowl out every day, and is always eager for treats. He loves coming out to play. His favorite thing to do is run all over the bed like a maniac, haha.

Mommy and daddy are so proud of you, little Luther. Keep up the good work and you'll be better in no time!

well done luther! You are a very special boy!

What a sweetheart! He knows he is very lucky. May he return to health and have lots of quality time with you.

Can not understand how someone could discard an animal.

Thank you guys so much! Luther's doing SO well, it's like he knows he has a team rooting for him <3

So I started intros with the big colony today. (Before anyone says anything about quarantine, he was given a clean bill of health at the shelter by their vet, minus his physical wounds.) and I'm in total shock. Bowie, who is my most difficult rat, LOVES Luther. Loves him. It's so strange, because Bowie is always my problem child when it comes to intros, normally I have to take him away and let the rest of the colony get situated with the newbie, then allow Bowie back after everyone else accepts the newbie. But this time he's completely different. He and Luther have spent the last 3 hours sleeping together in this hammock. I'm blown away!

Doesn't Luther look so content? I've never seen a look on his face that happy before.

Way to go Bowie, he knows Luther's had a rough road and needs a special buddy &#9825;

This just makes me so happy. So so so so haaaapppyyyy!! Lovely picture! :toothy2:

How is Sid doing Kat?

Claireybell2477 said:

How is Sid doing Kat?

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Sid is doing really well! I was originally going to intro Luther in with him, but Sid wasn't really having any of it, and he's so much bigger than Luther (Sid is big in general, he's a huge, muscular rat) and I was worried he may hurt him. Just his scent would make Sid all huffy and puffy.

So right now Sid is living in his own cage, but he can see the other boys, they're all only about 2 feet away from him. I'm going to get him neutered after the holidays, and try intros then.

In the meantime though, he's been spending a lot of time with me, out of the cage. I feel bad that he's lonely so I try to give him extra attention (And extra treats!) He's been warming up to me a lot more, which is nice. Hopefully after his neuter intros will go smoothly

Sid doesn't want boys! I think my Stewie has been talking to him and telling him to hold out for the harem.... Stewie is scared to death of boy rats, but he &#9825;'s his harem of five!!!

dspch911 said:

Sid doesn't want boys! I think my Stewie has been talking to him and telling him to hold out for the harem.... Stewie is scared to death of boy rats, but he &#9825;'s his harem of five!!!

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If I had the space for another cage, and the budget for a few more ratties, then maybe I'd consider it, haha. I stopped keeping female rats though, because their mammary tumors were so heart breaking. I know spaying reduces the chances, but then spaying makes me nervous too after Rhydian.

Maybe if, after his neuter, Sid still doesn't do well with intros, then I'll foster a pair of already spayed ladies from a rescue and see how they do.

Poor little Luther's tail. The scabs have all flaked off at this point, but he's got some nasty scars left behind. He's been healing so well, and I seriously can't get over how sweet he is despite everything.

And here's luther being a little cutie to lighten the mood <3

Congratulations, what a doll
I noticed he has a "thatched-roof" appearance over his kidney area, which means his little kidneys are not may not be top shape --really common in older (esp. male) rats, or he may have been fed a diet too high in protein, but either way have a peek at this article http://www.2ndchance.info/ratkidney.htm

Canarats said:

Congratulations, what a doll
I noticed he has a "thatched-roof" appearance over his kidney area, which means his little kidneys are not may not be top shape --really common in older (esp. male) rats, or he may have been fed a diet too high in protein, but either way have a peek at this article http://www.2ndchance.info/ratkidney.htm

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What do you mean by "thatched-roof" appearance? I've never heard this before and I'm interested!

Luther is old, sadly, and I'm not sure what he ate prior to coming to me, but I'm sure it was crappy food that DEFINITELY put a lot of stress on his kidneys. I make my own food, so I can carefully balance what goes into it and he's on a low protein/high carb diet I formulated for my oldies right now The small amount of proteins that he does get are easily soluble ones like egg, insect, or fish, as opposed to ones that are harder for his little kidneys to break down, like beef, pork, or other large animal proteins He always has access to fresh, clean water too.

Thank you for the link though. I'm always willing to read new sources of information, and I've never come across that link before.