I was born in the year of the rat, under the Chinese zodiac. I took this to be a SIGN when I decided to adopt fancy rats in early 2017. On January 7, 2017 I brought home three fancy rats from the Humane Society: Xena, Gabrielle, and Dottie-Callisto.
Gabrielle, one of my first fancy rat companions
This is not a post that represents “philosophy in the world.” I am using this post as an opportunity to share publicly some memories of my rat Gabrielle, who passed away on December 21.
If you read my blog about the construction of rat sexuality, then you know a little about Gabrielle’s recent health. She died after having two mammary tumors removed. Though the surgery resulted in the successful removal of the tumors, the recovery proved to be too much stress. Fortunately, the vet called me and I was able to be with Gabi for her last hour.
Trivia: Dumbo rats
Gabrielle was a dumbo rat. Dumbo rats are characterized by their ears, which are located more on the lower side of their heads, rather than near the top. See the pictures below for examples!
Licks
After she passed, one of the vet techs told me that Gabrielle had given her some good licks that morning before her surgery. The tech’s comment made me smile, because one of the first things I think about when I think of Gabrielle is her love of licking. While Xena and Dottie will clean out my ear wax or pick my nose, Gabi just loved licking–hands, feet, face, whatever.
Hiding
Gabrielle loved to hide. In my previous apartment, she hid under the cedar chest when she sensed that playtime was about to end for the night.
Gabrielle also loved to hide beneath the dishwasher. My barriers became increasingly heavier to respond to her cleverness!
Now that I live in a two-bedroom apartment, the rats have their own room. In her bedroom, Gabi frequented the box condo-complex I assembled more than she hid underneath the cedar chest. Lucky for me at bed time!
Eating
As the video illustrates, Gabrielle could be motivated by food. I enjoyed watching her hunt for food that I would hide around her room, or jostle the other rats to get to snacks quicker. Sometimes she found food not intended for her. Luckily I had eaten all the cookies in this tupperware by the time Gabi got to it!
Happy memories
I carry many happy memories of Gabrielle, such as looking up to see her climbing this bookcase!
Or this moment when I caught her erecting a barrier between the two huts in her cage:
Yesterday I picked up Gabrielle’s ashes. The certificate of cremation lists the date of her cremation, along with a note that my decision to cremate her is “an expression of your gratitude for the unselfish devotion and companionship your pet shared with you.”
Gratitude
Gabrielle didn’t have much of a choice in her devotion to me, as I controlled most of her activities. I tried to provide opportunities for her to exercise ratty choices. These opportunities weren’t unqualified (hence, the dishwasher barriers).
While “unselfish devotion” may be too strong a phrase, I am grateful. Gabrielle provided emotional care labour, which in many ways was presumed to be always available and not requested. I valued her licks and snuggles, and the opportunity to play with her and observe her projects.
Xena, Dottie, and I miss her.
