RBR Applejack

January 2005- September 2007

My Applejack came to me with her sister Meniscus in the early spring of 05'. She was a tiny thing and a "mistake" from an accidental breeding of rats that were shipped to her breeder from the west coast.

Initially, I wasn't too excited about getting this girl. She had red eyes which , at the time, I found to be creepy.However, I needed a cagemate for my other ratty and they were the same age, and from the same rattery so she came to live with us too. At first Applejack lived up to the expectations I had of her. While my other rat wanted to sit with me and lick me, all Applejack wanted to do was run around and explore. She had no intensions of humoring my need to have a placid rat!

I was content with both of my first girls, but it wasn't until Meniscus was sent back to her breeder to be bred that I engaged in a special bond with Applejack.

Alone for three weeks, I made sure that she had plenty of out time and enrichment so that she wouldnt get bored or lonely. I took it upon myself to try to potty train Applejack and to get her to come when called.

What I realized when we started our training is that Applejack was extremly intelligent and very responsive to me. This rat that I thought had little affection for me, started coming when I called her name. Applejack became my only rat to come every single time she was called. I could be standing far on the other side of a room and call her name and she would come right for me. It was incredible.

She also took her potty training very seriously. She picked that up quickly as well and seemed to enjoy being civil enough to quarentine her mess to one section. On numberous occasions I saw her wake up and get out of her hammock, just to use her potty. This amazes me to this day, and I only wish she would have tought it to my other rats!

As Applejack reached a year she settled down enough for me to really enjoy and bond with her. She would take the time to play first and then come over to me and sit and lick my hands and sit on my shoulder. She became a true friend and I found I enjoyed her spunk for life and play, as well as her loving affectionate side.

Applejack kept going strong up until her very last day. Always the "mousy" type, she only lost a little weight with age, and had no problems except for failing vision. Even as an old woman, with little sight, Applejack trusted me enough to follow my voice, and come running across the room.

She was a very special little soul and a great gift. I will never forget that I took her for granted at first, and how seriously she took the buisness of proving her worth to me. There will never be another rat like her and I miss her very much. I would give anything to get that smiling, sly little face back, but I know she is in a peaceful place. Play hard my little girl. I hope to see you again someday.

 

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