Elderly intros - I worry too much, BUT

[Debbie]

Ok, I have a dilema. My husband tells me I worry way too much about stuff like this, but I can't help it, I humanize my ratties (don't most of you?).

I'm sure some of you saw my post about my lumpy old girl, Dawn.

She was living with Nammie and Scout, two young ladies with lots of energy and liked to use Dawn as their own personal trampoline. Dawn's butt tumor is to the point where she doesn't need to be climbing up and down ramps, and I'd like her to be in a nice "retirement" cage with ratties her own age. A place where she has soft blankies, cuddle buddies and gentle hospice care.

I decided to try Dawnie with our other oldies Jim, Ginger, Phoebe and Adelina. 3 are all the same age as Dawn (pushing 2 1/2) and Addie turns two next month. Of course, all but Adelina have welcomed Dawn with open arms. Adelina on the other hand will NOT play nice. We went through many intro's that went well, but as soon as I moved Dawn in, Adelina turned into a she-devil. We've had Dawn in their cage for 4 days. Adelina has had numerous "time outs" in the carrier. She even spent the night in there last night (with food, water and blankies), but the minute I put her back, she went at Dawn again. This is certainly stressful for Dawnie, and I think it's getting to the others as well. They've even started sleeping next to Dawn or trying to block Addie from picking on her.

This is not your garden variety alpha stuff. She's left Dawn with a scratch under her eye, a few on her back, a pink ear (where she nipped, but didn't break the skin), and she even flipped her once and left a scratch across that delicate tumor that could ulcerate at any time. UGH! :sad3:

I don't want Dawnie to have to live alone. She gets along fine with the other three, who seem to have warmed right up to her. Addie on the other hand will not let it go. I just don't know what to do.

I've thought about moving Dawn back with the two young girls. But they are already happily living with Nammie's boys and are one big happy family again. But my goal to get Dawn in a nice quiet cage to live the rest of her life in peace....has failed, because of Adelina.

Ok, so I'm a rat abuser.....but I've given Addie a taste of her own medicine. I have her in our play area right now, with our two WSU lab boys (and yes, she's spayed). Instead of her making Dawn squeek, it's her turn. These wonderful boys wouldn't hurt a fly, and obviously adore Addie to no end.....erm....a little too much. They are relentless and are both in the igloo with her, doing all the lovely things that male rats do when they get to hang out with girls. :? They did get the "leap frog" game out of their system, but they are also like that younger brother that won't leave you alone "what are you doing Addie. Come on Addie. Let's run and play Addie".

She's not even puffy....just annoyed.

So, I'm considering moving Addie in with the boys, at least while Dawnie is still with us and living with the others.

So, here's where I know I worry too much, but I feel bad having to take Adelina away from the only friends she's ever known, for the sake of Dawnie.

What would you do? Keep trying with Dawn and Addie, so they can all stay in the same cage? Take Dawnie out and either make her live alone :sad3: or with Nammie and Scout again? Put Adelina with the two younger boys (Nick and Ben vote for this one, I'm sure!). I hate moving them around, and from the friends they love. But I also can't ever seem to bear ANYone having to live or die alone.

Sorry for yet ANOTHER long ramble. But I'm kind of at my wits end. I just want everyone happy and comfy.

 

[Debbie]

Well, apparently my husband is braver than I. He ended up putting Addie in the boys cage with them! EEK. But apparently, she's snuggled up sleeping with one, and the other is in the hammock nearby. So no one seems upset by this and the several hours together in the play area was just fine by them.

Unfortunately though, Dawnie and Jim had a disagreement. I have no doubt it wasn't Jim that instigated it. It probably did something like try to snuggle with Dawn. I think Dawnie is just in defense mode. So I need to just move her back out. :sad3: :sad3: I tried, but I think she's making the decision for us. She just doesn't want to try with any new friends and I won't put her through, what she doesn't want.

In all the years we've had rats, you'd think I'd learn that I should'nt mess with what works.

Thanks for letting me work this all out, here on the board.

 

[jorats]

I keep learning new behavioral stuff everyday. With rats, it's never one size fits all. But you did right... you try it out, you hash it out, you analyze to bits and then accept the decision the rat makes in the end.
Dawn clearly needs to be alone now... this is her end and she'll have it just her way.

Can I just say how lucky you are to have a partner as intuitive and loving as your hubby. My hubby tolerates my obsession but doesn't share it.

 

[Moon]

Awww, poor Dawn. But, it sounds like you're right, she's not going to be happy with buddies in her cage.

Maybe she can share out-time with the ones she made friends with?

 

[Debbie]

Thanks guys. Of course the rats made another decision as the day progressed and I hope they'll stick to this one. We will sit back and give it until tomorrow...and depending on the decsion...we'll be doing some cage rearranging then.

So, I get home from work today, to two unlikely rat cuddle piles. This of course could change at any moment :roll: so I won't count my chickens. Not only did Adelina do ok in the cage with Nick and Ben (something I would not have done, and scolded my hubby for), all three were snuggled up and sleeping (they still are actually) in the house together.

I also found Dawn snuggled in with Jim and Phoebe. Hubby said the scuffle with Dawn and Jim earlier, was really more a disagreement. Apparently it's been worked out. Nothing better than a snuggle pile.

So, we'll see how the night progresses. I'd really like to see Dawn have friends til the end. She's still very alert, and otherwise healthy...so she could have some time to come.

 

[mamarat]

Sounds like a plan. Hope your girl finds her niche with buddies.

 

[jorats]

She could have been grooming him and he decided he had enough. Rat teeth are so sharp, if one zigs while the other zags, then you get a slice. But doesn't always mean it was a fight.
Good to read that Dawn may keep her new friends.

 

[Debbie]

I think Dawnie is also a very vocal rat. Jim on the other hand is as gentle as they get. My thought is he was probably trying to give her a bonding groom and she was still so defensive over Adelina pestering her, that she just squealed at Jim. She's been a bit snotty about letting Jim in the house, but as of this minute, they are sleeping in the house together and there've been no more squeaks.

Adelina is still adjusting to the boys. But it's more because they are a little too over zealous about telling her how much they adore her. :roll: She cuddles right up next to them and sleeps, so I think she is ok with her grand admierers. :wink2:

We've decided this rearrangement seems to be working. So we'll go with it. Adelina will still get to visit with Jim and the girls during play time. So she stays in contact with them.

Ok, now we move on to guinea pig intro's. Those will prove to be even more exciting. :gaah:

 

[Godmother]

Good to see such a happy ending! Everybody wins. :heart:

 

[jorats]

At least this one's sorted out! :joy: