Current Events > Rat update: the white rat that survived pneumonia has a new buddy

(+) Yeah! (+)

DarkRoast posted...

This is one of those times where I'm glad I have compassion, but I'm not fundamentally very empathetic. I do legitimately feel bad for that rat, but it's something from which I can move on. I used to think my lack of empathy was a curse, but now I really believe it's a gift that helps me stay level-headed when things like this happen, so I can potentially fix it.

Empathy =/= compassion and can actually deprive someone of compassion depending on what they're empathizing with. Empathy isn't always a good thing and it often leads us to sacrifice others to favor the target of our empathy.

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DarkRoast posted...

So I'm devastated, Smokey developed tachypnea yesterday afternoon and with a few hours progressed extremely fast. I could tell he wasn't going to make it through the night, and he was clearly very scared. Only a few months old.

So I literally stayed up all night, holding him to keep him warm and comfortable. But then he started gasping for air through his mouth, which to me looked a lot like agonal breathing (the final stages of respiratory collapse and sometimes cardiac arrest).

He completely went ballistic, fell out of my hands, started crawling around on the floor with his eyes bulging, and then curled up and stopped moving. It was absolutely horrifying to watch.

I don't know what virus this was, but only Ratney survived.

If I wasn't already used to seeing this sort of thing in the hospital, I would have been legitimately traumatized.

Really sorry to hear that, but it's great that you comforted them as much as possible

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Questionmarktarius posted...

Have you considered a cabybara? They're good for a couple decades or so.

I have actually heard they are the chillest pets ever

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DarkRoast posted...

I have actually heard they are the chillest pets ever

Cornsnakes may disagree with this.

Glad he has a friend now

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RIP Smokey. Sorry to hear he went out like that, TC.

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Tyranthraxus posted...

Empathy =/= compassion and can actually deprive someone of compassion depending on what they're empathizing with. Empathy isn't always a good thing and it often leads us to sacrifice others to favor the target of our empathy.

I agree, and it's a shame it took me 30+ years to finally come to this conclusion. I remember as a teenager I was so upset that I didn't cry when my grandmother passed away, but in retrospect I loved her a lot, and I grieved in my own way. I know I'm still a good person, and that's all that matters, whether or not I feel strong emotions.


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DarkRoast posted...

I know I'm still a good person, and that's all that matters, whether or not I feel strong emotions.

I make a point of watching Ikiru at least once a year, just make sure I even still have emotions.

DarkRoast posted...

I agree, and it's a shame it took me 30+ years to finally come to this conclusion. I remember as a teenager I was so upset that I didn't cry when my grandmother passed away, but in retrospect I loved her a lot, and I grieved in my own way. I know I'm still a good person, and that's all that matters, whether or not I feel strong emotions.

I am reminded of this great video

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j2oSKW4Fv0Q

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I remember I had a psychology professor who said that there are two kinds of sociopaths - the good guys and the bad guys. And that they run equally extreme - good sociopaths are the best people to have around, while bad sociopaths are the worst.

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DarkRoast posted...

So I'm devastated, Smokey developed tachypnea yesterday afternoon and with a few hours progressed extremely fast. I could tell he wasn't going to make it through the night, and he was clearly very scared. Only a few months old.

So I literally stayed up all night, holding him to keep him warm and comfortable. But then he started gasping for air through his mouth, which to me looked a lot like agonal breathing (the final stages of respiratory collapse and sometimes cardiac arrest).

He completely went ballistic, fell out of my hands, started crawling around on the floor with his eyes bulging, and then curled up and stopped moving. It was absolutely horrifying to watch.

I don't know what virus this was, but only Ratney survived.

If I wasn't already used to seeing this sort of thing in the hospital, I would have been legitimately traumatized.

damn that's horrible.
my heart goes out to you and ratney

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Wtf the young one died too? That is really sad to hear :(
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So sorry to hear the news ;_;

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Wow I'm really sorry...

Ratney is very depressed today. They definitely have good understanding of what's going on

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apolloooo posted...

Glad he has a friend now

this is why you should read the full topic before posting...

DarkRoast posted...

Ratney is very depressed today. They definitely have good understanding of what's going on

is he gonna be ok a full month alone? i assume that is why you sped up the introduction process
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apolloooo posted...

Glad he has a friend now

Read all the posts /facepalm @apolloooo

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No_U_L7 posted...

this is why you should read the full topic before posting...

is he gonna be ok a full month alone? i assume that is why you sped up the introduction process

I'm keeping him out of his cage and holding him as much as I can, hopefully that helps.

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It's really crazy how much you grow attached to rats. I never felt all that attached to any other small pet.

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DarkRoast posted...

So I'm devastated, Smokey developed tachypnea yesterday afternoon and with a few hours progressed extremely fast. I could tell he wasn't going to make it through the night, and he was clearly very scared. Only a few months old.

So I literally stayed up all night, holding him to keep him warm and comfortable. But then he started gasping for air through his mouth, which to me looked a lot like agonal breathing (the final stages of respiratory collapse and sometimes cardiac arrest).

He completely went ballistic, fell out of my hands, started crawling around on the floor with his eyes bulging, and then curled up and stopped moving. It was absolutely horrifying to watch.

I don't know what virus this was, but only Ratney survived.

If I wasn't already used to seeing this sort of thing in the hospital, I would have been legitimately traumatized.

My God. I was considering getting a pair of rat friends to help me through the pandemic... But not if I have to go through this. Nope nope nope.

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The_Creep_2020 posted...

Absolutely adorable!

I used to have a few the same colour as your new ratty.

I miss having rats, but my wifes allergic to them.

Read all the posts @The_Creep_2020


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Deleted my previous post.

I am so sorry, TC. That is just awful.

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Godnorgosh posted...

I don't understand why you let the rats hang out together while one was infectious.

She didnt think he was infectious any more.

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