Dale
Interventions won't work
My designated feeders that are bred are just that, food. I know it, and I will gas them without a 2nd thought. My breeders, that are thought of as pets, are just that, parts of the family. My best, most personable female since I started my recent colony, passed tonight. She seemed to be having difficulty over the passed few days, but none of the typical sneezing, weezing etc. typical of the RI's that you would look for. She simply withered and gave up.
I know the common advice would be "vet", but I promised myself I had to be methodical about culling the weak when it comes to building a quality colony, even if it means losing a "pet". I'm almost embarrassed to say how much it hit me to find her tonight, and it will be more difficult to tell my daughters in the morning. I guess that is what it is to care for animals, any animal. We had named her Ratatoille (sp?) after the rat in the movie that I had taken my daughters to a few months back. OK, sap mode off. I promise to grow my man parts back in the morning.

I know the common advice would be "vet", but I promised myself I had to be methodical about culling the weak when it comes to building a quality colony, even if it means losing a "pet". I'm almost embarrassed to say how much it hit me to find her tonight, and it will be more difficult to tell my daughters in the morning. I guess that is what it is to care for animals, any animal. We had named her Ratatoille (sp?) after the rat in the movie that I had taken my daughters to a few months back. OK, sap mode off. I promise to grow my man parts back in the morning.
