.:Jellybean:.
Jellybean is a very special rat, and very fortunate I obtained her when I did. You hear about those pet store horror stories but I never thought I would be the one telling the story...
On November 17th, 2004 I purchased Jellybean. When I held her the first time she was sneezing and seemed very lethargic. Love at first sight struck again with me and Jellybean. I couldn't get a hold of my boy friend to see if it was ok so I purchased her on impulse and brought her home. Her and Fefe seemed to fight a lot which is common with rats, but this was very odd how Fefe seemed to always win. I started to notice "bloody marks" around her nostrils and she sneezed and coughed a lot. So I called the vet at the local PetsMart in which I purchased her. I told her the symptoms and the nurse on duty informed me that Jellybean sounded like she had upper respiratory infection and that it was very contagious among rats. I was devastated that PetsMart had sold me a sick rat. Me and my boyfriend went back up to PetsMart and they told me that "all the rats sneeze when they change the bedding" which is kind of stupid to say since that was the only time they paid any attention to the rats. I was horrified that they tried to say that she got sick in the 24 hours I had her. Talked to the Vet on duty and he claimed it has an incubation period of at least 7 days.
PetsMart offered to give me my money back for Jellybean or a "replacement" rat. I started crying right then and there because in my heart I knew Jellybean was meant for me. My boyfriend then talked to the manager and the manager claimed he would ask if we could have reimbursement of the Vet bills. I have yet to hear from him.
I know if I would not have gotten her she would have died there. PetsMart was not paying a lick of attention to their pets. It disturbs me that they wrote off all the rats sneezing due to bedding change. I love Jellybean. She is my child so to speak. Can you "replace" one of your children?! I spent way more than $8 for her, and I am glad I did. I would not have had a better way to spend my money than taking care of my loved ones. She is yet another one of my pride and joys.
© Cristy Goforth
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