Chiaroscuro...A Tale Of Two Ears....Part 1.

Chiaroscuro and Mistletoe.

This a tragic love story.

Luckily neither the hero or heroine die...but they might have done.

I'm posting this to show all the people who want to keep more than one Winter White together what can happen when it goes wrong.

I have to stress that this, although distressing, was a mild attack.



He absolutely adored her... kisses all around.....all the time..
I paired them on the 5th of December, I hoped that they would be a lovely new Pearl pairing for 2009....and be together for life, as most Winters mate for lifer.
She is a beautiful, almost white Pearl and Chiri has the stunning markings of his father Avalanche.






....they spent two weeks making a wonderful home together,
17 days later....thing would be very different.....






....Chiaroscuro,

....my beautiful boy.
One of the models for my blog.......the last photograph I have of him as he was.






Mistletoe attacked Chiri two weeks and 3 days after they were paired.
She bit his back, abdomen and ripped both his ears, nearly removing his right ear. If I hadn't been at home to hear him screaming she may have killed him or caused him such serious wounds that he would die as a result or have to be put to sleep.

One of my boys, Rubellus, died from bite wounds, it was horrible and very upsetting. I didn't realize he was being attacked because he didn't make a sound when she bit him so,when I found him, it was too late. There was not a single mark on the female.

A very distressing photograph of Chiri as he was recuperating.
Taken three days after the attack when I knew he was going to be OK.
He had to have antibiotics from the vet which I had to administer daily.









Another three days on and the wounds are healing well.

Chiri is a strong and resilient boy.

He is very brave, friendly and also doesn't mind the attention he has to have to administer the medication he needs.









Another 3 days and he is doing really well.

Here, being held by my mum, he is showing what a lovely temperament he has.

You can still see how sore and injured his right ear is.