New addition to the family

General News
#1

OK. I know most out there will ■■■ ■■■ this, but here we go.

Lost one of our rats a few weeks ago. The remaining one (Rosie) has become a bit of a recluse since. Poor thing is lonely and doesn’t come out any more. She’s gone very quiet.

Thought that we would buy a young couple of girls to keep her company. Easy? No. Nowhere had any females. Looked online in the end and found a female for sale about 40 miles from us.

Went over and bought her. Seemed OK at the time, but when we got her home she was really frightned. I don’t think that she has been handled properly (if atall) since she was born (about 4 months ago) She bit my finger hard whilst my hand was close to her cage and drew blood. First time that I have ever been bitten by a rat (and we have had a few) Also she went mental as soon as she was in close proximity to Rosies cage. :?

Anyway. After 2 days of letting her loose around our spare room with lots of bits to interest her (Vase, string, baskets, towells etc) we just sat there for 2hrs at a time and waited for her to come to us.

She has turned really quickly and we can now place our hands into her cage without fear of being attacked. She is still a little skitty, but all is going really well to be honest. Her cage is now placed next to Rosies and she seems more curious than aggresive now.

The place we got her from was run from a house by a young couple, looked like they were in their early twenties. Very nice webpage that looks extremely proffesional, but the rats were kept in tiny cages that were all dirty and way too small. Looked like they had a shed full of cages down the garden too. Lel is all up for reporting them to the RSPCA. Don’t think their intentions are bad, but they seem a bit clueless about pets.

Sad story really. Sorry to all you non rat lovers, but as Lel said to me: It’s either another rat or a baby! :shock:

This is the news section, a lot of people may think it’s daft, but it’s big news for us two as they are part of our family.

Anyways. We got her and here she is, sure she will turn out to be one loving rattie. This is their photo and not mine. She looks a bit frightned on it to be honest. Krike, Lel was up for taking them all home: :shock:

http://img185.imageshack.us/img185/5623/roxiepv2.jpg

Dee.

#2

40 miles for a Rat :shock:
I know you and Lel love your rats and a rat couldn’t have a better home but I’m not really a rat lover.
I used to keep rats but for a totally different reason (no they weren’t pets) and to be honest I was scared of those nashers and never handled mine.

#3

We’ve got two rats,rattie and smudge.The are getting on abit now(for rats)smudge is a dumbo rat,you can tell by the forward facing ears and she is blind.Rattie her friend helps her out and often takes her food…bless.Cool creatures very under rated as pets.

#4

From the sounds of it I think I now need to change my user name :roll: :lol: :lol:

#5

:lol: :lol: :lol: yeah now ive read it back it does sound funny…do you have forward facing ears by any chance :rofl: :rofl: :rofl:

#6

Well it’s really weird.

Every one that has had to be put down has actually come out of the cage and given us the look. You can’t explain it, but you just know that they have had enough.

The 1st day we got the new rat, Rosie came out and sat on Lel’s shoulder as the new one went nuts.

The 2nd day Rosie quietly sniffed the others cage and then sat about a foot away.

Tonight Rosie started clamouring to come out. Lel opened her door only to be pushed out of the way, which is very unusual. Rosie then went and sat on top of newbies cage and they started just sniffing each other. Rosie just stayed there and looked at us both. Think she’s trying to tell us that they are going to be OK.

You can think what you like about rats, but they are very intellegent and I’m sure that it’s us that are daft.

Anyways. Hope to introduce them both soon.

Dee.

PS Has GTO Smudge really got big ears? :wink:

#7

Great to hear Roxy is coming along now, after ‘teething’ troubles over the first few days.

Personally, having met your ratties, I think they are dead cute, and can see the attraction. Don’t think for 2 minutes it’s ‘daft’ feeling like you do, whatever pet you have, they become part of your family.

Hopefully Roxy will go a little way to ease your recent loss, not forget, just ease.

Enjoy your new baby guys, you’ve escaped the nappies this time Dee :wink: :lol:

Tracie :slight_smile:

#8

[quote] you’ve escaped the nappies this time Dee :wink: :lol:

Tracie :)[/quote]

Aye. ■■■■■■ close call though. :shock:

Dee.

#9

Something nice about owning rodents - i’ve had several hamsters. Only got one at the moment (had six at one point!) and when she’s gone i’m thinking of moving on to either rats or chinchillas.

Glad the new one is starting to settle in 8)

#10

Rodents aren’t really my thing but like my cats, they are a part of the family. I’m sure your new addition will have a far better life than it was having.
Don’t be scared of reporting the others to the right people, if animals are being mistreated they need protection.
The RSPCA may just point them in the right direction and it will benefit all concerned.

Mark. :slight_smile:

#11

I agree with Mark, report them. They will get some good advice before anything serious is done so it may well help them.

The new addition looks good. Had a rat when I was younger (basil) and he was great.

#12

Hey Dee,

Glad you guys have got soted on the rat front. As above im sure she couldn’t have gone to a better home.

Best wishes for your now complete family (without the bloody sleepless nights :twisted: )

cheers

#13

Think we are all sorted.

The rats have been kept separate in two cages, left next to each other for ages. (about 10 days) Obviously with about 2hrs of play time every night.

Finally went upstairs to our own bedroom to introduce them to each other. This is the only room in the house that neither of them have ever been. (Nutrual territory) Lel donned a pair of gardening gloves and a bottle of water spray from the local garden centre incase things hit off. :shock:

It all went brilliantly though. They are now living together and grooming each other. Rosie was getting very boney as she wasn’t bothering to eat, but now that she has a new cage mate she seems much more interested in life. Been out lots and trying to be the 1st in for her food. Total relief to us both.

Roxy has actually stopped nipping us and is a totally gorgeous loving rat now. Bless.

All in all it’s a happy household at the Jones’s. 8)

Thanks for your time reading this. I know rats are not every boddies bag on here. :?

Dee.

#14

Had to have Rosie put down yesterday.

Got a call from Lel whilst I was at work. Rushed home and had to have Rosie put to sleep. You could just tell it in her eyes that she had had enough… You just sort of know.

Just the newbie left now. :shock:

She is looking lonely so we are picking up a dumbo on Monday. When will it end? Pissed off with getting upset every time I pull the spade from the shed. Digging and crying doing me in. At least they are rested besides each other, which is how we got them and where they should end. Besides all that we are running out of pot plants and paving stones!

Anyways. Here’s the new one that we will pick up on Monday.

http://www.kkpets.co.uk/album/3/73505579.JPG

Dee.

#15

:frowning: :frowning: :frowning: :frowning:

I know how gutting it is guys. Sorry to hear of yet another loss for ya, Mabye a new fresh pair of young un’s is whats needed to give all a new lease on life ?

:expressionless: :expressionless:

#16

Losing any pet is a hard Dee , whatever it may be .

Hopefully the two young uns will give you some happiness

Regards

Craig :slight_smile: