April 2010
1 post
It's Been Forever...
It’s been over a month since I’ve updated the girls’ blog, so here I am.
For an exciting bit of news, I e-mailed Rattie Ratz Rescue (RRR) inquiring about their adoption application and showing interest in two of their available girls. Meet Mocha, a three-month-old agouti girl who would become Berlin, and Hazelnut, a three-month-old faun girl who would become Lyon. It’s...
February 2010
10 posts
Acrobatics!
London and Paris’ Angelina Ballerina Rat Lounge arrived this morning, so I put it in their cage only to bring out the camera and snap several action (and non-action) shots of their exploring of it! London, however, decided that several wasn’t enough! She proceeded to turn many acrobatic tricks that I managed to capture, to the best of my ability, on camera - much to the delight of my...
One Step Forward, Two Steps Back
EDIT: London has been reverting to old habits. I’m not sure what’s been up with her, but it’s a little disconcerting, not to mention dishearting, considering she’s been nipping as hard as she has been. I’m not sure what to do about it other than consult the communicator and see if she can reach London and have her tell me what’s up. I’d really like to...
Photo Shoot v1
I decided I’d attempt to shoot the girls against the chocolate backdrop of my bedsheets and curtains. Paris, who’s a bit more cautious than London will ever be, explored the bed with caution, but more or less stood still whenever I pointed the camera at her. London, however, was “doing it wrong” the whole dern time!
Paris:
Flawless rat stack!
London:
Would...
The Box!
So I took a box and cut some doors and a flap in it for the girls. I couldn’t get pictures of the girls in it, but I have a video I might later upload to YouTube of them climbing inside and out of it. Though they’re a bit cautious, they overall seem to be enjoying it, so I’m happy leaving it in their play pen.
Photo Opp.
Paris
London
London
Bruxing Success
Last night, I was sitting in the shower with the girls. I almost regret not getting a video of it, that’s how much fun they seemed to be having! They were performing acrobatic, flying leaps from my shoulders to my knees to the other end of the shower and back; they were climbing up my arms, over my shoulders and into my hair (Paris even settled down on top of my head a couple times); they...
Pictures of the New CN!
It’s been a while since I’ve updated, but managed to get their CN set-up and running! Here are some pictures of the set up.
January 2010
38 posts
Too Cute
Snack Food... v3
Dried banana chips
Tri-tip
Cooked pasta
Cheese
Ice
Corn
...
This plate was filled with corn and peas. Could they have made it more obvious how they felt about the peas?
Grocery List - 31.01.10
Shopping list for 31.01.10. Ingredients enough for the following:
1/2 to 1 lb. dry rolled oats
Malt-O-Meal, Quaker or Kashi.
6.4 oz. box puffed rice cereal
1 12 oz. box Total Cereal
1/4 to 1/2 lb. roasted, unsalted soy nuts
1/2 lb dried fruits
1/2 lb dry pasta
2/3 cup sunflower seeds
1/4 lb muesli (optional)
Raisins
Gerber Baby Food
...
Girls Gone Tired
So Paris had another outing, and this time I brought London along with me. Both had a great time, but after almost three hours out, we’re all a little exhausted. Here are some pictures I snapped of the girls snuggling up napping.
A picture of Paris because she was too cute.
And the both of them.
And I woke them up trying to catch them being cute; they didn’t appreciate it...
Snack Food... v2
Dried banana chips
Tri-tip
Cooked pasta
Cheese
Ice
Good Move
I am so, so glad I decided to go with the Chinchilla dustbath as opposed to the igloo. It’s roomier, I can put bedding inside of it and keep it contained, it can act as a digging box with hidden treats inside, or, as London proved tonight, it’s an alternative place to sleep when Paris sprawls out and takes up the whole cube. Here’s a picture of London crashed out in the dustbath...
Melting My Heart
Paris is currently curled up against my chest, burrowing into my hair and shutting her sleepy eyes. ♥
EDIT: Click here for an image of it. She climbed out of their special pouch to be with me.
Controversy
So there’s been some personal, family-related controversy regarding my video. FIRST AND FOREMOST, I want to point out that I am not in any way suggesting the rats were neglected. Secondly, I’d like to point out that when I mention “something loves me unconditionally other than my family,” this is not hinting at that I feel the rats are more important or the unconditional...
Snack Food... v1
So I wanted to compile a list of snack foods the girls like thusfar, and I’ll have different versions of the same post whenever I introduce a new food that they like. So without further adieu…
Dried banana chips
Tri-tip
Cooked pasta (they go crazy for it)
There’s not much more at the moment, considering they’re such picky eaters! But I’ve taken to saying...
First YouTube Upload v1
I promise to get a YouTube video uploaded to my channel soon! I’ve taken several videos on my camera, but it’s not quite enough, in my mind, to be worthy of a first video, mainly because most of the focus has been on the cage and its temporary set-up, and I’d rather the focus be on the actual girls. I’ll more than likely end up doing a slideshow/mixed media video sometime...
This Is What Hair Is Good For
A Breakthrough?
The bonding pouch I ordered came in today. It’s huge, much larger than I expected, and it’ll fit both girls easily. I let Paris try it out, but “swapped her out” for London, considering Paris had quite the excursion (more below). London was unsure about it at first, but I cradled her in my hand through the fabric, and she came to life. She let me stroke her ears, then her...
WatchTerrible sound quality - blame my shitty built-in microphone - but a couple people demanded videos of the girls. I have a couple on my camera I should be uploading to here and to YouTube, but until then, here’s something to tide you over.
And for the record, she continued to burrow in and through my hair for about an hour after I ended the video…
YouTube Channel
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The Rat Diary
PetSmart Run!
Hoping to get to PetSmart tomorrow after therapy, as the animal communicator suggested something more durable to hide in. I’ll be picking out an igloo (among other things), and I want to get it as soon as possible as London told the communicator she’d like one. Paris, however, was/is/seemed indifferent. Regardless, I want to get a Wodent Wheel (it might help London work off some of her...
24-Hours Time
Got home at 6:00. Ran up the stairs to see my girlies to be met with their small faces peering through the bars of their r680, their little hands clutching the wires as they climbed up towards the door. Of course, the moment I reached the door, they scampered off under their favourite shelf, but they quickly came back out to sniff my hand when I reached inside the cage. London’s a nibbler...
False Alarm
Turns out London is fine - phew! I got home, and she could blink both eyes and open both all the way, so I’m assuming it was the latter, and she was simply laying down to sleep. Thank the Goddess.
New Mommy Nerves
So London’s eye seems to be acting up, and I’m not sure what’s wrong with her. It could be anything from her getting poked in the eye (there was a hard-to-reach zip tie I neglected to cut) to having got into a sister vs. sister scrap to having been sleepy/squinty-eyed before taking a nap. I’m beyond hoping it’s the latter, and it’s worrying me sick as I’m...
First Day Photos
London
Paris saying “hai!”
Saying hello!
London’s turn to say hello.
Paris got a bath!
London, meet Prince. Prince, London.
Cage Is Up
So the cage is up, not too stocked at the moment. I figure I didn’t want to stock it too much considering they’ll be moved to a different cage (or should be) by the end of next week. However, I got the cage set up, put food in their bowl, water in the water bottle and I’m anticipating their arrival. We’re leaving in a couple hours to go pick them up; I can hardly wait. In...
New Cage, New Girls
So after what felt like a long morning, I got home and tore open the box containing the cage. I’m delighted! I had the measurements, of course, but I didn’t realise how nice it would actually be until I opened up the box! It’s currently laying flat on the floor of my room; the c-rings are a pain in the ass, so we’re going to make a run to the hardware store in order to pick...
Arrival and Plans
So the Pooh set arrived earlier, and it’s adorable. I can’t wait to get the CN so I can hang it up and I can’t wait for them to be put into use. I’m sure the girls will love them, and I can’t wait to have the matching cube and liners - assuming I even placed an order for them (I experienced a black-out after an Ativan mishap).
I believe the Martin’s should be...
Ordered!
Hoping it goes well with my pink set!
Approval!
So I received an e-mail approving of my application. I got questioned as to whether or not I would be interested in meeting the twins and talking with their foster mother, and I suggested setting up a time to meet with the foster mother and pick up the girls at the same time. Turns out they’re only around six-months-old, so I’ll have the time of my life socialising, caring for and...
Going After a New Set
Hoping to have a couple different sets for when the girls arrive - the Pooh Bear set and then the pink set, to which I’ve decided to add an order of the following:
I’ve been attracted to the set since I saw it, and considering it’s been a little while, I decided I’m not going to fall out of love with it and that I must have it. It’ll be perfect for...
Nervous Excitement v2
I ended up deleting v1 of Nervous Excitement, as I felt my whinging was unnecessary to spoil a good blog, considering that’s all it was – whinging. I’ve contacted numerous people and am still waiting on a response from Black Wolf Rattery, but I’ve slept on it and I feel it’s not worth it to return my Martin’s for what would be 65.00. In the event that you weren’t able to read my predicament, it’s...
She Said Yes!
I talked with my mother tonight regarding the rats, and there’s not much more to say than she practically said “yes”! She wants to see the pictures of the rats tomorrow, and read their descriptions, and she’ll give me her answer then as to whether or not I can submit the application, but she essentially said she doesn’t care what I do because she’s not going to...
"Sweetie"
I was more or less disappointed to find out that “Sweetie” has an interested customer, leaving deemed Chloe and Cleo (as I will refer to “the twins” from now on) available. I put in my name in the event “Sweetie” becomes available again, but I figure, looking on the bright side, Chloe and Cleo both seem very sweet themselves, both of whom I was initially drawn...
Rescues and Falling In Love
I’ve learnt it’s a bad idea to name rescues, because you’ll more than likely end up falling in love with one or more of them. Their names are “Sweetie” and then the two referred to as “the twin girls,” but I’ve determined that their soul names (hehe) are Elliotte, Chloe and Cleo.
Elliotte
Chloe
Cleo
Best part is they’re local…...
The Scooby-Doo Fabric!
Isn’t it adorable?!
A Generous Gift!
So the 500.00 ended up being a gift, and though I thanked him through e-mail several times over, I feel I haven’t done enough to show him exactly how much I appreciated the money. Now, I not only have the money to pay off what I owe, but the money to acquire what I need from PetSmart and to pay for the boys themselves - and in the end, will probably have some left over! My only predicament...
Financial Update
My grandfather ended up sending me 500.00! I wrote him back offering to return 400.00 of it, as I needed a small loan and nothing more. Regardless, I’ve replenished my savings and have what remains of that hundred (plus the other four hundred) in my checking account, which is what I’ll be using to purchase/compensate for the items I have on hold and those that I’ve bought. I...
And Even More...
I ordered a bonding pouch in the above fabric. Originally, I’d intended to purchase a bonding pouch from Dapper Rat, but taking into account shipping costs (seeing as I’m in the U.S.) and whether it was solid fabric or print, I feel I made the better choice - not to mention I got a cute print out of it! Who doesn’t like The Lion King?
I’ll also be sending the 35.00 for...
More Purchase(s)
I found a couple people who are interested in doing the shelf liners, but ended up going with what I felt was the better deal. I’m getting two shelf liners, in light yellow and pale blue, and a pan liner, in whatever colour she decides, for 18.00 plus 4.95 shipping - 22.95 in total. I’m a little disappointed seeing as I’ll have to dip into my savings fund in order to purchase the...
Recent Purchase(s)
So I ordered my Martin’s the other day - an r680 - and I’m sitting on pins and needles waiting for it to arrive. I ordered a powder-coated cage, a 4” aluminum food dish, a 16oz glass water bottle and a spring to hold the water bottle in place for a total of 136.00. Despite it feeling pricey, I’m very satisfied with my purchase and hope to use Martin’s as a shopping...