I would have taken a picture of the finished meal but we ate it to quickly, i highly recommend this dish for fun/vegetarians/ rat lovers everywhere.


* 2 tablespoons olive oil
* 2 cloves garlic, crushed and minced
* 1 large onion, quartered and thinly sliced
* 1 small eggplant, cubed
* 2 green bell peppers, coarsely chopped
* 4 large tomatoes, coarsely chopped, or 2 cans (14.5 ounces each) diced tomatoes
* 3 to 4 small zucchini, cut into 1/4-inch slices
* 1 teaspoon dried leaf basil
* 1/2 teaspoon dried leaf oregano
* 1/4 teaspoon dried leaf thyme
* 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley

Preparation:
In a 4-quart Dutch oven or saucepan, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add garlic and onions and cook, stirring often, until softened, about 6 to 7 minutes. Add eggplant; stir until coated with oil. Add peppers; stir to combine. Cover and cook for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally to keep vegetables from sticking.

Add tomatoes, zucchini, and herbs; mix well. Cover and cook over low heat about 15 minutes, or until eggplant is tender but not too soft.
Serves about 4, I also served mine over rice.

Labels: cooking

Things are nice and calm around the rodent loft...And that is just fine with me.
Solomon hanging on mom and dads bed

Labels: calm

The past week has been a tough one. Babies passing took me harder then I thought it would. Thank goodness my other babies have taken up the cause of distracting me. Molly rat showed signs of perhaps the end was near, or maybe not. Dandelion the rat developed a nice skin aggravation to which a shampoo every two days has helped.

I also went on a shopping spree to help take my mind of things. I renovated the rat room with a new rat skyscraper, many new toys and 2 new wodent wheels.



The girl rats love their octopus


The crinkle sack has actually been a big hit.


Always a safe favorite, the wobust Wodent Wheel

Labels: distractions

Last night I had Baby out for a little longer than usual. She looked better, ate twice as much, drank twice as much and enjoyed her bath and blow dry more than usual with much attempt to stretch and play. I really thought we had made a turning point. I put her to bed around 11, got up to turn her at 4am then again at 10pm, then I went to work...She fell asleep. I am very upset although I knew it was coming..It hurts so much to say goodbye, i will find peace with it, but I know she was smiling when i laid her down for the final time. I was able to be apart of her life, I am so grateful.

Of course my tribute to my hog angel, have a blast with your new wings my sweet.

Labels: baby goodbye

Well, Baby has become completely immobilized. But even that has not slowed her down. She had to be moved to a crib I built for her. She is slightly suspended in it for that hammock feel but supported all around so she wont topple over. Now she is in there, we have to have a bath twice a day, a partial one to clean her poopies off and the night one. The night one, she soaks in a bowl of baking soda and warm water. I worried that her skin may get dry from all the baths so i rub cocoa butter on her ears and drop some pure vegetable oil throughout her quilly back and tummy.
With her new crib though presents some issues. She has to be moved several times a day so as not to create bed sores and her massaging has become more crucial to keep her muscles mass. She has not experienced any weight loss!! This is so great for i feared the worst, buy my diet i am making is keeping her going. At the end of babies ordeal hopefully years from now (some WHS Hedgehogs live with the disease for up to 19 months!) I will disclose my techniques, diet, and medical care since everything with WHS is so primitive, I am taking holistic approaches along with vet recommended treatment. I hope the best.



On the other end of the rainbow, I highly recommend all Rattie/mouse/guinea pig owners go out and buy bok choy now!!! They flipped over the onion/lettuce taste and i even steamed and buttered some up for myself.

Labels: baby bok choy

Yesterday was my baby girls 1st birthday. I baked them a yummy yogurt, matzo, banana,blueberry cake, After that we played dunking for peas. My little girls dined on cake and left enough for the boys to have a piece and of course Miss Molly got a big piece as well. All partake in the bobbing for peas game, which entails filling a low bowl with water, dropping in the peas and watching the fun; the equivalent to bobbing for apples. Time flies way way to fast...

1. making the cake.



Singing happy birthday!


Biscuits!


Bobbing for peas!



The boys and peas!


My overtly hormonal boy Marshmallow.


I know this is a long post, but i made this video of past and present babies courtesy of Animoto.

Labels: birthday

We haven't had a moment of Zen in a while. This is daddy falling asleep with Dandelion the Peachy Rat.

Labels: A Moment of Zen

I do not know how much time I have left with my angel..it could be weeks..it could be months..but I know I am going to make every second count. Baby is being hand fed exclusively now, but after her always messy meal she needs a bath. Baby hates the dreaded bath...but the blow dryer afterwards has become a well relished part of the evening, with little huffing and no fussing.

Me and my Baby, pic taken by daddy after the blow dry.


Baby in mid blow-dry. I keep the hair dryer on low and low heat and take care to rotate the air all around her to keep and chance of burning at bay. But if you look closely, I believe she is smiling, a rare thing for my crabby darling.

Labels: Hedgehog Baby High Hopes

My parents made all the babies an easter basket. Food was the staple and a feast was had by all. Baby is doing well and keeping up her attitude.
*UPDATE* Daddy Jeremy saved another field mouse from the dreaded Orkin man!!
But the wild beastie escaped into the abyss that is my apartment. She has been spotted in he couch, under the stove and behind the tv. In the time she has been lose she has grown into a very large mouse, we leave food and water out for her and she has a food hoard under the chase lounge cushion. Her name is Peanut and if she wants to stay free....sigh..she can, Ill be looking for that oval shaped hole in the wall like outta Tom and Jerry.
Easter Madness!!


The boys..

The Girls..

The pigs..


And a cameo from Bridget..

Marshmallows favorite band is the Dropkick Murphey's, so here is a video of the band performing their hit song Good Rats!


The lyrics cause they are hard to understand :)

Have you ever stopped to think about what rats do for fun?
Sure they crawl around and scurry,
yeah they're always on the run but a rat sure likes a good time
just like you and me
I'll prove it with a tale about a rat-infested brewery

It started with a little lad named vermin McCann
who fell upon a drink that made him feel like quite a man
he rounded up his furry boys,
though some wore a frown
they quickly changed their tune and they slammed a couple down.

Chorus:
One, two, one-two-three-four!
Come on all you good rats
we'll send you to heaven you'll find the pearly gates in the froth and the foam
'cause in these vats you've made quite a creation
a potion that turned the Guinness to gold!

Like mice behind a piper,
rats from all around soon headed for this factory in old Dublin Town.
They surely heard the news about this fancy new rat-brew they come,
they saw, they had a taste and knocked back a few

The rats were in a tizzy
addicted to the bone the hairy lugs were giddy
they were never going home
like a bunch of drunken pirates prepared to walk the plank they drank,
they sang, they took a plunge and in the beer they sank!

Baby the hedgehog is going strong despite losing most control over her legs, her back left leg still is very strong and she scoots herself about. After Baby's bath every night, I have switched from her blankie to a low power blow dryer which she absolutely loves. She relaxes and stretches out her arms and legs, which is good to see they somewhat have some feeling. We do Her vitamin E every night, along with her multi vitamin and and big heaping helpful of baby formula, no pun intended. she is keeping her weight up and is still very independent. Go Baby!

Babytrying to trick me into thinking shes tired after her messy meal, to avoid a bath :)


Baby chowing down.

Labels: Pretty Baby.

I was making dinner tonight and thought to myself..."I wonder if I spoil them?". Then I answered myself, "God, I hope so."
Making special dinners for all the animals..full of fruits, veggies and a bit of total cereal. I also have the rats on Oxbrow Regal rat and they absolutely love it.







Not without my special movie plates.




They cannot eat this but I got a good laugh at the dollar store when I saw it, and had to buy it and add it to the bulletin board.

Labels: dinner

With all my saddening news lately, I thought we could all use lil smile. Here to debut their first independent art film, Dandelion the Peachy rat and Waffles the Gargoyle portray a night at the rodent apartment.

Labels: Movie

I have been quiet this week. Babies treatment is tricky and time consuming, heres a look.
DAILY MASSAGES: Daily massaging is "very" important. Like any person with is partially paralyzed, they still need their muscles moved. A body that doesn't move loses muscle tone and the internal organs will cease to function well, which in turn can bring on a whole other set of health problems.

HEATING DEVICES:I use a product called a "Micro-Heat Disc" that you microwave for 4 minutes and it stays warm for approx. 14 hours. These discs are about the size of a frisbee, only thicker and work really well.

WATER: Syringing water is very important since Baby is slowly losing her ability to drink from her little saucer.

RE-CAP OF DAILY ROUTINE:

The following is just an example of what a typical day in my life with Baby is:
6am - long drink of water, bath time and then wrapped in warm towels till dry. Being careful not to let Baby get chilled!!!
7am - While she still can, she exercises in her maze for about 1/2 hour. When she can no longer do that, I will exercise her body for her by moving her legs around and massaging her from head to toe.

7:30am - Breakfast and more water given, followed by a nap.

Noon - Lunch and water given followed by lots of cuddle time and a nice long nap.

7pm - Dinner and water, followed by more cuddle time, full body massage and lots of attention from everyone until its time to go to bed.

11pm - One last drink of water and tucked warmly into her nice soft bed.

*It is important to note that while Baby sleeps, I turn her hourly to prevent her form getting sore (except at night) when I will maybe wake up once or twice to do this and change the diaper under her if necessary. I'm an insomniac anyway.

Baby's new pad:


Baby's Medicine: I will go into what holistic therapies I am trying with her later, when and if I see results.

Labels: Doctor Stef

Yes. Baby the hedgehog has been diagnosed with Wobbly hedgehog syndrome. (WHS) is a disease found in hedgehogs that is closely related to multiple sclerosis (MS). The disease is prominent in the domesticated hedgehog.

As with MS, WHS slowly degrades the hedgehog's muscle control. This first appears as a wobble while the hedgehog is attempting to stand still. Over time, the hedgehog will lose control of all muscles from the rear of its body to the front.

There is no known cure for WHS. Common treatments for MS have shown similar effects in hedgehogs as they do in humans. This includes a diet high in vitamin E. The vitamin E hides the effects of WHS (and MS), but does not slow the disease. A resistance to vitamin E will form and the effects of the disease will continue.

The cause of WHS (and MS) is unknown. My vet has informed me of several holistic medications and treatments i can try. But now it is just a matter of time. My Baby came to us from a blog reader who could no longer care for her. I have only been with her 1 year..not nearly long enough. If she does not pass here at home with us..I will not let her suffer..I am sorry I cant talk about this anymore, that is the hardest decision i have ever had to face in my life.

Baby has been moved from her cage and placed in a large circular plastic pen, as she loses control of her entire body she will be moved to a bassinet in our bedroom to be hand fed and watered. As long as she is in no pain, I will cater to her every need.

Labels: Pretty Baby.

We would like to thank the Fluffy Tribe for giving us this outstanding award. I would like to then pass on this award to my friend Jen and her blog, Shappy Cheap

Labels: Awards

My beautiful Marshmallow. Big brother to Solomon, squishy to mom, and protector of yogies..I am so happy he has come into my life. Gentle giant, may have you be happy here with us and may you never be hungry, lonely or unhappy. I pledge my unending love and devotion to you my new son. Marshmallow lunch-box.

Today my baby mice turn 1, and mama sugar is one year and 5 months old. I was there the day my babies came into this world and I am glad to see all that have survived. The original count,
Mama Fawn had seven babies January 13th 2007.
Carrot, beet, darth vader, Sickle, Bandit, smokey, and Moo-Latte.
Today Bandit and Smokey turn 1. Beet dies on her 1 year birthday, going to sleep in mommys hands after a long battle with cancer.
Mama Sugar had seven babies January 13th 2007.
Tomato, Nickel, Dime, Chilla, Lucky, Bessie, and Blackberry.
Nickel died shortly after birth and the rest are going strong, along with mama Sugar.
We sang happy birthday and a long feast followed.




1 Year ago today,

After a few weeks,

They grow up so fast!

Good by my beautiful Beet, you were special. You always wanted to be with us, always grabbing our hands and climbing up our arms to snuggle us. My beautiful baby, we defeated the cancer with you several months ago, this time we couldn't, and you looked so tired. I am glad you are with your daddy Coal mouse now. You have a left an unforgettable legacy behind, I will take care of your biggie. I love you.

Labels: Happy Birthday

I get many raised eyebrows when I go over the list of names that accompany my babies..Each one has a good/long story to it..In the simplest terms, This is how Gerber the hedgehog got his name...The list shall continue.

Labels: namecalling

To neuter or not to neuter....I have read all the literature, I have talked to my vet...I have talked to Dandelion and Waffles...I made my decision yesterday. King Solomon is no longer alone in his big cage..I went to my local breeder, something I never do since I am in the business of rescue, but I am desperate and very limited to the type of rat I could bring home. I got a 3 month old dumbo rat male, very big and squishy already! The two wrestled for a while playing the pin game, then the both of them collapsed in one big boy rat pile. The dumbo is appropriately named Marshmallow. He is the most laid back easy going rat I have ever seen, and the two are inseperable now with Marshmallow even bringing food to the little Solomon..What a blessing to have found my big squishy angel to look over my baby Solomon. I know he will watch over him and the odd couple will be forever friends.
Now all I have to do is start rat play time at 6 instead of 7 and go until 10. I am owned :)

Labels: my final new arrival for a while.