Quills

To Honer the New Movie G-Force!!

2009-07-27T20:54:00.000-07:00

It has become quite the hit around here. Since we have Ratatouille posters and collectibles around, the pigs thought it only fair we add piggy stuff to it as well. So be it.

Lazy Days

2009-07-13T18:41:00.000-07:00

Things are moving slowly around here. The Midwest has been hot and humid so everyone is laying low from the heat. We took a little break for we have several more losses. Noodles the nakey rat, as well as King Solomon rat, both passed away 2 days apart. Noodles suffered from kidney disease that finally claimed his young life. Solomon had been in recovery from a stroke, but after a long fight, he rolled up and went to sleep. I will memorialize them soon, but I want a happy picture up here.
Since losing Waffles, Dandelion rat has been coping good as long as she gets all the attention.

On a side note, King Solomon has a surviving companion name Marshmallow, and Noddles has his surviving companion named Perseus. Although Marshmallow and Perseus are both dumbo rats, Marshmallow wants nothing to do with him. Solomon was Marshmallows life mate and he is determined to be alone now. Soo..I may be on the lookout for a rat rescue. Desperately seeking male rat; must be willing to play, groom, and play some more. Contact Perseus' mom for play date.

Good bye

2009-06-15T19:46:00.000-07:00

Tonight, Waffles let me know she was ready. Tomorrow she will be going to the bridge, 9AM. Dandelion will be visiting with the vet, she has another tumor that needs to be removed. King Solomon rat will also be visiting the vet, he is unsteady, off-balance. Could be a Pituitary tumor..I do not know. I am somber. No, that is a lie. I am devastated. I must have been in denial about how this would go. I have never loved something so much, and had to say good-bye. I have been fortunate in my life, my loved ones still surround me. But my babies, keep going. It never gets easier. I laid my Waffles in her cage, and Dandelion snuggled up next to her and plopped her head on waffles neck. They are so beautiful.
To all who may read this, they may scare you, they may be mere objects or even pests to you. But I love them with my whole heart. My Waffles comforted me in times of pain, she kissed me when I cried, she listened when I was down. This is her last night. I want to remember her as the young hooded ratlet that scurried about in a box on the way home from the shelter. I want to remember bobbing for peas, their birthday parties.
I know tis better to have loved and lost. But I am so very sad. Our rescue has dwindled for there is not enough time, not enough days, minutes, to love them enough. I would always give anything for one more brux.
I heard this song and thought of my Waffles, Coffee black and egg white...
What will momma do without you my love?

Waffles Long Journey is Coming to an End.

2009-05-19T17:44:00.000-07:00

After believing we had beat the cancer, it made a comeback. Waffles began limping and I assumed she probably sprained her ankle like so many of the rats have done in the past. We of course went to the vet to be sure. The x-rays showed the cancer in her shoulder bone had caused a fracture by growing the bone so large. I had 2 options. Amputate the leg and hope that the cancer hasn't spread, and watch her suffer through weeks of rehabilitation, that will probably be in vain do to the cancers aggressive nature, or, make her comfortable with pain medication and wait for her sign that says, "mommy, I've had enough." I chose the latter. Waffles is home now and her and Dandelion are in Gerbers old cage, no ramps or stairs for her to have to climb. We have ordered pizza tonight, no more health food for her. Waffles can have whatever foods she desires, pizza, french fries, cheetos, all her favorites. I am not sure how much time we have left, and I do not know how I can manage making the "decision", but I hope she will let me know. The sadness I am feeling, it is heartbreaking. Saying good-bye to so many friends. Waffles deserves more than 2 years. I have been crying all day, I am exhausted.
Waffles and Dandy are moving into our bedroom, next to my side of the bed. I want to be there every minute, and when I am at work, Jeremy or the Grandratparents will be keeping them company.
I wish I did not love her so much...it would not hurt this bad. But how could I not? The angels who came into my life, and whispered my calling. My first rats, my first rodents after Onion and Coal mouse. My friends. My happy gobbling rat. My Waf Waf. My rodentist. My loud bruxer. My nail cuticle trimmer. My hair groomer. Waffles, the terror of band-aids. Lover of carrots. Lover of Dandelion rat. She smells like soap and spaghetti sauce. My gargoyle, breaking out of her cage to perch on the edge, warding off evil.
Waffles.

Sweet Gerber

2009-05-14T21:35:00.000-07:00

It has become a custom in Gerbers old age, that instead of ball time, he sits with me after jeremy has gone to bed, and helps me with the last of my days work on the computer. He even sometimes insisted on posting on Facebook. He just enjoyed sitting in my lap and snuggling. Tonight I went in there like normal with his blanket he liked and I found him sleeping. He passed away around 8 tonight since he was in his wheel during rat playtime. He liked being up and watching the rats run the rodent room. My Gerber was an old man hedgie, probably somewhere around 5 or so since no one new exactly his age when he was rescued.
For the last few hours I have been sitting with him. It is custom here that the departed spend their first night in the afterlife with loved ones. I will stay up tonight with him.
I never got over Baby the hedgehogs death, and was not able to adopt another hedgehog, after her. Now that my original hedgie, my Gerber has gone, I do not know if I could ever have another hedgie again.
Gerber came to me trough a friend who knew of his predicament. He had skin issues, dehydration, and diarrhea. We thought he would probably pass away quickly but I wanted to make sure he had a great last few days. We had done it in the past, adopted animals that were to die soon, just to make sure their last days were filled with love. But Gerber, he fought. And after a month of therapy, he was fat and huffing. I fell head over heels for my little gentlemen. In his younger days he accompanied me in a special hedgie pack I made for him, while I ran errands. He loved the outdoors and visitign Jeremy at work. He loved wooden floors and speeding over them in his ball. He loved going after the spiders that attacked mommy in the old apartment. He hated bath time and getting his nails done. He loved to anoint himself. He loved hard boiled eggs,and bananas. He especially loved Gerber baby food.
My Gerber will be cremated and his remains will be added to the family crypt to be buried with me when I pass away, as with all my babies. It sound silly I know. But never having human children, these are my children, and I want to spend this life, and the next one, by their side. I tear up as I write this, typing for the first time in months without Gerber in my lap.
He did not give me any indication he was sick. he passed away fat and full, the remains of a torn up egg still lingering by him. He really looked like he just fell asleep, the way I hope all my babies, and myself will go.
Good bye my sweet Hog, and have a blast with your new wings. I hope you find Baby and all my other little ones at the bridge.

Please Pray for Waffles and Dandy

2009-04-21T20:32:00.000-07:00

Always doing what her sister does, Dandelion has a mammary tumor. Luckily she does not have the lymph node tumor Waffles had. I will be calling the vet tomorrow to set her up with an operation date. It just hurts, everything I did, all the anti cancer food and vitamins, pro-biotic and flax seed, chromium picolinate, EVERYTHING! and it still came. My little girls...This has been one of the hardest journeys I have gone through. My girls though have done everything together, they are sisters. It only seems fitting that they go through this together as well. No matter what, I will fight as hard as I can to keep them around and happy. No matter the cost, no matter the stress, I promise you my girls, if there is a way, I will find it. Please stay with mom a little bit longer. I love you so much.

UPDATE
The deed is done. Dandy has come through surgery with a little bruising, but looks to be on a speedy recovery. I am having a biopsy done on her tumor as well, to see what to expect in the future. Waffles had her stitches out and is almost back to normal. Dandy will rejoin her sister in a few days after much deserved loving and rubs. Thank you to all for your thoughts, I know they have helped.

Please Pray for Waffles

2009-04-14T20:27:00.001-07:00

My girl, my waf-waf...I found our first tumor on her, near her back leg. She is going to the doctor tomorrow. We will do all that is necessary to treat it. My beautiful, my love, mommy is not ready hun. I will post an update after the first visit.
UPDATE.....
Waffles has two tumors. She is going into surgery tomorrow. The doctor said we could buy another 6 months of good health, 6 months is worth it all.
Waffles came through surgery well. Both tumors were removed and will be sent for analysis. She is very weak and I will be getting up periodically the next two nights to syringe feed her baby food and high protein. Her little stitches and shaved fur look so painful, she is so brave. We got a wonderful rattie like Valium pain killer to give her as needed and she is sleeping peacefully now.
UPDATE 4/19
Waffles has been a good girl in her recovery tank, but she has grown bored and has started to pull at her stitches. I'm glad to see her spirit back. She moves her mouth in a big chewing motion (that I call "gobbling" like a turkey) when she is happy. She gobbled for the first time tonight since the surgery. My happy gobbling rat, I love you so much, You will get to go back to your Dandelion soon.

Rudd Cage or Bust

2009-03-12T19:44:00.000-07:00

Well its is here, the cage of my dreams. The wonder, fabulous, superb RUDD!!! Standing taller than me, it now sits between two rat skyscraper models. It was love at first sight, Dandelion and Waffles seemed just as thrilled as I was. They were chosen to move to the Rudd since they are the seniors of the house.

And now, without further ado, Bubba.
Bubba enjoys his meals, he especially likes bananas and yo-baby organic yogurt. A new addition to his diet, as well as all the babies is the Acai berry smoothie drink by pure. At 9 dollars a bottle for a bottle that is 7oz, this is no cheapie, but is a wonderful boost of anti-oxidants for my middles-aged babies.
Bubba, with his dinner in his sight...

Getting closer...he is always careful at dinnertime to inspect the meal before eating to make sure it is to his standards.

Ahhh....the yogurt gets it.

Its Clinique Bonus Time!!!!

2009-02-13T20:59:00.000-08:00

Ok everyone it is here again. Clinique is 100% Allergy Tested and Fragrance Free. It is also cruelty free and on PETA's careing consumer list. I am the business manager at the Dillard's Clinique here in Saint Peters Missouri and would love to help you with your cosmetic needs.
Here is the offer. I will ship to wherever you are. Some of my best customers are 8 states away from me. You just figure out what Clinique products you want, then you call me and place your order, and then I ship you your products with your free gift.
It is so easy and fun. I have a link to the Clinique website at the bottom of this post, you can decide on what products you want there, and then pick up the phone and call me.
My number is (636)970-2555, just ask for the Clinique counter and don't forget to ask for Stefanie. If I am not there do not worry, one of the other helpful ladies will take your order for me.
All you have to spend is $21.50 and you get to choose which gift you want.
If you are looking for a fragrance free non animal tested product, give Clinique a try.
Click Here for The Clinique Website

Running Hogs and Naked Rats

2009-02-05T17:59:00.000-08:00

Well, this has been an interesting week. Noodles the hairless rat had Pneumonia which has since cleared up with antibiotics, King Solomon the boy rat got an abrasion on his eye so he'll get eye drops and rattie painkillers for 2 weeks, and finally Perseus the new baby dumbo rat has a head tilt. My vet is treating it as an inner ear infection, hopefully we caught it in time, but the tilt may be permanent. When it rains it pours.

Now do to popular demand, Noodles the naked boy rat, these pictures are rated R and not for young viewers. We do have full monty.

And the ever elusive and camera shy Gerber, running for dear life from moms sneaky camera.

So I Got A Computer Virus

2009-01-28T18:04:00.000-08:00

That is why we all here have been so quiet. I got a lovely e-mail virus that crashed my computer. Thank god for back-up disks. So Anyway I wanted to start the new year late, but with a belated Birthday. Tomato is the last of my baby mice that were born in the house. He is 2 years and 2 months old. About 103 in human years. He is still the most active of all my mice and the most disgruntled. He is truly, a grumpy old man-mouse.

Happy Belated B-Day Tomato!!!

WOW!!! What A Holiday

2009-01-01T18:42:00.000-08:00

Christmas Eve. Lets just start with my parents gift to us. Every couple of years I go to the Petco here and rescue all the mice, since they sell all their animals for snake food. Well Christmas Eve I was going to do just that. I walked in as they opened, and low and behold a woman was already in the small animal area. I waited patiently and looked and all the babies when I heard her say to the attendant "I need two mice and a rat". When I heard that I new. I backed away in horror speechless. I looked at her and she would not look at me. Finally I said "I will give you a hundred dollars to just walk away now. She continued to look down and said "Nope, my snakes gotta eat to" I stepped closer to her and said low, "Please make it quick" and walked out, where I subsequently had a breakdown in my car.

I called my parents and told them what happened. I kept saying in my mind if I had gotten there 1 minute sooner I could have saved them. My parents told me to go to work and they would handle it. Christmas Eve night. We walked into my parents house to discover 7 baby boy mice and 1 gerbil. They had explained to me that they went on their own rescue mission, and the workers at their Petco begged them to take the gerbil to since he was getting old and nobody had wanted him. So we had new babies, and 1 new old man gerbil.

Since it is the holidays I had went shopping for all the babies, a new octo-play and hide and play fish were in order. New beds and new hammocks and new balls for running. And I made the mistake of going to a different Petsmart to do my shopping and of course they have pet rats. Please note the extreme difference between Petsmart and Petco, Petsmart jacks up the price on all their small animals to prevent them from being feeders.

So of course I saw two lonely boy rats, and they choose me, the minute the worker opened their cage door. Sigh...I am in the business of rescue and here I was buying two more rats. Oh well.

Now back to the mice. Apparently Petco does not separate their boy and girl mice, and 1 of my 7 boys happens to be a little girl. We may be having a litter, but I certainly hope not. But if it happens, we have delivered 2 other mice litters in the past, and they will all be spoiled and fawned over of course.

See what I mean about what a holiday??

Introducing Jerry the Geriatric Gerbil!!

Introducing Colette, the Mama Mouse

Introcing the Mice, Brownie, Butterscotch, Sherbert, Colette, Brain, Barthlomoo, and Pinkie. This was when we did not realize that Colette was a girl. She has been moved to her own home.

Introducing Perseus the Siamese Dumbo boy rat.

Introducing Noodles the Nakey boy rat.

King Solomon and his new baby brother Noodles

Of course the ever enchanting Dandelion in her new fish, and a Waffles butt.

Waffles the girl rat with a biscuit.

Gerber opening his Christmas present

Bubba letting me know picture time is over.

This is Early But...

2008-12-20T17:30:00.000-08:00

Merry Hogmas!!!!

Gerber getting his eggnog on

The Holidays

2008-12-10T19:46:00.001-08:00

The babies got an early Christmas gift, the Kenmore humidifier. Guaranteed to help wheezy babies and dry skin.

We also put up our Christmas tree with a little help.

And a side note on Marshmallow..."Look Ma!! no lumps!!" My baby boy is all better.

We hope the ice and snow isn't bombarding everyone, were getting a good dose this weekend. Stay warm and make sure the windows are insulated if any babies are near them.

Oh What A Thanksgiving it Was...

2008-11-28T17:15:00.000-08:00

I had rats sleeping in my bed..

And who better to serve green bean casserole to then the babies..

Happy Tofurkey Day!!

2008-11-27T12:14:00.001-08:00

happy turkey day!

Please Join Me In Welcoming Bubba The Hamster

2008-11-19T17:45:00.000-08:00

Bubba saying hi to his new neighbors

Bubbas new neighbor Princess Douglass of the Field mouse house says hi back.

Bubba settling down in the nursery, I put baby night light by his cage so he can settle in a bit for the first night, but hammys like their dark time, so the night light will be moved back tomorrow.

Marshmallows Lump

2008-11-14T15:21:00.000-08:00

False alarm. It was just an abscess. 2 Weeks of pain medication and anti-biotics will fix him right up, along with me draining the abscess of the smelly puss every night. Ahh the joy of lumps.

Marshmallow

2008-11-12T11:57:00.001-08:00

I have found a lump on Marshmallows tummy. He is going to our exotics vet at 3pm today. Please keep him in your thoughts and prayers.

New Cages and New Family Members

2008-11-09T17:09:00.000-08:00

So the guinea pigs have been given an upgrade. The new cage features a huge 32x42x14 frame. It has been met with a night full of pigs at full speed and popcorning everywhere!!

And now introducing the newest member of the family, Fat-Boy Squirrel.

Happy Halloween!!

2008-10-31T10:38:00.000-07:00

According to legend, today the veil between the living and the dead is at its thinnest. They say your beloved, animal and human will be looking for you as they wonder..light a candle in your window and they will find their way home. I will have my candle lit, and to all my babies who have passed on feel free to drop by, i miss you dearly.

Dandelion the Spooky Rat...

A mouse appropriately named Ghost..OOooHHhhhh ScArY!!

And of course my Jack-O-Rodent (insert scary music here)

Mommy Got a Promotion!!!

2008-10-22T20:40:00.000-07:00

So I have become the new Business Manager of Clinique. This can only mean one thing.
Big Dinner Night for Everyone!!!

Hot Kashi Cereal, kale/carrot/blueberry smoothie,

And for second course, peanut butter covered carrots, vanilla oats, and more leafy greens.

Jeremy coming to congratulate me. I am so stoked.

Clean Cages Night

2008-10-10T10:35:00.000-07:00

Every Wed is Clean Cages Night. This is no easy task since the rat cages are so big. But the use of moms bathtub makes the task easy.

But of course the girls rats new I had went to Petsmart...they stared greedily at me and said :so wheres our new toy??" And of course I pulled out the new crinkle flower.
"Whats this?"

"Its a bed and it crinkles!!"

Clean cages done, new flower installed.

An angry look from Solomon of the boy rats clan, "All we got is this new extra fluffy bed".

Mice Wednesday

2008-09-24T16:48:00.001-07:00

Well all has been quiet during the integration of Georgina into our household. The Mouse/Hedgehog room is strictly off limits to the cat and so is the rat/master bedroom, not really because the rats show fear, they really paid her no attention, but because of me and Jeremys allergies being so bad. But being as small as Georgina is I feel better being able to keep and eye on her. She has the whole rest of the house to herself, including the guinea pigs which she is deathly afraid if. My pigs still outweigh her enormously and she runs from them the minute they make a sound in their hutch. All and all things are quiet, my babies are leaving me quickly, I am down to 4 fancy mice and 3 field mice, 1 hedgehog, 4 rats, 2 guinea pigs and 1 cat. We miss our mice terribly. I may be calling around to a few shelters to bring some more mouse babies home. I still would like to get a companion for Gerber the hedgehog, but hedgehog adoptions are few, thank god. All and all is all we are.

Peaceful GirlCat Monday

2008-09-22T16:13:00.000-07:00

Georginas home

2008-09-12T19:03:00.000-07:00

My sweet kitty is resting in our master bathroom hold up on pillows and pillows in the shower. She has an all pink motif, dishes, collar, and toys. She is probably the most affectionate laid back cat I have ever met. She is so close to us that I cannot believe she is feral, just a stray. Soooo affectionate!!! She has fleas and a bit of kennel cough from the shelter. She was tested for everything and received all her shots. She was spayed yesterday and I am making an appointment to have them out in a few weeks. All she wants to do is be held. She still must be quarantined from the other critters until I can give her a bath after her stitches are out. She is on antibiotics and should star putting on weight soon.
"I promise to never hurt you, never let you go hungry, and never let you feel alone again, my sweet Georgia"-Stef

p.s. many rat-cat pictures will be here soon. She is in the rodent loft so she will be the first rat-cat. Besides she kinda resembles my dearly departed Molly Rat.

Sweet Georgia

2008-09-03T19:04:00.000-07:00

Well, the rodent mom has been swayed. Yesterday Jeremy brought home a stray cat around 3 months old. It had taken him a week to gain the cats trust but finally she came home with him. She was so skinny, scarily skinny and just wanted to be held. She purred, the first time I have ever felt a cat purr. She clung to me while Jeremy was at work. She meowed and massaged me as she ate her meals. Today we brought her to the no-kill shelter down the road. I am conflicted. I miss her, my heart aches after one day with this creature. We cried as we left and the attendants must have been baffled. How can one love something so much they barely know. But we did. Gustavs' remains are thundering above Saint Louis right now, and my thoughts are with the little kitty. Should I try to get her back? Can she coexist with a household of rodents? She trusted us. I am truly indecisive on this one, I need time to think.

A video I made of Georgia's day with us, the first day of her life she was loved on. How important this really is.

Under construction

2008-08-30T19:53:00.000-07:00

Ok so Quills is getting a make-over..but I have so cleverly deleted all my links to all my friends, I am trying to get them all back, so if you are not on my link list tell me, I need a reminder.

Free Range Guinea Pigs

2008-08-26T22:04:00.000-07:00

I seem to never make enough home movies so tonight when I got home from work I videotaped the piggies during free range time. They are so fast I had to book it to keep up with them, and also bribe them with treats to strike a pose.

On a side note, I have been using this Marshall Pet Peter Rabbit Rx 2oz for King Solomon the rats whistle breathing. He has been to vet..in fact all of them have to the vet, x-ray after x-ray shows nothing, no secondary infection, no pneumonia, of course myco but not an outbreak..it gets so frustrating. But, in any case, this stuff has helped enough for me to write about it. I add to the rats steam vaporizer and in minutes the whole bedroom has a soothing smell of camphor and rosemary. I can't say that it has helped me, but Solomon stops his whistling in about a day.

Shameless Plug for Mom

2008-08-22T08:59:00.000-07:00

Its Clinique Bonus time people, did I mention we do free shipping? All you have to spend is 21. 50 and you receive a wonderful cosmetic bag full of makeup!! Glance here Clinique and decide what you would like to order or come into the store, I work at Dillards Mid Rivers at the Clinque counter. Either way place your order with me at 636-970-2555. Ask for the Clinique counter and ask for Stefanie! You can be anywhere in the country, we do free shipping! I'll ship to where ever you are. Clinique is on Peta's list for no animal testing so it is rodent friendly!! Hence why I work there. Keeping women beautiful and rodents happy since 1969.

I try not to mingle business with pleasure but if I can help one person choose animal friendly makeup over animal tested makeup, I have done my job.

To Much For Words

2008-08-16T22:08:00.000-07:00

I am overjoyed to have received a wonderful lymric by my friend at Kitty Limericks
She reminded me that I have really gone to the rats and that I really do need to do some more piggin.

But here is the wonderful lymric she has written for my Gerber the Hedgehog.

Gerber's a hedgehog who likes to have fun.
Across the hardwood floor he will run
All safe in his ball
Until Steffy will call,
"OK, Gerber, that's enough of a run."

On a side note..I am sending my loves and prayers to a fellow blogger, Survival of the Furriest My thoughts are with you.

Explaining yourself to a Sears worker

2008-08-10T15:02:00.000-07:00

Well my rats have been having a time breathing lately, the allergens around here are driving us all crazy. But seeing my ratties sneeze repeatedly forced me into action. I have purchased a new Kenmore Progressive 335 air Purifier. WOW!! What a difference it has made..We all are breathing better a not a sound from the fluffs. It really does pay to invest in one of these for yourself and the rats, mice, hedgies, guinea pigs, etc. etc.

On a side note, the rats are completely obsessed with mini Milkbones..they are even turning away the yogies..I still cook them a dinner every night, but nothing takes precedence over Milkbones.

Time for some fun

2008-07-26T18:58:00.000-07:00

Things have been hectic here at the rodent loft. After Mollys passing we had yet another empty cage, needed rescues are down in our area, so our numbers are dwindling. I needed some excitement, and gerber in his ball did some much needed good for the both of us, since we have moved the mostly wooden floors have been absolutely perfect for rolling around for hours.

Goodbye Molly Guard Rat

2008-07-08T16:58:00.000-07:00

Wow. What a shock to the system this has been. Molly, my first rat, my guardian, my keeper. Molly's story began sad and has now ended, happily. For all who has followed her progress, here is the short story. It is important to be told because there is hope for aggressive rats. Molly probably wasn't born an aggressive rat, she was made one through systematic abuse by careless owners. She was kept in a 10 gallon hamster cage, Molly is a large rat. Her cage was never cleaned and she was kept for 6 months with a rottweiler in the house with her. I love dogs, but some dogs do not like rats. After constant torment by the dog, molly's cage was finally broken into. Molly was surely done for, but she is pretty hardcore and cause such damage to the dog that it required vet attention. Molly was going to be euthanized for harming the dog so, until the owners girlfriend talked to me about taking her in. I never had rats. I was a mouse and hedgehog mommy. But we made room and took her in. I bought the biggest cage i could find, toys, etc. Molly could never be touched, she was never socialized. If you got to close, she would get you, it was almost a game. I tried to positively reinforce her and say things like "you almost got me Molly, next time you'll get me" Shed laugh and thats how things went. Soon Waffles and Dandelion came to live with Molly to keep her company. They were babies and molly protected them fiercely. She raised them to be the confident beautiful girl rats they are today.
Thank you Molly for bringing rats into my life, I could never hold you, kiss you, or rub your ears, but you knew I loved you. I never felt I missed out on anything with you, we loved each other from within your comfort zone.
You passed away an old woman rat, just shy of your 4th birthday. Godspeed my darling, daddy has been crying a lot..but do not feel bad Molly, we know we will see you again. Guard my babies in heaven well my angel.

My tribute to molly.

I made Ratatouille

2008-06-30T19:39:00.000-07:00

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.

Easy Like Sunday Morning

2008-06-15T17:51:00.000-07:00

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

Going Slow

2008-06-01T03:36:00.000-07:00

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

Goodbye Baby

2008-05-17T21:28:00.000-07:00

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.

Baby and Bok Choy

2008-05-06T22:13:00.000-07:00

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.

Happy 1st Birthday Dandelion and Waffles!!

2008-04-24T19:14:00.000-07:00

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.

A moment of Zen

2008-04-16T14:05:00.000-07:00

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

Me and Baby

2008-04-01T19:03:00.000-07:00

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.

We had a good Easter!!

2008-03-24T19:39:00.000-07:00

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..

Happy Saint Patricks Day!!

2008-03-17T13:39:00.000-07:00

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!

Going strong

2008-03-07T21:07:00.000-08:00

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.

Dinner time!!

2008-03-02T20:43:00.000-08:00

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.

"I knew you were thinking about me." -Waffles the Rat

2008-02-23T23:02:00.000-08:00

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.

A Day in the Life

2008-02-20T03:28:00.001-08:00

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.

Wobbly Hedgehog Syndrome

2008-02-06T17:05:00.000-08:00

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.

An Award!!

2008-02-04T13:48:00.000-08:00

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

Mr. Marshmallow Lunch-Box

2008-01-28T04:26:00.000-08:00

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.

Happy 1 year birthday!!

2008-01-14T12:15:00.000-08:00

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.

What did you call him??!!

2008-01-11T06:13:00.000-08:00

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.

Decision 2008

2008-01-02T18:46:00.001-08:00

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 :)

My true love gave to me...

2007-12-26T19:19:00.001-08:00

Jeremy, my love, brought me home a baby rattie about to be sold as as snake food. Christmas day I was introduced to my first baby boy rat. He immediately bonded to Dandelion and Waffles. So I am at dilemma..do I neuter him so he can live with the girls..or find another baby boy to keep him company. I am at odds..is it safe for my little boy? Is it good for his health? I must do much research on this and consult my vet. Either way, welcome to my king Solomon (Salmon Face) as mom calls him. He is sure to be a mommas boy and an accredited lap rat.
What a wonderful Christmas..Spent with my family..the animals got more presents from my family then me and Jeremy! How fabulous.

Please join me in welcoming....

2007-12-19T00:31:00.000-08:00

I had a friend call me up and asked me the question I sometimes dread...Can you take in my animals..always wanting to help I listen to the story and fearing we are talking something big like several rabbits or a chinchilla or something...but the story was, he and his girlfriend had to find a new living arrangement somehwat quickly and needed a forver home for their two cherished mice, Bridget and Ghost. It just so happens I had an empty mouse table available in the mouse room so please join me in welcoming..

Miss Bridget Mousekewitz....

Who shares her new cage with her sister...Miss Ghost Mouskewitz...

UPDATE!!!!!
As Daddy aka Jeremy was at work..the villain Orkin man was making his rounds...
Daddy snuck up to see what the dark lord had in his hands, and to Jeremy's surprise!! Two field mice!! DUH DUH DUHHHHMMMM......So Super Daddy swings into action inquiring what the man intends on doing to the noble captives......"Kill Them" he says in a low and menacing voice...So super daddy talks the man into giving him the tiny babies...and babies they wer for the man had stumbled upon a nest of some sort...the others I fear must have been killed...but these two barely 2 week old babies were still alive...So Mommy Swoops down to the establishment and takes said mice home to warm milk and a heating blanket....now 2 months old I feel safe enough to tell of their story and show their amazing pictures...
please join in me in welcoming....

Princess Douglas,

And Princess Juliet,

To end this heroic post of courage..may I ask..Did anyone else get this much flippin snow??? My goodness..although it was funny seeing the ratties reaction to it...to be continued...

Shout Outs!! And your moment of Zen..

2007-12-06T22:45:00.000-08:00

This week I have combined our moment of Zen with a big shout out of thanks to Karl from "The Cats Realm". He was so gracious enough to send miss Pickles and Miss Gadget a thank you card for participating in his Halloween costume contest.

And now.......your moment of Zen...(insert dramatic music here)

Gerber got Second!!

2007-12-03T21:54:00.000-08:00

We are so proud of our little boy, thank you to all who got out and voted. My little prince got a plate of shrimp for his award. He sends many "huffs" and "Puffs" to all his friends.

Happy Thanksgiving!!

2007-11-22T10:33:00.001-08:00

Well after a well deserved meal for everyone, I noticed that two of my mice, Cookie and Muffin had eaten so much that they were the size of rats!!! Have a wonderful day from our family to yours. Love Stef, Jeremy, and the hoard.

Gerber Photo Contest!!

2007-11-08T15:13:00.000-08:00

Well I noticed on a friend site this charming website called The Heavenly Heart Gerbilry. Well they have a photo contest for small pocket pets and I saw there were no hogs! So me and Gerber, we gots to represent.

Go Gerber!

The link below is to the photo contest, Gerber is #5 if you are confused as to what a hedgehog is :) We are rooting for him, but from the looks of his food bowl, he has already won.

Heavenly Heart Gerbilry Photo Contest

Halloween!!

2007-10-30T04:58:00.000-07:00

According to legend, tomorrow the veil between the living and the dead is at its thinnest. They say your beloved, animal and human will be looking for you as they wonder..light a candle in your window and they will find their way home. I will have my candle lit, and to all my babies who have passed on feel free to drop by, i miss you dearly.

Things keep getting better

2007-10-27T06:45:00.001-07:00

My world is spinning, but is complete.

Good News

2007-10-22T11:52:00.000-07:00

Jeremy is home. He has COPD and had a major attack. He is doing well, and being bombarded by small fuzzy children.

Jeremy is in the hospital

2007-10-19T17:54:00.000-07:00

Please keep him in your fuzzy prayers.

Goodbye Moo-Latte

2007-10-17T16:26:00.001-07:00

My beautiful baby girl has passed my dear friends. Her passing was swift and came as she slept early this morning. Her family buried her under her favorite igloo. I unearthed her and laid her in her casket, she will spend her first night in the afterlife with us so as not to be frightened. My baby mouse is now among my angels who watch over my remaining family. Dearest Moo, please tell, Moo-Moo, Coal Mouse, Radish, Onion, Dime, Samuel, and Ariel...Momma and daddy love them dearly and will see them again, just not quite yet.

A Memorial tribute to my Moo-Latte

A moment of Zen

2007-10-14T18:26:00.000-07:00

Every week or so I offer my moment of Zen. Well this weeks moment is about Jeremy. My hedgehogs have made it quite clear they prefer me, so I have really been working on jeremy and their relationship. Baby wanted nothing to so with him, but Gerber got somewhat comfortable and I caught the moment and made some graphic art.

Entitled..."Daddy and the Cactus".

Saturday mice and sadder things..

2007-10-13T09:36:00.000-07:00

Hello to all. I have good and bad news to report on the rodent front. The good news, All injuries are healed, fall has arrived and the rodent room keeps good and warm, and the rats have discovered they have a taste for my house shoes...the bad news is one of my baby mice, well, she not a baby anymore, has a tumor and it is malignant. Moo-Latte was born in my house by Mama Fawn, she is 1 month shy of 1 year. I fear we will not be celebrating her birthday. I have mixed feelings, most of all sadness, but hope that she had the best life anyone could offer a chocolate colored cow-mouse. We will be spending each evening with her making her comfortable and filling her every need. A brigade of mice,

The last picture I will take of my baby, I wanna remember her as the lazy, food loving sweet-heart that she was.

Wild Field Mice and Embellishments...

2007-10-07T13:57:00.001-07:00

Well it has been 1 month in our new home..We are still settling in since both of us still work a lot, but peace is easily achieved. In the past month, Dandelion has been to the doctor for a sprained ankle and Nickel the mouse was rushed in with a case of ringworm. I have been painting again, my muses are easily found. My mouse/hedgehog/hamster/playroom is almost complete. Insulated windows and warming blankets are installed, I just need to set up the play-pen barriers. The guinea pigs reside in the living room, as they always have, and the rats...are still in the bedroom, I need rats in my bed periodically. Everyone is doing just fine...save one...

BREAKING NEWS..

Yesterday, as Jeremy was coming home from work, in the middle of a parking lot, on a hot day, with nothing else around...lay a baby (eyes still sealed shut) field mouse.
Oh my word, It is as if the great spirit placed this baby from heaven upon the asphalt with a message to us. I am at odds with myself..I have the underlying guilt of domesticating this wild beauty, but then again i cannot snuff fate. He is munching down formula and regaining strength, he appears to be approaching the flea stage soon, and his eyes are opening slowly..he is in strict quarantine away from everyone else, with me and Jeremy waking up every 3 hours to feed him...sigh...So anyway..that has been my month, what a time.

Mouse room..

Hogs rule...Hamsters rule.. side two.

Hogs rule more..

Feed table and toy area..Hamsters rule more..

Samuel aka wild thing aka Sam I am a Field Mouse..

Samuel cuddling in daddies shirt..They look so different from my fancy mice..

My newest painting entitled "Self Portrait"

Trying to recover...

2007-09-21T23:15:00.000-07:00

Hello all. I am coming to you via Jeremys laptop....We still do not have my computer set up yet..yuck....The new place is wonderful, the babies are fine, side from Dandelion getting a sprained ankle...she is doing better and is under strick play supervision. This is my first weekend in 3 years off...wow...So this is what Friday night is like. I will have many pictures up soon of the new living arrangements, as well as the free-range rodent room. Be back soon, hope you all are doing well, have a good night.

A Bright Future

2007-09-09T18:24:00.000-07:00

Today as I ponder the fate of two rabbits in a terrible pet store, I may bring them home, I watch two very young girls walk up. Please note I am in moral majority, conservative white suburbia....I watch these girls run up to the rodent cages and exclaim with glee.."Oh my gawd!! Look at the beautiful baby rats!!" Beautiful..perhaps there is hope for my crusade yet. They are all beautiful, and I have come to the conclusion that I would risk my life to save my babies if a fire or something happened. They are as important to me as air. I don't know if thats normal or not, who knows, I really don't care. We move tomorrow, my new rodent apartment awaits with endless possibilities and more room for rescue. My life is truly...Beautiful.

My sweet baby girl "Baby" eating her new cat food high protein diet. I think she approves. (Of course this whole post wasn't gonna be sappy, everyone needs a good dose of hog:))

I am a bit overwhelmed...

2007-08-30T15:31:00.000-07:00

Countdown to moving...We bought two new big tables today, a whole wall of mice in the new apartment awaits...I got a promotion at work, I work for Clinique now..NO ANIMAL TESTING!!! How great is that?? A good company indeed, and yes, more money!!
It is just all a bit much for me, I went to get Gerber and Baby the other night, and well, Photoshop happened. My ferocious little hedgehog. Baby is doing well, she was suffering constipation but a change in her diet cleared that up and now my hogs are pooping regularly, my day is complete:)

Mouse in a Tree?

2007-08-22T04:55:00.000-07:00

Wow, this has been an interesting week. Jeremy turned 32, happy birthday love! I have been in bed due to my allergies and this terrible weather, and now we are down to almost 2 weeks before we move.

On to smaller business. I saw the cutest thing at Petsmart the other day. Build your own tree-house or doll house for your mice. Completely edible and non-toxic, I got the tree-house and the mice are very happy indeed. They have been playing on it and in it ever since we put it in.

I am going to get the doll house next for Mama Sugars cage. Mama Fawn has been given the tree house since I am not sure how much longer she will be around, she is over a year old now and is covered in gray hair. I think shes still beautiful, and her babies care for her now.

Beet in the tree house,

Moo-Latte and Beet,

Lucky in front, Mama Sugar and Blackberry...Just a good snuggling picture :)

To my NOMSS friends...

2007-08-11T05:27:00.000-07:00

I am so thrilled that other species and their mommies and daddies are interested in these little beasties:) Let me do the role call here so everyone can meet everyone and gain bigger friendships...

Pick me to be your friend! I am Dandelion

No Pick me, I am Waffles

I am the greatest, I am Miss Molly Guard Rat

I am Marble the Zen Master

I am Mama Sugar Mouse

I am Mama Fawn Mouse

I am Baby the Blonde hedgehog and My boyfriend Gerber the Hedgehog

We are Mama Sugars Babies, Blackberry, Lucky, Bessie, Chilla, Nickel, Dime, Tomato

We are mama Fawns babies, Carrot, Beet, Sickle, Junior, Bandit, Smokey, and Moo-Latte

We are Cookie and Muffin Mouse

I am Lucky Mouse

We are Pickles McHushpuppy and Go-Go- Gadget!

Hamster Madness

2007-08-08T02:39:00.000-07:00

My little hammy is so reclusive. I barely see him during the day and when I go to wake him for some snuggling he generally looks annoyed and irritated with me for disturbing his meditation...
You see my hammy is the reincarnation of a Buddha, he sits indian style, very still as if contemplating the world around him. He is very peaceful and quite old in hammy terms. Marble is somewhere around 3 years old. My baby boy, now go save the world.

Guinea Pigs first Bath

2007-07-30T05:11:00.000-07:00

Well my babies are growing up and have begun shedding, and pooping much more:) I had them out yesterday and decided it was time for their first bath. They are still too small for me to feel comfortable putting them in the bath-tub so into the sink they went. What a playtime for them, it appeared they were having a blast, a first for me since My dearly departed Onion hated the whole process.

My sweet little Gadget and stubborn little Pickles, my girls.

PS....The Rodent Apartment is moving!!!
We will be relocating to a new home twice the size of this one in the beginning of September. Each creature will now reside in a space special suited for them and a whole bedroom will be set aside for free ranging the bigger animals. I can't wait!

I Love Method

2007-07-18T06:17:00.000-07:00

Ok folks heres the scoop...I have been a long time Vegetarian, rodent lover etc, etc.
But I have realized I still have animal tested products in my home. I need to clean up. Over the past couple of weeks I have thrown out all the products I knew were tested on animals. I have fallen in love with Method, a line of products for the home that are Earth friendly and never tested on little babies...or big ones.

I want to share this great product with everyone and have a link posted at the bottom of this post for their homepage. You can also just go to your local Target and purchase some of their products, I have em all now, including the laundry detergent which I absolutely love! Thank you Method for caring.

PS......I have an infestation of Brown Recluse spiders in my apartment....all of my animals have been moved to a safe room free of spiders but I am now a prisoner of these arachnids..I am not quite sure what to do at this moment...Gotta love the Mid-West.

Click here for Method Home Page

What a Week!

2007-07-13T06:15:00.000-07:00

Wow, where to begin. Lets first start off with the amazing cage I ordered off of Martins Cages website. It arrived after only a few days and with little assembly, the rat girls have a new palace.

I am very please with this purchase and I have a link to the page at the bottom of this post.

Time for some silliness.

Gerber must have been a parrot in his past life because his favorite spot to perch is my shoulder. When Jeremy asked me where had Gerber gone, I merely pulled back my shirt collar to expose the prickly boy wonder.

"BUT SIR!!!???? THERE IS A RAT IN MY BED!!!!!!

I DISTINCTLY ORDERED TWO!!!!!

Martins cages

Razzle Tribute

2007-07-06T09:20:00.000-07:00

A dear hedgehog friend has passed, Razzle was a brave hedgehog and his parents loved him dearly. We wish the family many blessings and hedgie prayers.

Click the link to pay respects to the family.
Razzles Hog Blog

A Tribute to Ariel..Saying Goodbye

2007-07-01T09:31:00.000-07:00

I was given Ariel by a couple who had bought her to use as bait to lure a hawk out of their garage. She had a string tied around her and was dangled from the ceiling. After the hawk showed no interest she was put outside only to stay by the door while the cold weather slowly froze her. She was finally picked up by the couple and brought to me while working at McDonald's early one morning.

She has only been with me for a couple of months. Her back was crooked and she walked stiffly...but she still got around. She was one of the only mice Jeremy could free-range. She could come and go from her cage freely during the evening, always following her own trail and keeping us in her sight.

I have been up for 32 hours now. Working a double and coming home to see my angel resting in her coffin. She passed between 6 and 8 this morning, Laying down and just going to sleep in her wheel. She looks so peaceful, her crooked little back is crooked no more. Fly my little baby, I will see you again.

Ariel when we first got her, my little bull-dog.

A Fun Rat Music Video

2007-06-29T03:38:00.000-07:00

I have been looking for the music video from the movie "Willard" for a while now. Note the rats name is Ben. Enjoy!

A Moment of Zen

2007-06-21T17:13:00.000-07:00

Some people call them gargoyles, keeping away the evil spirits, perched high on the corners of buildings, protecting all those who dwell within.....

I call her Waffles.

I Can Never Be Guinea Pig-Less...

2007-06-13T17:30:00.000-07:00

Everyone please welcome Pickles McHushpuppy and Go Go Gadget!

I would like to thank the wonderful people at The Critter Corral and the links they sent me at Petfinder. I wanted just one single male, but when I saw thses two angels, I just had to have them. After some paperwork and a small adoption fee, they have come home finally.
My home is complete again. They are still so young and are just beginning to learn how to "wheek". They also appear to be potty trained, I am not sure how but they are going in one corner so I put a litter pan in there and they seem to enjoy using it.
I am so over joyed.
Miss Pickles is the short hair,

Miss Gadget is the long hair with red eyes,

Timothy hay!

Toilet paper is a great toy,

Sadness Turns into Appreciation

2007-06-11T03:40:00.000-07:00

It has been almost a week now since Onion has left us. His giant cage sits clean and empty in the spot it had always resided. I cannot bear to move it. Being Guinea-Pig-Less has been rough, but I am moving more towards appreciation then depression now. I am so thankful I had Onion in my life. I am so thankful I have my other babies to help me grieve. And I am so grateful to have a man who shares my pain and love for these angels. Please watch over my family Onion, I hope your having a blast with your new angel wings.

Jeremy and his girl Dandelion.

Me trying unsuccessfully to order a pizza.

Me getting a good dose of Bubonic!! J/K..I just can't stop kissing my rats.

Goodbye Onion.

2007-06-06T05:02:00.000-07:00

Friends....Last night as I arrived home from work, My Jeremy tells me my piggy has been acting odd. I picked up him thinking he was just missing his momma and in a flash, he had a heart-attack and slipped away. My beloved Onion waited all day for me and finally went to sleep in my arms as I rocked him. I kissed him and held him tight so he would not be frightened. I held him for a long time after that, then laid him in his bed. He will spend his first night in the afterlife with us so as not be scared. He will be buried tomorrow next to his kin in the garden at my parents house. I am grieving immensely....So many goodbye's..I wonder is it all worth it? Can I withstand this heart-ache? Then I picture what Onions life might have been without me. He was a rescue. I know others need me and I will take comfort in that and pursue my mission of saving them. I cannot sleep for my babies final moments haunt my closed eye-sight. I wish I knew he was ok...I wish I could see him just one more time. I hope he is warm where ever he is. My dearest Onion, please tell Coal mouse, Radish, Moo and Dime Momma misses them terribly and that I will see you all again.

I made this memorial video with pictures and music for all to enjoy in Onions life.

Momma is a Worry Wort

2007-05-28T19:56:00.000-07:00

Well the Vet visit went better then I thought and $200 later I have two prescriptions, and humidifier and a can of immune boost baby formula, plus two healthier rats.

They are to take the medication for 10 days and see the vet again on Monday at 7. She felt good about the diagnosis but feels they may have this issue their whole life since it has started so young. They have the first stages of respiratory infection. The "blood" wasn't blood but a liquid they dispense when ill or stressed. What a relief. Thank you to everyone who e-mailed me and commented me, I'm still worried, but I am a mom and that is what moms do.

Ratty dinner, Dandelion was the sicker of the two so I am glad she is eating a full dinner. Taking the meds is easy too since the pills can be diluted in apple juice and given through a syringe.

Their energy is up and a moment after the last picture was taken I had a lens full of noses.

My girls are sick, I need your prayers.

2007-05-27T05:44:00.000-07:00

Waffles and Dandelion began bleeding from the nose, they have always made noises close to chirping but I fear now it was sneezing. The vet opens at 9 and i will call for an emergency visit. My heart is so full of fear and anguish right now, I need prayers, high hopes and good thoughts for them my friends. Thank you and I will let everyone know something when I do.

God, please don't take my babies yet.

The Hedgehog Condominium

2007-05-23T05:53:00.000-07:00

I have been running around from both jobs and let me tell you..I am so tired. I did manage however to finish the hedgehog condo building that was in progress in the the kitchen. Both hedgehogs now have their own loft complete with wheel and room of their choice. Gerber opted for the fleece tee-pee, Baby chose the rustic log approach for her den.

And of course their toys :)

Miss Molly has been Tagged!!

2007-05-12T04:54:00.000-07:00

1. I adore Milkbone Dog Biscuits.
2. Even though I bite mommy, I really love her and would attack anyone trying to harm her.
3. I love my tail to be stroked.
4. I have the thousand-yard stare.
5. I sleep in my hammock but am always on guard.
6. Mommy loves my belly and I show it to get treats.
7. I am getting older but I still look better then these new girls in her with me :)

I tag Amelia rat and Chaucer Rat.

My Inner Rat

2007-05-08T03:21:00.001-07:00

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Working hard..or Hardly Working?

2007-05-05T05:05:00.000-07:00

It has been a whirlwind of a week...I am exhausted and just got off one job and am getting ready to go to another job in a few hours. Even though I have been pulled tight for time, I never miss a chance to capture mice at play.

My little Bandit was born in my home and has never stood out until now. She has put on some weight..alot of weight. She just does not want to exercise now, shes not old, just relaxed I think. I mean what am I gonna do, deny her meals? I don't think so. They are only around for a short time and I want them to live how they want, besides, I am no rail either so I feel a bond between us. Chunk and Chunk Light :)

Bandit on a box and Momma mouse Fawn in the background.

Bandit next to her Momma.

My big girl.
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Beet, always noses in on the action.

Moo-Latte in her wheel.

Meet the New Rattie Girls!!

2007-04-24T04:36:00.000-07:00

Miss Molly has made great progress since she has come home to me. I felt it was the right time to introduce her to a family. I was at Petsmart getting Carefresh and a new mouse wheel when a worker struck up a conversation with me. We spoke of mice and rats and got on the subject of Miss Molly. I told her of Miss Mollys troubles and triumphs and explained my desire and fear of bringing Molly a companion. I needed a baby girl rat, calm and sweet. The woman got a smle on her face and took me back to the back of the store. In a little cage I saw two tiny rats, the size of mice almost. The worker explained "they just arrived."

I have never held a rat before. Molly does not approve of holding so I have been content to feed and care for her from a distance most of the time. These two little babies crawled into my hands, up my arms and onto my shoulders. They picked me. I brought them home. Molly has taken to them instantly, even becomming defensive and nipping me as I picked one up. I was so proud of Molly for being such a good big sister.

The little girls has very different personalities. Waffles is the black and white one and is an adventurer. Dandelion is the peachy one and is shy, but not quiet. They are both loud talkers. Peeping and squeaking and sniffing and chirping all through the night.

Waffles and Dandelion

Dandelion

Waffles

Waffles and Dandelion

Dandelion

Waffles incredibly tangled in moms hair.

Molly Tricks and Treats

2007-04-23T06:09:00.000-07:00

My baby rat has discovered many a ways to control mommy. Miss Molly knows how to get treats and how to get loved, even if I am late for work or my hands are full of laundry, I will stop whatever I am doing to love on her.
Molly will stand on her hind legs and press her belly against the bars of her cage if she wants a treat.

My baby does not like being rubbed so much so when she wants to be touched she sticks her tail out of the cage and insists I rub it by dangling it back and forth like a wet noodle.

Miss Molly truly is a little Einstein, she has me all figured out. My little shy angel has finally accepted me I think. Fabulous.

A Moment of Zen

2007-04-18T05:41:00.000-07:00

Never to tired to receive a treat.

Why I was a Hedgehog in a Past Life

2007-04-15T20:47:00.000-07:00

I am making home movies of my babies and when I was editing this one, I saw myself in her huffy eyes. God help anyone who wakes me up when I am dead tired. But I get over it quick if I get "treats" afterwards, aka white castle, or in her case, a boiled egg.

I am Un-Employed No More!

2007-04-10T08:42:00.001-07:00

Laughing Rats

2007-04-07T17:51:00.000-07:00

I would like to thank my friend Jen for the marvelous video she sent me. I really know science is on the verge of proving animals have real emotions, so close to humans that we cannot ignore it any longer. I have watched this video about a hundred times...

I think all my ratty lovers will enjoy the video just as much. Thank you.

Laughing Rats

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Summer haircuts and snoozing mice

2007-04-06T05:04:00.000-07:00

Ahh....what a whirl of a week. I have been on a million job interviews and I believe I have found the one I want. Selling pursues. Might not sound too exciting but I am a purse fiend, it is my heroin. I am so stoked. Anyway, Onion the guinea pig had an appointment with mommies scissors. Every summer he gets a haircut because he is so woolly and I fear him over-heating while out in the grass in the sun. So Onion is shaved and looking good, I probably took a pound of fur off of him.

I am about to clean the mice homes and stumbled upon Carrot and Turnip cuddling, I had to capture the shot.

Onion falling asleep during dinner.

Onion fully awake and chowing down some salad mix.

Carrot and Turnip snoozing the morning away.

Ratty Discoveries and Teenagers

2007-04-03T06:07:00.000-07:00

Well, I was laying in bed and looked toward Miss Molly the rats cage. I saw a beautiful act unfolding before me. Miss Molly discovered her hammock, finally. She has been content to just chew on her hammock but this morning I saw her laying peacefully in it. Just sound asleep. I had to capture the moment, waking her though, but I couldn't miss it. Here ya go, Miss Molly waking from a night of sweet hammock slumber.

The next piece is my realization of genetics. My Coal mouse, who passed not a month ago, left me 14 babies, 13 now. One of his boys resembles his daddy so much. He even climbs the water bottle to be picked up by us like Coal mouse did. He has his color and and his eyes. His characteristics are so much like Coal's. I am so thankful my old man mouse left me this gift to remember him by. Darth Vader is a joy and a constant reminder life never ends, it just changes form and lives on through memories and love.

The truth behind Miss Molly the Rat

2007-04-01T14:56:00.000-07:00

I have been reluctant to write about Miss Molly's past, but I think it is crucial to help me deal with her behavior now. Miss Molly was bought on a whim by a couple who were only together for a month. The man kept the rat, and she resided in a 10 gallon sized wire cage in the dining room. The metal wires were spaced far apart. Also in the house was a Rottweiler. I love these dogs but of course her instinct was to hunt the rat which was at the dogs level on the shelf. The dog would constantly nip the cage and chase poor Molly into a worn out cardboard tube, the only protection she had.

This went on for 6 months. Never being held and constantly tormented by a dog. One day I was approached by a friend of the mans and was asked if I would take her in. She explained to me that the dog had finally got to the rat and attacked her, fortunately Molly is a pretty bad-ass rat and kept the dog at bay, even inflicting wounds that required stitches. The moment I heard the story I was taken. I received her in her tiny cage full of old yellowed bedding with bits of plastic bag in it and seeds so old they had begun to sprout<--no I am not joking.

Molly has been with me for 3 weeks now and today was the first day she REALLY bit me. I was organizing her cage and spot cleaning as I do pretty much every other day when I noticed some fuzz on her back. Not thinking I reached over to get it off her. She bit down hard and ran. I didn't jerk my hand back because I did not want to scare her but the blood was dripping down good. I was shocked. I did not come from over head because I know it scares her, I keep my hands at her level at all times. I have to admit I was really upset, not at being bit, but the fact I scared her enough to chomp me. She looked at me with her eyes as if she were saying "sorry mama, please don't send me away". I sat with her for a long time talking to her and telling her she never has anything to worry about ever again and showing her my finger was just fine.

We have a good relationship I think. I adore her, and love everything she does. I love giving her treats and cooking her dinner. Perhaps she will never want to be loved on as my other animals do. Perhaps petting is something she just cannot tolerate. I know though that if she ever changes her mind, my hand will be in there again to oblige. Miss Molly is moody, paranoid, and can be the biggest brat and get away with it all with one glance of her big jelly bean eyes. Jeremy said she inherited it from me.

My Surprise This Morning

2007-03-28T05:23:00.000-07:00

I guess Jeremy took it upon himself to capture me at my best last night. I have this habit of snuggling with the hedgehogs late at night and dozing off. Baby is usually under the blankie and Gerber stays securely in my hand. This morning I found my camera on and saw the wonderful moment caught. Note that ball of spines is Gerber, Baby the hedgehog is snuggled into my side. The Chase Lounge is our favorite sleeping spot.

Gerber also got a bath yesterday and his cage cleaned, Baby is getting her bath today and her nails done. I am enjoying being off work actually because I am getting some really good rodent time in, besides, mommy had lots of money saved up just for babies in case she decided to quit her job.