Nomming Raleigh

Five in a Box

Nellie finds a comfy bed

Do you have any food?

Walter here demonstrating the 'cute but starving' look used to convince us unaware humans that he's been neglected and unloved (double treats for all today after this play worked on me and Tom).

Watch out! Horatio's about.

The lesser spotted Horatio out for a hug.

Raleigh update

Raleigh is doing much better. It appears it is just an abscess and we've managed to get it fully emptied and properly cleaned out (yes it was super yicky). The vet gave us some medicine (Septrin - which is made for humans) so twice a day we get to try and force him to take it. Despite (or possibly because of) it's banana flavour this is a total challenge - a spoonful of sugar does not help the medicine go down (nor does soup, smoothie or ...).

Poorly Raleigh

Raleigh has lumps. He has an abscess on his lower abdomen - we did clean it out but it's pretty big (he didn't have one when we headed off on holiday so it's obviously come up fast - he had one under his left front arm recently that appeared and exploded in a matter of days). Obviously the big concern is it might be as a result of a growth (there is a lump but that could just be damaged tissue). He also seems to have a lump on the base of his tail (hopefully just a spot) so it's a vet trip tomorrow. (We did call the 24hr vet line but since he's not in any discomfort they recommended going tomorrow).

On plus side he's still social with us and the others plus he's not off his food - he just tried to steal a spoon off Tom to get the nom.

Do Rats Like Carrot Soup?

Yes. Yes they do.

Rat Pile!

Nelson - showing he's still cutest

Bothwell

Hammock ZZZZZZs

Hanging with the girls

We've got a houseful of guests

We've got a houseful of guests. Furry, betailed, whiskery, curious houseguests.

There's Walter who Minnie describes as the "fat bottomed rat"

Then his brother Raleigh who hasn't been pronounced fat bottomed but is not exactly svelte in the posterior 

Horatio who is not so keen on the girls being so keen on him and hides out between their waking hours.

Nelson who is blind in one eye (he's just been eye-gooed here). He's just so friendly and lovely.

 Oh and the latest acquisition... Teeny cutie pie Bothwell.

 They may be small but it requires a fast eye and hand when they all come out to play...

(originally posted on Kids, Craft and Chaos)

Charlotte enjoying ratty cuddles.

Just remember it's not so much a large rat as a small child. 


 (originally posted over at Kids, craft and chaos)

The boys are off on holiday

I spy with my little eye a little rattie... hello Nelson. (originally posted over at Kids, craft and chaos)

Don't you wish your rats were as cute as us?

What did Santa bring?

How many rats can you see?

I can see 5 - on the left Raleigh and Nelson, Bothwell is in the tube while Walter is at the door and it's Horatio's tail!

Rat pile!

All buddies together

What's on the telly?

Hammock hugs

Walter tries out being a tree decoration

Hello! Do you have food?

Getting five rats to pose is tricky but they all come to the door when they think the nom will be tasty, tasty nom.

The Mighty Bothwell

Find the Yogurt Drop

This new puzzle toy let us hide mini yoggies under a sliding cover and then under cups. Walter was fast at working it out but not keen to share. The others all managed save Nelson who just waited for Walter to open the space and then pinched the exposed treat! Though Walter didn't seem to mind he enjoyed removing the cups.

Hullo!

Horatio hangs out on the couch.

Day 3 - Integration

Bothwell seems to get on well with the others (save for Horatio who is having is usual freak out about a change though it's handbags at dawn rather than any real issues) so he's spent today in the cage with the rest. All well so far.

Zonked Nelson