Nomming ...again...

Hinging oot in the hammock

Mortimer Nomming

Lazy Nomming

Sputnik Snoozing

We treated the new pair to a Sputnik since it can be suspended from the top of the cage it offers a nice hideaway that is a bit different from the hammock and higher up than the beer box or similar on the bottom.

You ok?

Walter was spotted sleeping in this rather uncomfortable looking pose two nights in a row so presumably it's comfier than it looks!

Traumatic afternoon!

Poor Mortimer went to the vets yet again today to try and get his digestive problems sorted out for about the 3rd time. If it wasn't bad enough that he had to be molested he got an anti-biotic injection. And to top it all off he managed to rip a claw out while he was there so did his usual impression of geyser spurting blood everywhere.

Needless to say he's not speaking to Kateri (who took him to the vets) but she's gone off for a few days break anyway leaving me and the Boys to watch TV and eat junk food!

Sym-rat-ry Part 2

nomming

Raleigh vs Dust Mit

When we got Walter and Raleigh, Mel (Debonayr Rats) gave us a duster mitten that she'd been intending to turn into a pouch for the rats to climb in and some clips to attach it to the cage. Well I decided that since today was a day off I'd make the pouch. So I trimmed off the top (so that it was it's widest and stitched it over. Then hung it up in the cage.

Alas Raleigh had a different idea:

Chillin' in the hammock

Raleigh VS Crepe Paper Ball

Raleigh was looking a bit bored last night and while not wanting to come out again there was a lack of play stuff in the cage. So I wrapped fragment of banana chip in crepe paper to make a ball. He seemed to enjoy it and Walter even got to have a shot. It was up by the hammock this morning.

Meanwhile Mortimer is...

The Great Escape

Not that you can tell from the sweet innocent 'sleeping' impression Walter is doing but last night we had our first 'escape'. While hanging out on the couch Walter legged it over the top, onto the chairs stored behind and then onto the floor and under the couches. Where he sat and cleaned himself while we turned off electrics and tried to tempt him out. He's so much more inquisitive than Mortimer is now, we'd forgotten just how speedy they are at that age. Well lesson learned!

Hiding in the tube

Walter's Ledge Life

Rat Pile

Tom spotted two noses poking out of the tube.

On closer inspection we found a rat pile - Walter's on top.

What's Mortimer up to?

Nomming on some dry pasta!

Hammock Hugs

Above and below - Walter on left, Raleigh on right

Raleigh keeps watch

Walter and Raleigh

New Boys

Today was an exciting day - new rats! We got them from Debonayr-Rattery and they are two mismarked Roans perhaps not perfect by show standards they are perectly adorable!

These pics were taken when the boys were eight weeks old (they were born on the 4th of May). We picked them up tonight and thanks to Mel's handling they are very social.

I've taken a few pics of their first venture out in the new homestead but these show off the markings which means I can ID them! Walter is on left and Raleigh is on the right.

So Walter this close up is of Walter.

Tom spent the evening commenting that the boys not use the ramp or explore the upper reaches of their cage. Mortimer spent it being unimpressed and wondering what all the fuss was about.

Mortimer gets hugs

Rat + Milky Bone = Mini dog impression!

Mortimer vs a Pedigree Milk Bone

Des Res

In anticipation of 2 new arrivals in the next week we've bought a brand new rat cage. It's the Jenny KD and is an upgraded version of the one we've already got. It's much the same size but can be completely dismantled and flat-packed (great for ratty holidays); has 2 huge central doors (great for reaching in and scooping up ratties); all the bars are horizontal (great for climbing); and even better all the bars are plastic coated (great for cleaning!).

I built it this morning before I went to work and this afternoon I've moved Mortimer into it. He probably thinks he's been sucked into a parallel universe where things are almost, but not quite, the same.

The old cage will be cleaned up and temporarily used to house the new boys (or permanently used if they can't get on with Morty). Hopefully it'll then be bunged in the attic and only brought down for use as a hospital cage when needed.

Hair styling

Mortimer seems to be missing Wheeler grooming him - his fur isn't looking quite a groomed. So we've splashed out on a "Mini Slicker Brush" it seems to have gone down very he just sits very still and enjoys a brush.

Flat Rat Toodles