Freak Out!

“Oh no! We're cornered!”

I iz tresspassing

Not quite brave enough to come out...but brave enough to watch what's going on :)

Little and large...

I put my cookie down on the coffee table and turn my back for 5 seconds and this is what happens...

But I wanna play...

Tiberius is super alert when we are about making it near impossible to leave the house without suffering from guilt.

Hanging on the Couch

All three boys were out today to hang on the couch with us (though this is Tiberius, you cna just see James tucked behind him)

Mirror, Mirror on the wall...

Who is the cutest rat of all?

Getting to know you...

 

Nelson and Tiberius in a face off

James and Nelson get to know each other 

James Bahoochie

The weigh in...

We think Tiberius is about a week older than James and Kirk. He's coming in at 225g,

 Kirk is 190g

 but the smallest of all is James who is only 165g!

They a really are just ickle babies.

I'll play!

Tiberius is always looking for attention and to come out and play. He's even prepared to stand on your hand.

You got any food?

I'll hide, you count to 10.

We couldn't see James, turns out he had eaten his way into the lining of the hammock.

Hello!

Tiberius appears for nom

Rats in a Teapot

Kirk and Tiberius is a teapot. So much cuter than a pig in a teacup.

Ickle Rats

 No you aren't seeing another photo of Horatio this is in fact our little new rat Kirk (though like his doppelganger he is the most chicken of the three)

This is James - not a great photo but it gives a good idea of just how small our new boys are (that or Tom really is a giant). His markings make him look like he's wearing a brown rat fur coat.

Raleigh and Nelson (our original rats) are both wondering what's going on.

 Tiberius has been the most friendly so far - even letting Tom tickle his tummy- but he's been a little camera shy so far.

Introducing...

James, Tiberius and Kirk!

Horatio 2010 to 2012

We still don't know exactly what was wrong with Horatio but it was clear he was suffering so we made the only choice we could. We said goodbye to our secretive, shy and cuddly boy for the last time.

Always the last to come out, first to hide and a total scaredy cat of loud noises. When he did come out he was prone to being extra cheeky, nipping us to get attention and then running away. Never one to eat food in front of us he'd store as much of it possible for later, hiding it in a set places and being surpised to discover it had vanished later. Most of all we'll miss the noise - Horatio was a vocal rat, complaining about Nelson picking on him even though he was twice his size and could have easily flattened him.

A year just wasn't long enough.

 

Horatio Sandwich

Hammock Happiness

Horatio snoozing in the top hammock - new cage layout rocks

Catch a Rat

Sorted rat cage so Horatio can safely explore

Horatio

Horatio isn't well - the vet is unclear what the problem is (so off to another vet on Monday who knows a bit more about rats) but it looks to be neurological. He seems to have lost some co-ordination and balance. His front paws have lost the ability to grip (though they aren't clenched in fists or lacking power) so moving around and  holding food are all a challenge. There are no lumps, no swellings, he doesn't squeak when touched anywhere, there is no listing or favouring one side and he still wants to eat. In fact he is generally not showing the symptoms we'd expect. Still since either Walter or Bothwell them showed any signs until the last few days of their little lives, this whole idea that they'll show with certain behaviours seems rather flawed.

Horatio does also have issues eating solid food, though still has an appetite and wants to eat. So when offered squishy food he is eating. He does love the fondant from a fondant fancy, chocolate paste (even with the antibiotics we are trying in case it's an ear infection of similar) and Ella's Kitchen Sweetcorn, pumpkin and peas stage 1 baby food. Other varieties are available be he refuses to eat them - good to see he's as fussy as usual then.

I likes grapes