Egg

Cage due to be cleaned, two bored rats and one spare egg.

Squish Toodles

Mortimer is technically bigger than Wheeler, though it would appear Wheeler is in denial about this as he continues to squish and squash Mortimer.

Helping on the phone

Wheeler helps during a phone conversation.

Let sleeping rats lie

The new nest remains popular and interestingly we now get to see them sleep a bit better. my favourite position I've seen them snooze in is this rolled-in-a-ball one. So cute.

What you looking at?

Cute photo of Mort and Wheel

New Nest

The new cage layout has caused an interesting development. The rats usually sleep in the hammock but we moved this to the opposite side of the cage and we've noticed that they created a 'nest' at the side they would usually sleep at. Even better they regularly swap places (from hammock to nest, as a pair of as an individual) over the day.

The bedding material is some kitchen roll and some ripped up cardboard tube (we rip not them, they get stuck if we put them in whole). Even better the other morning the kitchen roll had been shoved to the centre of the ledge so we could remove it and replace it with clean stuff. It should be noted that they still pee on this shelf despite sleeping there so the bedding needs changed daily.

How fast can a rat each spinich?

Very fast! Mortimer has this packed away before I managed to take a second photo! Look at the blur lines!

Do rats like broccoli , mash and gravy?

Tom made the best steak pie and the lucky rats got some of the leftover veg. Wheeler got in first and ate all the mash. Finally Mortimer woke and enthusiastically ate the broccoli Wheeler had left in disdain. They licked the dish clean!

Cute Mortimer Photos

You looking at me?

Mortimer and Dumbledore are good friends - unlike Wheeler who usually tries to eat Dumbledore.

Cute Wheeler Photos

They have had the teapot since we got them, they used to both sleep in it but there isn't much room now!

Doughnut Fun - Part 2

So what was the cunning solution to a doughnut on a string?

Wheeler is a cunning rat and his eat-through-string solution was very effective!

Doughnut Fun

Wheeler loves string. He's like a cat about it and will try and grab it or will be dog like and have a pull fight with you. Anyway we decided to try them out with a 'doughnut' on a string (special rat treat).

Anyway after only getting a mouthful things got serious. Wheeler had manged in the past by dragging the string onto the upper shelf but in this case the string was too far away so a more dramatic solution has to be found.

Chilling

Even super cute rats need their beauty sleep.

Rat Sack

I went to visit my favourite rats yesterday (Kateri thinks I came to see her but ssssshhh, don't tell her it's my love of her long tailed friends I really come for). They were in excellent form wrestling with string and playing with their new blankets.

Wheeler even came out to play in his little rat sack. Gotta love those little rattys!

Not long now till they come to visit- a mere 2 1/2 months!

Update

The rats have gone home, only 14 weeks till Easter....

Everything I know about rats by Lottie

Rat Pictures

Some ratty pictures....so sad they are going home tomorrow.

General Rat Comings and Goings

The rats got 3 items in the post this morning. Christopher was not happy, mostly as it was the only post we got today. I found his grumpiness quite funny.

The rats have managed to get the photo of Tom which was on the mirror into their cage and have had a little chew, guess they associate Tom with eating. (Right now Minnie has secured a Christmas card for M&W and is chewing that...)

I bought them some yummy snacks for them at ASDA, don't tell Chris I spent money on food specifically for the rats, his bad mood will only get worse.

The Pizza went down well, infact the cage looks like they had one heck of a party in it so I gave them the other pizza. Boy can those rats party- I suspect Wheeler has a secret stash of rat booze somewhere though as he tumbled down the tube in a similar fashion to the giant rock in Indiana Jones. He was surprized when he hit his head on the teapot at the bottom. Mad rat.

Bet you can't wait to see them.

Rat Decorations

Mortimer and Wheeler are the stars of the Christmas Decorations for the Whalley household. I'm sure these plastic frames are meant to display small children but I think the rats cut a dash. 

What's that smell?

Yes, the time has arrived. The boys had reached ultimate ponginess and we could take no more half measures, it was time for the full monty- the cage clean.

I left Christopher in charge for 2 minutes, only to return and find him with Wheeler safely esconced in his travel cage happily munching on treats and Mortimer lurking on his shoulder and a sulky look. Could you please put him in his cage please. Can I point out all I did was pick him up and put him in the cage- what was so difficult? Mortimer looooves Christopher.

Here they are reentering their de stinkified cage. I can here them now

"What, what is this smell? There is no eau de poo"

There was much excitement as Wheeler discovered they were getting takeout

"Mortimer, Mortimer come and see it's Pizza, *Sniff Sniff* Hawaiian I believe. Oh boy oh boy these D'Alby's are goooood."

Not Strictly Rat Related

I got a web cam for Christmas so the easter rat visit should be even better as Tom can show me how to set it up.

Interesting rat facts

1. Wheeler loves Christopher's armpit more than banana chips.
2. Rats will attempt to eat an entire apple that is bigger than their own head
3. Mortimer loves his own reflection

That's it for today folks

Presents

Mortimer and Wheeler were, erm, distinctly bored with the concept of presents, they gave them a sniff and then wandered back to sleep. Maybe next year.

For the record I liked the miniature baseballs (i think they were having a game when we were away, that ball has been in the strangest places...) and the hawaiian pizzas but i really don't blame them for being unimpressed with the carrots- not even real ones but fake ones, what was santa thinking?

Opening Presents

Mortimer and Wheeler loved their many Christmas presents.

More Post

The rats got more mail today. Craziness people, craziness.
As punishment for the insanity I will not put the present opening on the net until late tomorrow.

HO HO HO Merry Christmas!

I'll just check on Mortimer and Wheeler

Mortimer and Wheeler have constant companionship. This is Lottie just checking on them while she is supposed to be getting dressed. No need to worry that they are getting bored, in fact they are probably looking forward to us being away for a day.

Mail Call

Mortimer and Wheeler received a christmas card from Tom's work colleague today.

Weird. A whole new level of odd.

Hello Boys

Good morning Mortimer and Wheeler. Did you have a nice sleep?

Yes I think you did.

Raisens

Mortimer loves raisens. Wheeler does not. Or at least doesn't much fancy them tonight.