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I have it up to my ears with pet stores. Twice now I have been into a major pet store chain and found myself hearing conversations of employees that had no business happening. They are there supposedly for the love of the animals (yeah sure, it’s a paycheck… I know) and yet they laugh at the idea of rodents being fed live to herps! While I am no fool and understand all too well that people go to these places for rodents to feed their snakes… I hardly expect to hear associates telling them the best way to do it. Might I suggest some neutral ground for these morons? You have to sell them the “feeders”, but you don’t have to give advice on the best way to get your herp a protein boost by feeding it an 18-day preggers mouse. I guess the “Live Feeding Is For Losers” t-shirt my daughter was wearing just didnt give it away huh? *rolls eyes*

I’m with Scott, lets go to an adoption event and ask to adopt a puppy or kitten.. .we need for food for our pet alligator. I have no doubt that would be met with hysteria and protests by everyone within ear shot. Of course, it’s a ridiculous notion, but it makes a very good point IMO. You wouldn’t feed a puppy or kitten to an alligator, then why do you think it’s OK to feed a mouse or rat to a snake? Natural diet? Sure it is, but not put in a tank and given no chance to escape. The foodchain allows for predator/prey relationships that have hunts that are sometimes successful and more often that not… they miss. This is the natural course of things.

I have no real argument with humanely euthed feeder animals. I understand this will be the way it goes. I would love to see live feeding made illegal so then at least pet stores wouldnt carry rodents anymore.

I’m done here… I am just irked.

Scott adds: The issue I have with the “natural diet” argument is one of intellectual honesty. My point is that there is nothing natural about any animal in captivity. How is it natural that you would feed the animal anything live? The animal is in a cage. What’s natural about an animal in a cage?

There’s nothing natural about it.

He mosies down the ramp and clambers into a hammie, gets comfy and stares out at me. His eyes look sleepy and he seems to smile as I reach in to scritch his tiny ears. The bruxing starts and soon a boggle follows. I talk softly to him and watch his eyes slowly close, opening now and again to see if I am still close enough to groom or sniffle. Its not long before he balls up in the ratty fashion of snoozing and goes fully to dreamland (I suppose there is such a place for ratkind).

I close the cage softly and watch the others either join him or go off to another hamie or cube. There are plenty of good sleeping spots, lots of comfy corners to be had.

“Good night Fergus, Vroo, Wembley..nighters Heccie, Boo, Fessie..sleep well Urnie”

Their night starts as my day begins..the beauty of rats never ceases to amaze and enthrall me.

Something special happened a year ago today, some might call it a bit of magic. The Fraggle uncles have reached the first of their life milestones, they are a year old. We have had cake today, played games, they have been well fed, spoiled rotten. They still have gifts to open and water to splash in.

We dont get many birthdays with these guys, so each one is special and unique. Each one is a huge day and something to relish and celebrate with gusto and vigor!!!!!

Fergus, my beloved boy. So sweet and mellow, a kind old soul..making his way through this lifetime again somehow. We are kindred souls and I am blessed to know him.

Wembley, my seal point clown, oh those ears are the death of me. Such antics, so sweet and playful. He is as jolly as an elf, cute as one too =D

Happy Birthday as well to your many sisters and one brother. We love you all and hope for many more with you.

Bagels and rats, hmmmm, its a tasty combination with some messy results =D I toasted their plain bagel perfectly, spread the cream cheese ever so thinly. I walked towards the cage, proud of this masterpiece, knowing the boys would be in awe of such a beautiful breakfast!!!! Opened the cage to mass hysteria and a riot!!!!!!! They jumped on one another, climbed the sides to get a better spot, pulled when they got a tiny edge, dragged one anothers bites and pretty much mangled the breakfast I had so lovingly prepared. Boo was half way to his favorite hiding spot with half the bagel when I caught his little butt and made him share his bounty *sighs*

Next time Im doing the smart thing and cutting a muffin into nice bits and handing it to them in a bowl. =D

The two babies have settled wonderfully. I find their personalities hilarious, distracting and very endearing. Both babies are busy, nosey and always looking for a hand out. They have learned quickly that mom or big sister could possibly mean a bite of something yummy or some cuddle time. They will be handsome adults and they already add a wonderful diversity to our small colony here.

I am trying to keep careful notes on all behavior issues/moments as they crop up. I’m finding it a useful tool for myself and noting my reactions has made for some interesting reading months after the fact .

I find that keeping rats leaves you alot of room to think. They are smart animals and give me much to ponder on a daily basis. Each rat is so unique, so one of a kind. It’s interesting and entertaining to see how they mesh as a group, to watch the small dramas unfold in the cage everyday.

We have also moved to a different cleaning schedule. I find that the babies tend to be a bit smellier than the older boys. I’m not sure exactly why that is. I suppose some of it has to do with the way they are processing their new diets and the need to scent mark where the big boys have already done so. Maybe trying to establish themselves as someone to reckon with. LOL

Many people use peroxide and vinegar to clean their cages, I suppose that’s one option. Myself, I prefer a weak bleach solution. I like the disinfecting qualities of bleach and the clean smell it leaves behind. It takes a bit more time because of the extra rinsing, but it’s so worth that extra few minutes in my opinion. It’s the same with their laundry. I use bleach in very hot water and double rinse. It leaves the hammies and shelf liners smelling fresh and clean. I suppose I just feel better knowing that there are no germs left behind and no foul odors building up on anything.

Yay BLEACH =D!!!!!