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I was looking at my fuzzies this morning and it struck me how much I love them all. It’s a deep love, full and warm. I realize what a HUGE part of my life they all are and it makes me smile. I sometimes let days go by, just caring for them, playing and making them happy, but then I sit and let the love sink in, fill me up. They have brought so much laughter to this house, it’s been amazing. They are little people in fur, always there, always ready to listen and sometimes even talk back (Fergus this is in no way directed at you!).

They have a gift, an amazing ability to somehow understand and at times it seems they anticipate where they will be needed next. I suspect I am wholly taken with them, consumed and will never be happy without a few of these little “people” around to cheer me up. They give so much more than they ever ask for.

Although I would like to ask Wembley if his attempts at a cuddle late last night was more of an attempt to get a bite of the strawberry vanilla yogurt I was eating. LOL

Our beautiful seal point girl went quietly after surgery this afternoon. I cannot even find the words to express my sorrow, the deep ache that has settled into my heart.

Sidebottom was an exceptional seal point dumbo, gorgeous all the way around. Her comical attitude and zest for exploration were unmatched by any other rattie I have ever known. She was a champion shirt diver and quickly gave out kisses to cover her misdeeds and sassy ways.

We didn’t have long with her, not nearly long enough. I have found myself spending the afternoon asking myself how and why, finding only tears in the answers that refused to come.

She is survived by both parents, many brothers and sisters and a whole slew of nieces and nephews. Two of those brothers live here with us, a sweet reminder of her everyday to come.

I can only hope she is playing hard at the Bridge, popcorning in her crazy way…loving all that she meets there.

You will be missed baby girl, very much. There are so many of us that loved you and won’t ever forget you.

Thank you so much for giving the love and laughter that you did.

Sleep softly baby girl, rest easy.

Our new little man has been trying to hide under the guise of being a russian silver siamese, he is really platinum!!! His breeder, after much debate, research and just plain ol’ gut instinct has come to the conclusion that he is a very nice platinum as are a couple of his sisters! We couldn’t be more pleased with this change of events.

I personally don’t care about the color as much as I do the temperment and Valerie’s rats are wonderful critters. Hopefully he and his brother will be coming home this weekend. Looks like we will be making the trek north to fetch the kids after all.

Having found rats, learning what wonderful critters they are!!! I am thankful for those that have come into my life and have now left it. I am thankful for those still in my life and the happiness they bring everyday.

Buster Loot - his surly, never really happy little personality was my first intro to rats.

Despite him not being the best ambassador he opened my heart and my mind a little further and made me love these little creatures. We spent better than two years together, wary of one another, but finding a middle ground that made us both happy in the end.

I still miss you Mr. Loot and I think of you when I am laying in bed at night waiting to fall asleep. I am grateful that your departure from this world was quiet and dignified, just like you always were.

Henry - my beloved hooded boy.

How you made me smile when you would run eagerly to the cage to see if I had snacks for you! Being a pet store feeder bin rescue, you stayed leary of me the whole time you were here. But we were friends.

You grew into such a handsome rat man, so squishy. Thank you for finally trusting in humans enough to let me cuddle you when it was your time to leave. I know you are at the bridge and watching me, smiling in your ratty way that was so comical. I miss you everyday!!! I miss your busy body night antics that kept me awake.

I tell people often of how much I loved you and how much you made me want to own even more rats.

Penny -The only female rat I have had the pleasure of knowing.

A sweet little girl that never trusted humans. You were a gentle soul that would cower in a corner, always terrified of being picked up. I am glad to have known you, very glad to have been part of your life. I hope you saw in me that not all humans are cruel and unworthy of trust.

Bub - The first dumbo earred rat we ever met!

Such a handsome man, so cuddly. Even being from a feeder bin, he was friendly and sociable from day one. I know Scott still misses you very much. We all do. I hope you are happy at the bridge and finding lots of playmates and snacks.

They are watching out over those with us, helping them to discover that humans are wonderful and many of them are worthy of bruxing and boggling. They are the reminders of what makes rats so special and why we love them the way we do.

I thought about all of them this morning as I was playing with my babies and it made my heart feel just a bit tighter, but in a good way. They were a wonderful bunch in their own ways. I am thankful to have known them and been caretaker and keeper to some. They paved the way for Wembley, Fergus, Nugent, and soon baby Vroo.

As I wrote previously, taking on a rescued rat is an exploration into your own patience.

Chin-po and Mushu are wonderful rats to begin with. They have been patient with me and I have with them. Basically, they are rats that I have no real understanding of where they’ve been and what has happened to them. Because of this, I can only move them slowly to my will or I risk having their personalities spoiled for their entire life.

Both of their personalities are very worthy and they’re coming along. However, this is where it ventures into a branched path. I had hoped originally that they would both be progressing at the same pace. The reality is much different, however. Mushu is still a bit resistant to being picked up and held but that’s to be expected.

Chin-po, on the other hand, doesn’t fight at all. He’s progressing very nicely indeed. He’s still a bit shy sometimes but he’s not a whiner at all.

It’s just a matter of gaining their trust. Usually, Yogies help in this endeavor.