The boys are all together now!

I only waited a week, I just could not stand to wait any longer!
But I figured since they came from the same breeder within weeks of each other and Casper and Felix are so big already, it should be ok...
Actually it was perfect, like they had always known each other.
The younger ones were more interested in the bigger boys at first.

Toby and Miles were very nonchalant and acted like...
oh hey, it's you guys.
Then they all tried to get in the one small pouch...

They played in the free range area for a couple of hours. Running in and out of their tunnel, smelling and chasing each other.


Toby and Miles looking for Casper and felix.


Casper and Felix hiding in the tunnel, still not so sure about open spaces.

I totally cleaned and disinfected the cage.
Then put in all new/clean hammocks and toys, added all 4 boys and crossed my fingers.
That was 2 days ago and was completely uneventful.
They all sleep in the same hammock, wrestle, take each others food, groom each other, chase each other and get so much more excited when I bring them out, since there are more of them to chase each other. :)
I am so glad I got 2 more now, while everyone was still so young. I was not sure at first, but having 4 little boys has been amazing. They are so cute together and playing with 4 is much more exciting than just 2...for me and the boys! :)

Meet Casper and Felix!

Here they are the first time in the pouch. So cute and sweet.
These boys are quite a bit bigger than Toby and Miles were
at the same age. Of course Toby and Miles came from a litter of 17,
and these two a litter of 7, so that may have something to do with it.
So far they seem much braver than Toby and Miles were in the beginning.

Casper is the big eater of the two. Last night he had all the lab blocks
from the food dish in the hammock and was sleeping on top of them.

Felix is more curious about everything. He already comes right over
to sniff my hand and see what is going on, when I open the cage.

They are both quite laid back and easy going.


Almost Naptime

Early Christmas presents....

My husband is amazing!
Here are a couple pics of two of my Christmas presents.
Casper

Felix

These are their almost 3 week old pictures.
They are 5 weeks now and so adorable!
They are also from Carolina Blue Rattery in HighPoint NC.
Casper is a Russian blue hooded dumbo
Felix is a Russian blue Berkshire dumbo
I am so excited.

Images courtesy of Keith Worstell at Carolina Blue Rattery

The boys got their secret santa gift!

I am a member of a Rattie forum, called The Rat Shack
and I signed us up for the secret Santa exchange.
Well Toby and Miles got their gifts yesterday.
Thank you so much Anita! We love all of it.

Happy 2 month Birthday!

The boys are 2 months old today.
It really is going by fast and they are getting so big.
They fill the carry pouch up now. :)

Toby (always looking for a goodie) :)



Miles (always having a bath) :)

The boys are 8 weeks old!

They have now been with me as long as they were old
when I got them, half their little lives.
They have grown so much and are the sweetest boys in the world.

I have GGMR.

So I definitely have what I have heard other rat fanciers refer to as...GGMR.
I am not sure what causes it, but it is most likely a combination of rats being so freaking cute and me wanting to nurture something all the time. :)
But I am feeling a serious urge to get a couple more already and my boys are not even two months old.

Such cute tummies!

The boys are doing great.
They know I bring goodies and come running over now.

The boys are 6 weeks old.

I cannot believe I have had the boys for 2 weeks already!
They are now 6 weeks old and growing so fast.

Here they are eating one of their Favorites...PEAS!

You can also tell who the pig is in this picture,
Toby is thinking about taking the pea from Miles,
even though he has not even started eating his own.

Learning how to be held...

We have started working on holding the boys without the trusty old pouch.They love that pouch so much, but it makes it harder to actually hold them, since they keep wanting to crawl down into it.

So if we want to hold them, the pouch cannot be anywhere in sight.
Here is a pic of my son (Ethan) holding Toby


Now Ethan and Miles

Free Play!

We have been working on free play time with the boys.

At first they thought it was kind of scary and just wanted back in their cage.

So instead I have been using their pouch with a blanket on the table and each day they are getting a little braver.

Here my daughter (Zoë) assist.


If they get scared they run back to the pouch and get in, it is so cute!

The boys are 5 weeks old.

The boys are doing wonderful.
They are growing so fast, they look bigger each day.
They are both so sweet and curious. They love to get in the carry pouch and know a treat is coming when they get in.
They are both so smart!

Toby is the piggy one, he is the first to try something new and when he is finished with his treat he usually tries to take what Miles has left.
Miles is a lot pickier about what he eats, but if it is something he likes, then he gets excited about it.

Last night I cleaned their cage and when I put them back in it, they were going crazy and running around at super speed, very excited.:)
Toby kept coming out onto my hand and wanting to explore.
Miles comes to the door and licks me, but does not try to come out yet.

I have not let them have free play yet, I wanted to spend the first
week getting to know them, so I held them and snuggled them in the pouch.
This weekend we are going to start free play and I am very excited.

Eating broccoli is tiring!

Happy 1 month birthday.

The boys are one month old today.

Miles checks out the camera, while Toby snoozes in the background.


Sleepy Toby



Sleepy Miles

Getting to know the babies.

The boys are adjusting well.
I had them out for a play session this morning and after awhile they both ended up falling asleep in the carry pouch, all snuggled together.
They let me pet them and are very curious about what is outside the pouch.
Toby kept trying to pull my ring off my finger and then he licked me several times and was so gentle.:)
Miles kept bringing me the rest of his treat and putting it in my hand.:)
I love them so much already!
They both seem to enjoy the dog's freeze dried beef liver treats.
I have not given them a lot of new stuff yet though, as I do not want to upset their tummies.
I am feeding them Harlan Teklad #2018 blocks and a rattie mix I made yesterday. I used Suebee's rat mix recipe and modified it a little.

My boys.

Tired boys.

The boys are home!

The boys are finally here. I still cannot believe it. I feel like we waited forever.
My sister in law got two also, so they will still get to see two of their brothers.:)

Toby is a light Blue Berkshire. He is almost all blue grey, but has a little white belly and the tip of his tail is white.:)

Miles is a light Blue Veriberk. He is the same blue grey and has a white belly, but he also has white on his sides.:)

They are both absolutely gorgeous.
We got them a Martin's cage, the R-680 (Rat Lodge) and I have decorated it with lots of hammocks and fleece.

They are both a little timid right now, but so sweet and gentle.
Yesterday was a big day for them.

I am so excited!

My boys will be home soon.

I am going to get my sweet rat babies tomorrow.
Their stuff is all set up and ready.
None of them ended up being dumbos, but that does not matter.
I cannot wait to get them.
Here they each are at 3 weeks old.

Toby


Miles


Images courtesy of Keith Worstell at Carolina Blue Rattery

I am getting two blue boys!

I finally found a rat breeder close to me.
It is Carolina Blue Rattery in High Point NC
and he specializes in blues!
I have been on his waiting list and he had a
litter of babies born on Oct. 3.
She had 17 and some may be dumbos!:)
They are 12 days old now and all doing well.
Here are some pics of my two baby boys.

Toby


Miles


Images courtesy of Keith Worstell at Carolina Blue Rattery

New babies in the Harris household?

I have been wanting a new "baby" for awhile.
We have been almost pet free for about 8 months now,
except for our dog (Jamie) and although she is a sweetheart,
I do miss my cuddly critters.:)

I thought about a kitty,
but have had trouble in the past with my allergies.
Plus I want something little and social.
So I decided a "pocket pet" is what I need,
and since rats are by far the best pocket pets.;)

I have been looking for a quality rat breeder in the area.
I hope to find one and maybe get a socialized, healthy baby.