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Kate - 25 May 2005 01:20 GMT

Hi all..:)

We have just got back from a few days away in Christchurch. Can you
believe that we actually went without a cage? Everyone thought someone
else had packed one !! LOL could only happen in this family. We did
however do the rounds of all the "Better" Pet shops. Saying that I have
to be honest, either I am too fussy or animal welfare isn't their first
priority..:( I saw a few cute Rats but the only 1 I was tempted by was
one fella who wouldn't have mixed with our lot, he was too old..:(( His
tail was curled right back on itself and the silly saleswoman couldnt
explain why that was. I told her it was because they ran in their
wheels most of the day. I wonder if it is done due to boredom more than
the "fun" aspect of it. ( Pet Shop Rats).? The lady was surprised to
learn that..LOL My daughter got to cuddle a wee female who was
constantly throwing herself up onto the wire lid of her tank ... The
lady was quite miffed when the little soul calmed down in my daughers
arms and enjoyed a tummy rub..:) So, sadly I came home empty handed
this time. I have decided not to have large numbers of them anymore.
As my fellas make the transition, they will not be replaced. I will try
to get down to single figures..:))

I need advice on what to do about Patrick and Lemony. We have had them
a few weeks now and we have gotten nowhere with the pair of them. They
are as scared as the day we got them. Lemony may come out for food but
if he sees any of us thats it he's off back into his house. I have
tried to handle them but they hate it to the point I can't even get them
down my top. They will litterally fly out. . . any suggestions would
be greatly appreciated. I want soo much to snuggle with these wee demons.

Regards Kate

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Tiger Spot - 25 May 2005 06:15 GMT

>I need advice on what to do about Patrick and Lemony. We have had them
>a few weeks now and we have gotten nowhere with the pair of them. They
[quoted text clipped - 3 lines]
>down my top. They will litterally fly out. . . any suggestions would
>be greatly appreciated. I want soo much to snuggle with these wee demons.

Hm. That does sound tricky. Have you tried sitting with them somewhere
they can't get too far away? The bathroom might do it; there aren't
usually too many places to hide in there.

I hope they relax -- if the ol' down-the-shirt trick isn't working the
poor dears must be very highly strung.

Are they with any other rats that like you better? Sometimes seeing
the older rats come and get treats can be reassuring.

--Theresa

http://tiger_spot.mapache.org

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Kate - 25 May 2005 10:17 GMT

>>I need advice on what to do about Patrick and Lemony. We have had them
>>a few weeks now and we have gotten nowhere with the pair of them. They
[quoted text clipped - 17 lines]
>
> http://tiger_spot.mapache.org

Thanks for that Theresa,

I had Patrick on my shoulder and Memphis (very cruisy Rattie) on the
other. Patrick just seemed to ignore him and carried on being
terrified...:(( They all get on fine in the big house but the company
doesn't seem to work once they are out of there.

Regards Kate

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Joanne - 26 May 2005 02:19 GMT

> Hi all..:)
>
[quoted text clipped - 26 lines]
>
> Regards Kate

You are building will power Kate, I'm so proud of you!! lol
I think the only thing you can do for those scared little guys is to force
them down your shirt. That's all I've ever done for mine, even with the ones
that seem to take flight while being squished in my hands. ;)
I agree with you too, I'm setting myself a limit in the future of no more
than 5 rats, ok, maybe 6, no make that 8... I'm doomed....

Signature

Joanne
Mom to 8 rats
http://community.webshots.com/user/joanneb70

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Kate - 26 May 2005 04:40 GMT

>>Hi all..:)
>>
[quoted text clipped - 33 lines]
> I agree with you too, I'm setting myself a limit in the future of no more
> than 5 rats, ok, maybe 6, no make that 8... I'm doomed....

LOL.... You setting a limit?.... I can't wait to see that...:)) I just
think it would be better for me to devote more time to a few that a
small amount of time to lots... Oh well it makes sense to me...:))

I can't get a hold of these two wee horrors to get as far as down my
shirt. The best anyone can do is a quick scoop but these guys are a new
variety of Rat.... They Fly !! They can squirm out of my fist faster
than you can say "Yogie Drops for all". There has to be something that
will work..:(

Regards Kate

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Tiger Spot - 26 May 2005 14:16 GMT

>I can't get a hold of these two wee horrors to get as far as down my
>shirt. The best anyone can do is a quick scoop but these guys are a new
>variety of Rat.... They Fly !! They can squirm out of my fist faster
>than you can say "Yogie Drops for all". There has to be something that
>will work..:(

I find it nearly impossible to hold a rat that doesn't want to be held
in one hand. Try one hand with one finger on top of the head and one
finger under the head and in front of the front legs, preventing
forward motion, and the other hand supporting the back legs and
preventing that obnoxious little backwards wriggle.

I know it's hard to pick up little struggly things -- they feel so
easy to break! But rats are tough, really they are.

--Theresa

http://tiger_spot.mapache.org

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Joanne - 26 May 2005 14:26 GMT

>>>Hi all..:)
>>>
[quoted text clipped - 45 lines]
>
> Regards Kate

My other suggestion is to put your hand in the cage several times to play
with the other guys. Make them popcorn and get all happy. They will send out
a signal to the little ones that all is well with this human. Do this until
the little ones come out to investigate, and once they start to play with
you, offer them a treat, only after they have played with your hand. Do this
for a while and then scoop them with both hands while still in the cage to
show them the hand is not bad. Don't pull them out of the cage for a while,
scooop them and release. Once they are comfortable with your hand, then you
can take them out for some more cuddling.

Signature

Joanne
Mom to 8 rats
http://community.webshots.com/user/joanneb70

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Kate - 26 May 2005 22:59 GMT

>>>>Hi all..:)
>>>>
[quoted text clipped - 55 lines]
> scooop them and release. Once they are comfortable with your hand, then you
> can take them out for some more cuddling.

Thanks for that Joanne, I will give that a go. Patrick took some rock
mellon from my hand last night. I don't think the silly blighter
realises yet that it was me..LOL. He was soo high up in the house that
he forgot to look down. He just saw fruit in his face..:))

Regards Kate

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Pet Forum / Mammals / Rats / May 2005

The Holiday that was ...