I know this may not "float anyone's boat" but mine:smile: but when our little Merri ratgirl died Jan 4th I went out two days later and got two new females - two of them to keep each other company - and unbeknownst to me, the second one (gotten from a different store) was pregnant when we got her. Their gestation is only 3 wks:ohmy: and so she gave birth to 12 little pups on Jan 25th. They were two wks old yesterday and all eyes are open and they are running around and tumbling over each other in their eagerness to explore their home.:smile: We've been taking them out of the cage and socializing them, petting and holding and speaking gently to them. When they're young they're easily socialized and those kinds of babies make the best pets cause they're so tame and trusting and loving.
I never intended to have 14 rats for pets but will keep them all (genders separate) until good loving homes can be found for as many as possible. I am reminded of an ancient belief cited in John Steinbeck's book TRAVELS WITH CHARLIE. The belief states that if you interfere with the life of any living being, you then become responsible for that life. Itchy gave birth to her babies while in my care so I am responsible for her babies. I will only give them to loving homes, in same sex pairs for company, and none of them will ever be snake food.
I'm really excited and feeling very maternal when I look at them and handle them. ALL babies, no matter what species, cause my maternal hormones to go into overdrive - and I love watching them, as well as the loving care given them by their mother Itchy. Itchy's roommate, Pippi, is behaving like she's their aunt: she sleeps in the nest with them, washing them and keeping them warm with her company. Altruism is a personality trait not limited to human beings!:wink:
Well, that's all. Just wanted to share my multiple grandmotherism with my friends here! Proud grandma and all...:smile:
least, the rat-lover
they do make lovely companion animals given loving care.... and they don't hate me like my human kids do. how nice, an object for my affection that doesn't throw it back into my face!
I never intended to have 14 rats for pets but will keep them all (genders separate) until good loving homes can be found for as many as possible. I am reminded of an ancient belief cited in John Steinbeck's book TRAVELS WITH CHARLIE. The belief states that if you interfere with the life of any living being, you then become responsible for that life. Itchy gave birth to her babies while in my care so I am responsible for her babies. I will only give them to loving homes, in same sex pairs for company, and none of them will ever be snake food.
I'm really excited and feeling very maternal when I look at them and handle them. ALL babies, no matter what species, cause my maternal hormones to go into overdrive - and I love watching them, as well as the loving care given them by their mother Itchy. Itchy's roommate, Pippi, is behaving like she's their aunt: she sleeps in the nest with them, washing them and keeping them warm with her company. Altruism is a personality trait not limited to human beings!:wink:
Well, that's all. Just wanted to share my multiple grandmotherism with my friends here! Proud grandma and all...:smile:
least, the rat-lover
they do make lovely companion animals given loving care.... and they don't hate me like my human kids do. how nice, an object for my affection that doesn't throw it back into my face!
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