Them's Ducks...

Mamma duck and her babies were waddling around downtown. Some concerned citizens were able to gather them up and take them to a park down by the river, away from traffic and train tracks.

Introducing Winnie rat and Piglet rat

Winnie rat is a girlie rat with some hair while Piglet rat is a girlie rat with not a lot of hair...

Hanging out with the lovebirds

The Lovebirds really enjoy hanging out with me.

Rick mouse

Between the time these last pictures were taken in March and the time of his passing yesterday, Ricky mouse became a little old man mouse. Ricky mouse had lost most of the vision in one eye and was having trouble walking around, but Ricky mouse was determined to have everything his way. In fact, the morning before his death I had cleaned his cage and since he was having trouble climbing I removed his wheel and a short u-tube leading up to his "petting zone" a.k.a. his bed. Ricky mouse would have none of this and threw his own little old mouse tantrum and the moment I reattached the tube he climbed up into his bedding and made it up the way he liked.
These last few weeks I would spend a lot of cuddle time with Ricky mouse and he would let me know often head-butt my thumb when I was not petting him enough and eagerly hop into my hand when I offered to pick him up. As he grew more and more tender I made his meals easier by crumbling his block into little pieces and spritzing them with PediaLyte. Ricky mouse loved getting yoggie Cheerios after cuddle time and would often wait for me to offer them before retiring to his nest.

When ratty met kitty...

More here...

Hang time

The lovebirds settle in for some snuggle time.


Barnabas rat plays it sweet.

Pierre, the Penguin

Stories like this warm the cockles of my heart. Poor Pierre the Penguin was old, losing weight and feathers, and couldn't swim anymore due to hypothermia. So what to do? A wetsuit, of course!

My First Paycheck

My niece, Britton, shared this with the family today...

As each person ages, I think one of the most exciting times in an individual's life is receiving that first paycheck. If you can think back to your first job, can you think back to your very first paycheck? If so, do you remember what you did with your first paycheck? Do you have anything to show for it? I was fifteen and from my first job, with my very first paycheck, I bought myself a beautiful miniature Dachshund. With a spring in her step, the only name that would suit her bubbly personality would be Cricket. June 1st, 1993-April 26th, 2008 (just shy of 15 years old & 105 in dog years).

I have many favorite photos of Cricket because she loved the camera. It was as if she would literally pose for the camera, knowing all eyes were on her. Included are two photos, one of her younger years (taken with me) and one in her later years. Although she appears white in her later year's photo, she actually spent most of her years white. Why you may ask? To remind my father to never leave her outside in a blizzard ever again. And guess what, he never did.

This is my favorite poem by an unknown author dedicated to man’s best friend...

Faithful Friend

God summoned a beast from the field and he said...

"I endow you with the instincts uncommon to other beasts:
Faithfulness, devotion and understanding surpassing those of man himself.
Lest it impair your understanding, you are denied the power of words;
Speak to your master only with your mind and through honest eyes.

So be silent, and be a friend to man;
This shall be your destiny and your immorality."

So spoke the Lord.
And the dog heard and was content.

Oh, the Tummy!

2Apr 26 339
Originally uploaded by Emily / DreamEyce

A rattie lover and breeder has posted adorable photos of her litter - check them out!

Introducing Barnabas rat

Introducing Barnabas rat.