Wednesday, October 25, 2006

Boober, R.I.P.

This is how I'll always remember Boober. He came into our lives on a whim, just because I made a phone call to a local pet store to see if they had a boy. A rescue had come in, they said. We went to see him, and it was love at first sight. He was shy, but friendly. A big boy, with an incredibly thick, beautiful coat of hair, and big dark eyes that connected to a kind, old soul. But he was just a rat, you say. That he was - a big buck of indeterminate age and background - but to know him was to love him. The last weeks were spent mostly in Christopher's arms, getting hand-fed and lovingly stroked. During his last night, I held him as best as I could into the wee hours of the morning; Boober lurched periodically in obvious pain, sometimes crawling out of my arm as if trying to escape it. I finally put him to bed, wishing I could hold him to the end, but knowing he needed to be safe from falling. His last act - out of pain and maybe a little out of need - was jumping up onto the door and hanging on, looking at me, before jumping down. I found him this morning laying by that door, waiting...

Lullaby

A short film currently in competition on the SciFi Channel's Exposure website, Lullaby is a sweet, eclectic tale told with puppets, set to the tune of a Russian lullaby...and oh, yes...the cast are...mice. The entire production was created by a very talented man named Leonard Manevich.

Be sure and stick around for the credits - at the 'tail end', you'll hear the mice!

Monday, October 23, 2006

Ellie the Basketball-playing Rat

Ellie is an unusual rat. With a little help from her human, she has learned how to...play basketball!

Friday, October 20, 2006

St. Hamsters

Boober rat parades

Boober rat is parading around the play area.



Boober rat likes his privacy...



"SNORT" says Boober rat. "That camera is annoying me.."

Tuesday, October 17, 2006

Boober rat love


Boober rat has not been well...
We got Boober not knowing how old he was or his history. Irregardless he is a wonderful ratty boy, full of character and dignity.
Boober rat had been previously diagnosed with having damaged lungs from either infection or environmental causes and had been on a regimen of antibiotics. But Boober rat has not been responding to the medications and was brought in to the vet for a checkup. The vet suggested that Boober's lungs were worse and also discovered the beginnings of a mammary tumor. From the choices that were presented we decided to take Boober home and administer a more powerful antibiotic and see how he responds. Boober perked up after two days and seems to be on an upswing.
Boober rat can be quite the ratty baby boy when he has been cuddled and cared for...

Friday, October 13, 2006

30 bunnies dumped on the side of the road...

what the hell is wrong with people...

30 bunnies dumped on the side of the road near Herriman; 17 rescued
LAST UPDATE: 10/12/2006 6:55:46 PM
A disheartening discovery last weekend leads to the rescue of 17 bunnies abandoned and left for dead in Herriman's Butterfield Canyon. Sadly, two of them did not survive, the rest are all waiting to be adopted.

Thursday, October 12, 2006

Mighty mouse! Rare discovery in Europe


Mighty mouse! Rare discovery in Europe
LONDON, England (AP) -- Using DNA testing, scientists have discovered what is believed to be the first terrestrial mammal found in Europe in decades: a mouse with a big head, ears, eyes and teeth that lives in a mountainous area of Cyprus.

Monday, October 09, 2006

Ratty girls getting treats

The ratty girls are getting tissue paper wrapped treats.











Rodent Birth Control - UPDATE


Two years ago, I posted about a project being conducted in Australia to control rodent populations, specifically mice.

A reader asked if I have heard more. I have not, but I did find an updated website for the project. I have also contacted the scientist I was in touch with back then, and will let you know what I find out...

Pet store break in

This video clip and post may be disturbing to some.
Pet store break in. When they are caught they should be punished to the fullest extent of the law.

Animals killed during pet store break-in
11:06 AM PDT on Sunday, October 8, 2006
By LINDA BRILL / KING 5 News
SEATTLE - Thieves broke into an animal shelter and pet shop in northeast Seattle, killing several small animals and opening cages.
The thieves hacked through the front door of Animal Talk pet store and shelter in the Roosevelt neighborhood sometime Friday night or early Saturday morning. Volunteers arrived to find animals scattered everywhere and several dead animals on the floor.
The 44 cats fought each other and hunted the smaller animals.
Some animals suffered an even crueler fate.
"Some of the animals were obviously stepped on intentionally, they were flat as pancakes," said shelter owner Missy Young.
They took all the reptiles, including an iguana, and some merchandise.
Staff and volunteers recovered all of the cats that were let loose and are setting traps for the smaller animals. Many of the cats were injured and will need vet care.
"If you want to take something take it..but you do not have to harm the animals in the process. that is totally malicious," said Young.
Damage is estimated in the thousands of dollars.
"This is an afront to the neighborhood," said volunteer Gaye Davies. "Animal talk has been a mecca for people with questions, people with lost animals."
Young warns that the stolen iguana is mean and he bites.
Police have no suspects.
How you can help
Send donations to: Animal Talk Rescue C/O Animal Talk, 6514 Roosevelt Way NE, Seattle, WA 98115. Or visit the Animal Talk Web site at http://www.animaltalkrescue.org/index2.html

Friday, October 06, 2006

Treats, indeed.


Found at JibJab

Artistic Rat

I get such a big kick out of Robyn's rats over at the Dapper Rat. She captures their personalities perfectly in her photos and stories.

One of the latest stories surrounds Schnoz of the Mighty Whiskers; Schnoz has decided to take up art, and is having a fine time being artistic...!

Clara Mouse goes through the motions


Clara mouse gets tired after cuddle and play time.


Sunday, October 01, 2006

Clara mouse takes on the world


Clara mouse must be feeling better. She is such a grouchy little old lady mouse.


Clara mouse does not have time for this silliness known as taking pictures. She would rather have her feeding and then cuddle.

Clara mouse's recovery and improvement


She may look a bit sad in this picture, but Clara mouse is doing very, very well. Her eyes are now much more clearer than how they appear in this picture. Clara mouse is using her front legs and the right front claw that I had thought was paralyzed is now open. I've seen her eating and grooming on her own. But she still expects me to give her PediaSure and gets very excited when the applicator is presented to her.