"Oh, the changes," laments Regina rat...

Regina pouted, slunk around and generally turned her back or dug her claws in. She was not happy to see the two new girlie rats in her domain. The young Isis, the future love interest of Chaucer rat, and the old Amelia, a sweet, mostly blind PEW who is still very active, came on Saturday and at first were placed in a lower, separated section of Regina's cage. But Regina knew they were there and was not at all pleased. Isis promptly made her presence known to Regina by poking her noise up through the floor. Amelia was just happy to be in the new place and decorated the snuggle wall hammock. Eventually all the girls where brought together and Regina insisted on snuggling into my hands, ignoring the pleas for attention from the other girls. "I'm the old baby rat here, " Regina said with her big wet eyes. Isis rat proved to be the alpha, trying to steal away treats from the other rats even though she had her own and nipping at Regina rat to show she was the new boss. Eventually Isis rat needed to be scruffed and scolded, which she took very personally and for a short time appeared to decide I was a mean, mean person. But soon Isis rat was back at my hands, looking at me with a little smile. Amelia rat did her best to make friends with Regina rat, even tucking her head under Regina's chin and offering to snuggle with her. Regina rat still had trouble accepting any other rats after being alone for these past months. After the initial play dates and mutual love piles on the bed the ratty girls were put back into the cage, the separator removed, and observed. I found Queen Regina rat in her hammock on the top level with Amelia rat trying to get her snuggle on. Isis rat was was busy checking out the other hammocks and snuggle spots, leaving her girlie marks and mapping out the cage. Later there were a few minor skirmishes but all seems to be well. Queen Regina rat is not pouting as much and appears to be somewhat interested in the new girlie rats. I'm hoping Regina rat and Amelia rat, the sweet old girlie rats they are, learn to take care of each other more and more over time.