Brave New Muffie! What Changed?

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MuffinsMum

Well-Known Member
Joined
May 3, 2012
Messages
147
Location
British Columbia
I needed to talk rats and there isn't anyone around here who will happy dance with me, so I'm going to park this in a spot on the forum :giggle:

Muffin is our pet store rat. Poor Muffie was probably never held until we brought her home in April. She has always been shy, timid and nervous. We thought we were doing quite well because she started warming up to us after we'd had her home for about a month (she would spend 4-8 hours out of the cage with us every day!).

But then we read that ratties need company, we felt guilty and got two more girls from a respectable breeder.

Coca and Waffles arrived oozing with confidence - they swagger around and own the world - Miss Personality +++ !!! And while Coca and Waffles swaggered, Muffie withdrew completely. :(

Muffie had her first (and I hope last for a long time) bout with a Myco secondary in early July. I held her, medicated her, gave her water by dropper and fed her fruit and mush by hand for DAYS. We didn't think she was going to make it. We were away from home but had the girls with us. It was awful. Muffie was obviously grateful for the help, but when she finally started getting her strength back she started hanging back in the cage again, shy of being touched, the last to come out when the other girls were climbing all over us ... sigh.

A couple of weeks ago we went back to the same place (had the girls with us again) that Muffie had been ill. The memories for me weren't pleasant but something weird happened to Muffie. She SUDDENLY became "Happy, Well Socialised, So Glad to See You, Let Me Have a Turn" Muffie. It happened literally overnight.

Now when I open the cage, Muffie is one of the first to say hello, one of the first to see if I have treats, one of the first to climb into my sleeve. She still doesn't love affection the way the others do, but somehow she seems to stand for it almost with a kind of determination - as though she feels that accepting love is a GOOD thing to do. She is climbing the ropes of the cage, sleeping in the hanging hammocks and Space Pod (she was always just a ground level girl) and just seems to be enjoying herself.

WHAT happened???
Did something trigger a memory? Did Muffie put information together that finally convinced her that she is safe and loved and that we're always here for her? Why was it so sudden?

I don't know. But it has been lasting (now almost a month) and I'd like to toast our Brave New Muffie!

HeartsforMuffie_1_zps24edc6af.jpg


MuffieAnswerstheDoor_2_zpse6ab9643.jpg


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Muffie, forever and ever you were the FIRST rattie in our hearts. Your new happy makes us happy. We love you.

:heart: :heart: :heart:

And if anyone made it through this, thanks for 'listening' :)
 
Rats are very social animals sometimes it just takes a buddy to bring it out in the shy rats. That is why we always suggest having a buddy for shy rats to help with socializing them.

Enjoy her a happy girl is the best girl.
 
She's definetily a darling. I've had that happen with some of mine too. One day, they decide They will be more confidant and loving. I sure enjoy it.
 
Thank you everyone for your Muffie support! I know you truly 'get' why this makes me happy!

And Petunia ... after your day today, to be here wishing Muffie well and doing a happy dance ... I'm *so* touched. (((((( :hugs: ))))))
 
Aw Muffie!
I think it's a combo of two things...
One is that she saw how the other ratties trust and love you and I know rats learn from each other, so it probably taught her that you're safe.

But secondly, I think she knows you helped her when she was sick. Animals know these things and it can be bonding.

My little rattie Indie used to be really distant, hated affection and was fiercely independent. But on two occasions, she got sick. One time she had a stomach and diarrhea problem and the other time she almost choked. In both situations, she was so scared and hiding. But I took her in my hands to help and was there for her and ever since then, she has been nothing but a love bug! She loves "taco hugs" (putting her between my arms and rubbing her head) and she is most content with she naps on top of me. It's pretty incredible.

I'm soooo happy for you and Muffie!!!!! Rats are the best.

Much love to you-
Mindy.
 
That is really sweet. Sometimes it's a slow process and you see small changes, and other times its like they flicked a switch and suddenly get happy!! Either way, it feels great :) yay to you and Muffie!! (Which I think was the name of my first ever eat when I was very young )
 
I am hoping to see some more confidence in my 4 month old boy, Chickpea. We're getting little buddies for him this week.

So happy that Muffie put it all together, and all of a sudden as if by "magic".
 
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