*Drum roll*

[la_marée_haute]

Introducing my rats, Albin and Olivier:

(This photo has been completely edited, by the way. I hate my new camera.)

I got them 10 days ago, and come tonight they will be exactly 2 months and 15 days-old. I love them to pieces, even if they may... well, they DO, annoy/scare (--they both came to me with URIs which Baytril has taken care of, so that was frightening... but now on the last day of the meds, Olivier is just sneezing non-stop... I mean, every 5 seconds! He's been doing it since he arrived. I thought it was just nerves at first, or the URI, but Albin is 400% more nervous, and he has never sneezed, even when he was making the sounds of the infection.)/upset/disappoint/hurt (claws suck) me, at times.

They're rodentists, they're shoulder riders (That's an understatement - they're obsessed with my shoulders. My sensitive/easily irritated skin just adores these guys.), they're (well, Albin) lickers, they're draw dwellers (Olivier), typists (Olivier), couch head-rest... thingy, lovers, they're a bit crazy, they're very scared, they're cute. That's about all I can tell you so far. Here are some more piccies:




Soooo undeniabley cute, this fluke of a picture. Oliv' was frisky while in the bath tub quite a few days ago, so I wrestled him and he just laid there IN UTTER SHOCK. Haha. Now he wrestles me back a little bit.

And Albin being hilarious while snatching a treat. LOL... "Oooooooohmygaaad! Canned corn!!! I can't!!! The added preservatives!!!! Whoo-whoo! Next stop my thighs!!!"

Oh and by the way, their markings do tell them apart. Lol. See...
Albin (an almost perfectly straight hood stripe that cuts off just a tad at the top):

Olivier (four cute and very symmetrical spots going down his back, and one teeeeeeeny-tiny, little headspot):


Enjoy. Sorry for rambling. They're my first rats, forgive me. And I hope so many pics are allowed, but... *thrugs* the majority are thumbnails? :? If that's not good enough, though, then just let me know and I'll make links instead.
*X-posted*

 

[starfoot]

Oh wow! How handsome! They're right heartbreakers! I love the one of Olivier on his back! he looks so stunned... and of Albin messing with the corn.. silly boy!!

They really are gorgeous rats, lovely colours! Looking forward to more pics and stories as the kiddos grow up

 

[Melissa]

Aww, they are very cute.

 

[Melissa's ZOO]

Your guys are so cute and we don't mind rambling. Trust me we all do it when it comes to our furkids. With the non stop sneezing it might be something in the air he is allergic to dust, perfume, the bedding you are using, ect. What do you use for bedding?

 

[mamarat]

They are super cuties. I enjoyed your "ramblings", just keep the pics coming. They sure sound like sweethearts.

 

[la_marée_haute]

it might be something in the air he is allergic to dust, perfume, the bedding you are using, ect. What do you use for bedding?

Yes, that's exactly what I have considered. Sometimes I see them itching, also. ASAP we're going to try and change the bedding that we use in their litter box (it's highly recommended in Australia by all breeders/rescuers for bedding, as it's the least dusty, -we don't have Carefresh or anything fancy like that-, but I still know that it has a little dust, and although my mice and Albin are fine with using it, all animals are different, right?), it's difficult though. I might just go for shredded paper. :roll: I guess it definitely won't absorb their erm... messes and the smell, but perhaps they'll get the idea, and at least it'll hide the poops a little bit, lol. Oh and we're switching laundry detergent immediately as well. Something completely non-scented etc. All we could find for them was something for sensitive skin, but I'll try to look again. And we already don't use softener. After I've managed somehow to do all of this, I'll let you know if he's still sneezing. Phew. LOL

Thanks everyone for the comments! They are precious.

 

[jorats]

So beautiful and adorable!! Are their names pronounced in French? I love it!

It is a concern that rats coming from a breeder already needed meds and more socializing but they are in good hands with you!!

 

[la_marée_haute]

So beautiful and adorable!! Are their names pronounced in French? I love it!

It is a concern that rats coming from a breeder already needed meds and more socializing but they are in good hands with you!!

*Long rant alert*
Oh yah. You have no idea how scared they are of me, STILL. The breeder is incinuating (sp?) that it's my fault, though. She's not rude, she's trying her best to help, she is apparently as stumped and sorry as I am, but she never ceases with the comments in the nature of "All of their siblings came around by day two!" and etc. It's very upsetting. I've done forced socialisation for hours each day, longer than suggested, yet whenever they come out they still despise to be touched, and if I -after waiting several minutes, sometimes hours- get them down from my shoulders as to force them to face the world off-of my body, they hide. It took me many hours to get them from under the couch yesterday. I just want to cuddle and play.

And their health... I just don't get it. Next time I'll be VISITING the rats before getting them. I asked her how they were for months, and they were doing "great", but within the hour that they came to me, they had fluid in their lungs and were sneezing/wheezing. OH and her first response to the fact that they have serious URIs - "I don't know what to say. I'm just really sorry that they didn't handle the car ride well, Laura." Ummmmmmmmm? That's news to me that they can get URIs from a car ride. :shock: Correct me if I'm misinformed.

Don't bother suggesting that I warn people about this breeder, either... EVERYONE in the rodent community of our state and Victoria know, love, respect and trust her. I'm, ridiculously, starting to think that it is all me. Maybe I was naïve for thinking I'd have two love bugs by day two. Day four at the most. And here I am at day 10. Disappointed, confused, and broke.

*Sigh* But I'm trying to be positive... They are improving very very very... very slightly. I've been in the presence of bruxxing twice, boggling once (in the cage). They've fell asleep lightly with me once. They've tolerated me joining in with their wrestling in their cage about three times, and tonight Olivier stepped into my hand from the cage, and then ran up to my shoulder. And judging from as much as I know about URIs (not much, lol. just that they make weirf fluttering/fluidy sounds when they have the condition?), they have cleared up, sans Olivier's terrible sneezing.

Anyway. This isn't how I wanted this to go at all. I'm so sorry. :shock: It was inevitable in all honesty, though. Ihis is how I feel so strongly, and I haven't told anyone about it all until now.

To get back on topic... here are some photos that I forgot. Tired out on about day two after eating their first raspberries:




P.S. That is them sleeping on their dirty, turned up liner, yes. They actually hate their hammock. How awful is that?! I'm dying for some cute hammock pile moments. But... nope. "Ew, mum."
P.P.S. Yes, those are French names, Jo. Thanks!

 

[mamarat]

They are so cute, you can forgive them everything. lol
I've had ratties take longer than others to be super friendly, just keep doing what you're doing, they'll come around. You are a good mommie and they love your shoulder.

 

[la_marée_haute]

They are so cute, you can forgive them everything. lol
I've had ratties take longer than others to be super friendly, just keep doing what you're doing, they'll come around. You are a good mommie and they love your shoulder.

Thank you so much, I needed to hear that. ^_^

And you're right, their cuteness conquers over all. LOL

 

[jorats]

I can sure understand your frustrations and no, it's not your fault. Those babies should have been socialized before going to you. The babies are acting like how you would expect rescues to act.
But keep working on it, I'm sure you'll get them to love you, some rats take a lot of coaxing and loving.

 

[la_marée_haute]

I can sure understand your frustrations and no, it's not your fault. Those babies should have been socialized before going to you. The babies are acting like how you would expect rescues to act.
But keep working on it, I'm sure you'll get them to love you, some rats take a lot of coaxing and loving.

Thanks, Jo. I have been blaming myself for a little while... mainly, I think, because my parents keep telling me that I might just be being impatient, and "What are they not doing that they're supposed to, Laura?"... but I've recently had my reality check. Rats are very veyr loving and trusting creatures, if well socialised. That's what attracted me to them. I forgot that for a moment, as these are the first rats I have ever been in the presence of... and they seem to hate me. Lol. :cry:

I'll keep my head up. And I'll keep taking pictures! :wink: Thank you all, again.

 

[Fidget]

They're adorable! And that first picture certainly is a great one, and makes a wonderful signature pic. And I just want to kiss Olivier's belly in his 'shock' picture!

 

[Godmother]

They are beautiful! And, if they stay on your shoulder and don't try to nip you, then they trust you more than you give yourself credit for.

Young ones tend to be very active and less interested in cuddling, and all of them hesitate to be in an open uncovered place. That might be why they're not using the hammock yet.

It's a shame they have URIs already. Some little ones seem to react strongly to the stress of travel. My Tia developed congested breathing the day after accompanying her sister Melissa to the vet's! And the vet really likes Tia, didn't do anything that would hurt her. She is just a timid ratty by nature.

Looking forward to more photos of your sweeties. They may be little Dilberts by the time you've had them for a couple of weeks.

 

[Dahlas]

They are so adorable......I am sure they will love you soon......
Sometimes it is hard to be patient but just keep doing what you are doing and they will soon see you as their "mommy". The one who cuddles, rubs and above all brings treats

 

[Moon]

They're very cute So sorry you've had issues with them, though

If it makes you feel any better, I have had Maeby and Lucille since the spring... mostly they are looking for adventure and curious, but sometimes Lucille goes bipolar on me and is scared of EVERYTHING.

I guess sometimes ratties can just be neurotic, like people. I'm sure with time they'll become much happier and silly!

 

[LA]

They are very adorable. Sorry for everything you've been through. But remember when they become the most loveable cuddlebugs in the world it will be so worth it. Because they deserve the best and that's what they are getting with you.

 

[Phyllis]

these are some neat ratties so cute, & you did a great job of picture taking, I love the one on his back getting tickled, thanks for sharing!