So now its time for the new crew to have their own thread. I cant believe how this week has gone!
Just to fill you in, and put their whole story in on place.
I took in two foster boys last Friday, August 23rd. This thread was made to try and find them a home, and ask questions, as they were my first fosters, and I have only had my two boys for just over a year.
http://www.ratshackforum.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=4&p=473471#p473471
They were coming from a very loving home, but with a dog who was trying to eat them, and they werent getting the attention they needed. Long story short, they had been rescued in May from St Lawrence College after being abandoned in residence. I decided they would be better at my house for the time being, and I could try and love them up for their new home.
Once they arrived, we realized how different they were from our boys! How lucky we were to have our squishy, confident mush balls! The two foster boys were skittish, shy and not too sure about anything. We quickly started teaching them new things, like how to eat meal worms (that did not go well, they nibbled on them... causing them to ooze out their insides... YUCK!), treat pillows, uncooked pasta (the excitement when we finally heard the tic tic tic tic!!) any most importantly, having too many places to nap! These guys loved their first pop box!! Anything safe and dark for hiding in! I was sure to find them both there every morning!
Another reason they came to me was to work on some behaviour issues we thought they had. We thought the bigger boy was picking on the smaller one, he was covered in scratches. I do not doubt that it was boredom and dominance display, but after posting pictures here, Joanne mentioned it may be mites. Being a little new to all things rats, I hadnt thought of this. The girl I got them from a vet tech... So I started researching and he looked like a textbook case of mites! Once we really started watching they were scratching A LOT more then my boys! I talked to the girl I got them from and she was certain it wasnt mites. But that didnt seem to make sense. Everything I was reading pointed to mites.
At this time I was still looking for a home for these two, which is incredibly hard! I respect everyone who works with rescues so much after this! I had many people interested, but I couldnt deem any of them suitable enough for these two. One family was so interested, but they had dogs and a small child. Others who hadnt had rats before, and I really was of the belief these two wouldnt be good first rats.
I wanted to start intros with my boys, because if everyone got along they could all live happily in the single CN together. Also, as Shelagh mentioned to me, it would be a good learning experience if anything. Everyone, Jorats in particular was so helpful in answering all my questions, and really pointing me in the right direction with intros.
http://www.ratshackforum.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=22&t=34999
After three uneventful (and downright BORING) intros done on Thursday and Friday, I wasnt sure what the next steo was. Jenny made a kind offer to come treat everyone with Revolution. Taking that worry off my shoulders. So she and Shelagh came by last night, and while we dosed everyone, they were climbing in and out of each other cages! I guess that was intro #4! Shelagh saw nothing at all was happening, no one was bothered or concerned to have other rats in their cage. So she said lets toss all four in the CN and sit back to watch for close to three hours.
It was a little more eventful then our previous intros, but that doesnt say much. It was very peaceful! Couldnt have planned for things to go better! After Jenny and Shelagh left last night, my boyfriend and I talked a lot. He said well I guess they are staying, and I said well that would be nice... look how at home they seem! We are obviously the best home for them!
So I would like to proudly introduce my new crew. Never thought I would have my own little pack! I am the happiest rat mom!
Wembley (who we think is the Alpha, as he is reacting to more).
Gobo, my squishy handsome man (it is REALLY hard not to pick favourites!)
Mokey (formerly known as Gareki).
Nai, our little omega.
One last photo of everyone from last nights 'teeth brushing'! (we usually say our good nights to the boys while brushing our teeth, they sit on our shoulders while we brush our teeth - this be a bigger to-do now! But I hope as can continue our teeth brushing routine with all four boys!).
Thank you again! <3
Just to fill you in, and put their whole story in on place.
I took in two foster boys last Friday, August 23rd. This thread was made to try and find them a home, and ask questions, as they were my first fosters, and I have only had my two boys for just over a year.
http://www.ratshackforum.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=4&p=473471#p473471
They were coming from a very loving home, but with a dog who was trying to eat them, and they werent getting the attention they needed. Long story short, they had been rescued in May from St Lawrence College after being abandoned in residence. I decided they would be better at my house for the time being, and I could try and love them up for their new home.
Once they arrived, we realized how different they were from our boys! How lucky we were to have our squishy, confident mush balls! The two foster boys were skittish, shy and not too sure about anything. We quickly started teaching them new things, like how to eat meal worms (that did not go well, they nibbled on them... causing them to ooze out their insides... YUCK!), treat pillows, uncooked pasta (the excitement when we finally heard the tic tic tic tic!!) any most importantly, having too many places to nap! These guys loved their first pop box!! Anything safe and dark for hiding in! I was sure to find them both there every morning!
Another reason they came to me was to work on some behaviour issues we thought they had. We thought the bigger boy was picking on the smaller one, he was covered in scratches. I do not doubt that it was boredom and dominance display, but after posting pictures here, Joanne mentioned it may be mites. Being a little new to all things rats, I hadnt thought of this. The girl I got them from a vet tech... So I started researching and he looked like a textbook case of mites! Once we really started watching they were scratching A LOT more then my boys! I talked to the girl I got them from and she was certain it wasnt mites. But that didnt seem to make sense. Everything I was reading pointed to mites.
At this time I was still looking for a home for these two, which is incredibly hard! I respect everyone who works with rescues so much after this! I had many people interested, but I couldnt deem any of them suitable enough for these two. One family was so interested, but they had dogs and a small child. Others who hadnt had rats before, and I really was of the belief these two wouldnt be good first rats.
I wanted to start intros with my boys, because if everyone got along they could all live happily in the single CN together. Also, as Shelagh mentioned to me, it would be a good learning experience if anything. Everyone, Jorats in particular was so helpful in answering all my questions, and really pointing me in the right direction with intros.
http://www.ratshackforum.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=22&t=34999
After three uneventful (and downright BORING) intros done on Thursday and Friday, I wasnt sure what the next steo was. Jenny made a kind offer to come treat everyone with Revolution. Taking that worry off my shoulders. So she and Shelagh came by last night, and while we dosed everyone, they were climbing in and out of each other cages! I guess that was intro #4! Shelagh saw nothing at all was happening, no one was bothered or concerned to have other rats in their cage. So she said lets toss all four in the CN and sit back to watch for close to three hours.
It was a little more eventful then our previous intros, but that doesnt say much. It was very peaceful! Couldnt have planned for things to go better! After Jenny and Shelagh left last night, my boyfriend and I talked a lot. He said well I guess they are staying, and I said well that would be nice... look how at home they seem! We are obviously the best home for them!
So I would like to proudly introduce my new crew. Never thought I would have my own little pack! I am the happiest rat mom!
Wembley (who we think is the Alpha, as he is reacting to more).
Gobo, my squishy handsome man (it is REALLY hard not to pick favourites!)
Mokey (formerly known as Gareki).
Nai, our little omega.
One last photo of everyone from last nights 'teeth brushing'! (we usually say our good nights to the boys while brushing our teeth, they sit on our shoulders while we brush our teeth - this be a bigger to-do now! But I hope as can continue our teeth brushing routine with all four boys!).
Thank you again! <3
