Trixie Shocks Us

This death was a surprise. One day she was bouncing around the cage, the next she wasn't. She was a crabby little girl that calmed down with the presence of Boo, a neutered boy. Probably because he was so much bigger than her. And Pixie, an older rattie lady that started out life crabby but ended up a more loving rattie as she got older. Finally figured out people were no longer a bad thing.

Rest in Peace little one!

Cricket Leaves Vermin Village

Cricket was helped to the bridge tonight. I was so hoping the medication would help him but after changing it twice, he wasn't getting any better. I'm so heartbroken. I know you don't have favorites but he was incredibly sweet. Every time you held him or put your hand in, he'd run over and groom you. He loved to just sit and be pet. It was made doubly hard because he was a black and white hooded that looked like Tickle and Mr. Chuckles. He was 2 years old.

Run and be healthy little adventurer. You will be so missed.

Molly's Crappy Tumor

Sadly, Molly passed away while I was at the rat show. This was a bit unexpected because she'd been doing pretty good. The tumor near her eye was getting bigger but it didn't look to be causing her any trouble. She still was an active little girl and would run to the door to greet me. (Of course she'd run away when I reached in--little stinker. ) I'm so sorry little Molly! Rest in peace and be healthy at the bridge!

She is awaiting private cremation at OHS.

She is survived by her sister Mischa and her cage mate Remi. Luckily Mischa and Remi get along very well. Bit squishy boy and little Mischa curl up together in the hammock or inside their house. It is very cute.

Water Bottle Filling Mania!

I have 47 water bottles in use at a time. Yes, cleaning water bottles is a big affair here. lol I have 2 or more water bottles on each cage OR a water bottle on each level. Anyway, I was using a Brita filter but that takes forever. I wanted to put a water filter on my bathroom faucet so while at Home Depot today to get shelves, we went over to look at bathroom faucets. None really fit. Then I thought it would be nice to have something on the shower to switch back and forth. And do you know, they actually make water filters for showers! We got a Danco Diverta Valve, 86" shower hose and a shower filter. I couldn't wait to try it so I cleaned water bottles just to try it out. OMG it is so awesome. It took no time at all to refill them. I still use a pitcher because the hose shoots the water out too fast but just using the phrase "too fast" in a statement about water filters is awesome!

Lady Fu, Chip and Dip

3 hamsters have joined Vermin Village. Lady Fu is Chip and Dip's mother. A good friend adopted the other 2 children from her litter.

Lady Fu is a large fuzzy Teddy Bear hamster. She actually looks a combination of a teddy bear and a golden variety. The two children I have both look more like golden hammies. The other two that my friend adopted looked like their mother.

Lady Fu is so named because EVERY time you go to pick her up, even if awake, she adopts a defensive stance. I call it her Kung Fu pose; therefore she is Lady Fu.

Her children are still so tiny. While they all need more socialization, they are such adorable little syrians that it reminds me of the tea set in Beauty and the Beast film by Disney. Therefore they are Chip and Dip. They are VERY active. Right now they will continue to live together until the 22nd. Then they will be separated.

Welcome Lady Fu, Chip and Dip.

Merriweather Arrives at Vermin Village

Merriweather has finally arrived at the Village. She was staying with another friend for a bit until I could make room for her. She was a snake tank reject. (She was purchased for food, snake didn't eat her and she was placed on CL.) She is shy but very sweet. She tasted my hand yesterday but immediately let go. She is a bit anxious about being held so we will continue to work on socialization so that she can be the best rattie she can be.

Welcome Merriweather!

Luke Is Helped to the Bridge

Sadly, I had to help Luke to the bridge. I was cleaning the cages and noticed that Luke was having a really hard time. He's been battling respiratory illness on and off for some time now. His chest appeared to barely expand anymore. I am very upset over this. I knew Sherman, Luke's cage mate, was going to have a hard time with this.

I pet and talked to Luke as he slipped away. He was then prepared to be taken to OHS for private cremation.

Luke was adopted with his brother Owen. Owen was also about 6 months older than Luke. Owen passed not long after he came here due to respiratory issues. It all happened rather fast!

Eventually, Luke and Sherman were introduced. Both being intact males, I had to be very careful. They hit it off right away. I was amazed. Sherman didn't like anyone else I had tried to introduce him to before.

When I left, Sherman was huddling in the front corner of his cage. Sherman is actually considerably older than Luke--Sherman is almost 3 years old. He is still very spry and big and cuddly. It was hard leaving him home while I came to California on vacation. I'm hoping he is ok. There wasn't time to arrange for him to stay with someone else. My husband is taking care of the little guys but I know that it is hard to spread yourself so thin with only one person there. I don't have anyone to put with Sherman. Sherman was actually very hard to find a buddy for. I was amazed that he and Luke hit it off. Luke, half the size of Sherman, used sleep on top of Sherman like a rattie blanket.

Rest in peace little Luke! You will be missed.