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Wilbur
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Frank
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Roofie
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Charlie
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Holiday
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Frankie Jr.
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Thunder
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Jack
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Bruno
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Mischka
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Jasper
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Baldo
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Martin Luther
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Alfie
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Shamoo
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Sam
Beige berkshire
September 21, 2002 - March 18, 2005
Sam was one of our very first two rats. He and his brother Jingles came to us from a breeder in December of 2002.
Slim McGlim was always a big boy and got super squishy in his old age. He was a sweetheart with people and a bit of a grump with other rats besides Jingles. When he was not trying to lord his alphaness over them, he could often be seen snuggling with them in his favorite purple igloo on the ground floor.
Slim Slam the Sam Bam was usually one of the first boys to the door when it was open. He liked to get attention and loved a good treat. He would often come up to the door before it was open and put his little hands on the wires and look out at us, asking us to please come get him.
Samoo Bubba passed away on my chest in the afternoon on Friday, March 18th, 2005. He missed his 2 1/2 birthday by three days.
Jingles
Black hooded
September 21, 2002 - May 1, 2005
Jingles came to us along with his brother Sam in the Christmas of '02. He was a quiet, gentle, smart rat and a very low-key alpha. He never went after anyone else and no one ever went after him, although sometimes when the other rats were being terrorized they would high tail it up to FanDango's beloved corner on the top shelf and hide behind him.
DangoLang had no aspirations to rule the cage, but he was a peaceable rat and was often the one level-headed boy in the cage calming things down when Sam was in a snit and bullying the others.
Blue
Blue hooded
April 16, 2003 - November 20, 2004
Blue was a rescue who came to us as a foster, but he was meant to be part of our family and so he ended up living the short rest of his life with us. We had the pleasure of having him around for one month.
Unfortunately, poor Blue Bug was in terrible shape when we got him. Although we did all we could for him, he never got up to a decent weight and was never able to breath at ease. He developed a fast growing inoperable tumor and eventually had to be put to sleep.
Despite being so neglected in his previous home, Blue was a social little guy who bonded with us quickly and loved hanging out. He used to climb into my hand and hold onto my arm when I put my hand in his cage so that I could lift him out.
He was full of personality and was always a joy to be around.
Two of his favorite past times were leaping at our cat with his teeth bared, and watching over my husband while he played Xbox, no doubt making sure he was adequately kicking the other players' butts.
Mingus
Black split cap with a stripe
August 15, 2004 - November 15, 2005
Mingus came to us with his brother Holiday. He was a bright, happy, peaceful, beautiful rat. He was always easy going and enjoyed coming out to explore and get attention.
Unfortunately Mingus' health began to deteriorate early on. He suffered with respiratory issues which improved somewhat and then got worse. He lived the last few months of his life quietly but happily, and passed away shortly after his first birthday.
Wilbur
Black split cap with a stripe
August 6, 2004 - September 3, 2006
It was, of course, the cage's fault. Once we got such an enormous new cage, or The Ratty Condo as we came to think of it, Get More Rats Fever ran rampid through us. As is quite typical, we were just going to the pet store for rat food. Honest. (Okay... maybe not.)
We were walking around the store wondering if we would be able to resist taking a rat or two home when the lady from the Small Animals department actually hunted me down and told me there were three others in the back who had just arrived. So, she deserves some of the blame too. We peeked in the back and there was Wilbur, looking incredibly adorable with his little split capped face.
I don't remember the point when we actually decided we should take him home. Perhaps we skipped that bit.
As a young'un, Wilby Wilbington was a crazy hyperactive little monkey. He was also quite skittish and not fond of being held or touched. As he grew, he mellowed out a bit. Not much of his hyperactivity remained in his old age; he turned into quite a lazy squish. However, he was always nervous around people and actually developed into a rather naughty biter.
Regardless, Wilbur did enjoy coming out of the cage and spending time with us. He also loved snuggling with his cagemates, and was a big fan of food.
Wilbur passed away shortly after his second birthday.
Frank
Champagne veriberk rex
March 18, 2004 - October 16, 2006
Frank was a rescue rat who came to us with his cagemate Charlie. He started out as a very timid little dude, an interesting mix of wimp and peace lover who would never have dreamed of starting a fight. As time went on, he remained a low-key rat when it came to conflict, but was no longer the doormat he started out as, and could even be seen power grooming the others from time to time.
Frank was a sweetheart, and absolutely gorgeous. Because of his delicate champagne coloring and thin rex fur, he was a bit of a pink rat, and wore it very well.
Frank's Song, to the tune of Eye of the Tiger
Frank! Frank, Frank, Frank!
Frank, Frank, Frank!
Frank, Frank, Fraaaaank!
Frank's a rat,
takin' a nap.
Cute from his head
to his tail.
He knows he's got no chance to become...
alpha ma-ale!
Roofie
Black hooded rex
July 30, 2004 - December 31, 2006
Shortly after we "made" the "decision" (I use these terms lightly) to bring Wilbur home with us, we found ourselves crouched in front of the other rats, picking out a buddy for him. When I saw Roofie, I fell in love with his adorable face instantly and knew it had to be him.
Roofie was a special, sweet rat with spunk. As he aged he surprised us by turning out to be a "poor quality" rex. It was kind of hard to tell, but the distinct rexy wave was definitely there. Roofie had such a fabulous personality. He was friendly and upbeat and sometimes took on the role of alpha in the cage, not being a bully but not letting the other boys get away with any crap.
Doktor von Foorfenstein hated to be picked up and wasn't crazy about being pet from above, but he enjoyed a good scritching under the chin and some gentle petting. He was also the most licky boy we ever knew and would grab onto your fingers and lick like crazy until you could pry yourself away.
Doctor von Doo passed away in the wee hours of the morning on December 31st, 2006, New Year's Eve. He was 2 1/2 years old.
Charlie
Mink hooded
March 18, 2004 - February 4, 2007
Charlie was a rescue rat who came to us with his cagemate Frank. At first he was a bit skiddish, but as he got used to the lavish life of being loved and having a bunch of cagemates to get into trouble with, his true colors began to show. Imagine our surprise when meek mannered CharlieBarley started pushing the other boys around, starting fights, and stealing treats galore.
Eventually Charlie got to be such a bully--a favorite pastime of his was to climbing up under his buddies and biting their toes through the wire shelves--that he had to be neutered. Afterwards, he got along much better with them and was less nervous with us as well.
At heart he was always a bit of a fraidy rat but it was amazing to watch the many ways he grew. He turned into a big lovely squish who would always run to the cage door for love and treats.
Chully almost made it to his third birthday, but passed away a little over a month before that big day.
Holiday
Black hooded
August 15, 2004 - March 14, 2007
One year around Christmas we found out that a bunch of rats were living in a wonderful foster home near us, waiting to find their forever homes. We went to meet them and brought home Holiday and a bareback boy named Robin Hood. Robin Hood was very PO'd at us and the whole situation--we all learned through the experience just how much he and his foster mom had bonded, and so we brought Robin Hood back to what turned out to be his forever home, and took Mingus home instead.
Hilly Bean came to us with a bit of timidity, which we gradually wore down. For a long time he was the best shoulder rat we knew and often rode on my shoulder in the car and accompanied us on outings to the park. After an injury that resulted in reduced strength in one rear leg, he retired to our laps, where he didn't have to work so hard to hang on.
Hollen Bean was a sweet, gentle guy with people and mostly sweet with his cagemates, after he was neutered. He always bruxed when we held him and was just an all around delightful little guy.
Holiday was about 2 1/2 when he passed away. He had begun to grow old and was experiencing hind leg weakness but he never went downhill as elderly rats often do. We were grateful that he was mostly happy and content right up until the end when, after a last meal of cheesy potatoes and pizza crust, he passed quietly in his sleep.
The passing of Holiday marked the end of an era for us. Our adventures with rats began with a cage of two. Over the years some rats were added and others passed away. They even switched actual cages many times. Other rats came into our home and started new cages. Eventually, Holiday was the last rat left of our original cage, and when he passed away that cage line was ended.
Frankie Jr.
Fawn veriberk
June 26, 2006 - July 13, 2007
Flankie Dooner came to live with us after spending a month at the humane society, where he landed after being set free in a school hallway as part of a prank.
He was always a bit of a timid guy, but he had a happy life with us and we're glad we got to know him. He was taken too soon at just one year old by unknown causes, likely a series of heart attacks or strokes.
Thunder
Black berkshire
September 7, 2005 - July 15, 2007
THUNDAR and Jack came to us through the same rescue effort that brought us Taco. They were meant to stay with us for a few days until the rattie transport train could get them down to a nearby rat rescue, but we quickly fell in love with them and couldn't bring ourselves to let them go.
Thunderball was a reserved guy for the most part, but he did have a curious, playful, fun side. He was also a very sweet and gentle rat.
He passed away shortly before his second birthday.
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Jack
Black hooded
September 7, 2005 - November 10, 2007
Ja-a-ack and Thunder came to us through the same rescue effort that brought us Taco. They were meant to stay with us for a few days until the rattie transport train could get them down to a nearby rat rescue, but we quickly fell in love with them and couldn't bring ourselves to let them go.
Jack was a handsome black hoodie with some charming spots going down one side. He was rambunctious, playful, sweet, and curious. He loved getting attention and coming out to explore.
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Taco
Pink-eyed white
December 7, 2004 - December 18, 2007
Taco was rescued from the Houston kill shelter in early December 2005, along with Jack and Thunder. He came to us via ratty transport train, and was likely adopted very shortly before he was to have been euthanized.
When Taco first came to us, he LIVED to be out of the cage. He never tried to escape, but whenever we came into the room, he ran straight to the cage door. And waited. If we weren't able to take him out right away, he waited some more. Sometimes he fell asleep at the door, waiting. He would also employ THE STARE.
When he was out, he was constantly moving. His name at the shelter had been Tweaker, and it wasn't hard to see why. He was also rather unsure and scared of people, and squeeked pitifully whenever you went to pick him up, or even touch him.
Taco became quite a different rat as part of our family and found happiness and security, and loved to come out to explore and play with us. He especially enjoyed the sharing of a good meal. Near the end of his life, he lost a lot of use of his rear legs, but still enjoyed moving around, often with my hand under his rump to help him along. As his health declined, he became more of a snuggle rat and lost all fear of people. Near the end he spent a lot of time sleeping on my chest, and that is where he finally passed away.
Taco got his name because he smelled like fresh, warm tortillas.
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Chuy
Mink hooded
November 26, 2005 - January 30, 2008
We found ChuBear in a feeder bin, and when I picked him up I simply couldn't put him back. He was super sweet even then in a dirty, crowded tank with a strange human reaching in for him. When we got home he explored for a minute and then settled in my lap and started bruxing. It was true love.
Chuchykins was one of the sweetest, friendliest, most pleasant rats we have ever had the pleasure of knowing. He loved to come out and play, explore, and just hang out with us. He would come running when we called his name and was always ready for attention, even when he was being a sleepy head.
Chubaba was often on the move, but if you got him at the right angle and started scritching away, he would become immobilized and just bliss out, sometimes almost dozing off under your fingers.
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Harry
Agouti berkshire
March 30, 2006 - June 29, 2008
We first met HarlyBar on the internet, where his foster mom had posted photos of him and his littermates, and their mother, who had been rescued while pregnant with them from a feeder bin. We fell in love with this beautiful boy and when he was weaned we drove down to nab him and take him home. Buck and Bruno also captured our hearts on that visit and came with us too.
When we first brought HarryBear home, he was curious and inquisitive and also a bit high strung. He mellowed out a lot as he grew and became a stately, respectable gentleman (most of the time).
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Buck
Mink berkshire
March 30, 2006 - August 28, 2008
Buckaroo's mom was rescued from a feeder bin when she was close to giving birth. Five weeks later, we adopted baby Buck and two of his brothers, Bruno and Harry.
Bucky was a sweet, gorgeous boy. He loved attention, and it was always a pleasure to give it to him. He was a very gentle soul, and the most calm and attention-loving of the three.
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Bruno
Black berkshire
March 30, 2006 - September 17, 2008
Brunsy and his brothers Buck and Harry came to live with us after having been rescued in vitro from a feeder bin.
Brunito was a soft, sweet, tubby guy who enjoyed a good scritching and attention, and loved his treats.
An ear infection left him with a permanent head tilt, which looked rather odd and made life a bit funny for him at times, but he adjusted just fine. Beano had to move around more carefully than the other boys, although often he didn't have the patience for that and didn't much mind any rolling and tumbling that occurred as a result.
Mischka
Blazed champagne veriberk dumbo
March 31, 2007 - January 8, 2009
When we got Baldo, we were also drawn to two other boys. I couldn't stop thinking about them, and the next day I went back and brought them home.
MmmmISCHka was one of those boys. He had such an amazing rat personality. He was soft and sweet and gentle. He loved coming out to play and snuggle, and was a big fan of Getting Attention and an even bigger fan of Getting Treats. Mutiens perked up adorably when we called him, and sprung over to be loved on.
Sushi Susashka passed away suddenly at just shy of two years old, far too soon.
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Jasper
Agouti hooded
November 5, 2006 - May 22, 2009
BonjourJasper! came to live with us after spending some time in a cage with a snake who turned out not to be too hungry. He escaped only with the loss of one toe, which healed nicely.
He was a great guy-- social, curious, and sweet.
One of BonjourJasper!'s favorite past times was climbing up to the top of his tall cage to explore.
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Baldo
Hairless dumbo
March 31, 2007 - May 29, 2009
The existence of Bladomeer came to my attention on Mother's Day of 2007, and I knew I had to go meet him. Upon first seeing his goofy face, floppy ears, and fabulous, bouncy personality, I started to smile, and then laugh, and then fall in love. He made the perfect Mother's Day present.
Ba'do was such an awesome rat-- so friendly and trusting, so excitable and daring, so loving and adorable. And his ears were so big that sometimes when he shook his head you could hear them flapping.
Wrinkles was the runt of the cage, but had the most voracious appetite. He loved to come out and explore and be with people. He was a fearless fellow who threw himself wholeheartedly into everything he did, Bladsy was.
Martin Luther
Black hooded
October 1, 2007 - July 14, 2009
Martin Luther.
Alfie
Agouti hooded
October 1, 2007 - August 12, 2009
Alfie's pregnant mother and pregnant aunt were rescued from a bad pet store and taken in by Smalltown Rats Rescue.
Shamoo
Black berkshire dumbo
March 31, 2007 - August 31, 2009
When Shamsy Lou was but a wee babe, he looked to the normal human eye to be a pretty average rat size-wise, but Mr. RatZilla can usually pick the future chubbies out of a crowd and he assured me Shamsaschka was destined to be a big'un.
I allowed the whale of a name to be bestowed upon the little fellow. We were not disappointed.
Shams quickly grew to be a chunky, stately fellow with handsome salt-and-pepper tummy sideburns. He was a gentle, shy little guy whose favorite things were naps and snacks.
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