Meet Ollie and Charlie

Charlie (left), Ollie (right)

Today my son and I went to collect his two new pet rats from the lady who has been fostering them. Since Gonzo, one of his two rats, died (suspected brain tumour), Rizzo the remaining one has been rather lonely. Rats shouldn't be kept singly and it was decided to have two rescue rats. So, meet Ollie and Charlie. They are ten months old (Rizzo is just over a year) and were kept in bad conditions. They have been treated for respiratory infections and lice but now have a clean bill of health. After some pre-adoption texts and photos we went to see them on Thursday and brought them home this morning. They are now settling into their own cage while they get used to us. Hopefully after two weeks we will try to bond them with Rizzo. We have been given advice about bonding. It may take time but will be worth it in the end. However, should all that fail my son will keep the new arrivals. I have managed a quick stroke! Ollie, being white, has bad eye sight, so we have to let him know we are approaching, but both are sweet. They are feeding and getting used to their surroundings. Their cage is in my son's bedroom while Rizzo is in his in the lounge!

A lot of my friends are horrified at the idea of pet rats, but they are intelligent, inquisitive and great fun. I'm happy to handle them and have them running over me. What about the tails? They don't feel like you think they would. They have fine hairs on them and I like the feel of them running through my fingers!

I do hope Ollie and Charlie settle quickly. We shall certainly give them a good home. My son dotes on them. They have enough fleeces and accessories to fill a cupboard!

Rizzo with Gonzo

Gonzo eating scrambled egg
(it was a good way to get medication into him.)

A cage on three levels for the new boys