Oh, Rats! - Tales

Welcome Quintis & Q

Thu, 05 Jan 2012 16:38:47 GMT

On New Year's Eve Quintis & Q started their journey from the rattery where they were born to their final destination: me. First they moved up to a location nearer to me, together with their brother Quillian, where they stayed a couple of days, and enjoyed the company of their younger "cousins" from Ratcity's R2 nest.

Happy holidays

Thu, 22 Dec 2011 20:57:53 GMT

I would like to wish everybody happy holidays, and all the best for 2012!

Christmas photo shoot

Mon, 12 Dec 2011 11:00:00 GMT

This afternoon I wanted to do a Christmas photo shoot of Dino & Elvis. I thought it would be a nice idea to let them sort out Christmas cards on the couch, with a giant Christmas stocking as decoration in the background. In my head I could already hear them sing Christmas carols together.

Q & Q

Sun, 11 Dec 2011 11:00:00 GMT

It wasn't too long after Uisce died that I decided it was finally time to give in and Get More Rats. At that time Kraken was old but still going strong (well, strongish anyway), so if I would get two more, then I'd end up with five max. However, it took a little longer than I'd originally anticipated.

On vacation

Mon, 12 Sep 2011 10:00:00 GMT

Today I returned from a short vacation to Center Parcs (Park Zandvoort) together with my dad, stepmon, sister, brother-in-law, nephew, and niece. And Dino & Elvis. It's not that I can't get do one weekend without them, I can (just about), but Elvis has a cold and needs medication, and I couldn't find anyone to look after him.

Goodbye Kraken

Tue, 06 Sep 2011 10:00:00 GMT

This afternoon my old man Kraken was put to sleep. He had been slowly deteriorating over the last couple of weeks/months. He had lost a lot of weight, the tumour near his testicles was slowly growing, his coat was getting thinner, his hind legs didn't work anymore.

Happy birthday, Elvis

Mon, 18 Jul 2011 10:00:00 GMT

Today Elvis is exactly one year old. And on June 24 Dino turned one, but I didn't really have the time to celebrate his birthday then. So today I sorta celebrated both their birthdays. And what better way (for a rat anyway) to celebrate a birthday than with a birthday dinner. So I cooked them some white beans, which they very much enjoyed.

Goodbye Uisce

Mon, 06 Jun 2011 10:00:00 GMT

I'm sad to have to report that this afternoon Uisce was put to sleep. Not that there was anything wrong with him, but his health had been slowly deteriorating for a few months now, and today I decided that it was his time.

Out cycling

Sun, 10 Apr 2011 10:00:00 GMT

From Wikipedia: Cycling in the Netherlands is a common and popular method of both transport and also recreation. Being a Dutchman myself, not to mention a good citizen, oh and because of the beautiful weather, I decided to to take the youngsters out cycling today. So I strapped the boys' transport basket to my bicycle, added Dino & Elvis, and away we went.

Goodbye Kilkenny

Mon, 04 Apr 2011 10:00:00 GMT

Two days back, Saturday around noon, Kilkenny suddenly started to breath really difficult. He has a history of respiratory problems, but this felt different, worse than ever before. By Sunday morning his breathing was so bad, that I decided to call the emergency vet, and I could bring Kilkenny in within the hour.