Two and a Half Weeks

That's how long the rattie sisters, Star and Sable, have been with us. Bonding with humans has happened so quickly, though, that you'd think they'd lived here forever.

Distinct personalities have emerged. Sable is the alpha rat of the pair. When they wrestle, she's a little more likely to be the one to pin Star down and groom her as a show of dominance. (Star gets her own back from Sable, though, now and then.)

Star is the People Rat. She's the one who's most eager to come out and play, or take a treat. Mind you, Sable has few issues with doing either, but she's a little more reserved about it.

Sable is the great explorer. When the pair come out of the cage to play, Sable is the first to go looking for the boundaries of the play area. What is the limit, she wants to know? How far can I go without being pulled back, and what's that beyond the edges?

Morning Habits

A typical day begins with me sitting down to read the newspaper and have my morning caffeine (usually in the form of iced tea). The girls are usually awake by then, and they come over to the cage door to see what I'm up to.

If I'm ready to feel sociable, I'll open the door, and wait for them to notice.

Star & Sable - Can We Come Out?

They've usually been peeking over to see what I'm doing (in case it's breakfast already), so it doesn't take them long to spot that the door is open. That's when they come down to the second shelf of their cage and sit by the door, waiting for the signal that they are welcome to come out and visit.

Here We Come!

The signal we've settled on has me waggling the fingers of one hand in their direction. Rats are smart, and this pair is no exception. It took them no time at all to learn that if the fingers waggle, they could come running out to play.

Breakfast is Important, and Oatmeal - Even Licked Off a Finger - Is Good For You

If I'm eating my breakfast by then, that's the first order of business. They've learned that well-behaved little ratties get to lick oatmeal or yogurt off my finger, or get handed a piece of toast or bagel crust to eat.

Let's Go Spelunking!

But even more than a treat to eat, the girls love coming out to crawl around on the chair while I sit there. They climb up to my shoulders to look out the window behind me, or to nuzzle my ear. They go poking into the recesses under the pillow that serves as their landing pad under the cage door.

Most of all, however...the very best of the best as far as rats are concerned...they love it when I cover my lap with this woven, cotton throw that I have had for a number of years.

Sable Comes Up For Air

I fold it in two over my lap, and they love to tunnel between the layers and see where they can come out at the edges.

They love to re-arrange the fringe. They love to crawl over each other while buried in the fabric.

They love it when I locate the moving lump in the throw, and pet them through the material.

Star Makes Sure I'm Still There

Every now and then, I lift up the top layer and have a Peek-a-Boo! moment with them before dropping the cover back over the explorers.

Since I started doing the peek-a-boo explorer's blanket thing, I've even seen Star and Sable turn down an offer of a treat to go burrowing.

Loving This Whole Rattie Thing

Gryphon and I can't begin to describe how happy we are with Star and Sable. They have bonded with us quickly, and they interact on a level that makes you really feel you've added a family member - not just a living piece of home decor. They crave attention from us, and get it in abundance. And they give back as good as they get.

Star Says

"Of course we love it here - you've got fibery things for us to play in!"

Peek-A-Boo!

Still to Come This Week:

A report on Monday night's Eats, Knits & Leaves meeting (with pictures!), and this month's Desktop Wallpaper Download!

Technorati : pet rat, rats