[Bombalurina]

I found out something about the past life of my Willoughby. He's my black hooded rat. I adopted him in April and he now lives with my other rats, Jekyll, Hyde, Richelieu and D'Artagnan. Jekyll and Hyde are both from the RSPCA too.
Anyway, I went back to the shelter today to ask about another rat who was there (but got adopted by someone else yesterday - yay!). I also looked at their VERY cute mice. So, so cute.
Back on topic. I found out Willoughby's back story, back when he was called Squirrel. He belonged to a lady who was admitted to a mental institution. She smuggled him in in a tiny cage but was forced to give him up after a few months when she was found out. I knew he'd been loved, but I had no idea that was his story and it does explain some of his stranger behaviours. I'm so glad I could adopt him and give him four friends and a huge cage, with all the love he can stand. He's still a bit strange, but I'll never stop loving him anyway, and some days he is just unbearably sweet. My little Squibbles.

 

[Laki]

Aw, finding out about adopted pets is rewarding! And as you said, helps you understand some of their behaviors Bless you for taking in ratties and mice ^.^ I'm a fan of both as pets. That was a nice story though, at least he was loved And they all have a wonderful ratty retirement with you!

 

[Romad]

That almost sounds like a movie script

 

[Bombalurina]

@Laki: I don't have mice, just 5 ratties. I was looking at the mice in the RSPCA today though, and it's not my fault I don't own them both right now.

 

[Laki]

But you DID own them both. That's what I meant! So many people, without a basis for real fear or argument why they 'don't make good pets' squeal in the store and judge those who do choose to enrich their lives. There was only 1 person I met who was actually really afraid of mice.. A full grown man. I worked with him and it was SO easy to spook him by pretending you seen a mouse. I had my sister walk a rat to the store to spook him but he refused to open the office door. Looking back, we probably shouldn't have enabled his fear with pranking but it was such a good idea at the time bc he was an adult male!! ^.^

 

[Bombalurina]

I've never owned mice. I just really want them.

I get rat/mouse fears with people like my old German teacher, who lived through WWII, where they were a real problem and could be quite vicious, but I don't understand how they can't seperate those rats from my gorgeous, sweet, loving, cuddly fluffbundles. Mine would never bite and only want love.
I was in the vet last week, and someone actually left the waiting room when she found I had rats! I was so shocked. I didn't even have them out, and it's not like I'd have let them roam a waiting room full of dogs anyway. Her dog, gorgeous though she was, is far more dangerous than my little fatties. Oh well. She's missing out.

 

[Laki]

Ah, I get the war experience. It's my history focus at school ^.^ So I know about the rats :/ I mean, not like your teacher! But psychologically people cannot differentiate between friendly pets and vermin chewing into a corpse. :.

 

[SDragon]

I feel sad that the lady couldnt keep him, but he sounds happier with you.

 

[dramaqueen]

Poor little guy. No wonder he acts strange. lol

 

[Bombalurina]

I feel sad that the lady couldnt keep him, but he sounds happier with you.

I hope so, since he's now in a cage nearly as tall as I am instead of a cardboard box. I have made him a bit fat, though. :roll: I am a bad person. But he's more cuddley this way.

 

[Silverfang]

I'm sure he's happier this way too