On pet rats

I've had a few questions about rats where I volunteer. This probably has something to do with the fact that I've been talking some about my new girls, Kora and Aniki. Here are a few of the questions I've gotten.

Sabine, recovering from her spay

What do you keep them in? 
A wire cage. Ok, so I occasionally use a glass cage if I need to keep them from climbing (for example, when Sabine was recovering from her spay), but that doesn't have proper ventilation so it's only ever a temporary thing. Ideal is a giant wire cage.

Some reference to wild rats...
I don't remember what form this comment/question took, but I found myself explaining that domestic rats are not at all the same as wild rats. Domestic rats are sweet and lovable, and very loving. However, I would not want to get up close and personal with a wild rat. Those are pretty much a different breed entirely.

Do they bite?
Sabine does, though she's only drawn blood once. (My mom's nose through the wires of her cage. I'm afraid I wasn't very sympathetic.) It's really only a problem if you stick your fingers through the wires of her cage, or if you stick your nose up against the wires. (Mother...) And the younger girls? They are as sweet as can be, and will gently lick delicious coffee off my finger tips without harming me.

It seems like there were one or two other questions I was asked, but I can't bring them to mind right now.

The big cage

I finally set up the big cage yesterday. You know, the one where I hope that all three rats will one day live in peace with each other. Right now they only get supervised play time in it, and today it ended when I had to break up a squabble. I'll probably write another post all about introductions...which can be a bit nerve wracking, even though nothing bad has happened.

By the way, I have filled the cage with wonderful fun stuff made by Rat Attack Team over at Etsy. I love what I've got here, and I think the rats also approve.

Squeaky cheese

Cheese curds in cuisine, or cooking, are the solid parts of soured milk either eaten alone or used in various regional dishes, mostly in Canada and the northeastern and midwestern United States. They are sometimes referred to as "squeaky cheese" 
-- Wikipedia

CHEESE!!!

I had not known about squeaky cheese until I found out that my favorite cheese place, Tillamook, was doing a special. Normally one can only get this special cheese by visiting a cheese factory because its shelf life is so short, but Tillamook was allowing people to order it online for one day only. Overnight shipping allowed it to arrive while still as fresh as possible.

When I found out about this special I knew I had to try some. I love cheese, and Tillamook is my favorite. I asked mom to order some for us, and then eagerly awaited its arrival.

I discovered that I love the squeaky cheese. My taste buds are delighted by it, and the squeak is really cute. Yes, it really does squeak. I'm thinking I need to see if there's a cheese factory around Portland where I can get this stuff on a regular basis.

My plan was to try making poutine with the squeaky cheese. Well, um...let's just say that due to my inexperience and/or my failed attempt at substitution in the recipe, that didn't exactly work out.

Luckily, Tall One's mac and cheese recipe turned out really well. He had to alter the recipe slightly since the cheese curds didn't behave exactly like cheddar normally does, but he's a good cook and could handle it. :)

Mac and cheese, along with a salmon pattie

By the way, the rats love squeaky cheese. My two younger girls, Kora and Aniki, are still mostly figuring out this whole "treats" idea. This stuff is one of the few things they grab at without having to question if it's really food.

He's a Pirate

While some of the Pirates of the Carribbean movies may not be my absolute favorites, I've always loved the song He's a Pirate.

I recently discovered this rendition of it by David Garrett, and just had to share. I hope you enjoy it.



I think my favorite thing about this version is that it incorporates other music from the movie. :)