Bijou's Belly

BIJOU 1 : a small dainty usually ornamental piece of delicate workmanship : jewel 2 : something delicate, elegant, or highly prized — bijou adjective This is a blog I have dedicated to a very sweet little rat I adopted today! July 11th 2013. She is approximately 6 months old. I went with intent to adopt a fourth male to help fill our new double decker critter nation cage, but fell in love with this sweet, calm, gentle, dainty little girl. With one teensy twist, she is pregnant! We are very excited! And we hope to make sure this little pet store girl has an excellent home and a better life with us as well as happy and healthy babies, due in about 2 weeks. Please check in for frequent updates and send any questions you'd like! :)

[missbijou]

Brothers

[missbijou]

Had some fresh air in the travel cage this afternoon. Everyone seemed to enjoy it, especially Charlie.

[missbijou]

Took the rats out back for some fresh air in the travel cage this afternoon. Charlie seemed to especially love it, and spent the entire time sniffing and looking out calmly on the shelf while the others napped in the box or hammock.

[missbijou]

Little Bijou had a big day a few weeks ago! As most rats (especially females) do when they get older, she started developing a tumor in her lower tummy area. Female rats greatly benefit from being spayed (especially at a younger age), since it almost eliminates the likelihood of developing these common mammary tumors, plus other great benefits.

We had the tumor removed and had her spayed at the same time, so hopefully that will prevent any more tumors in the future.

The next week while she was recovering, Bijou was VERY cuddly, and would spend hours just snuggled up with me in my lap or on the bed. It was so great <3 I loved snuggling with my special girl, but I'm happier now that she's back to her energetic, happy, hyper old self.

[missbijou]

Cuddle pile! All five together <3

[missbijou]

The nakey girl. A very rare moment where she is holding still!

[missbijou]

I almost caught her yawning!

[missbijou]

I was really excited when I saw this wild cutie scamper up a tree in the backyard. We're fairly positive they are black rats, and live mainly under our deck outside and under the concrete slabs of the patio and walkways. They also climb the trees frequently. Some nights we'll set up the hammock outside and quietly keep watch. Eventually the wild ratties relax and start to play again. We watch them dash across the deck chasing each other, and hear them wrestling and playing under the deck in the dried leaves. Sometimes one will get bold and try to creep closer to us to get a better look. They're so adorable. They act just like our pet ratties. This is the first time I've been able to get a picture during the daytime. He/she is on the branch in the middle of the picture and is hoping I don't notice!

[missbijou]

Afternoon nap.

[missbijou]

Rat feet are the cutest!

[missbijou]

Another shot of their size difference. The biggest boy and littlest girl like to cuddle. :3

(My boys are neutered. NEVER let unaltered males and females together, even for a second!)

Edit: I've seen some people's tags thinking naked little Aoife is a baby. But nope! These two are siblings, and are both 11 months old!

[missbijou]

[missbijou]

Giant furry brother makes a great snuggle partner for tiny nakey sister. (He is neutered, please never put male and female rats together if unaltered. :) )

[missbijou]

Afternoon nap pt. 2

[missbijou]

Afternoon nap pt.1

[missbijou]

I’m still in awe that I got this perfectly symmetrical shot of Mouse and that she held still long enough for me to take a (somewhat) clear picture!

[blueflamebat]

I don’t think I’ve ever seen a half-albino rat before.

[missbijou]

She's not half albino, she has the genetics referred to as "high white". There are lots of rats with pink eyes that aren't albino too :) High white causes certain anatomy, patterns, colors, and odd eyes like she has. Its best to never support high white breeders if you can help it because its also closely linked to megacolon which is a fatal and painful disease that it almost unnoticeable until it's too late. My girl here in the picture unfortunately does have megacolon :( but it's being managed fairly well.

[missbijou]

I'm still in awe that I got this perfectly symmetrical shot of Mouse and that she held still long enough for me to take a (somewhat) clear picture!