Little Loves Rattery

Well, sadly, it appears that Cerreal absorbed her litter and Kemmi never took.  They've both been officially retired and are back in with the other girls have a great time.  Marry also appears not to have taken, we've put Fred back in with her.  She's got a belly and is ancy about being held too long, I'm hopeful this means she is pregnant because she is usually quite the cuddler.

Miriam

Before November Little Loves was under different management.  There were many things going on at Little Loves that we do not and did not agree with.  Now that we are back on track with what we have wanted all along, we have a lot of work to do.  One of the things we would like to work at is figuring out what lines we would like to specialize in and work on striving towards those goals.  For that reason, we will not be adopting out to any other breeders until 2011, unless later stated otherwise.  Please do not e-mail us wanting to adopt a baby for breeding purposes!

Miriam

After hearing of all of Suzie's success with fleece and potty training her rats, we deiced to start doing the same at the rattery with our rats.  We will be working mostly with the younger rats, not quite as much our older breeders, but we will try with them too.  If all goes as it should, this will mean all of our upcoming breeders will be potty trained AND all outgoing babies will be potty trained!  We picked up our first potties today and they are in the cages with the just weaned boys and girls.  These litters won't be potty trained, but all upcoming litters should be.  This is huge news for us.  Not only will it make things so much easier on us caring for the ratters, it will keep things a lot cleaner and nicer in their cages, AND it will make things easier on you as an adopter because your ratlings will come already potty trained!  If you have any questions about this, just e-mail us at littlelovesrattery@yahoo.com

Miriam

Something I have noticed recently with the dwarf litter is that Penny is not only VERY protective over the babies, but is also an extremely good mommy.  She spends mostly all of her day caring for them and they are all extremely healthy.  It is our first dwarf litter and we have nothing to compare it to, but I think maybe part of it has to do with the bin we made just for our dwarf matternity.  Maybe the small bins for newborn babies are a good idea?

-Miriam

Below we have a very serious and very important subject to cover with everyone. We just want to note that we never intended to be this uptight about things, but due to recent circumstances, we have to change the way we do somethings. We hope everyone understands, and this is not directed to hurt anyone, this is to help people so they can give our rats the best life.

Food:

We have been having a problem lately with adopter's not feeding the proper diet once our babies are in their care. This is a problem we do not spot right away, since many people put down proper diet in the adoption form, so we are unaware they really do not know which foods are good and which foods are not. Not only do I give comments in the adoption form to help find a proper diet, we also have a link on our website that gives you the proper diet you could put them on.

We have had several people come to adopt and instead of a good, proper diet that they once talked about, they now ask about common pet store rat food, the kind that mainly consists of seeds. We also had a person return their two girls months later, due to a time conflict, and when they brought back the food, we couldn't believe it when it diet made up of mainly salted pumpkin seeds and sunflower seeds.

Pet store rat food, pet store rat blocks and any other time of seed mix is not okay for their main diet.

When filling out the adoption form, or just E-mailing me, do not just put down what you have heard is good for them, or what you think is good for them. Put down what you are actually going to feed them. If you don't know, ask! We would be more than willing to help you put together a good diet for your new pups. We will not deny you for adoption or be rude to you if you do not know a proper diet, we are here to help. We understand there is a lot of information out there and some of it is not true, so it is hard to know what is right, so let us help you out!

Since we care about our babies very much, and want only the best for them, we have now decided we need to be a little more stern to ensure they get the diet they deserve. So, we are now requiring that every adopter brings a small sample of what their main diet will be. (You do not have to bring veggies or fruit, just their dry diet) so we can see what you will be feeding them, since we now can not trust the adoption form alone. Please note we are not saying EVERYONE is lying about the diet, but we have had several cases, so we have to do this to first time adopters. Thank you so much for understanding, I will provide more details about this in an E-mail when we discuss pick up arrangements.

Arriving on Time for Pick Up:

We have also had another problem that we have let slide for quite a while now, but it can no longer go without being talked about. 8 out of 10 people show up a great length of time late to pick up their rats, with no phone call or any other type of warning. We understand sometimes being late can not be helped, but what we have been seeing lately has not just been 10-15 minutes, but more like 30-45 minutes late. We give a number to reach us, and no one uses it. If you are running late, it is very important you call us and let us know you are being late. We do not care about you being late as much as us not having any notice of this, and we just have to wait and see when you show up. We often arrange pick up times around other things we have going on, and some days we do not have extra time to sit and wait with no phone call letting us know where you are. We are extremely easy going when it comes to arranging a time and day to pick up your pups, so please make sure you pick a day/time that is best for you. Also, if you are running late, please, please make sure you do call and give a warning about this, we can not promise we will still be here when you are 30+ minutes late.

What to bring when picking up your new additions:

When picking up your new additions it is very important to bring the proper travel home for them, to make the ride home a little less stressful on them.

Just a towel or blanket to place them in is NEVER okay. A blanket or towel inside the travel home is a good idea, but that should never be the way they are riding home with you.

Since it does get pretty cold in Ohio during the fall/winter months, it is also a good idea to bring along a fleece blanket to place over the cage when you take them from the house to the car. The wind is harsh enough on humans, let alone young ratties. We also recommend letting the car heat up for a minute or two before you leave our house, just to give them a little extra warmth.

Once again, we are not trying to be rude or uptight with anything. We like to get to know adopters and we are laid back, easy going people who will be above and beyond to help you with anything. However, that has a bad side as well, since we have been so nice that people have been starting to walk all over us, not caring about what is right for their rats, and doing what they want to do. These rats mean the world to us and we want to make sure they are going to the best homes. Which is why if you do not bring a proper travel home we will not let you take home the rats. Thank you so much for understanding! =) 

I was in the mood to write something today, and I figured it's about time we talk about our rats, especially seeing as we have several new breeders added into the mix.  We took brand new pictures of everyone today (except for our two youngest seeing as they're only four weeks old and we just took their picture yesterday).  Here they are.

LLR Yuki -

While taking pictures, both Yuki and Fred were on my lap for  just a moment.  Yuki didn't approve of Fred being on my lap and started a fight.  They fell to the floor and as Kia and I both reached for them, Yuki caught Kia's hand on accident.  Yuki has never been this violent before, but we decided not to risk it at all.  As of today, Yuki is retired due to aggression.  He will now live out the rest of his life in his own cage filled with fun toys and plenty of alone time with us.

Yuki is special because he was from the very last litter between Maddison and Obi.  He was also our very first Havana, and introduced us to the color.  He is a people rat, loving being out on your lap and cuddled.  He looks a lot like his dad and is one of our larger males (Fred being the other).

LLR Fred -

Fred, or as we call him, Jackson, is a very special rat to us as he is the son of LLR Yoshi, from his one litter, who was the son of LLR Kazuki, from his one litter.  He is also the grandson to LLR Obi and LLR Maddison, meaning he has a lot of very imporant rats in his background.  He is probably our largest male and is our first Teddy Rex rat.  He is very cuddly and soft and sweet.  After Yuki bit Kia, he sat there and licked all of us to make sure we were alright.  He is a very good ratter.

RDPY Kendal of LLR -

Kendal is special because he was one of our first rats from RDPY and he was our first essex marking.  He has extremely soft fur and is a lover boy.  He is very attached to his two "brothers" from RDPY.  The three get along immediately, even after being separated for a bit.  Kendal is a very sweet rat, both to people and to other rats.

RDPY Lil Bandit of LLR -

LB is special because he is very easy to get along with for other rats.  He is one of 8 boys living in the ferret nation cage.  He cuddles with all of the smaller boys but is always ready at the door to be petted or held as well.  He absolutely adores his "brothers" Aiden and Kendal from RDPY, but he also loves his other brothers.  He is a very pretty boy and is on the larger size.

RDPY Aiden of LLR -

Aiden is special because he will be the father of our first two Black Eyed Siamese litters at LLR.  He is very attached to his two "brothers" but also loves to come to the door and get scratched behind his ears.  Aiden fell asleep on me within five minutes of getting him, he's a little sweetheart, just loving to be around anyone.

RDPY Harlow of LLR -

Harlow is special because he is our first Russian Silver to be brought into LLR.  He is our second essex marking and is very soft.  He looks a lot like a smaller and lighter colored Kendal.  The two of them are close and like to cuddle.  Harlow likes to watch you through the door to see what you are you up to, and come up to say hello if you come over to the door.

LLR Wonder  Years -

Wonder is special because he is a very soft rex with beautiful fur and markings.  He is a very sweet boy.  He wouldn't stop jumping off of the table onto me because he wanted to be held.  As soon as I got this shot, I held my hand out and he climbed up my arm right onto my shoulder, where he was content.  He is a little lover and he absolutely adored his grandpa Obi before his passing.

LLR Cool Whip -

Cool is a special boy because he is Jackson's son from his first litter.  He looks and acts just like his daddy, giving me kisses in between pictures.  He is a little cuddle bug, both with humans and the other boys in his ferret nation.  He is teddy rex like his daddy.  He is still tiny but will probably grow up to be a big boy like his dad.  He is also our second Russian Silver here at LLR.

RDPY Hemmi Charger of EVWD -

Hemmi is special because not only is he our first dwarf male, but he was a gift/loan from a friend.  Shelley at EVWD said we could borrow him, for several litters if we'd like.  He is one of the sweetest rats I have ever met.  The dwarfs managed to chew off some of the plastic ties we had holding their cage together, so I was replacing them with metal wire.  I had to have my hand inside the cage to hold it in place while I tightened it, and every single time, Hemmi would push his way inside my hand and just sit there, content as could be, in my hand.  He also would NOT sit still while I was taking his picture.  If I put my hand on him, he'd sit perfectly still, but the second I pulled away, he started trying to get to me again.  His babies are going to have the best temperment!

LLR Saw -

Saw is ESPECIALLY special because he is our very last breeding male from our dear Obi.  Obi gave us so many amazing litters and had a one of a kind personality.  It was terrible to see him go, but at least he did give us one last amazing litter we could keep some babies from.  Saw is a precious little boy.  He's already a cuddler and loves to be held.  He pounces around the cage playing with his brother and then we get him out and he starts licking and sitting contently in our hands.  He is a great little guy and will definitely grow into an Obi kind of rat.

LLR Tohru -

Tohru is special because she also is from Maddison and Obi's last litter together.  She is a beautiful rat and a wonderful mother.  She looks and acts just like her mom.  She is a sweetie and is very soft.  She is on the larger side for a female but not too big.  She gets along rather well with other girls and definitely likes to be held.

LLR Marry me -

Marry is special because she is our last (standard size) black breeder.  Marry is a sweetie.  She has really soft fur and a really interesting face.  She is a little on the chubbier side since her last litter and just sits in a ball in my hand.  She has really good ears and eyes. 

RDPY Addison of LLR -

Addison is special because she was one of our first girls from RDPY.  She is our largest female.  She is not one to be held, but that doesn't mean she doesn't want to be on you.  She just doesn't like to sit still.  Her and Fred get along amazingly and they are back in together for their second litter.  She is very soft and very mothering, even over the other girls in her cage.

RDPY Kasidee of LLR -

Kasi is special because she produced the first Russian Dove litter here at LLR.  She is VERY soft and is proving to be an amazing mother.  Kasi is very attached to her cage mates (mainly the other RDPY girls) and likes to be cuddled up with other ratters.  When we open the door the other three come rushing down to see what's going on but Kasi is usually the last one in the hammock.  She peeks down to see if it's anything worth leaving her comfortable bed.  Kasi is a sweet heart.

RDPY Ashlee of LLR -

Ashlee is special because she is one of our very first Black Eyed Siamese.  She is attached to the hip with her sister Aubree.  Ashlee wasn't even meant to be ours in the beginning but when her other home fell through, we were able to take her too.  She is goregous with nice rex fur.  She prefers spending time in her cage, cuddling with Aubree, but likes to be held as well.

RDPY Aubree of LLR -

Aubree is special because she is the other of our first Black Eyed Siamese here.  She still has her markings on her back whereas her sisters have faded.  Aubree (who's name was stolen from my little cousin) is extremely attached to her sister.  She is very soft and is the more outgoing of the two.  She loves to come out of the cage, so long as you bring Ashlee along as well.

LLR Rain -

Rain is special because she is a little mini me of her aunt Tohru.  She looks (headspot and all) JUST like her aunt and acts like her as well.  Really the onlly difference is size and the little cut in Tohru's ear.  Rain is my little sweetie, she will just lay in your hand and look up at you for several minutes.  She is tiny for her age, literally the same size as her younger cage mates (Strawberry Syrup and Candy Sprinkles).

LLR Strawberry Syrup -

Strawberry is special because she is Fred's first breeding daughter.  She has amazing markings and great fur.  She is a little sweetie and is really attached to her sister whom we are still holding for RDPY.  She loves to lounge in her hammock but has no problem getting down and running to the door to see you.  She likes to be held, but she also likes to explore you.

RDPY Kemmi of LLR -

Kemmi is special for several reasons.  Number one - she is one of our very first dwarf rats.  Number two - she was a gift from our dear friend Kat at RDPY.  Number three - she is like my little LLR Midnight miniturized and born again.  She reminds me of her in so many ways it's just strange.  Kemmi is my little baby.  She is the most shy of the three but we have worked together and she is now, generally, good about coming out.  She doesn't wonder far from me, but she loves to be held.  She is a darling little rat and I'm so glad we got her.

RDPY Wheatie's Cerreal of LLR -

Cerreal is special because she is our very first burmese, a dwarf, and a gift from RDPY.  She is a little sweetie and is definitely the most outgoing of the dwarfs.  She is always climbing out into your hands wanting to be held.  She loves to come up and smell your face.  She is so cute.  She likes to be held on her back and have her belly kissed.  She is a great little rat.

RDPY Pennylane of LLR -

Penny is special because she is one of our first dwarfs and a gift from RDPY.  Penny is our first Himalayan breeder.  She is a sweetie and is constantly climbing out the door and out of the cage.  She loves to be held, but she loves to squirm away and explore everything she can possibly get to.  She has even been known to slip her way out of the hole for the water bottle while it is being filled.  She is quite the clever little rattie and we are lucky to have her.

LLR Carrie -

Carrie is special because she is our very last breeding female given to us by our dear Obi.  She is a precious little girl.  Her spots are adorable and she loves to be held.  The other night we had all of the babies out together in a big tub and she was the ONLY one who kept climbing out and then staring at us like 'well, here I am, hold me!'  She is her dad is so many aspects.  She has amazing rex fur and is very very soft.  She will be a great breeder.

-Miriam