July 2003

Egg Race (7th July)

We had a great game today. The boys were freerange in the hall while I cleaned out the cage, and I gave them a boiled egg to play with. It was great fun, so I stopped what I was doing to take some pictures. See the photos.

Losing Weight (17th July)

Whilst Pogo and Quicksilver need feeding up, as they're getting older and a little frail, with the exception of Zorro the other boys are all a little on the portly side. We've been making an effort to feed our ratties more healthily, with less biscuits and other junk food, and it seems to be succeeding.

Pirate is showing the biggest weight loss, I think due to a complete lifestyle change. He used to laze in his and Zorro's relatively small section of the cage, but now that the two groups have been integrated he has the whole of the cage to climb around and he seems much more active and interested in life. He's also able to come out more often, as we don't have to be careful which ratties are out together. He isn't the most graceful of beasties as he tears along the hall, but he's certainly fast!

Goodbye Pogo (29th July)

Pogo was unwell when we left the ratties with my sister-in-law and brother, Helen and Chris, to go on holiday. He was losing weight fast and his back legs were very weak. Unfortunately he passed on while we were away, but I'm so grateful to Helen who held him and loved him when he needed it. Despite this, they enjoyed looking after the boys so much that they're thinking of getting some ratties of their own when their elderly guinea pigs pass on.

Annette