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Baby and Bok Choy
2008-05-07 07:13:00
Well, Baby has become completely immobilized. But even that has not slowed her down. She had to be moved to a crib I built for her. She is slightly suspended in it for that hammock feel but supported all around so she wont topple over. Now she is in there, we have to have a bath twice a day, a partial one to clean her poopies off and the night one. The night one, she soaks in a bowl of baking soda and warm water. I worried that her skin may get dry from all the baths so i rub cocoa butter on her ears and drop some pure vegetable oil throughout her quilly back and tummy. With her new crib though presents some issues. She has to be moved several times a day so as not to create bed sores and her massaging has become more crucial to keep her muscles mass. She has not experienced any weight loss!! This is so great for i feared the worst, buy my diet i am making is keeping her going. At the end of babies ordeal hopefully years from now (some WHS Hedgehogs live with the diseas...

Happy 1st Birthday Dandelion and Waffles!!
2008-04-25 04:14:00
Yesterday was my baby girls 1st birthday. I baked them a yummy yogurt, matzo, banana,blueberry cake, After that we played dunking for peas. My little girls dined on cake and left enough for the boys to have a piece and of course Miss Molly got a big piece as well. All partake in the bobbing for peas game, which entails filling a low bowl with water, dropping in the peas and watching the fun; the equivalent to bobbing for apples. Time flies way way to fast...1. making the cake.Singing happy birthday!Biscuits!Bobbing for peas! The boys and peas!My overtly hormonal boy Marshmallow.I know this is a long post, but i made this video of past and present babies courtesy of Animoto.
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A moment of Zen
2008-04-16 23:05:00
We haven't had a moment of Zen in a while. This is daddy falling asleep with Dandelion the Peachy Rat.
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Me and Baby
2008-04-02 04:03:00
I do not know how much time I have left with my angel..it could be weeks..it could be months..but I know I am going to make every second count. Baby is being hand fed exclusively now, but after her always messy meal she needs a bath. Baby hates the dreaded bath...but the blow dryer afterwards has become a well relished part of the evening, with little huffing and no fussing. Me and my Baby, pic taken by daddy after the blow dry.Baby in mid blow-dry. I keep the hair dryer on low and low heat and take care to rotate the air all around her to keep and chance of burning at bay. But if you look closely, I believe she is smiling, a rare thing for my crabby darling.

We had a good Easter!!
2008-03-25 03:39:00
My parents made all the babies an easter basket. Food was the staple and a feast was had by all. Baby is doing well and keeping up her attitude. *UPDATE* Daddy Jeremy saved another field mouse from the dreaded Orkin man!!But the wild beastie escaped into the abyss that is my apartment. She has been spotted in he couch, under the stove and behind the tv. In the time she has been lose she has grown into a very large mouse, we leave food and water out for her and she has a food hoard under the chase lounge cushion. Her name is Peanut and if she wants to stay free....sigh..she can, Ill be looking for that oval shaped hole in the wall like outta Tom and Jerry.Easter Madness!!The boys..The Girls..The pigs..And a cameo from Bridget..
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Happy Saint Patricks Day!!
2008-03-17 21:39:00
Marshmallows favorite band is the Dropkick Murphey's, so here is a video of the band performing their hit song Good Rats!The lyrics cause they are hard to understand :)Have you ever stopped to think about what rats do for fun?Sure they crawl around and scurry,yeah they're always on the run but a rat sure likes a good timejust like you and meI'll prove it with a tale about a rat-infested breweryIt started with a little lad named vermin McCannwho fell upon a drink that made him feel like quite a manhe rounded up his furry boys,though some wore a frownthey quickly changed their tune and they slammed a couple down.Chorus:One, two, one-two-three-four!Come on all you good ratswe'll send you to heaven you'll find the pearly gates in the froth and the foam'cause in these vats you've made quite a creationa potion that turned the Guinness to gold!Like mice behind a piper,rats from all around soon headed for this factory in old Dublin Town.They surely heard the news about this fancy new...
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Going strong
2008-03-08 06:07:00
Baby the hedgehog is going strong despite losing most control over her legs, her back left leg still is very strong and she scoots herself about. After Baby's bath every night, I have switched from her blankie to a low power blow dryer which she absolutely loves. She relaxes and stretches out her arms and legs, which is good to see they somewhat have some feeling. We do Her vitamin E every night, along with her multi vitamin and and big heaping helpful of baby formula, no pun intended. she is keeping her weight up and is still very independent. Go Baby!Babytrying to trick me into thinking shes tired after her messy meal, to avoid a bath :)Baby chowing down.
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Dinner time!!
2008-03-03 05:43:00
I was making dinner tonight and thought to myself..."I wonder if I spoil them?". Then I answered myself, "God, I hope so."Making special dinners for all the animals..full of fruits, veggies and a bit of total cereal. I also have the rats on Oxbrow Regal rat and they absolutely love it.Not without my special movie plates.They cannot eat this but I got a good laugh at the dollar store when I saw it, and had to buy it and add it to the bulletin board.
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"I knew you were thinking about me." -Waffles the Rat
2008-02-24 08:02:00
With all my saddening news lately, I thought we could all use lil smile. Here to debut their first independent art film, Dandelion the Peachy rat and Waffles the Gargoyle portray a night at the rodent apartment.
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A Day in the Life
2008-02-20 12:28:00
I have been quiet this week. Babies treatment is tricky and time consuming, heres a look.DAILY MASSAGES: Daily massaging is "very" important. Like any person with is partially paralyzed, they still need their muscles moved. A body that doesn't move loses muscle tone and the internal organs will cease to function well, which in turn can bring on a whole other set of health problems. HEATING DEVICES:I use a product called a "Micro-Heat Disc" that you microwave for 4 minutes and it stays warm for approx. 14 hours. These discs are about the size of a frisbee, only thicker and work really well.WATER: Syringing water is very important since Baby is slowly losing her ability to drink from her little saucer.RE-CAP OF DAILY ROUTINE:The following is just an example of what a typical day in my life with Baby is:6am - long drink of water, bath time and then wrapped in warm towels till dry. Being careful not to let Baby get chilled!!!7am - While she still can, she exercises in her maze for abo...
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Wobbly Hedgehog Syndrome
2008-02-07 02:05:00
Yes. Baby the hedgehog has been diagnosed with Wobbly hedgehog syndrome. (WHS) is a disease found in hedgehogs that is closely related to multiple sclerosis (MS). The disease is prominent in the domesticated hedgehog.As with MS, WHS slowly degrades the hedgehog's muscle control. This first appears as a wobble while the hedgehog is attempting to stand still. Over time, the hedgehog will lose control of all muscles from the rear of its body to the front.There is no known cure for WHS. Common treatments for MS have shown similar effects in hedgehogs as they do in humans. This includes a diet high in vitamin E. The vitamin E hides the effects of WHS (and MS), but does not slow the disease. A resistance to vitamin E will form and the effects of the disease will continue.The cause of WHS (and MS) is unknown. My vet has informed me of several holistic medications and treatments i can try. But now it is just a matter of time. My Baby came to us from a blog reader who could no longer c...
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An Award!!
2008-02-04 22:48:00
We would like to thank the Fluffy Tribe for giving us this outstanding award. I would like to then pass on this award to my friend Jen and her blog, Shappy Cheap
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Mr. Marshmallow Lunch-Box
2008-01-28 13:26:00
My beautiful Marshmallow . Big brother to Solomon, squishy to mom, and protector of yogies..I am so happy he has come into my life. Gentle giant, may have you be happy here with us and may you never be hungry, lonely or unhappy. I pledge my unending love and devotion to you my new son. Marshmallow lunch-box.
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Happy 1 year birthday!!
2008-01-14 21:15:00
Today my baby mice turn 1, and mama sugar is one year and 5 months old. I was there the day my babies came into this world and I am glad to see all that have survived. The original count,Mama Fawn had seven babies January 13th 2007.Carrot, beet, darth vader, Sickle, Bandit, smokey, and Moo-Latte.Today Bandit and Smokey turn 1. Beet dies on her 1 year birthday, going to sleep in mommys hands after a long battle with cancer.Mama Sugar had seven babies January 13th 2007.Tomato, Nickel, Dime, Chilla, Lucky, Bessie, and Blackberry.Nickel died shortly after birth and the rest are going strong, along with mama Sugar.We sang happy birthday and a long feast followed. 1 Year ago today,After a few weeks,They grow up so fast!Good by my beautiful Beet, you were special. You always wanted to be with us, always grabbing our hands and climbing up our arms to snuggle us. My beautiful baby, we defeated the cancer with you several months ago, this time we couldn't, and you looked so tired. I a...
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What did you call him??!!
2008-01-11 15:13:00
I get many raised eyebrows when I go over the list of names that accompany my babies..Each one has a good/long story to it..In the simplest terms, This is how Gerber the hedgehog got his name...The list shall continue.
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Decision 2008
2008-01-03 03:46:00
To neuter or not to neuter....I have read all the literature, I have talked to my vet...I have talked to Dandelion and Waffles...I made my decision yesterday. King Solomon is no longer alone in his big cage..I went to my local breeder, something I never do since I am in the business of rescue, but I am desperate and very limited to the type of rat I could bring home. I got a 3 month old dumbo rat male, very big and squishy already! The two wrestled for a while playing the pin game, then the both of them collapsed in one big boy rat pile. The dumbo is appropriately named Marshmallow. He is the most laid back easy going rat I have ever seen, and the two are inseperable now with Marshmallow even bringing food to the little Solomon..What a blessing to have found my big squishy angel to look over my baby Solomon. I know he will watch over him and the odd couple will be forever friends. Now all I have to do is start rat play time at 6 instead of 7 and go until 10. I am owned :)
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My true love gave to me...
2007-12-27 04:19:00
Jeremy, my love, brought me home a baby rattie about to be sold as as snake food. Christmas day I was introduced to my first baby boy rat. He immediately bonded to Dandelion and Waffles. So I am at dilemma..do I neuter him so he can live with the girls..or find another baby boy to keep him company. I am at odds..is it safe for my little boy? Is it good for his health? I must do much research on this and consult my vet. Either way, welcome to my king Solomon (Salmon Face) as mom calls him. He is sure to be a mommas boy and an accredited lap rat.What a wonderful Christmas..Spent with my family..the animals got more presents from my family then me and Jeremy! How fabulous.
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Please join me in welcoming....
2007-12-19 09:31:00
I had a friend call me up and asked me the question I sometimes dread...Can you take in my animals..always wanting to help I listen to the story and fearing we are talking something big like several rabbits or a chinchilla or something...but the story was, he and his girlfriend had to find a new living arrangement somehwat quickly and needed a forver home for their two cherished mice, Bridget and Ghost. It just so happens I had an empty mouse table available in the mouse room so please join me in welcoming..Miss Bridget Mousekewitz....Who shares her new cage with her sister...Miss Ghost Mouskewitz...UPDATE!!!!!As Daddy aka Jeremy was at work..the villain Orkin man was making his rounds...Daddy snuck up to see what the dark lord had in his hands, and to Jeremy's surprise!! Two field mice!! DUH DUH DUHHHHMMMM......So Super Daddy swings into action inquiring what the man intends on doing to the noble captives......"Kill Them" he says in a low and menacing voice...So super daddy talks ...
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Shout Outs!! And your moment of Zen..
2007-12-07 07:45:00
This week I have combined our moment of Zen with a big shout out of thanks to Karl from "The Cats Realm". He was so gracious enough to send miss Pickles and Miss Gadget a thank you card for participating in his Halloween costume contest. And now.......your moment of Zen...(insert dramatic music here)
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Gerber got Second!!
2007-12-04 06:54:00
We are so proud of our little boy, thank you to all who got out and voted. My little prince got a plate of shrimp for his award. He sends many "huffs" and "Puffs" to all his friends.

Happy Thanksgiving!!
2007-11-22 19:33:00
Well after a well deserved meal for everyone, I noticed that two of my mice, Cookie and Muffin had eaten so much that they were the size of rats!!! Have a wonderful day from our family to yours. Love Stef, Jeremy, and the hoard.
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Gerber Photo Contest!!
2007-11-09 00:13:00
Well I noticed on a friend site this charming website called The Heavenly Heart Gerbilry. Well they have a photo contest for small pocket pets and I saw there were no hogs! So me and Gerber, we gots to represent.Go Gerber!The link below is to the photo contest, Gerber is #5 if you are confused as to what a hedgehog is :) We are rooting for him, but from the looks of his food bowl, he has already won. Heavenly Heart Gerbilry Photo Contest
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Halloween!!
2007-10-30 12:58:00
According to legend, tomorrow the veil between the living and the dead is at its thinnest. They say your beloved, animal and human will be looking for you as they wonder..light a candle in your window and they will find their way home. I will have my candle lit, and to all my babies who have passed on feel free to drop by, i miss you dearly.
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Things keep getting better
2007-10-27 15:45:00
My world is spinning, but is complete.
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Good News
2007-10-22 20:52:00
Jeremy is home. He has COPD and had a major attack. He is doing well, and being bombarded by small fuzzy children.
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Jeremy is in the hospital
2007-10-20 02:54:00
Please keep him in your fuzzy prayers.
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Goodbye Moo-Latte
2007-10-18 01:26:00
My beautiful baby girl has passed my dear friends. Her passing was swift and came as she slept early this morning. Her family buried her under her favorite igloo. I unearthed her and laid her in her casket, she will spend her first night in the afterlife with us so as not to be frightened. My baby mouse is now among my angels who watch over my remaining family. Dearest Moo, please tell, Moo-Moo, Coal Mouse, Radish, Onion, Dime, Samuel, and Ariel...Momma and daddy love them dearly and will see them again, just not quite yet.A Memorial tribute to my Moo-Latte
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A moment of Zen
2007-10-15 03:26:00
Every week or so I offer my moment of Zen. Well this weeks moment is about Jeremy. My hedgehogs have made it quite clear they prefer me, so I have really been working on jeremy and their relationship. Baby wanted nothing to so with him, but Gerber got somewhat comfortable and I caught the moment and made some graphic art.Entitled..."Daddy and the Cactus".
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Saturday mice and sadder things..
2007-10-13 18:36:00
Hello to all. I have good and bad news to report on the rodent front. The good news, All injuries are healed, fall has arrived and the rodent room keeps good and warm, and the rats have discovered they have a taste for my house shoes...the bad news is one of my baby mice, well, she not a baby anymore, has a tumor and it is malignant. Moo-Latte was born in my house by Mama Fawn, she is 1 month shy of 1 year. I fear we will not be celebrating her birthday. I have mixed feelings, most of all sadness, but hope that she had the best life anyone could offer a chocolate colored cow-mouse. We will be spending each evening with her making her comfortable and filling her every need. A brigade of mice, The last picture I will take of my baby, I wanna remember her as the lazy, food loving sweet-heart that she was.
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Wild Field Mice and Embellishments...
2007-10-07 22:57:00
Well it has been 1 month in our new home..We are still settling in since both of us still work a lot, but peace is easily achieved. In the past month, Dandelion has been to the doctor for a sprained ankle and Nickel the mouse was rushed in with a case of ringworm. I have been painting again, my muses are easily found. My mouse/hedgehog/hamster/playroom is almost complete. Insulated windows and warming blankets are installed, I just need to set up the play-pen barriers. The guinea pigs reside in the living room, as they always have, and the rats...are still in the bedroom, I need rats in my bed periodically. Everyone is doing just fine...save one... BREAKING NEWS..Yesterday, as Jeremy was coming home from work, in the middle of a parking lot, on a hot day, with nothing else around...lay a baby (eyes still sealed shut) field mouse.Oh my word, It is as if the great spirit placed this baby from heaven upon the asphalt with a message to us...
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