New to Forum - Intro

[mtmaughan]

Welcome to PT! It will be great to have you as a member, you clearly know so much about rats!

[Sorraia]

Quote: Originally Posted by Little Shelby Welcome to the forum! I'm glad that such a wonderful breeder is on here. I remember reading that you majored in Biology. My boyfriend is going through college right now to become a Biology major with a specialization in Ecology. He really wants to work with water and fish. Once again welcome and I'm sure we will all become friends.

That's awesome! My major was specifically "biological sciences" with a specialty in conservation. It's basically the same thing as a biology major, but more emphasis on the specialty (and fewer pre-med classes that the straight-bio majors at my school had to take!). My job now is field biology, I work with endangered birds as well as small mammals, reptiles, and more.

[Sorraia]

Now that I am at the right number of posts, here are some pictures!
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A more recent picture of Nymph (see date):

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A more recent picture of Tirra Lirra (also see date):

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Some of the boys, giving kisses: (note: some of these are also babies from my last two litters)

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Lacey (who came to me from Illinois):

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Serenade (Lacey's sister):

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Ferrero:

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That's just a small sampling.

[VanillaRat]

I LOVE your rats,such beautiful babies!
I really like and want Nymph!

[Little Shelby]

Quote: Originally Posted by Sorraia That's awesome! My major was specifically "biological sciences" with a specialty in conservation. It's basically the same thing as a biology major, but more emphasis on the specialty (and fewer pre-med classes that the straight-bio majors at my school had to take!). My job now is field biology, I work with endangered birds as well as small mammals, reptiles, and more.

That sounds like lots of fun! If it wasn't for all the chemistry, I would love to go into biology. I just love animals and I would adore having your job!

I agree that Nymph is adorable! It looks like she might have trouble seeing?

[Sorraia]

Nymph really is a sweetie! She's one of the rats who wants to be with people and would DIE without human attention. She had developed a tumor, which was removed dates before her 2nd birthday. She HATED being stuck in her cage during that time, but when I let her out she'd crawl all over the place as if nothing had ever happened! I was afraid she'd rip out a stitch - this was also WITHOUT pain medication! She recovered quickly. Unfortunately the tumor did return, but she's getting along. It's very slow growing, and the biopsy came back showing it was NOT cancerous (and probably not genetic). Her daughter was bred before the tumor developed, but I did not breed her granddaughter as I waited for the surgery and biopsy results. By the time they came back it was too late to breed her anyways... but her grandson is in my future plans. Her daughter so far is tumor-free and going on 2 years of age. She's also a tad overweight - more likely to develop a tumor. So far looks good that it's not genetic, but need to wait and see how her daughters and granddaughters fair. The Russian blue boy babies in that one picture are her grand and great-grandsons (through her son). They all seem to inherit her wonderful temperament and personality!
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Tirra Lirra is actually looking BETTER now than she did in that picture. She's still in the big cage along with Nymph and the other girls. They crawl up and down the levels like they were youngsters! She's a little stiff, but nothing major. You know the best part? NO TUMORS. That's right, 2.5 years old and no tumors! Unfortunately she was not bred... but I do have relatives through her brother. That's how it goes sometimes. Tirra Lirra herself has been a sweet girl. She just keeps chugging along.
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I'm going to miss both of those girls when they go. I mis them all... but it seems the longer they stick around the harder and harder it gets. They are my oldest rats at this time, with Indie coming in close.

[Sorraia]

Quote: Originally Posted by Little Shelby That sounds like lots of fun! If it wasn't for all the chemistry, I would love to go into biology. I just love animals and I would adore having your job! I agree that Nymph is adorable! It looks like she might have trouble seeing?

I think that fogginess in her eyes in the picture is just the lighting. It's not there in person. If her vision is impaired, she doesn't show any signs of it.

[Little Shelby]

Quote: Originally Posted by Sorraia I think that fogginess in her eyes in the picture is just the lighting. It's not there in person. If her vision is impaired, she doesn't show any signs of it.

Oh I see. I know my older girls had foggy looking eyes and they did sort of look like they had a spot in them like in Nymph's picture. Of course they were not breed for wellness, they were from a pet store.

[ShannonMarie]

Welcome to the forum. Glad you are joining us.

Where abouts in CA are you? I'm just curious. I live in Southern CA.

[Sorraia]

Quote: Originally Posted by ShannonMarie Welcome to the forum. Glad you are joining us. Where abouts in CA are you? I'm just curious. I live in Southern CA.

I'm also in Southern CA, Inland Empire area. I see by your avatar you have a horse? I do too! Just posted pictures of him in that section of the forum.

[ShannonMarie]

Yes, I love horses! I'm leaving this weekend to go stay at the ranch where my horsies are for a few weeks. Which means, lots of riding for me. And my rats are coming with me, cause I can't leave them home alone of course.

Your horse is gorgeous! He has the same coloring as this TB gelding that i ALMOST bought a few months ago, they were just asking way too much for the quality of this horse, It was hard to say no though, cause he was BEAUTIFUL.

[eagle]

Hi Sorraia:
Glad you are here. How is my Indy doing?

[Sorraia]

Quote: Originally Posted by eagle Hi Sorraia: Glad you are here. How is my Indy doing?

Hey! Indie is doing great. He's now 2 years old, slowing down a little, but still hanging on and holding his own.

[eagle]

Good, give him a scritch for me.