Aww, thanks Story!! Who doesn't love hearing their rat forum friends ooh and ahh over their babies, eh? Hee hee!
And April, to address your comment, Maximus is a Berkshire rat, so it sounds like Gracie might also be a Berkshire, based on how you described her markings? It looks like Maximus slid his tummy through a plate of cream (or as Story described it, white paint!) and dipped his forearms in it too. Like Gracie?
Yeah, Maxie's coat has always been very very soft and smooth, so I am not sure if it has gotten even more so since his neuter. It's possible!
Achilles has much coarser and longer fur, and since he has not been neutered, of course the differences in their fur will be even more pronounced now, yes?
Yes, Achilles is a big squishy love bug. I know he would LOVE a big cuddle from Aunt Story.

He craves affection 24/7 and he gets it by the boatload! Marc and I cover that love muffin with so many smooches, scritches and body rubs, it just gets downright ridiculous. :hehe: We love it. He loves it. Ahhhhh....
Maxie loves us too and he likes attention, but he is more into a quick hello, love ya, kiss kiss, then OFF he goes into his play areas to explore and probably to work on his eeeevil plans to take over the world no doubt. They are such different personalities but they both love us in their own different ways.
I really think sometimes that Klausse and Wolfgang's essences are still around in our new boys.
Klausse/Achilles=Jelly Belly Love Bug Squish Boys
Wolfgang/Maximus=Leather Jacket Wearin' Explorer Rebel Boys
I am sure you have seen that type of thing repeat itself with your boys too, eh?