Bandit update 2/6/06

Tue Feb 07, 2006 6:29 am

Bandit continues to improve, for the most part. The bad news is that he has bitten at us--once last week, he bit my finger while I was rubbing my neck, but he did NOT break the skin. I told him I was very disappointed in him and that he doesn't have to bite me. He also put his teeth on Abita--really, that's the best way to describe it. He kind of pressed his teeth to her hand, which he's done to me. No biting motion at all. He also seems to be a bit moody--sometimes he'll huff at me or Abita when he's inside his cage.

The good news is that he's over his intestinal bug and is now caged in the Rat Room. He was pretty hyper at first, but he soon calmed down. We've also built a wall of cardboard for the play area. We feel better with the wall because we store a ton of stuff under the bed and if he should get off of it. we'd never find him. PIctures of his first playtime on something other than me are at the Ratablog.

Right now, he's playing on the same setup we had for Oliver and the girls earlier, which definitely has him realizing there are other rats in the house. Abita thinks he may be looking for the other rats, which is possible. He may also be trying to claim the territory as his: His lower back near his tail is soaked and smells slightly of rat pee. I think he's peeing and trying to mark the bed has his, as he's rubbing his flanks HARD against the igloo.

He's also crawling on me and Abita a lot. He's not quite a loaf, yet, but I think he's well on his way to becoming one.

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Victor, Bandit, and Sparrow's Sweeties: Neiko & Roo. Sparrow's Boys: Oliver, Arthur, and Rabskuttle. The fRAT Boys: Jim, Jack, and George.
Good night, Witter, Kono, Rat, Olie, Metro, Calle, Mr. Ratburn, Arwen, Leather, Ohana, Zoe, Misto, and Kanga.

Tue Feb 07, 2006 7:26 am

Awe Bandit! He looks so adorably sweet in those photos.

I do hope he continues to feel at home and doesn't become more bitey after living in the room with other ratties. Hopefully, it will be just the opposite and perhaps he might meet the others one day.

We have had the opposite problem happen here. Buttercup, one of our two sweet newest rescues, has gotten a nasty streak. She was soooo sweet for a while, but now has become very snappy at times, in the cage. You definitely don't want to put your hand or any part of you up to the cage or she'll snap at ya. I was leaning against the cage cleaning an upper level and she snapped at the other hand I was leaning against the cage with. OUCH! I've also learned the hard way you don't mess with her when she's sleeping either (I was cleaning blankets and she broke the skin on my knuckle). I've even pet her in the cage before and she whipped around and nipped me. I was in the other room just yesterday and heard hubby yell "@#$ @#$* it".....and I said "Buttercup"? yep!

She's become very much like our Ruby. But still they are sweet as pie once they are outside the cage. Geez, some ratties are just very passionate about THEIR cage. Confused

I could send Ruby and Buttercup over to keep Bandit company wink

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Debbie and the gang of spoiled furries

Tue Feb 07, 2006 7:29 am

i am so happy to have another report on bandit.

i think he knows where he stands with the big nekkid rat people, but now he has to learn that the same rules apply to the fuzzy roomates. he probably wants to make sure the others know he is there, and that he will not be easy to beat up.

i can just see him wearing gang colors, as a gang boss. unfortunately he is only a gang of one. but he is letting his guard down. he just wants to keep you and abita on your toes and make sure you know he isn't gonna let himself love you ever
"...not ever
...cuz no one ever loves me
...nobody!
...ever

um...
is that yogie for me...?"

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Visit ACE, MELANIE, BONBON, and the rest of my crew in Rat Tails

Tue Feb 07, 2006 7:43 am

I'm glad he's getting better about biting. I know that one day he will just give in, and be the squishiest, smoochiest, calmest manrat ever!!

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EMILY-------------------------------------------------

Rest in peace, Violet and Isadora. <3

Tue Feb 07, 2006 8:01 am

I do love Bandit reports! I hope that he continues to be good, and the bites don't get any worse than that (and hopefully much better).

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Andy & The Rats

~ Darwin ~ Maisie ~ Ella ~ Zak ~

~ Finn ~ Malachi ~ Azrael ~ Newton ~ Charlie ~

Tue Feb 07, 2006 8:23 am

I love Bandits big EYEBROWS OF DOOM! Hehe. He has such beautiful markings, too bad he's such a butthead with the biting-but-not-quite.

You guys are making such awesome progress. I hope with the other rats' smells he doesn't make like..anti-progress with his territorialness, but you guys have the 'touch', so I'm sure you know what to do.

Tue Feb 07, 2006 4:13 pm

He is so adorable! I'm so glad he is still making progress, even if still biting here and there. He does sound a lot more calm than he was a few weeks ago.

And I must say, I cracked up at George's likeness to Punxsutawney Phil. LOL

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Christy
RP Admin
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Frodo, Zorro, Erzulie, Maeve, Clara, Molly & Emily