So, it's past midnight...

I am just getting finished up for the day. Dishes are going, diapers are soaking in the washer, husbands clothes for the morning are in the dryer. Dogs are asleep (snoring to be exact) and the rats are running around playing, just a few hours ago they were all curled up asleep. Both kids are in bed and it's quiet in my house except for the couple of appliances that are running so things are ready to go in the morning.

I look over at my old dog, Nuch, he's been through a lot these past couple of weeks. He got a abscess on his side that the vet had to go in, clean and put a drain tube in for a little over a week. Antibiotics, pain meds, drain tube flush (antibiotics and peroxide mix) then a shot of antibiotics because he wasn't tolerating the oral, and he's doing a lot better. He's 17 years old. He's my heart, I've had him since I was 16 (and I'm not 29). I keep thinking this will be his last year with us, but it doesn't look like it. He's got a lot of spunk still. His hearing is going and his eyes are glazed over from cataracts, but he's still a happy old man that plays with the kids and very attentive, especially when food is involved. There will never be another dog like him again. He's my boy!

Honey, our female dog, she's just rotten. She's all dog, there is no other way to explain it. She has the look of a black chow chow, but the smarts of a lab (and anyone that has been around labs knows they are not the Einsteins of the dog world). She's a wonderful companion for my old man. Though she's not as tolerant as he is too the kids, she has realized that they mean food, so she'll follow them around in hopes of something getting dropped. She's getting up there in age as well, estimated to be around 13-14 years old (rescue dog). Truthfully, she's more my husbands dog than anyone elses.

Here is a picture of Nuch (little blond dog) and Honey (the black one behind him)....they have been shaved for the summer since this was taken (earlier this summer) and the yard has also been cut - LOL.

The rats, what can be said. Sassy is our oldest girl. She's loving, licks like a dog, comes to her name and adores the kids. When you have a little pet that lets the baby pick it up without biting him, you know you have a one of a kind. She's had her trials since we got her back in April. She's had a ongoing ear infection that has required 3 rounds of antibiotics & vet visits and a trip a hour away to a vet that knows his stuff about rodents. She's got a permeate head tilt now due to the ear infections, but she's a happy girl. Butterfly, Julie and Ariel are all fairly new to the house, brought home last month from the local rat rescue, all the girls were born in April. Butterfly's name suits her, she's a jumper. She actually prefers adult company rather than the kids, but she does like it when Madeline feeds her treats. Julie is as laid back as any animal can get. She's a cuddlier and is just as happy sitting in your lap being petted as she is riding around on your shoulder. Ariel is timid. She's taken a lot of work to get her to come out of the cage in less than 30 mins. She now runs to the door in hopes of being picked up for the girls free range time. When we decided to get rats back in April, I would have never guessed at what wonderful pets they really are. They are all litter trained, love eating oatmeal every morning and are adorable when they pile up to go to sleep. The little creatures have captured everyone in the families heart (even my husbands) and we spoil the girls!!!

Madeline & Sassy

A rat pile (how they all sleep)

Anyway - that is our little zoo that we have here. Just my ramblings of the day.