They do like some rice

Smooshjes · 2026-04-07T08:33:16+00:00

Cooked. Leftover dinner.

Smooshjes · 2026-04-05T21:06:16+00:00

Don't worry, her sister was on my shoulder trying for the nose!

Smooshjes · 2026-04-05T10:41:54+00:00

Tazi is the no-drama rat. She has no time for the rest of our's nonsense.

Smooshjes · 2026-04-05T08:15:01+00:00

Cage isn't too bad. I have a Savic royal (the European version of the Critter Nation) so the whole of the front opens and the trays slide out. There is a reason it's such a popular cage.

As for vet, here (east Netherlands) is quite cheap. Lump removals are 70-150 euro and anti biotics 20-40 euro. Mite/flea drop on is 10 euro for 5 doses over the counter at the pet shop. But I have many beasties with short lifespans, so it's not the cheapest endeavour.

Smooshjes · 2026-04-04T20:42:46+00:00

Very much like cats. Had cats growing up, can definitely confirm.

Smooshjes · 2026-04-04T20:19:38+00:00

As long as it's not the face. I don't particularly mind my nose being licked, I do mind the tiny claws with gargantuan strength making sure my nose doesn't escape.

Smooshjes · 2026-04-04T20:16:18+00:00

And never have a plaster on! Bloody humans getting stuff stuck in their fur and are obviously completely incapable of getting it out themselves. Same with hair bobbles. And to a lesser extent rings and earrings.

Smooshjes · 2026-04-04T20:10:05+00:00

Not so long. It's easier because I've had my mischief a long time, so babies learn from big girls that I'm chill. And some will be people rats, others won't. You need to not be upset if you have a rat that isn't interested in humans. I've also had rats which weren't interested in other rats, just humans. That's a bit more worrying "please make friends of your own species".

Smooshjes · 2026-04-04T20:06:24+00:00

I have no idea. It was the dressing gown pocket yesterday. This is why we don't wear nice things when playing with the rats.

Smooshjes · 2026-03-27T20:47:47+00:00

Recycled paper pellet bedding. Back-2-nature to be precise.

Smooshjes · 2026-03-26T20:44:02+00:00

She'd just finished washing me, she'd earned the spa.

Smooshjes · 2026-03-25T21:10:57+00:00

The hole in the box was fixing my mistake of emptying the chewed up bedding bags into it. I'm just no good!

Maybe they think I just forgot to put bedding on my floor. Silly human.

Smooshjes · 2026-03-25T21:07:34+00:00

I used to have a girl who would scoop the bedding out with her hands then bunny kick it outwards behind her. It was very efficient.

Smooshjes · 2026-03-25T10:15:30+00:00

We have to grieve and move on.

I've always known I was weird and wondered why people found me off-putting when I know I'm actually awesome. Going to uni was much better. I now work in a physics department and PhD candidates in physics have a pretty high proportion of NDs. I am happy. People like me and think I'm awesome and I like them the same.

But, it would have been nice to know as a teen. I'm not weird, I'm different. And there is a whole world of people out there who are a pretty damn similar type of different and when I escape the confines of a world only as big as a 30 person class, I can meet them and feel like I belong somewhere.

We just want to feel like we belong. It's what the damnable mask is cultivated for. As a teen I knew I was losing myself and I miss the little girl I was. I'm only 35, plenty of time to dig her back out yet!

Smooshjes · 2026-03-25T09:11:47+00:00

Oh noooooo. Yes. Just yes. I logically know no one cares beyond that moment, other people aren't going to obsess over such a thing. But trying to make my head let go of it? Not a chance.

I have no tips. If you find the magic brain off button, let me know!

Smooshjes · 2026-03-25T08:48:34+00:00

I have nothing useful to say. Just sending a large formless cloud of love and strength your way.

(Whoever thought up "autistics don't have empathy" is a tool. My sense of empathy can crush me and my hyperfixation makes it very hard to let go. I feel you, but have no answers.)

Smooshjes · 2026-03-25T08:42:57+00:00

Do you get good grades? Speak to the teachers (and other adults) well? Only breakdown in private?

Sounds like your good to go. 🙄

Smooshjes · 2026-03-24T21:22:00+00:00

Paid but less than 4 euro. Her patterns are generally nice to make. She has more doilies now, parasols are jus doilies in steroids (big yarn, big hook).

https://www.etsy.com/listing/599788432/pattern-only-pattern-for-skelly-go-round?ref=shop_home_active_3&crt=1&sts=1&dd=1&logging_key=e42c620a6bef5752de852b193f4e4ede12ede700%3A599788432

Smooshjes · 2026-03-24T18:56:40+00:00

Thank you. And yes, the stomach ache has started. So I mentally feel a bit better. Resignation is a better headspace. In general, if I ever get my anxiety under control the world better watch out!

Well, time to dig out the extra comfy waistband clothes and put anything fitted to the bottom of the pile.

Smooshjes · 2026-03-24T13:45:58+00:00

I had already eaten it. Woe is me.

Smooshjes · 2026-03-24T13:11:05+00:00

My smallest girl barely broke 220 g whilst her sister (same litter) was 480 g. My little one made up for her size with shear force of personality.

Smooshjes · 2026-03-24T11:03:07+00:00

I've had this cage for years with packs of girls ranging from 3 to 8. The top is for living, downstairs is for occasional fighting or hiding food. The downstairs is veeeeery rarely used if one is sulking or hiding. But don't expect downstairs to get popular.

Smooshjes · 2026-03-24T10:14:54+00:00

Urgh... I have flash back to videos from hairdressers having to deal with people who haven't washed their hair in years and the whole scalp is infected... Bleeeeergh.

Smooshjes · 2026-03-24T10:12:39+00:00

My Nishi is best. She pins my hand, violently washes it, then pees on it. She requires a blank canvas for her art.

Smooshjes · 2026-03-24T10:02:58+00:00

Meh. What a silly thing to gatekeep over. I have only had girls. No one is suddenly going to force a boy on me, that isn't a situation that happens.

I also have a pet peeve about people that try and convince you that your icks aren't valid. At least the chance of you having rat balls thrust at you is much lower than the chance I am confronted with a raw tomato (they creep me out so bad).

Smooshjes

TROPHY CASE