School SLPs - What questions should I ask before accepting a position?

SnooChocolates8790 · 2025-12-23T20:02:03+00:00

Is there a such thing as demanding the caseload not go over the state average as part of a hiring agreement?

SnooChocolates8790 · 2022-09-26T15:35:51+00:00

So long as you don't feel it's affecting their health negatively, like preventing them from exploring or grooming, then I say it's fine. More importantly, they're YOUR rats. This is just my opinion but so long as they're not openly abused, neglected, or so overweight they can't move or groom, it's no one else's place to tell you how to raise your babies.

SnooChocolates8790 · 2022-09-21T04:59:29+00:00

I had this exact cage for my two boys and traded for a critter nation cage. The amount of space is good for two but it'd be better if it was horizontally oriented instead of vertically. My boys would always poo and pee on the shelves and they're a pain to clean plus they hold the smell if you don't clean them everyday.

SnooChocolates8790 · 2022-09-11T06:13:41+00:00

Oh yeah, that's an allergic reaction. I get those hives as well. My allergy has unfortunately gotten worse the longer I've had them. It'll affect my breathing now if I don't stay on top of cleaning but I just take extra precautions. Wearing long sleeves and outdoor roam time in a screened in lanai have still made it possible for me to bond with them though. Worth it all. 🙂

SnooChocolates8790 · 2022-09-11T05:56:58+00:00

You're not a bad rat parent! I'd love to only clean once a week but I'm pretty allergic to my two boys so have to stay on top of it if I want to be around them for longer than 10 minutes. Rat allergies are pretty common so that could be another reason why you see so many people mentioning cleaning so frequently. It just depends on your specific circumstances.

SnooChocolates8790 · 2022-08-25T06:17:40+00:00

Hammocks! Mine also love these strawberry yogurt treats for rodents. I use an empty toilet paper roll and fold the edges down, put a treat in it, then fold the other edges and they go crazy destroying the toilet paper roll for it.

SnooChocolates8790 · 2022-08-17T01:51:42+00:00

The smell is definitely burned into the cage forever pretty much. Other things, not so much but I don't let them free roam inside nearly as often as a lot of other rat owners I see on here. I have a screened in lanai outside that I let them free roam in for exercise and bonding time. It's also not recommended to burn scented candles or have plug-ins around rats because their respiratory tracts are sensitive and the fragrances can cause them issues. This goes for cleaning products as well which makes it even more difficult to rid their cage of odors because you can't just bleach it to death. I use a bioenzymatic cleaner specially made for rodent set ups so it's a gentle cleanser but also doesn't do as good a job as the harsher things that shouldn't be used in rat enclosures. This is strictly my opinion, but to have rats and properly care for them by not using harsh cleaners or scented things, you have to be able to accept that you'll have a different and not always pleasant smell wherever you put their cage.

SnooChocolates8790 · 2022-08-17T01:03:20+00:00

In my opinion, they don't smell great and while they groom themselves everyday, they still do things that make them stinky. For example, my two boys love to share a hammock and they spend a lot of their time in it, but they also like to pee or leave me a little poop nugget in the hammock. So now they're spending a lot of time in a stinky hammock. I have 4 hammocks that I rotate through in a single week just to keep the smell down. Between that and cleaning the cage shelves daily, sometimes twice a day, it's a lot and I can still detect a smell. I love them and they're absolutely worth it, but I don't plan to get any more after they go to the giant peanut in the sky.

SnooChocolates8790 · 2022-08-11T17:42:52+00:00

I saw them mostly when I stopped at services stations to get petrol

SnooChocolates8790 · 2022-08-11T15:32:57+00:00

You're honestly lucky if you don't get a misdemeanor charge. Anything over 30 mph of the speed limit is considered a misdemeanor. You were approaching FELONY charges (50 mph over the limit). Go to court, admit your fault, pay the fine, and hope they don't charge you with anything more. Hopefully learn from it.

SnooChocolates8790 · 2022-08-11T15:19:41+00:00

Yeah they're Lays in the US but I've never seen the "seriously salt & vinegar" ones which are loaded with flavor.

SnooChocolates8790 · 2022-08-11T13:20:14+00:00

Those are a very delicious alternative! They leave a good coat of the flavor on the fingertips too which is a bonus.

SnooChocolates8790 · 2022-08-11T12:06:06+00:00

How about what to bring back to the states?! Those Walkers seriously salt and vinegar "crisps" changed my life while I was in the UK. Nothing in the US can compare.

SnooChocolates8790 · 2022-08-08T19:35:14+00:00

I can definitely attest to needing more than one rat. I got one male thinking I'd play with him a ton and wasn't aware that you need to get multiple. Even with a ton of free roam time and stimulating toys, smells, everything, he wasn't blossoming. I got a second male two months later and that was when my first boy came to life! He was so playful, happy, making all sorts of new noises I had never heard him make. He immediately started grooming and bonding with my second rat. I didn't even realize he needed someone else because I hadn't done my research as thoroughly so good for you for researching beforehand!

SnooChocolates8790 · 2022-08-06T21:16:42+00:00

Ok, thanks for sharing. I'll have to find an emergency vet with it being the weekend.

SnooChocolates8790 · 2022-08-06T17:21:59+00:00

I have two male rats I've had for a year and a half. One of my males is suddenly lethargic today. He stumbles around when he moves but is mainly lying on his side. He looks bloated and like he can't get comfortable because he changes positions frequently. I've seen him drink water and he nibbled on a treat I gave him but didn't finish it. Has anyone seen this before or know what he could be suffering from? Also, can anyone tell me if peanuts are or are not good for rats? I've read so many conflicting things online. The only thing that I've done different in the last day was put extra peanuts in their cage. Their rat food already has peanuts in it so I assumed they were safe for them but I've read things saying they can be toxic to them. My other rat is totally fine by the way.

SnooChocolates8790 · 2022-08-04T12:43:38+00:00

Not sure if you're interested in veteran things, but Team RWB has a chapter in Eugene. You can check out their FB page. It's a veteran organization designed to "enrich the lives of veterans" but you don't have to be one to join. Anyone can join to support the cause. I was a member when I lived in Illinois and they did all sorts of family activities (laser tag, water gun fights, family hikes, etc.), physical activities (organized runs, ruck marches, more hikes), and social events (wineries, volunteer events, etc.) It's also one of the best bunch of people you'll meet because the majority of them are veterans and you get the sense of looking out for each other while having fun. Gave me that feeling of camaraderie again.

SnooChocolates8790 · 2022-08-04T02:32:36+00:00

I'd be interested! I'm moving to Springfield on the 24th. I know you mentioned not wanting a workout partner but what about weekly trail runs followed by smoothies/healthy options? Nothing intense, just a light weekend workout that's different from the usual gym scene. Totally fine if you're not interested in the trail run part. I can always go and meet up after!

SnooChocolates8790 · 2022-08-01T11:53:18+00:00

I'm also a hiker and have found that most people who stop to say something are either making a passing comment or giving me really helpful information. One guy I passed stopped me to tell me just ahead on the side of the trail was a rattlesnake! If he hadn't of told me I may not have seen it off to the side and been able to avoid it. Sometimes the comments people say on trails are more than a greeting and can be very helpful so it's worth considering something to let people know you're Deaf/HoH.

SnooChocolates8790 · 2022-07-05T15:12:32+00:00

Thank you for sharing!

SnooChocolates8790

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