Group two

Group two consists of 3 elderly sisters (all spayed), plus two bucks (one castrated). They share the bottom of a duetto. The girls are from the tail end of Joanne's PEW 'line' and are from an outcross litter between the Tabi line and the PEW rats.

Who?

Paragon Taika is a slightly toned down version of Java, less dominant, but still strong willed and oozing personality. She too enjoys a wheel run, but isn't as obsessive as her sister. Taika was spayed in October 2009 following a uterine bleed. She recovered swiftly and fully.

Update: August 2010 - Taika remains fit and well and has mellowed into a very friendly and engaging little lady. She is the easiest of the 3 sisters to recognise without handling, as her white nose tip (courtesy of carrying the roan gene) has grown whiter with age. Taika is duvet days and comfort food and yellow.

When?

DOB 03.04.2008

Where?

Taika was born here out of Tabi Tally ho! and Paragon Poltergeist. She lived with Katie D until the beginning of March 2009.

What?

She is an agouti with a white nose (carries roan).

Why?

Taika is one of KatieD's rats who came here when Katie was no longer able to keep them due to a sudden change in circumstances. I already had two of her sisters here so that seemed the sensible group for her to become part of.

Who?

Paragon Fusion is the larger, more people orientated of the twins. Like Fission, she is really active, loves to wheel run (and hold her tail high to prove it!), explore and discover. But I think she's more biddable and in control. Oh and more dominant!

Update: December 2008 - Fission and Fusion were both spayed after failed introductions with Neo, Kayin, Phantom and Ritford. They had become over the top hormonal, frequently on heat and overly dominant when experiencing hormonal fluctuations. They both had polycystic ovaries removed at the spay. Both recovered rapidly and fully and were easily integrated to Bailey and Rattix - which also overcame the problem of Bailey being alone when Rattix eventually leaves us.

Update: November 2009 - Fusion is still the largest of the group, and still very much in charge, though she is a very peaceable alpha and the group don't tend to have many squabbles. She is fit and well and quite a cuddly soul these days.

Update: August 2010 - Fusion is still fit and well but slowing down now, and has been overthrown by the incoming young boys. Fusion is wild blackberries and foxes and Summer storms.

When?

DOB 03.04.2008

Where?

Paragon Fusion was born here to Shunamite Tabi tally ho! and Paragon Poltergeist.

What?

She is an agouti.

Why?

Like Fission, Fusion stayed here to give us more choice about how to develop the PEW related rats here. Despite being the bigger sister (a trait I am trying to breed away from) she is probably the sister I would have choosen to breed from as she's the more people orientated of the two. As noted above, a decision has now been made to stop the PEW 'line'. The sisters have been spayed and cannot be bred from.

Who?

Alpha Centauri Uno is an agouti dumbo who came here with his cousin Ette, as a potential poutcross for my dumbos. Uno was oober dominant as a teenager (before living with the girls) and effectively kept his cousin in hiding. Because of this he was castrated and has blossomed into the gorgeous fella he was always meant to be. He's a really gentle soul, a little timid of anything that is new or unknown, but very easy to get along with and has wriggled effectively into the folds of my heart and set up home there. Uno is crunchy apples and camouflage and unending rainbow hankerchiefs from a magician's sleeve.

When?

DOB 28.01.10

Where?

Uno was bred by Estelle at Alpha Centauri Stud.

What?

He is an agouti dumbo.

Why?

Uno came here as a prospective daddy, but is now castrated.

Who?

Alpha Centauri Ette is a black dumbo who came here with his cousin, Uno, as a potential poutcross for my dumbos. Ette was almost invisible until Uno was castrated but has since come into his own as alpha of the group. He gets along with all of his charges and only gets told off when he gets carried away and tries to mate one of the older girls! Ette is pleasant and friendly, a busy rat who likes his view of the world from his look out perch. Ruler of all he surveys! Ette is pirates and walnuts and Magpies.

When?

DOB 29.01.10

Where?

Ette was bred by Estelle at Alpha Centauri Stud.

What?

He is an black dumbo.

Why?

Ette came here as a prospective daddy, and may be used here as an outcross in the future.

Who?

Jeremy - a rather plump, castrated boy who is almost certainly Amber's son, rescued from the storage crate as a youngster. He was homed as one of four young males, to a lovely human who turned out to be very allergic to rats. Jeremy is the last surviving rat and rather than living out his life alonehe was returned here. He was castrated when rescued so was swiftly introduced to his mum and the Zephyr girls and introductions were pretty straightforward - Jeremy is a very gentle soul, who I am still getting to know. Jeremy is whispering cornfields in a gentle summer breeze.

Update October 2010: Jeremy moved in with the old girls, Uno and Ette after his mother died because he was being bullied by his younger companions after the amalgamation of two groups. He's currently fighting a nasty respiratory infection, but is otherwise still fairing well.

When?

DOB: uncertain - approximately November 2008.

Where?

Jeremy was rescued along with 32 other rats in February 2009, then returned here July 2010.

What?

He is a champagne.

Why?

Jeremy needed a retirement home. It felt right that he should stay here with his mum.