Pages

Willow Creek Adopters & Website Visitors:

Back in 2006, I thought I had stumbled upon the perfect small animal to raise for show and pet: rats.  I already had nearly 10 years in raising and showing dogs, but I don’t breed them often (only when I need another dog to keep my line going) and I felt bored with weekly dog obedience classes and no “babies” around.  I also thought another animal hobby would give me another opportunity to acquire similar friends as I have in dogs.

As with many hobbies, there have been highs and lows.  In both hobbies, a breeder makes sure the pet is the right fit for the owner before the adoption, and once she is assured of that, it is a very strong feeling of accomplishment knowing both pet and new owner have a bright future together ahead of them.  If a breeder shows their stock or even a purchase from another breeder, it is also another feeling of accomplishment: because you either produced the winner through a litter of your breeding or you chose to purchase that baby from that breeder, as I did with Gr. Ch. COVE Tequila Sunrise of WLLW, and raised him from “a wee one”.

I was surprised, however (and somewhat flabbergasted, disappointed and angered) that *some* rat breeders took their importance as breeders and their control issues to such levels that they wrote extravagant contracts on the breeding stock they sold to fellow breeders; this after I have bought dogs from some of the top breeders in the world (in my breed), from pups of both Westminster and Crufts winners that cost thousands of dollars whose contracts were far less restrictive.  These (rat) contracts in effect released no control of the young they were selling: they had to be notified of any breeding plans, and some specifics included up to FIVE generations!  It was if they were operating THEIR breeding program in MY home, instead of the other way around.  The “icing on the cake” includes the fact that the national registry for rats, NARR, allows a breeder to remove the breeding rights on a rat by a change of paperwork by the breeder — with no recourse by the purchasing breeder, no matter what the contract states.  In other words, Breeder A sells a rat on a breeding contract to Breeder B… six months later, the rat is of age to breed and Breeder B is making plans, but Breeder A finds out Breeder B is of a political persuasion Breeder A doesn’t approve of or doesn’t like their hair that day; Breeder A can send a form electronically to NARR, rendering the rat a “pet” or “non-breeding” rat, making all it’s young non-registerable as breeding stock.  Breeder B has the option of getting an attorney and taking the matter to court… but for a $20 rat??  I wonder how many breeders are aware of this fact??  If a breeder has several rats from one breeder and has a “falling out” with that person, they can have their entire breeding rattery wiped out with one fell swoop.

Then there are the breeders that gift you with rats with health issues…

As many have said, when it is no longer fun, it’s time to get out.

As it would happen, I came to struggle with some health issues myself (and became the grandmother of two!) and found raising and caring for two species just became “too much”; I don’t like to do anything in a mediocre way: I like to care for my animals in the best way possible, and I found I needed to give up one of them.  I am leaving the Willow Creek Rats website up for folks who are looking for information and recommendations on cages, care, etc.  I wish you all the best with your rats, and please continue to keep me informed.

Kathy

I hope everyone’s summer is going well!  We have been dealing with plumbing issues, car issues, and a dog with a severely injured leg… but as they say, there’s no way but UP from here!

Overall, the rats are doing well; we have several joining the Two Year Club this summer: EKO Chlotile Van Dankelein, WLLW Macy, and COVE Tequila Sunrise of WLLW.  SGR Little Spice Bear will be 2-1/2 on 9/2/09.

WLLW Harald Fairhair and WLLW Ingrid Ragnvaldsdotter welcomed their litter of 14 babes — 8 boys and 6 girls on 5/31!  I think this was my favorite litter to date: temperaments were outstanding, and colors were varied and fun to watch develop.  There were three hoodies in the litter, one stayed here at Willow Creek (a fawn rex) and two went to Blaze Craze Rattery to help with a marked breeding program there.  One of the mink boys will be staying here as well (breeding to an agouti girl whose dam is mink, to produce more cinnamons!), as well as their sister who was the lone cinnamon in the litter.

Another litter of ten has been born here to WLLW Finnegan and SGR Sky Lark; 4 girls and 6 boys.  We have the expected black, agouti, mink, fawn, and four “to be determined” colors — at this point, we believe them to be platinum agouti.  Going to get a 2nd opinion before making our “official” call on that, they are still young.    The interesting thing about this litter is that coat type has been separated along gender lines: the four girls are standard coats, and the six boys are all rex!  We are looking forward to seeing which of the girls will be staying here at WLLW!

We did say “good-bye” to SGR Fortunato, who had just turned two years of age in July, but had been battling a respiratory illness and just couldn’t shake it.  We tried several antibiotics and supplementing his food with good immune-building formulas, but he took a sudden turn for the worse and died in his sleep.  We are, as usual, deeply indebted to Sweet Genes Rodentry for another sweet boy and are saddened by the loss.  We are, however, comforted by the fact that we have his son, WLLW Love Is Blue, who is pretty much a carbon copy of his daddy.

Looking towards mid/late August, we are looking forward to Finnegan and Toasty’s litter.  Stay tuned!

There was a time in the world of breeding and showing animals that breeders found it necessary to belong to the prevailing, established club associated with their animal and/or breed in order to be considered an accepted “member” of established, ethical, “connected” people dedicated to their hobby. There was also a time in the world where people shared a common purpose in the betterment of their animals, had respect for one another, and above all maintained personal and professional integrity. I am sorry to say that I have found in my experience that this is no longer so, and I cannot continue my membership with a certain organization due to a complete difference of opinion as to what constitutes standards of right and wrong.

* It seems to have become the norm to enter DOZENS of animals from one rattery in order to put the odds in one’s favor. This only wastes the judges’ and the club’s time; with so few ratteries entering shows these days, why put on a show for only one rattery (the one entering dozens of rats)??  Why can’t a breeder select the best from his/her rattery, and leave the rest at home?  What is the point of having judges examine 50-60 or more rats from one rattery?

When I took Best in Show at the 2008 NIRO show, I entered no more than 6 or 8 rats (if that many), taking only those I considered the best in my rattery. There was no need to take every good rat I owned; as a breeder, I am quite able to make that judgment myself.

* I am also aware of an incident of a fellow member who entered a young rat at a show that had already been sold as a pet, and then refused to deliver the rat to the person who had already paid for it because the rat had won a good placement at the show. (How unethical and dishonest is that, renigging on a sale?) Unlike some, I value my pet people!

* When I sell a rat to another breeder, it is a *breeding/show quality* rat, and not a pet quality rat that has no redeeming qualities other than “good temperament” — that ought to be a given! It also isn’t a sneezer right out of the carrier! 

* I am aware of preferential treatment of members by the board, and when asked repeatedly for explanation, they refused to offer one.

The “Northern Illinois Rat Organization” has lost it’s focus, IMHO. It’s board and membership is comprised of people no longer residing in the state of Illinois; indeed, the recent show wasn’t even held in the state! I expect when I go to a Michigan club’s show, I will travel to Michigan… but when I go to the Northern Illinois club’s show, I go to… INDIANA?  Part of NIRO’s creed is to educate the public on the joys of rat ownership, but their show, while held in a rented facility, was not open to the public. How is the public to be “educated” when they can’t even set foot in the show, the club’s one-and-only event?  Previously publicly displayed educational photo-displays were set out at the show (viewable from photos of the event), but of what use is that when the public wasn’t allowed to attend?

Rather than fight upstream, a new club was formed nearly a year ago, even before the most recent events. While other clubs have recognized each other for some time, linked to each other’s websites, and supported each other’s shows, the AARC has not been acknowledged. I wonder what scares them? Indeed, if the AARC did the work of putting on an additional show during the year, it would simply be another opportunity to champion rats. Yet, in spite of written introductions, and now NARR recognition, the AARC goes ignored.

For the above reasons, and more, I have decided to not renew my membership in NIRO; it is not the club I joined in 2006, and not the caliber of individuals I care to associate with.  My needs for association with like-minded individuals who share a devotion to the fancy and the opportunity to show my rats (eventually) will be met in the AARC.

I’m a little late getting around to writing April’s blog… I had some health problems (an odd infection, followed by a nasty flu bug — just the regular, garden-variety flu), and got behind in my animal chores and as a result, got behind in my planned breedings too.  It’s no fun as you get into “middle age” and you find you just don’t bounce back the way you used to!  Anyway, I am back up and running, cleaning cages, grooming dogs, and pairing up ratties!

As you may have already checked out the Litters Page, Harald and Ingrid were paired up the first week in May, and Ingrid has shown a slight weight gain indicative of pregnancy; I look for her to deliver at the end of the month.  My goal in this litter is to produce cinnamon and/or fawns in marked type, with some rex coats expected.  Other colors are also possible, but it is the cinnamons and fawns I will be shooting for.  There is still room on the waiting list for this litter as of the time of this writing, so please go ahead and fill in an application!

We said “good-bye” this month to a favorite of ours here at Willow Creek, SGR Storm Tracks.  Storm was to be one of our foundation boys and he did sire one of our litters, but his daughter never did conceive.  We do, however, have others here related to Storm from SGR, so the line is not lost.  That aside, Storm won his class at the 2006 NIRO show, and was just one of those squishy, loveable boys who steal your heart from the get-go and never give it back.  He will be missed, and I will be forever grateful to Sweet Genes Rodentry for allowing Storm to be a part of our lives.  Please see his picture and details on the Rainbow Bridge page.

The Siamese girls from our most recent litter, BVR Tavish x BVR Gaida are growing, and have welcomed their new cagemate from our co-breeding with Sweet Genes Rodentry: WLLW Love Is Blue x SGR Bell Curve which gave us SGR-WLLW Libertybell.  Actually, Libertybell is their cousin, as Tavish’s sister is Bell Curve’s mother… hope that isn’t too confusing!  Anyway, check out our Girl’s Page too, as many of our girls’ pictures have been updated this month!

Thanks for checking in on our blog this month; check back next time, I’m sure it will be exciting with another Willow Creek litter expected!

March has been a busy month here at Willow Creek.  Gaida’s litter continues to grow and thrive, and I’ve learned a lot having my first Siamese litter.  This was another *large* litter — fifteen surviving babies!  Most have been claimed via our waiting list, but there are still a few kids available if you hurry!

We said “good-bye” to two oldies-but-goodies, DAZL Mistletoe and SGR Lucky Charms; two elderly gals who were cagemates, so it was fitting that having spent the majority of their lives together that they were able to leave this world together also.  At 27 and 31 months of age, the quality of life just wasn’t there for them any longer and it was just kinder to help them over the bridge.

Two new boys have joined us from Sweet Genes Rodentry; SGR Pi and SGR Vector.  These two good-looking boys had been in pet homes but had been returned due to unforseen family circumstances and *I* was the fortunate one to be able to have first chance at them.  Especially exciting is (for me) is the fact that Vector is American blue (not a common color) and both carry Siamese; and if that isn’t enough, both have temperaments that are just over-the-top fantastic!  I absolutely have to take these boys out and give them hugs and squishes every day while doing my ratty chores – they insist upon it! 

Some of the boys residing here have done a lot of “growing up” over these winter months, and I have updated their photos, so check out the Boys’ page: SGR Fondue Too, SGR Just Might, and WLLW Harald Fairhair all have new portraits up, along with the new boys Pi and Vector (also known as “Max” and “Nico”).

Don’t forget… the All American Rat Club is holding a Rats of Spring Party in Naperville on April 19th!  I have assembled a box full of goodies (mostly rat-related, but not all!) for a raffle just to make things a little interesting and fun!  There will be refreshments and lots of rat talk – remember, this is not just for breeders, but we are encouraging all rat-fans to come and get acquainted!  See the website for details: http://www.allamericanratclub.org/news.htm  Hope to see you there!

Kathy/Willow Creek Rats

My goodness, we have been so busy here at Willow Creek that I have neglected to update my Blog!  Let’s see if I can recapture some of the highlights…

Mango’s litter is safely esconced in their new homes, and we remained secure in our decision to keep a darling little dumbo rex agouti girl, WLLW Toast The New Year, aka "Toasty".  We already have plans to breed her back to her uncle Finnegan this summer, with high hopes to get our fawn breeding program well underway.  Both Finnegan and his rex brother, Reagan, are soon to turn a year old and have been wonderfully healthy, strong bucks with gorgeous dumbo fawn hoods; I can’t wait to pass on those traits in my marked program.

We have another litter waiting to happen any day now, between BVR Tavish and BVR Gaida.  BVR Tavish has been in residence here for about a year and has been one of my favorite rats, for his wonderful temperament, health, and beautiful Siamese coloring.  Gaida is a sweet, outgoing Russian blue girl that is just going to make the sweetest babies!

Future breeding plans have been listed on the Litters page, but of course, they are subject to change as Mother Nature sometimes has her plans too.

A new page has been added under our "Recommendations" heading; check out the opportunity to purchase a Package Offer and save yourself all the shopping and assembly work when buying and setting up a new cage of rats from Willow Creek Rats!

We have a "guest" from Sweet Genes Rodentry; SGR Bell Curve is on honeymoon with WLLW Love Is Blue and will hopefully go home expecting a litter for SGR.  Debbie has been my mentor in helping me start my rattery and a very loyal friend! 

The All American Rat Club is growing and making plans for a "Spring Fling" rat people’s gathering.  Do your friends and acquaintences think you’re a little "strange" for having rats as pets?  Want to get together with people who *understand* you affection for these intelligent creatures?  Want to have your questions answered, and have fun with like-minded folks?  Then join this new club — it has an online forum (member’s only!), and you will receive a new member’s packet of goodies in the mail!  http://www.allamericanratclub.org/

Until next time,

Kathy

$$ MONEY SAVER

For those of you who use or plan to use Yesterdays News litter in your cage pans, here is a nice coupon from Purina (makers of YN):

http://www.yesterdaysnews.com/couponRequest.html

You are asked to fill out the info; once submitted you are given the coupon to print.

A long-awaited litter has finally arrived!  First we waited til Mango was old enough for motherhood, and then we waited out the pregnancy… I didn’t want to unnecessarily worry those on our waiting list, but Mango’s weight was doing funny things during her pregnancy… it would go up, taking my hopes along with it, and the next time I weighed her, it would go down — again taking my hopes along with it!  This happened several times, as I discussed the matter with another breeder, we began to call her "the incredible inflating rat"!  Then, the litter’s arrival took me by surprise as it arrived a couple of days earlier than I expected, because of the late start in weight gain.  I guess one can always expect to be fooled by Mother Nature!

At any rate, the litter arrived on Friday, January 2nd, and Mango handled everything beautifully with the babies and herself doing very well.  Preliminary exam (very quick, while getting babies & mom settled in a clean, fresh igloo) looks like we have 7 girls and 5 boys.  Mango remained her sweet self throughout my handling the babies; she didn’t like them being moved, however, and proceeded to move them again herself so I decided to give her some time to adjust.  Check the litters page for photo and future updates.

Things are looking positive for the Reagan x Mango breeding; Mango has shown a consistent weight gain since 12/15 — a total of 1.4 ounces, which doesn’t seem like much, but when you’re only an 11.5 ounce rat to begin with, it’s a considerable amount of weight — nearly 10%, lol!  So, we (hopefully) be looking forward to New Year’s babies, my calculation is for Jan. 5.  Stay tuned!

Wednesday, December 3, 2008

We would like to wish all of our friends and rattie associates a very Merry Christmas and Happy Holiday Season!  Pictured below is URSA Gr. Ch. COVE Tequila Sunrise of WLLW, or “Sunny” as he is known to most.  Sunny is one of our favorite boys here at Willow Creek; he loves a good cuddle and has such a calm nature, I knew he was the perfect subject for this year’s “holiday portrait”.  We won’t show you the picture of him *biting* the tree, thinking it was some sort of giant salad just for him, LOL!

Kathy
Willow Creek