Owie Likes Bananas

One of my responsibilities while Kelly is away is to take good care of Owen. I have to admit that when Kelly and I first met, the idea of a pet rat was not at the top of my “want to do” list. But on my first visit to Kelly’s home in Waterloo, I couldn’t help but like the little guy. After all, he’s soooo cute!!Now that he’s been part of the family for a few months, we’ve all grown rather fond of him. Even my mother, who at first seemed downright frightened of the idea, is now talking to him and feeding him out of her hand.

I don’t know much about rat care, but Kelly left me a manual, a list of foods he likes, and some pretty easy verbal instructions to follow. Owen is getting on in rat years, so he’s not very active. In fact for a few days last week I was a bit worried. But like he’s done so many times before, he seems to have rebound these last couple of days. He seems stronger and is once again climbing, almost jumping up out of his cage. He sits on his little blanky on top and waits for me to feed him bits of banana or pre-chewed almonds. Sometimes a pine nut or two. Then he rests and lets me pet him and scratch behind his ears before climbing back down to his igloo.

Tonight almonds or pine nuts did not interest him. He was all about the banana, snatching it from my fingers as soon as I presented him with a small piece.