Another Heartbreaking Trip to a Humane Society

The first thing you notice when you drive up to the Central Missouri Humane Society (the closest humane society to us now that we've moved), are dogs. These are the lucky dogs- the get both a tiny indoor room and a tiny outdoor run. Very small dogs and younger puppies only have an indoor place room- the rooms are the same size for dogs of any size. This is evened out by dogs like the Great Dane having a room to themselves and keeping litters of small puppies together.

Several Chihuahuas undergoing "temperament testing" lived in tiny cages, as do the rabbits. Even tinier cages held a rat and a guinea pig. There was also a ferret. There was a sign on his cage saying "vet staff" either it belonged to the vet staff as a pet, or was being treated.

The worst part was the cats! A tiny cage about the size of a medium sized bird cage held a mother cat and three kittens.

Ever sadder was the behavior of the animals! A rabbit was chewing on the newspaper lining in its cage out of sheer boredom.

An adorable black and white cat (a tuxedo cat, explained a volunteer, "all dressed up- now he just needs a place to go.") was sticking its paws through the cage bars, just wanting to be petted. How I wished that I could give it that place!

A litter of lab mix puppies were whining like crazy in front of the cage door. A couple dogs were barking and trying to knock out their "room" doors. Four Rottweiler mix pups, large, tough looking dogs, were making a pathetic squeaking noise.

I wish that I could foster some of these animals. This is a "low killing" shelter. They will euthanize animals if the shelter is getting crowded, unless someone fosters them. for a time they were killing all bulldogs, pitbulls, and bull terriers as soon as they got them. It was only until recently that they became adoptable.

I wish that I would be able to help some of these poor animals.

Most popular small animal names

Again, I don't know how old this list is, but the names still are popular.

1. Bandit
2. Gizmo
3. Thumper
4. Daisy
5. Smokey
6. Baby
7. Nibbles/ Nibbler
8. Oreo
9. Flower
10. Peanut 

And, yes, I'm none with "most popular pet names"!

What Small Animal Should You Get? Test

If you honestly answer these questions, you will know what rodent or other small mammal you should get. At the end of the test add up all the points to get your result.

1. How much time do you have for a pet per day? 
 A. 15-30 minutes (10 points)
 B. 30 minutes- 1 hour (20)
 C. Over 1 hour (30)


2. How much can you afford to spend on your pet when you get it?

 A. Under $30 (10)
 B. $30- $75  (20)
 C.  Over $75 (30)

3.  What size of a cage can you have?

A. Small enough to fit on a dresser or desk (15)
B. As big as it takes (30)


4. Will the pet live indoors?

A. Yes (15)
B. No (30)

5. How cuddly do you want your pet to be?

A. Cuddliness doesn't matter as long as it's tame enough to pick up (10)
B.  I want to be able to hold it easily (20)
C. I want it to big enough to sit in my lap for petting (30)


6. How will you exercise the pet?

A. Let it run around in a ball (10)
B. Let it run around free in a safe enclosed area (20)
C. Let it explore the house and/or fenced in yard or run or go for a walk on a leash (30)



If your score is under 80 get a.. hamster, gerbil, or mouse
If your score is between 80- 140 get a... rat, guinea pig, or dwarf rabbit
If your score is  over 140 get a... larger rabbit, ferret, or chinchilla
  



     

Billy Bob and the Sewer Rat - A Poem

 This a short poem I wrote. It is about a boy who found out the hard way about the danger of not heeding warnings.
                                                Billy Bob and the Sewer Rat
                                                            
                                                            Billy Bob was a lad,
                                                            A bad little boy was he,
                                                            For all the warnings in the world,
                                                            Would mean nothing to young Billy.
                                                            "Beware the sewer rat, my son!"
                                                            His mother would implore him.
                                                            That dirty rat!
                                                            How folks did abhor him!
                                                           "His claws are sharp! 
                                                            His tail is long!
                                                            His rabid bite is hard and strong!
                                                            Stay away from the sewer,
                                                            Billy, I beseech you!
                                                            This horrid rat,
                                                            Covered in fleas,
                                                            This sewer rat will bite you!"
                                                            But the warning Billy Bob didn't heed,
                                                            He thought "Isn't she dumb indeed!"
                                                            He pulled on thick, strong boots.
                                                            "Yes, this is such a sturdy shoe,
                                                             No sewer rat will ever bite through!"
                                                             Or so thought Billy Bob.
                                                             So to the sewer Billy ran,
                                                             He was thinking of the fun,
                                                             He could have in the sewer,
                                                             Beneath the noontime sun.
                                                             "Well, just look here!"
                                                             Billy Bob cried,
                                                             For something long and thin he spied.
                                                             "A great big worm!
                                                             I'll bring it back to the house right now!"
                                                             Cried Billy without thinking,
                                                             "And I'd like to leave this sewer,
                                                             Because it's really stinking!"
                                                             He grabbed the worm,
                                                            And he pulled it up,
                                                            And he got a horrid surprise!
                                                            He had pulled a rat up by its tail!
                                                            Billy could not believe his eyes!
                                                            It was a large and gruesome thing,
                                                            Its mouth was full of teeth, glistening!
                                                            "But I pulled up a worm, not a rat!"
                                                            Billy Bob could not understand.
                                                            But the sewer rat did,
                                                            So he bit Billy's dirty hand.                                        


 

Exercize and Attention for Your Rodent, Rabbit, or Ferret.

Even though these animals may be rather small, they still need plenty of exercise! Since all of these animals are different, here are their basic requirements of time spent out of the cage.

Hamster, gerbil, mouse, rat: A half hour run outside the cage daily will be enough for these small creatures. Handle them every day or else they may lose their tameness. Be very careful not to let them escape! It is better to let them run in a ball around the house instead of letting them run free.

Guinea pig, rabbit: If possible, give a guinea pig or rabbit at least an hour of time outside of its cage. They love to be held and petted. They can go outside if the weather is right. They love to graze in a yard. Outdoors, a guinea pig or rabbit must be watched at all times, or else use a run. 

Chinchilla: At least half an hour of time outside of their cage. They also need attention and petting! They can only go outside in very mild weather.

Ferret: Ferrets should have an hour to run around each day, preferably more. They need lots of attention too. Never let a ferret outside of the house with out a leash on!