I hear the question often, "How long is your wait list?" I wish I had a set answer for each person asking. I know from experience that waiting for a new rattie is hard. Recently, I adopted off my wait list to someone that was waiting for two years for a specific type. Two years! You know what? Those two girls were MEANT to be hers! The instant bond was beautiful. One falling asleep nestled in the crux of her arm while the other played in her hair. Those moments of watching them bond makes the ups and downs of breeding ratties all worth it.
As someone waiting, please remember, each litter is carefully planned. Sometimes from the time the female is just 6 weeks old, I already have a male planned and waiting those next 5 months for her. Alternately, I may have the perfect male picked out at 8 weeks but need to wait until he is much older (7-15 months old) to pick his future mate. Unfortunately, the plans can change, the pairings may not take. Of course we all know that the number delivered varies with each litter. That being said, I have also gotten people on the list that have only had to wait a week because they didn't have specifics on wants, simply wanted a pair of our sweet tempered OCRA ratties. The right timing and the right babies are going to be available when it is the right fit. Do not get discouraged, that is what makes it a never ending crazy adventure! In just a few more weeks. I will be contacting a couple of you on the wait list that will be able to pick from the 2018 Summer Berry Beautiful Litter boys. Their eyes are opening and soon their sweet personalities will start to shine! We are pairing our next girl this week with lil pipsqueaks due the middle/end of August they will be our 2018 Summer Just Add Water Litter
I am looking forward to meeting each and every one of you on the wait list. I cannot wait to introduce you to your new babies. Meeting new rat lovers and adding to Our Crazy Rat Adventure Family is such a joy. I am amazed how often when I contact a future adopter to tell them who is available for them and they tell me, 'THAT IS THE ONE I WAS HOPING FOR!!!' Simply that perfect fit, meant to be. In the past four years, it has happened so far close to 70 times (I just counted totals and it is over 125 pet ratties, 31 rescues and several breeders). Many have come back over the years to add more to their mischief, sometimes I have yet another perfect fit. However, since I do not like to breed on a LARGE scale I have also referred them to other breeders or rescues that I know will have new babies for them. By doing this I am simply extending the reach of our 'family'.
After adoption, I am warning all of you on the wait list, I expect updates! WHY? Well, not only does it help me track the health of my lines once they leave here, but all the pictures and texts I have received from previous adopters to update me on their ratties' shenanigans has kept me from getting discouraged when I had an elder rat that was ready to cross the rainbow bridge, or even when I woke up to find that a female delivered her babies but was not doing well and had to be rushed to the vet. Those happy texts and messages I receive even help me process the loss I know my other adopter must feel when I get the message that they just lost their rattie 1.5 months shy of their 3rd birthday. It is so hard sometimes. For being such wee little critters they sure do fill up a huge spot in our heart with their love for us.
Thanks for letting me ramble on, and thank you for being so patient in waiting for the perfect fit...