31/05/2012
Hello again every one. In case you’ve forgotten my name is Amy and I’m leader of the Rat Pack. After having been a little unhappy over the name the humans refer to groups of my kind, I’ve decided that Rat Pack sounds quite cool and compared to some sounds quite reasonable. After all I wouldn’t want to be part of a ‘Murder of Crows'( and believe me that’s quite fair because their sound can be murder on the ears). A ‘Dissimulation of Birds’ doesn’t sound all there does it? How about a ‘Chatter of Budgerigars’ that one’s true enough, a ‘Clowder of Cats’ that one means nothing unless Clowder means nasty, a ‘School of Dolphins’ makes them sound intelligent, a ‘Skulk of Foxes’ Hmmm, reasonable that one, a ‘Mischief of Mice’ and sometimes people refer to us that way as well. But in the end I think Rat Pack will suit me very well thank you.
Anyway, I want to introduce the family. Obviously there’s me and like most of my kind I’m very intelligent and very underestimated. But there are exceptions to every rule I suppose so here’s Penny. She’s my sister and I love her dearly but she’s not the brightest jewel in the box. Fortunately she’s playful and very affectionate so the humans don’t notice.
Next we have Bernadettte, or Bernie who is a lot younger than Penny and I but who is a quick learner and copies Penny’s every move. She makes me laugh when the humans get her out as she pees on them a lot and hasn’t quite learned to keep her soiling to one particular area yet. They have a lot of cleaning up to do once she’s been out to play. Finally we have Priya, the youngest and smallest of our pack. She’s most like our original ancestor Rattus Rattus except it looks like she wears white socks.She’s starting to get used to the humans but hasn’t properly learned about getting treats yet.
As I say the humans aren’t too bad here and they’re learning quite well. But for some strange reason they also have a cat. Hmm, just one of a Clowder but that’s enough. It’s taken a little longer to train him since all he seemed interested in was catching us before. Penny taught him a bit of a lesson by climbing up his back leg when he happened to be on the seat when she and I had been got out to entertain the humans. He was so surprised he ran away. Though he’s ventured close a few times he keeps a wary eye out.
It was funny a few days ago when I managed to reach the floor and ran towards an open door. As I reached it he was on the other side. We both saw each other at the same time and were startled. I was surprised long enough to be caught and my escape foiled, he was just stunned into inaction though he claimed afterwards to have helped catch me and basked in the credit even though he’d done nothing. He’s a sly one and bears watching. Don’t get the wrong idea about the escape either. It’s not that I don’t like the humans or the house they’ve given us but I like the idea of the open spaces outside. So, you may just hear of more attempts. If I ever make it of course you won’t hear anything except from the cat who is the only other one who can use the computer which I’ve ‘borrowed’ while he’s asleep.
So there we are. You’ve met me and my family now. Oscar the cat claims to be a Superior but I think you can work out for yourselves whoever you are that he’s fooling himself and that we by dint of our brains ( well maybe not Penny) are the superiors round here. We just don’t need to brag about it. I hope you get to enjoy more of our activities and adventures when we venture forth from our house within a house. As for me, I’m delighted to meet you.
Amy
Me fighting for food with Penny.
One of the Human pack ?
The Race is on !
Wishing you all a Great New Week filled with Hugs when needed.
barsetshirediaries 
Well, regardless of what Amy says about Penny – in the photo Penny looks as though she knows what’s important in life 🙂 Hugs and hugs and hugs
Yes, that was Penny’s main priority Ina,,,,,,,Food. She was a very determined character and I’m sure she’d have followed…..if I’d swallowed.
xxx Sending you Massive Hugs xxx
A pleasure to meet Amy and the rat pack, I do like that name as well. It seems Penny has the human trained quite well but it will be an uphill battle with Oscar as to who is superior. Have a tremendous week David and a huge hug for you!!
Thank you Suzanne. Penny treated me gently in competition for food, Oscar would just bat me with his claws till I gave in.I think rats are ahead on brains but cats have Cattitude.
Thank you, have a beautiful week too. xxx Huge Hugs xxx
Amy and the rat pack sound great, but I’ll stick with my two boy cats. (They have us well-trained.)
Your grandkids look like they’re having fun.
Hugs to you, David.
The girls were great fun Merril and very bright.Can you imagine my face if I’d been fighting for food with Oscar, or if I’d tried to train him, he’d have been “Yeah right, feed me”.Like you I’d have been trained……..i WAS.
The grandies are always having fun though Amelie has a way to go before she can challenge him.
xxx Gigantic Hugs xxx
Oh what a fun turn — a post from one of the ratties. 😀 And you make a dashing rat too, David. 😉 Have a wonder-filled new week. Mega hugs.
I always wondered if that’s how they saw me Teagan, I didn’t have the teeth for a pack leader though, Penny won the battle.
Have a Fantastic New Week filled with Humongous Hugs xxx
We agree that the Rat Pack sounds kinda cool. I mean some of our greatest celebrities were in their own rat pack: Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin, Joey Bishop, Sammy Davis Jr. Just saying. And that first photo is so sweet. ❤
I was a big Dino fan so the name was bound to be kinda cool but my girls couldn’t have been as cool as he was not sing Amore so well.
Thank you, the daily Penny battles were fun.
xxx Sending Hugs Galore xxx
Amy may be on to somerhing. So, so cute 🤗 That is also true for all of the pics. Penny and the children seem to be enjoying life immensely!😊 Great post!
Amy was definitely a thinker. Thanks so much for the kind words, Penny loved life and food in equal measure, the children certainly love life ( and their Pops).
xxx Sending Massive Hugs Belanger xxx
Lots of fun here!
Hugs when needed? Aren’t hugs ALWAYS needed?
xxx ratty rodent hugs xxx
You’re quite right Anne, there isn’t a time hugs aren’t needed. That’s Ratty, Catty and Human with a few…………..no, I won’t give you reason for a spoiler alert,, the extras will appear soon enough.
Have a wonderful week Anne, xxx Sending Hugs Galore xxx
Hope your week is off to a good start.
Xxx Monday hugs xxx
The Rat Pack has returned. Okay, a different group but I’m stuck on the name. Sounds perfect. What a houseful. I hope everyone gives their housemates proper space–I’m sure they will, right? 😀 😀 😀
I was stuck on the name too Tess. I think they’ve all learned about personal space already and Oscar is much more wary about his approach. The girl can hold their own anywhere, anywhen.
xxx Unlimited Hugs xxx
It seems Amy and the Rat Pack are quite a lively group. That’s a hilarious picture of you morphing into a rat. Darling picture of Ugo with the children. Amelie seems to be an enthusiastic driver. 😀 — Suzanne
Amy and Penny are utterly delightful!
xxx Giant Hugs xxx
They were really intelligent, lively and full of fun but Bernie was truly loving too.
xxx Unlimited Hugs Lucy xxx
The rat pack were full of energy always.
It’s funny. I thought Amelie was enthusiastic in the picture when she’s only just become 1 and shouldn’t really understand the concept of driving yet.
xxx Giantic cwtch Suzanne xxx
Absolutely darling – you, Penny and Amy! Hugs xx
But certainly not as darling as you Sarah.
xxx Humongous Hugs xxx
You’re too kind, sir! xx
Most enjoyable offering, David
Thank you
big hugs
john
Thanks for your kindness John.
Hugs
Hugs to all!
Always welcomed thanks Ann.
xxx Massive Hugs to you xxx
Tink and I loved hearing about the little ones in your family — and the photos are adorable. I can’t bear to even think about their short lives or I might have a Rat Pack myself. A friend goes through such grief every few years when one of hers must finally travel on, and she is made of stronger stuff than I.
xx,
mgh
(Madelyn Griffith-Haynie – ADDandSoMuchMORE dot com)
ADD Coach Training Field founder; ADD Coaching co-founder
“It takes a village to educate a world!”
To be honest Madelyn I’d never do it again. I loved the pack, especially my Bernie but I couldn’t stand to go through those feelings again. I think the world is made of stronger stuff than me. I could tolerate the middle picture going though.
Going to see the junior members of my family in the morning. That will be nice.
xxx Humongous Hugs xxx
Grief comes often as life draws to a close, unfortunately. I worry about Tink’s future, should I die – and that thought never crossed my mind with former dogs. Still, I can’t willingly court having to worry about the death of a beloved animal that I know for sure will die in only a few short years – and I get attached SO quickly and grief so profoundly at ever loss.
Enjoy your day with your family as you have time to reflect on the true joys of connection.
xx,
mgh
xxx ❤ Hugs xxx
I love that the “humans are learning quite well.” LOL. It looks like Reuben is winning the race! Have a great week, David. Hugs.
What a shame that the humans aren’t very good at learning other things like peace Mary J. I can see Reuben becoming very competitive when he’s a bit older. No doubt Amelie will show him the way sometimes.
xxx Massive Hugs xxx
So true, David.
xxx ❤ Hugs xxx
Awe, Rat Pack so appropriate. The way Amy describes Bernie’s wetting issues made it sound cute. Looks like the little ones had fun at the car track.
The little damp patches did end up being quite funny Steph. The grandies had a great time as usual, it’s rare they’re not smiling.
xxx Unlimited Hugs xxx
When my kids were young we had a couple of hamsters. Cutest little things ever.
❤ Unlimited Hugs
LAUGHING!! Love your sense of humor. And your photos 😁
You’ve just made my day for me Pamela. I love to make people smile or if possible, laugh. I’m glad you like the photo’s too.
xxx Massive Hugs xxx
So glad to see when humans learn their place and learn well, dear David, this gave me a chuckle or two or ten, love love love the photos, did I mention love! Hope this week treats you kindly.
Massive furry foody hugs xoxoxo
All our animals seem to come with a chair and a whip for training humans. Apparently I’m a little bit slow but I get there in the end. I’m so glad you got a chuckle from parts of it, I think it’s back to Oscar next time.
Glad you liked the photos, I thought you might love the one of the human rat. Oh, did you mention love?
The week will be nice to me. I hope it is kindly to you as well.
xxx Gigantic hairy whiskers Hugs xxx
The photos cracked me up, David. Ha ha. Nice to meet Amy and the rat pack. I’m glad they didn’t escape out the door. You’d miss all the rat kisses. 🙂 Massive hugs, my friend. ❤
There we go, I feel better knowing I’ve done my job of bringing a smile to someone….even if I have to morph into a rat to do it. I was glad they didn’t escape too. Alas, all my little Bernie kisses are in the distant past now and the girls are all at the cheese factory in the sky.
xxx Mammoth Hugs xxx
Oh, yeah. I forgot these are old stories. Lovely that you can share them and relive the memories. 🙂
xxx Massive Hugs Diana xxx ❤
Well, I’m just waiting for Oscar’s response to the claim that he’s not the superior one, David. However, The Rat Pack are delightful and I’m so glad they get to have their turn on the computer.
Hope Doris has passed you by safely up there in North Wales.
Hugs to you.
Oscar would only ever believe all cats are Superiors Hugh, and he was the most Superior of them all. The girls however were very intelligent so they know who has the best brains.
Doris dropped in this morning and has decided to stay around, I gather there’s a bit more to come this afternoon so I won’t be going out again. Once was enough.
Huge Hugs
I wish you all a good day.
Thank you for the smiles and chuckles.
Many thanks Robert. I leave you with exactly the same wishes since
‘You’re Hooked’ leaves people with a permanent smile after they’ ve read it. You should be on staff doing adverts for MM.
Hugs
I used to have a rat when I was in my teens, he’d sit on my shoulders, often under my hair. It’s nice hearing from Amy 🙂
Hugs 🐻 💚 🐈
Since it’s so recent I’m sure you remember your rat well. They’re clever and gentle creatures aren’t they who’re just stuck with a bad press. That’s probably due to the Oscar’s of this world. Bit by bit Amy could change that.
xxx Massive Hugs xxx
Lol, thank you David.
Yes, rats are clever and gentle – and in Amy’s case, also a captivating storyteller! 😉
Rats will be rats, dogs will be dogs and cats will be cats (the good and bad bits).
I hope you are keeping warm in this cold weather. Love and hugs xo
Thank you, yes, I’m wrapped in so many layers I start getting dressed at bedtime.We had a very warm day this week which seemed to be full of promise so roll on Spring.
xxx Massive Hugs xxx
That’s good to hear. We had a couple of beautiful sunny days in Norfolk. I just stood in the sun with eyes closed, enjoying the warmth on my face. Now, the garden has stuff blown all over it. I think the strong winds have died down (I’m right on the east coast). Roll on spring!
Hugs xo
Ah yes, the Rat Pack! Sinatra and Dean and Sammy and…erm… Ah, the Rat Pack! I never quite got up the nerve to keep rats, so respect is due. They look and sound like wonderful pets, even if there night be something of a matriarchal society on the go there. Hugs from County Durham!
I was never sure whether it was ‘The Girls’ by design or accident. I worried more when Ju added some female degus to the mix. Now Oscar and I were outnumbered quite considerably. I almost sided with Oscar but decided every man for himself was better.
Rats are wonderful pets. They didn’t chew anything they shouldn’t. The house was safe, but don’t ever invite a degu home. It’s all destruction. One speaker left attached to my surround sound so that now I could see TV at the front and hear the action only from the rear.
Hugs from North Wales, have a great weekend.
As my granddaughter would say, “Ewwwwwwwwwww!”
Oooh… a new character to enjoy! I bet Oscar’s not too thrilled about having his writerly position usurped! Very entertaining… you are most excellent at getting under their skin and writing about their experiences! Have a great week, David! Lots of hugs to you!
Thanks so much Ali. Oscar always behaved like he was affronted that some other animal was worthy of being stroked or rather that we thought so. He was also upset that the girls just didn’t seem afraid of him. They all had characters so it was fairly easy to imagine heir thoughts or perhaps I shouldn’t admit that.
Have a Fantastic week Ali.
xxx Immense Hugs xxx
Thanks David! You too. Looking forward to the next instalment… who will we get next? 😊
Love the pictures 🙂 Rats have enough brains to let the cats think that they rule the world 😉
Many hugs! xxxx
Ah yes, they were the brains of the outfit for sure.
xxx Hugs Galore xxx
This is quite a houseful of interesting characters. In my opinion, Penny’s heart is in the right place and she’s smart. That first picture is just too cute 🙂
That’s Penny to a T. Thanks so much for dropping in Jacqueline,
xxx The Hugest of Hugs xxx
Delightful post!
xxx Huge Hugs xxx
Thanks so much Margaret. xxx Massive Hugs xxx
Your family looks as sweet as you are.
Heck, you just made an old man blush. Thank you very much for your kindness.
xxx Gigantic Hugs xxx
Did you forget, we are the same age and you once told me that I am not old.
David, your blog is so professional, I’m always impressed. But I don’t really know where to post comments, maybe it’s cause I’m old but can you please explain?
I forget. must be havng one of those senior moments.
Thank you for the lovely compliments Martie (keep them coming) but I mustn’t be understanding you question too well as you’re posting comments where comments should be posted.There isn’t really any other place except via private messages. If I’ve misconstrued what you meant please put me right and tell me off.
xxx Mammoth Hugs xxx
I would never tell you off as you are a Teddy Bear. “Introducing Amy’s Family” is dated a few years ago so I simply was confused.
BTW, I am enjoying. “Barsetshire Diaries”
Hugs back to you.
That’s it, a Teddy Bear, you’ve just blown my reputation Martie Yes, at the moment all of these are old posts from a blog I had with a different server.
I’m thrilled you’re enjoying Barsetshire Diaries. It’s not my favourite book but I am thinking of having it translated into other European languages.
xxx Gigantic Hugs xxx ❤ ❤