The New Mom's First Full Day

December 7, 1998

I got the boys out of the room, locked them up and let Brook out for her first full day as a new mom. She's doing great with her pups, taking care of them like she was a veteran mother. When she got out of her tank and was able to run around, she went hog wild, running on everything, including all over me. I gave her some peas and apples and she did her usual pack ratting. I gave her a piece of cheese and she put it right next to her babies, I guess for later, so when she's feeding them, she can just reach over and feed herself.

Now are these cute babies or what?

The boys have been trying to get into her tank when they're running around, but luckily I've got it unpenetrateable (which is what I wish she was in the first place). The room is closed while she runs around by herself. She peed on my pillow which is okay, since I should have put it up before I let her out, but it's no biggie. I'm glad to see her so happy.

She looked good as she munched out. Her fur is nice and shiny and she's as animated as she ever was. She's still just barely a baby herself.

She's got that nest built up well, too. She better have, seeing as how much time she's spent on it. She's ripping paper all through the night. I put another piece in there and she ripped it up, as well as pulling out the other piece used below the bedding.

You can see her cheese.

So far, everything is fine with the new mom. It's going to be hard to let her go when the time comes, but I can't keep her since I have all boys.

You can see the milk inside the babies if you look close. These babies are as active as their mom. They move around like crazy.

And here's Brook, climbing over everything as usual. She's a happy mom.

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The Rat Formerly Known as Brooks