The case of the screaming rat

I pulled out the nest, took the top off and had a word with the rats.

“Time to clean the cage and this nest” I said.

Trudy stared at me and whispered… “No… not… THE BOX!”

Oreo looked around. “But we don’t need it! Look, this bedding’s all clean, not a crumb!” she said, kicking some fluff over her stash. “Look, not a mark, beautiful yellow colour. So, y’know, thanks but...”

I stared. “The bedding is supposed to be white.” I pointed out.

Trudy reeled around clutching her chest… “The… BOX!” she squeaked.

Oroe squinted at me. “No I’m pretty sure yellow is much nicer.” she said, ignoring Trudy’s theatrics.

I picked them both up and put them into the carry case. Trudy rattled her little tin cup on the airholes. Oreo watched and looked for something to pee on.

Ten minutes of scooping and binning, water swapping, food bowl filling and  nest cleaning later, I opened up the carry case and extrated Thing One and Thing Two. “Look, it’s all clen and nice!” I said. Trudy looked it over.

“I like what you’ve done with the nest” she said, “Al that white makes it looks so much bigger but the ferret footprint motif somewhat detracts from the stylistic integrity” she notes. I’m not letting her watch the lifestyle channel any more.

Oreo peered at it, mouth full of hastily grabbed food. “All my work… undone” she sighed.

I petted her comfortingly. Then I thought better of it. “You smell like your bedding!” i said.

“And?” asked Oreo.

“And… Bathtime” I explained.

*splosh*

“BASTAAAARD!” said Oreo, spitting warm water. Then I towelled her dry and put her back in her nest to sulk.

“Ooh, is this a new game?” Trudy asked. I noted she was also looking slightly yellow…

*splosh*

And that’s when I found out that Trudy hates baths. I sat her with her feet on the bottom of the sink, with nice warm water around her and held her gently so her head was well clear of the water. And she screamed.

Me: “Come on Trudy, relax. Rats can swim you know.”
Trudy: “EEE! EEE! EEE!”
Me: ”I haven’t even dunked you or used shampoo!”
Trudy: “EEE! EEE! EEE! [pause for breath] EEE! EEE! EEE!”
Me: ”OK. Towel time.”
Trudy: “Mm. Well this is nicer but I’m never forgiving you.”