Just found this site.  It is exciting to see so many individuals in love with Rat Terriers!  We just lost our 12 year old Rat Terrier, Snort, in March to diabetes.  Another member of our family who is mourning his loss is our 3.5 pound Toy Fox Terrier, Lucy, who is 6 years old.  We have been devastated by his death and it has been so hard to realize he isn't with us any more.  He chose my husband as his owner and Lucy chose me as her owner.  I know you know what I mean.

Our vet suggested that we get another pup to keep Lucy company, but more so for my husband, Rick.  We just couldn't do it for a while.  You know how guilty you feel when you bring in a new pet after the death of a beloved member of your family.  I never looked at the pet ads in the newspaper because I always felt so guilty after Snort died and I could not bear the thought of trying to replace him (which you never can).  Well, I did....and there was an ad for UKC Rat Terrier puppies (100 miles from us).  I called........and we now have a beautiful addition to our family, a female Rat Terrier who we named Bailey and is 9 weeks old.  She is so sweet and has such a personality.  My husband fell in love with her the moment he saw her and like wise, she with him.  It is so cute.  I must add that little Lucy is not smitten with her at this moment but I'm sure in time they will be great pals as long as Bailey realizes that Lucy is the Alpha female.  Mind you that Lucy is 3.5 pounds and Bailey at 9 weeks is 4.3 pounds.  It is really comical to watch them. 

I do have a question.......what is a "Type A" or "Type B" Rat Terrier?  I've seen this in several postings that people say they have a "Type A" or "Type B" Rat Terrier.  Does it have something to do with its size or the shape of their ears?  Snort weighed 9 pounds before he got heavy with his diabetes.  He got up to 11.5 pounds before he died.  Bailey's mother is  probably about a 10-11 pound dog while her father is a little bigger.  I'm thinking Bailey will probably be in the 10-13 pound range.  Bailey's mother's ears stand straight up as Snort's did and Lucy's does. But Bailey's father's ears are floppy (I think they are called button ears).  I'm hoping Bailey's will stand up.  The vet said we could tape them and they would but Rick likes the way they are and said he prefers to just let them do "whatever."  Right now, the left one flops (like her dad's) and they other goes off to the side like it is trying to stand up (like her mom's).  It will be interesting........

Thanks again for allowing me to join this delightful group.

Jean

Yes, Welcome to the group! We have a very nice family here and I dare say unlike any other forum you have ever seen or will see!

Hi Jean and welcome to you, your husband, and your ratties!  I've had 3 situations where I had a dog and brought a puppy into the house.  All three times were the same...the older dog completely ignored the puppy.  It took about 2 weeks for that to rub off and all three situations were also the same in that the dogs became inseparable!  You do have to establish the alpha and you play just as important of a role in that as your older dog does.  Can't wait to see pics!!!!

Joy

Thanks everyone for the warm welcome.  I'm located in Clyde, Texas, about 18 miles east of Abilene.  We are right off of I-20.

Thanks for the explanation of "Type A" and "Type B" Rat Terriers.  I think Bailey will have the shorter legs.  Even though the previous owners advertised her with "First Shots and Wormed," I made her an appointment with my vet this past Friday for her shots and to be checked over.  He was very impressed by her bone structure and said she was a very good looking puppy and would make us a great dog.

My TFT Lucy has had her share of leg problems.  When she was 3 mos. old, she jumped out of my lap onto the floor which had carpet but no padding (a hotel room) and broke both bones in both front legs.  She wore hard casts on both front legs and then after having them removed, rebroke her left leg.  She ended up being crippled as the vet said that he had only seen this one time before but one of her bones completely disenegrated in her left leg.  That left no support so now she has an "L" shaped front left leg and it is in the bone and not at the joint as it looks.  Dr. Ancinec said that apparently she has a calcium defiency.  Her teeth have never been good and she doesn't have the hair that she should.  I agree with him but I also think that maybe she was too inbred.  I bought her from an elderly couple who raised TFT near Breckenrige, Texas.  Anyway, for lack of looks she makes up in spirit.  She is one of the sweetest dogs you'll ever meet.  She LOVES everyone and has never bitten or snapped.  Now Snort was a different story.  He had an attitude and would bite you in a New York minute.  We had to put him up whenever anyone came over.  My oldest grandson (15) lives with us and when ever he would bring his friends in the house.....we would give them a squirt bottle filled with water to carry with them to keep Snort at bay.   

I am so hoping that Bailey will be totally opposite of Snort's  attitude and be just like little Lucy.  When we went to get Bailey, her parents were on the premises.  The mother was so sweet and wanted to be petted and loved on.  The daddy had to be put up because he is very possessive of his human family and bites.  Because of his agressiveness he was put up in a pen and after he was put up he began to dig as fast and as hard as I've ever seen a dog dig.  He wanted to get to us in the worst way.  His owner said that he was a great family dog but was very possessive around them and very protective.

I will get some pictures soon of a precious new puppy and of her sister, Lucy.  Thanks for asking.

Jean

This picture was taken of Snort when he was about 5.  I will update with a new picture of Bailey when I get it taken.  By the way, Snort got his name from his constant "reverse coughing."  His original name was Peanut but my husband changed it to Snort.  Yes, I even had to get the vet to change his name on his vet records.  I think Peanut lasted all of one day.

Hi Jean  

I'm so sorry that you lost your sweet  Snort. I love his picture in your avitar, and looking forward to seeing pictures of both Bailey and Lucy!

Welcome to the site and sorry for your loss.  You will find a lot of great nfo here and a bunch of great people to talk to and who listen to you.  Cant wait to see pictures

Welcome Jean You will love it here. I have a Bailey too. I've had her 3 years now and she is the best dog and friend I could ever have. Can't wait  to see pics of your Bailey!

Welcome to the site - we're so glad you found us and your newest addition!  They have a way of quickly worming their way into your heart, don't they?  Can't wait to see pictures of both your babies.  :-)

Welcome Jean , Lucy and Bailey. (( I don't know HOW I missed this post, but I did.  duhhhh.)) My Rattie's name is Lucy, and I believe there are a few more on here by the same name.... also a couple of Bailey's here, too!

So glad you and your pups found us---we'd love to see some pics!

I just saw this too.

WELCOME!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!   I'm sorry about Snort.     I can't wait to see more pictures and hear about your fur kids.