How to Tell when a Pet Female Rat is in Heat

*My first female rat, Romi*

A female rat is called a doe and male rats are called bucks. Because rats have such short life spans, females will go into heat about once a week but it only lasts for about twelve hours. This can be a time when a female rat might act differently and should not be confused with being sick or otherwise ill.
Can I handle my rat at that time?

Since it happens every week a female rat may act a little different during that time but then most animals will act differently when they are in heat. You can handle your pet rat when she is in heat but she may act a little strange when you do.

She might be more skittish or jumpy and she might also stop and not move if you rub her lower back. I noticed my doe would totally freeze where she was standing, lift her tail and arch her back, while eye boggling if I rubbed her back during that time of the week.

Do Female Rats bleed while in heat?
No, they don't. While there might be a different odor coming from your doe, she should not bleed while she is in heat. I found that my doe would have a slight musky odor when she was in heat. It is very common for rat owners to be able to sense when their doe's are in heat from the difference in odor and the way she acts.

Why would my female rat be bleeding?
There are several reasons a doe might be bleeding. It could be from a urinary tract infection, bladder infection, vaginal infection, polycystic ovary disease, tumors, cancer, infections or she could have gotten into a fight with her cage mate and gotten bitten.

In any case, if you see blood you should call your Vet's office right away and make an appointment. Most of the ailments I stated above can be treated with the right medications or with spaying. The problem is most veterinarians don't work with 'exotics' and have no experience in dealing with pet rats.

Make sure to find a vet in your area that has experience with 'exotics' before you bring a new pet rat home, and have the phone number to their office handy in case of emergencies.

My Favorite Zazzle iPhone Cases

Even though I don't currently have an iPhone, I do like to look at the accessories, especially the different cases for them. I never would have imagined just how many variations there are. 

I like this unicorn iPhone case because I used to collect unicorns and still have a few statues as well as quite a few hanging pictures on my walls and one of the unicorn pictures on my wall looks a lot like this gorgeous guy. I find this iPhone case very ethereal. If you like it you can find it on Zazzle right here.

I also like this one for obvious reasons to anyone who knows me. Skulls! Need I say more? I didn't think so. But I found this one to be exceptional because at first I didn't even see the skull, it didn't pop right out at me. It took a second for me to see it. It reminds me of art, like an art sculpture that's open to interpretation. And if you like it as much as I do, you can find it on Zazzle right here.

Flowers always make me feel cheerful. I don't know about you but there's just something about a pretty flower pattern that makes me smile most times. This one reminds me of a Hawaiian picture. While I've never actually been to Hawaii, I do have a couple of friends who live there and I love looking at the pictures they post. Now whenever I see flowers I think of Hawaii and who wouldn't smile thinking of all that beautiful scenery? If you like this one you can find it on this page that features all kinds of other flowered iPhone cases.

If you're like a lot of other people, you've probably seen the movie Frozen. I haven't seen it but there is a Frozen theme going on right now on Once Upon A Time the show and I have to say I'm really liking it. Maybe even enough to watch the movie frozen...maybe, we'll see. But there are a lot of other Disney themed iPhone cases to chose from on the page I found this one on. Just go here. 

If you didn't take a fancy to any of these, you can always visit the pages on Zazzle.com that I found these 4 cases on and see if there's something you do like. 

You can find the pages here and here. 

Snake Food: Live vs Dead

*Cuddles*

While in the wild most snakes will kill their prey to eat. Snakes also eat whatever they find, even if it's dead. So the idea that a pet snake needs to be fed live prey is a myth that needs to be dispelled.

Live Prey

Snakes will eat a variety of small animals and insects; some will even eat goldfish swimming around in a small bowl of water. Small snakes such as garter snakes can eat worms, insects and goldfish. Most of these animals and insects cannot harm a pet snake when placed into its cage.

Larger snakes require larger meals such as mice, hamsters, and rabbits. Some snake owners will use free kittens as snake food, or find free rats and use them as snake food. Putting a live mouse into a cage with a snake could be a lethal mistake for both of the animals. Mice, hamsters and rabbits will fight to live, inflicting bite after bite to the snake until they take their last breath.

There have been instances where snakes have been so badly bitten by their prey that they actually die from infection or a lethal bite to the head. Live prey can also have mites or fleas that can infect a snake.

Dead Prey

When we speak of dead prey usually we mean frozen mice, hamsters and rabbits. These food animals are humanely killed and then frozen to use as food for snakes and other reptiles. Being in a freezer will kill off any mites, fleas or other pests that might have infested their fur and gotten onto a pet snake or in its cage if they had been fed alive.

This is also a more humane way for prey animals to die. It's not humane for an animal such as a baby hamster to live their last few moments in pure terror, being slowly suffocated to death when there are safer more humane ways to feed the pet snake.

To feed a snake dead prey, all that is required is to thaw the prey animal out either at room temperature or in a bag surrounded by warm water and then dropped into the pet snake's cage. The snake will know what to do with it.

Most snake owners think their snakes will not eat pre killed animals but they will and it's a more humane way to feed a pet snake.

Why Rabbits Should Be Kept Inside

*Thumper, the bunny we found in an alley and took in until we could find him a forever home*

Rabbits are social animals and while they can live outside in a cage or hutch with minimal stimulus from humans, they will not live as long as an indoor rabbit will. They will become bored, depressed and sick if left outside and not cared for.

Indoor Vs Outdoor

Many people think that rabbits will be very happy just living in their hutch outside in a back yard or garage as long as they have plenty of food, water and toys but this is not the case.

Rabbits are social animals and must have contact and interaction with their humans. They also must be let out of their hutch or cage everyday for exercise or they will become stressed, bored, unhappy and may even die before his time.

Outdoor hazards

Rabbits that are left in their cages or hutch outside are also at the mercy of the weather, predators and insects. All of these things can lead to unhappy and unhealthy rabbits. A feral cat or wild raccoon may find a way into your rabbit's hutch or cage during the night and kill or hurt your bunny, so you should always bring the cage or hutch inside the house where he will be safe at night.

Indoor hazards

The single most important thing to do before letting a rabbit loose in your home is to 'rabbit proof' your home. Indoor rabbits are usually happier, healthier and easier to take care of.

Block cords, wires, outlets and small crevices like under beds, under couches and behind the refrigerator with furniture or baby gates. Tie all loose wires up out of reach of the rabbit, make sure poisonous plants and flowers are kept up high so your rabbit won't mistakenly eat them.

As long as things that can hurt your rabbit are out of reach you should be able to let your rabbit run free in the 'rabbit proofed' part of your home. The use of baby gates can help curtail some exploring but as we all know rabbits can jump and younger rabbits might find themselves wanting to know what's on the other side of the gate.

If you find this is true, you may have to get higher gates or keep a watchful eye on your bunny. Rabbits are very clever and will wait until you are not looking before they try to jump over furniture or a baby gate to explore new territory. Older rabbits tend to be more controllable and not quite as adventurous.

A cage should always be available for your rabbit whether you have inside or not. This is where he will go to get water, food and eat his treats. A comfortable cage with plenty of toys and a soft place to sleep will make your rabbit feel more comfortable. A litter box should also be available at all times. You can learn How to Litter Box Train Your Pet Rabbit by reading articles and taking your time and having patience.

Your rabbit's cage will be its safe haven when he wants to rest, eat and be alone. So it should always be open for him to use.

Going for a walk

Rabbits need exercise everyday to keep them healthy. Whether it's running around the house, jumping around in a fenced in yard or going for a walk on a leash, a rabbit needs and will love to have some exercise.

Leashes or harnesses can be bought at most pet shops. A harness is the best type of leash for a rabbit. A leash and collar that fits just around the neck would too easily fall off or be too tight and might harm the rabbit.

A harness specifically for rabbits will fit around a rabbit and make it hard to slip out of and get lost. It's best to start off on a harness in a yard and let your rabbit get used to wearing it before trying to go out on the sidewalk around other people, cars and other animals.

Some rabbits can be quite skittish and might react badly to the sights and sounds out in an open area they are not used to. So start out slowly and let your rabbit get used to the noises, sights, smells and other people and animals. Don't rush or push your pet rabbit into situations that he doesn't like.

Review: Dot & Dot Travel Accessory Organizer

I recently was given the opportunity to test this small travel accessory organizer for free and I know it will be getting a lot of use. This bag is just the right size for smaller things you might be carrying with you in your suitcase and don't want rolling around inside. It comes with a sturdy plastic storage case that has its own closure that can double as another bag if needed.

I got the X-Small which measures 7.5" x 3.5" x 1" and find it's perfect for smaller items that you don't want getting lost in your suitcase. 

This little bag is great for things that might leak a little like cosmetics, hand lotions and hand sanitizer because it has a plastic inner liner and waterproof mesh design that helps keep any spills on the inside from leaking to the outside. 

I put a few items in my bag so you can get an idea of what might fit. I was able to put a lip balm, small digital camera and two packs of gum in this and still had more room for anything else I might need to put in it. 

This bag also comes with a sturdy carabiner clip so you can clip this bag on the side of a purse or inside a suitcase to keep it where you want it. It's see through so you can easily find what you're looking for. This bag can also be used to store crafts, toiletries, make up or whatever else you need a small bag for. 

If you like this you can buy it here.

I received this product for free in exchange for my honest review.

Happy Raturday!

Welcome to a new weekly blog post I'm calling, Raturday! I've seen Caturday and while that's really cute, I think the rats needs some photo time so everyone can see how cute these little animals are. I've gotten permission from Rat Logic's fb page to share their pictures on my blog. So get ready to smile because these are cute. 

*click pictures to enlarge*

Pet Bunny: General Information

*Thumper, the bunny we found in an alley and took in until we could find him a forever home*

As with any pet you should know a lot about them before you adopt one. Adopting a pet, any pet before knowing how to care for them in never a good idea.

Where and when to adopt a bunny

Although there are many pet stores that sell pet bunnies, this is not the ideal place to find your furry friend. Some pet stores will sell ill or unfriendly bunnies that haven't been handled much.

The best places to adopt bunnies are shelters that may euthanize the animals if they are not adopted, so you would be saving his life. There are also bunny rescue groups that always have bunnies for adoption. One such rescue group is the House Rabbit Society.

Your veterinarian's office is another place you can look to see if they know of any bunnies that might need a good home. The Humane Society is another great place to find adoptable bunnies that need a forever home.

Do bunnies need vaccinations?

Bunnies do not need vaccinations like a dog or cat would, but they do get sick and can get ill very quickly so they should see a veterinarian who specializes in 'exotics' once a year.

Rabbits should be spayed or neutered, not just to cut down on the numbers of unwanted and abandoned bunnies. But being neutered or spayed will cut down aggressive behavior and will also help keep male rabbits from mounting and humping you, the dog, the cat, and your friends. Well you get the idea.

Teeth Trimming

Rabbit's teeth constantly grow and can sometimes be misaligned as they grow out. In such cases your veterinarian will have to clip your rabbit's teeth so they can eat properly. If your rabbit is constantly drooling or stops eating, this is a pretty good sign there might be something wrong with its teeth and should be looked at by a vet.

Hairballs

Rabbits shed their hair very often so along with feeding and keeping the cage clean you should also set aside time to groom your rabbit. Rabbits clean themselves just like cats do. They will lick and ingest their hair, but unlike cats they cannot vomit up their hairballs. It's very important to make sure your rabbit has access to plenty of fresh hay everyday. The hay will help the hair pass through the digestive system. You should groom your rabbit with a brush or comb everyday to keep the amount of hair he ingests minimal.

If you follow these simple steps you should have a happy, healthy rabbit for years.

Recipe: Buffalo Chicken Fingers

This is really easy to make. First you'll need 2 sticks of sweet cream butter..not margarine and a 12oz bottle of Frank's Redhot sauce. It says redhot but it's actually really not as hot as you'd expect and it has a really great taste. You will also need some chicken tenders. Depending on how many you are making dinner for you may need a few or a lot. I made 2lbs worth.

A batter or just some seasoned flour to dredge the chicken tenders in before you fry them.I use this all purpose batter. It comes in a little pouch and you can either add water to the powder or just dredge the chicken in the powder mixture which is what I usually do. 

Then fry your chicken tenders until done.

While the chicken is frying, add two sticks of butter to a pot and melt then add the bottle of Frank's Redhot sauce to the pan and let simmer.

When the chicken is cooked, add a few pieces at a time to the butter hot sauce mixture and let soak for 10 seconds. 

Take the chicken out and enjoy. Yes, they are messy. They also keep really well in the refrigerator. Just take a couple of pieces out and heat them up. 

Review: Dot & Dot Small Packing Cubes

I received these Dot & Dot packing cubes free to test and review at home. They were shipped very fast and came in a thick, sturdy resealable plastic bag for easy storage of all 4 of the packing cubes.  

This is what they look like when I took them out of the plastic resealable bag. I opted for the purple packing cubes because I love the color. These packing cubes are very sturdy, very easy to open and close and hold quite a bit of stuff. They come in a set of 4 so the whole family can use them. 

I put a few of the full size bottles of hair straightener, toner and deodorant as well as a couple of smaller products in the bag and there's still room for a lot more! These packing cubes are cute, sizable and durable and hold items securely so they are easy to find in a suitcase, drawer, cabinet, dresser or larger bag for storage. 

My husband does some traveling and he said that this is big enough to hold all of his medication bottles that he usually puts into zip lock baggies in his suitcase. These packing cubes would be great for storing any number of products as well as craft items and baby care items in a diaper bag. 

It has a see through mesh panel so you can easily see what's in the bag and find what you're looking for. if you're planning on using these in a suitcase when flying, they are very lightweight which is great since you don't want anything to weight down your suitcase. There's also a handle on each one so you can carry them very easily. 

If you would like to buy these you can find them on Amazon. 

I received one or more of the products mentioned above for free using Tomoson.com. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers.

Freebie Friday!

Welcome to another edition of Freebie Friday, where I tell you what free samples and full sized products I received in the mail and how you can get them too. Someone asked me why I do a 'Freebie Friday" each week, so I'll tell you.

A while back I listed all the free samples and wins that I had received that previous year and so many people didn't believe that I could have gotten so many free things. So I decided to prove it by taking a picture every week and sharing the sites that I found the links to the freebies at. So now you too can get great free samples coming to your mailbox each week.

  You can find links to samples like these at Hey It's Free and Freebie Shark.

This week I received:

Dark Blood by Christine Feehan * listed this as a freebie because I used my Swagbucks and turned them into Amazon gift cards and got this book for free!*

Always Pads
Lipton K Cups
$2 off coupon for a bag of cat food
Garnier Blackhead Scrub

I also turned in my points and got a $5 Amazon gift card from Bing.

And cashed in my points on Swagbucks and got a $5 gift card to Amazon.

I also won this Vox Box from Influenster. It had a full size box of Playtex Sport Tampons and a cute little cosmetic bag for holding them. 

Did you receive any free samples this week?

Kia Hamster Commercial

Have you seen this one? I think it might be the cutest one yet. I love the Kia Hamsters.

What Are Cecotropes and Why Do Rabbits Need to Eat It

*Thumper, the bunny we found alone in an alley and took him in until we could find him a forever home*

Having a rabbit can be a wonderful experience for you and your family. They are wonderfully intelligent and playful pets. In order to have a healthy rabbit there are things you should know.

Why do rabbits eat their poop?

Small animals like rabbits have a unique digestion system that allows them to get more nutrition from the foods that they eat. Rabbits produce two types of droppings, fecal pellets and cecotropes.

Rabbits won't normally eat the fecal pellets but they will eat the cecotropes. Cecotropes are produced in a part of the rabbit's digestive system called the cecum. You can tell the difference between fecal pellets and cecotropes because fecal pellets will be small dry individual pellets while cecotropes will look like soft clustered pellets.

Cecotropes are not feces, they are nutrient packed foods that your rabbit should eat to maintain their health. Most of the nutrients are not absorbed the first time a rabbit eats his food, therefore the cecotropes are produces so the rabbit can eat the foods again and get more of the nutrition from them. Cecotropes look different from fecal pellets, you can distinguish them from the feces because they look like a small cluster of dark grapes. At least they did to me.

What to do if your rabbit stops eating their cecotropes

Since the cecotropes are beneficial and really important to their overall health, should your bunny stop eating theirs, you should take him to a veterinarian's office.

If your bunny starts showing any other signs that he may be getting sick such as not eating, not drinking or lethargy, you should take him to an animal hospital.

Rabbits can become seriously ill very quickly and one of the first signs of that happening is lethargy and not eating or drinking water. Bunny's can go down hill fast so you should have a veterinarian picked out that will see exotics like rabbits before something should happen where you need one in an emergency.

When are cecotropes passed?

Rabbits will pass the cecotropes at different times, but the bunny I had would pass them mostly at night. Some rabbits may pass them during the day or early in the morning, it just depends on the rabbit.

How to Train a Rabbit to Come when Called

* The bunny that we found in an alley and found a forever home for*

Rabbits are very friendly, social and intelligent animals. They like to play, cuddle and they can be trained to come when called.

Give your bunny a name.

The very first thing you have to do is give your bunny a name so she knows when she is being called. Endless are the possibilities when it comes to rabbit names. We named the one we rescued, thumper because he was always thumping his back feet when he wanted attention.

How to get your rabbit used to his name.

Get a little Timothy Hay to entice him to you as you call his name. When he comes to you, pet him on the head and say something like, "Good Thumper." Do this several times a day for a week and if it looks like he understands his name you can decrease the times you give him food to every other time.

Give him a special treat like a piece of an apple every once in a while and praise him as well. This is called positive reinforcement and will work much better than yelling or punishment ever will.

Do that for at least 2 weeks then start calling his name without treats and see if he comes to you. If he does then you can limit the treats or rewards to just sometimes.

Can you train a rabbit to jump into your lap?

Yes, especially if you've had the rabbit since he or she was little and you have bonded well with the bunny. The bunny my family rescued and found a forever home for would follow us around like a puppy and jump right into our laps and want to be petted and cuddled.

This rabbit acted more like a puppy than what I thought a rabbit would but I found out that a lot of rabbits will become very affectionate if they spend a lot of time out of their cage with people in the home.

The best way to get your bunny to jump up in your lap when called is to entice the bunny into your lap with a treat or some hay while patting your leg. This is very important; you must start with treats and patting your leg in the beginning for it to work later on without treats or food.

Do this several times a day and offer hay each time. Pat your leg and let your bunny see the food or treats. When your bunny jumps up on your leg, give him praise and pet him while giving him the food.

After a week or so, you should be able to pat your leg and have your bunny jump in your lap without having to give a treat. But you should give treats or food a few times a day when you call him to your lap for at least another week and slowly stop the food.

After a few weeks you should just be able to pay you leg and have bunny come and jump right into your lap to be petted.

How to Care for Your New Pet Rabbit

*The bunny we found in an alley and found a forever home for*

Having a new pet rabbit in your home can be a rewarding experience as long as you know what to expect and have all the necessary supplies to take care of him properly.

It's important to have all the necessary supplies on hand before bringing a new pet home, no matter what kind of pet it is. For a rabbit you'll want to have a large wire cage, Timothy hay, water bottle, fresh vegetables, leash or harness, nail clippers, brush, rabbit pellet food, salt wheel, wood chew block and a litter box.

Feeding

Bunnies will over eat if given the chance. They may give you the sad eyes and look down at their food bowl like they are starving but they do not need to eat all day long. You should only give them food according to their weight. So if you have a 6 LB bunny, you should give them approximately ½ cup of rabbit pellet food per day. Do not feed rabbits the mixed foods that have pellets mixed with dried fruits, seeds or beans. This is not good for your rabbit.

You may leave unlimited amounts of Timothy Hay or Grass in their cage for them to eat. They need this for good digestion. Treats are to be given sparingly and only certain foods can be given as treats. You should avoid iceberg lettuce, onions, tomatoes or potatoes. These foods can give them diarrhea and cause a bunny to become dehydrated.

Good treats would be apple pieces, carrots, strawberries, bananas, pineapple and raspberries.

Exercise

Your bunny needs exercise everyday. You must take your bunny out of his cage and let him run or as it may be, hop around. This is where that leash or harness would come in. You can buy a bunny leash or harness and take him for a walk. Bunny harnesses can be found at most pet stores.

Bunny proofing your home.

You will have to make sure that your home is safe for your rabbit to hop around in. Using a baby gate to keep your bunny in one room is essential if you only bunny proof one room. This will make it easier for you and safer for your bunny.

Bunnies like to chew on things, everything. Electrical wires, important papers, remote controls, and everything else you don't want chewed up should be put up out of the bunnies reach while he is out running free.

Health Concerns

While most bunnies don't need vaccines like a dog or cat would. There are things every rabbit owner needs to be aware of. If your rabbit stops eating and drinking and is lethargic, you should seek immediate medical attention with a veterinarian that specializes in either rabbits or exotics.

Diarrhea can be a very serious condition in rabbits and should be dealt with by a veterinarian. Also if you notice mucous or other liquid substances coming from the bunny's nose or eyes, you should seek immediate medical attention.

Rabbits are labeled exotic like most other small animals. Other exotic animals are rats, hamsters, mice, and gerbils.

Spend time with your bunny and let him get to know you as you get to know him. Before you know it he will be hopping up in your lap waiting to be cuddled and petted.

Happy Raturday!

Welcome to a new weekly blog post I'm calling, Raturday! I've seen Caturday and while that's really cute, I think the rats needs some photo time so everyone can see how cute these little animals are. I've gotten permission from Rat Logic's fb page to share their pictures on my blog. So get ready to smile because these are cute. 

*click pictures to enlarge*

Blog Ahead Challenge

I signed up for the Blog Ahead Challenge hosted by Herding Cats & Burning Soup.

What is it?

A bloggery version of NaNoWriMo!

November 1-30th, 2014

The basic goal is to get "ahead" in your blog posts.

At the end of the month of Nov you'll have 30 additional pre-scheduled posts than when you started the month. I already have a few posts scheduled but I'm hoping to get at least 30 more done by the end of this challenge. 

It's nice to get a few blog posts pre-scheduled and have a little breathing room to work on other blog posts so why not join us? Any types of blog posts are welcome.

You can sign up Here.

Review: Dark Blood by Christine Feehan

Book Description

At long last you are truly back with us...

Zev Hunter was an elite warrior, a dark-blood dealer of death to rogue Lycans who preyed on mankind. He was a loner, never given to personal attachments, and damned fierce at his job. But Zev begins to question his past and his purpose when he awakens in the darkness of the sacred cave of warriors—and is soothed back to consciousness by the sensuously familiar voice of one woman, the woman who has haunted his fantasies for centuries. She was Branislava, member of the Dragonseeker clan…

Mother Earth called the ancients to witness your rebirth… 

For this half-mage, half-Carpathian temptress, the ritual of awakening Zev to the council of warriors was the only way to save him. Locked away for his own protection, the time has now come for his rebirth, for his blood to stir with that of the ancient warriors before him. He has been assured by Branislava that their fates are entwined, that their spirits are woven together for eternity and that his new purpose in life is beyond imagining.

Now, with a blood-sworn vow of honor, mercy and endurance, and under the influence of a siren as bewitching as Branislava, Zev begins to wonder what his purpose is, what it means for the future of the Carpathians and what it is about his rebirth that he has to fear…

My Review

This is the 3rd book in the Dark Series Trilogy, which is also a part of the bigger Dark Series of books that now spans 26 books. I've been reading this series for many years and have all of the books. This is actually the first series that I ever started reading, ever. 

With that said, I have to say that this is not my favorite book in the series. Most of the books have been very easy to read, easy to become enthralled in and kept my attention the entire book but this one did not. It's not a bad book, it's just not as good as some of the first few books in the series. Not everyone is going to like every book in a series and this is that book for me. But that doesn't mean I am giving up on the series. This is also a trilogy inside a series and the trilogy revolves around the Dragonseeker bloodline as well as the Lycans. While it was interesting to find out what happened to Branislava and her sister in the ice caves and learn about the Lycans, half bloods and Dark Bloods..there was also a lot going on in this trilogy and in this last book in the trilogy. 

It felt like the author was trying to make sure anything that was left out in the first two book was covered in this one and the story wasn't as cohesive because of this. On top of that the relationship between Zev and Branislava felt rushed and pushed on us. They already had feelings for each other and because the life mate thing is there I can understand them having an instant connection to one another but it still felt rushed to me. Zev is very alpha and dominant so there is a slight curve into BDSM but I thought it was well done. He definitely likes being in charge but it was consensual since she didn't seem to mind even when he was a bit rough and wild. 

I've come to think of this series as paranormal romance but this book felt more like erotic horror than romance. While there are paranormal aspects to this book, we also get a lot of fight scenes, violence, bad guys and hell hounds. At one point I felt like I was reading an episode of Supernatural when I saw hell hounds. There's a plot twist that I didn't see coming but that I thought was contrite and really made me shake my head at where this story went. If you have been reading this series from the beginning you will undoubtedly shake your head as well because it really was ridiculous. 

These books are supposed to make sense on their own if you haven't read the series but I think if I hadn't read the other books first I would have been lost as to who the other characters were, why they were there and how they fit into this story line.

I can only hope that Ms. Feehan gets back to the roots of this series and gives us what we loved when we started reading it to begin with. 

I give this book a 3 out of 5 stars. 

Review: Hyaluronic Acid Age Delaying Serum With Vitamin C + Green

I like finding new products that are good for my skin. My mom always told me to take care of my skin while I'm young because as we get older and the fine lines start to appear it's too late at that point. So I've always taken her advice and I still like finding new and great skin care products that keep my skin looking healthy. So I was happy to get this product for free to try at home. 

This serum comes in s small bottle and has an airless pump which makes it easy to get the colorless gel like serum out of the bottle. It does have a nice consistency and a pleasant light scent. It has aloe and witch hazel in the ingredient list which are two of my favorite ingredients to use on my face. 

I did not experience any greasy or tacky feeling on my skin after applying it, the serum absorbs into the skin very quickly upon drying. I didn't experience any redness or irritation to my skin while using this serum and was pleased at how well it made my face feel smoother and softer.

I applied this serum after I cleaned my face at night and used it in place of the moisturizer I usually use after cleaning my face. 

I really liked that this product stated that it was cruelty free. Made in the U.S.A. and they have a 100% money back guarantee if you're not completely satisfied. That's a huge plus for me. 

If you're interested in this product, you can get it on Amazon for just $14.99. 

If you have any questions or comments please leave them below.

I received this product for free in exchange for my honest review.

Things You Should Know Before Buying a Pet Hamster or Rat

While having a rat or hamster as a pet can be a rewarding experience, there are things you should know before buying one for your family. If you are squeamish about certain things like flinging poop and incontinence, you might want to skip getting a small animal as a pet.

Let's say your small child wants a rat or hamster and after getting one and having it in your home for a week, you suddenly find you are the one taking care of the little critter. You may see your little hairball doing things that turn your stomach but they are perfectly normal in the rodent world.

If you have a rat, the first thing you will notice when you bring whiskers out to play is that they are incontinent. That is to say...they pee all over everything including you, your clothes, your furniture, the floor as well as anybody else that may hold them. They are not potty trainable and you will end up pulling all your hair out trying before it happens.

If you have two young male rats, you may notice they hump each other like they are having sex. Don't worry, they can't get pregnant if they are male, but you might not want to let them get to close to the dog, or your leg. Your dog may not like it and well your leg will just end up getting urinated on.

Hamsters on the other hand are quite cute but not as affectionate as rats. They also have some bad habits. Most hamsters are nocturnal, this means they will sleep all day and only get up at night to play. Not the best pet for a child that is up all day and sleeps all night. You may also notice you hamster has a long cleaning routine after he wakes up and bothering him will only upset him. As you watch your little hamster cleaning you might notice him picking up the poo pellets in his mouth and flinging them out of his bed as he goes looking for more bedding to stuff in his nesting area. This is all quite natural.

Hamster will on occasion also eat their own poop. This is also very natural and will aid in the natural digestive process, it's called Coprophagia and if you have a dog, rabbit or cat you may have seen them doing it as well. Some animals like rabbits, do this in order to digest all the nutrients found in their foods.

Both hamsters and rats like a variety of foods but giving them a store bought mix may not be enough as they will only pick out the foods they like and leave the rest for you to throw away during the weekly cleaning.

Freebie Friday!

*click picture to enlarge* 

Welcome to another edition of Freebie Friday, where I tell you what free samples and full sized products I received in the mail and how you can get them too. Someone asked me why I do a 'Freebie Friday" each week, so I'll tell you.

A while back I listed all the free samples and wins that I had received that previous year and so many people didn't believe that I could have gotten so many free things. So I decided to prove it by taking a picture every week and sharing the sites that I found the links to the freebies at. So now you too can get great free samples coming to your mailbox each week.

  You can find links to samples like these at Hey It's Free and Freebie Shark.

This week I received:

2 ELF make up boxes that I won in a blog contest.
Hair She Goes Hair Removal Kit- Free to test at home in exchange for an honest review.
Andovia Extensive Anti Wrinkle Cream- Free to test at home in exchange for an honest review.
Hail Merry Macaroons- Free sample from Swaggable.
Free Cinnamon Oatmeal Raisin Meta Health bar.

I also received a box from House Party that contained coupons to give to family and friends, an apron, a wooden spoon and 2 coupons for a Free Saute Express Product.

Dealing With The Loss Of A Pet

*Marbles*

Losing a pet can be hard since they are a part of the family. The pain of losing a family member can be severe and we all need to know how to deal with loss.

Is The Pain I feel Normal?

Severe pain over the loss of a pet can seem silly to people who don't have pets and won't or don't understand. They may tell you to just get another animal but we know that it's not that easy.

You should know it's absolutely natural to feel so much pain after the loss of a pet. You shouldn't hide your pain that is the worst thing you can do. Feel the love and loss of your pet and grieve for your pet.

I've had several hamsters and rats die after a long happy life and it never gets any easier. I've learned throughout the years that after the loss of a pet you need to let yourself feel the strong emotions from that loss.

If you had to take the animal to the veterinarian's office, you should take the advice my vet gave me when she saw how upset I was. She told me to remember how much happiness my little friend gave me and remember she was very happy with me and I did the right thing by ending her suffering.

When I took my hamster to the vet's office and had her euthanized it was one of the hardest things I've ever done, but it was also the right thing to do since I didn't want her to suffer.

You might feel guilt or anger after a pet's loss. The best thing is to examine what you are feeling instead of denying your pain, only then will you be able to work through your feelings.

What Can I do to help get through the grief of losing a pet?

I found that talking to others who have had to deal with the loss of a pet can help because they understand how you are feeling. There are any number of websites that have message boards and other people who are going through the same loss. For instance the Pet Loss Grief Support website is just one place online that would help others who are dealing with the loss of a pet.

The best way I found to deal with a pet's loss, is to have a small funeral for my pet. Whenever one of my hamsters or rats died I would put them in a small box and my family and I would find a nice place for him, say a few words and bury our little friend.

One time we took a ride out to Red Rock Canyon, here in Las Vegas and took a little walk until we found the right spot for our deceased pet.

Knowing that you have given them a happy life and loved them as much as they loved you and finding the perfect resting place for them helps you deal with their death.

What Accessories and Toys Every Hamster Cage Should Have

*Bubbles*

Caring for a hamster is easy if you have all the right accessories for the cage. This will make your hamster happy and a happy hamster is often a healthier hamster.

Water Bottle

There are several different types of water bottles and I've had some difficulty with the softer plastic water bottle because my hamsters would chew right though the plastic and the water would go all over the inside of the cage. 

Getting either a harder plastic water bottle or a metal bottle holder will keep it from getting chewed and leaking all over the inside of the cage.

Since hamsters drink a lot of water, I have found that an 8 oz. water bottle is the right size for most hamsters. The water will usually last for two days before it needs to be refilled. Always clean the bottle and give your hamster clean fresh water.

Food Bowl

Some people don't think hamsters need a food bowl because a lot of time they will sit in their food bowls and kick the food all over the cage. But I have found while some hamsters will do this others like having their food in one place where they can go and get a nibble several times throughout the day.

Hamsters have pouches on the insides of their cheeks and you will see them stuffing food into their mouths while their cheeks get bigger and bigger, only to deposit the food they have into a corner of the cage or into their nesting box.

Hamsters constantly move their food around, but I like having a food bowl that they can sit in or at when they want to get fresh food.

Wheel

A wheel is very important because hamsters need exercise and will get bored very easily if they have nothing to do while they are in their cages.

Do not get a metal hamster wheel, hamsters can get hurt very easily on these types of wheels. Because they have gaps between the metal wires on the wheel, hamsters can get their feet caught in between the wires and break legs, toes and feet.

I have found that a plastic wheel works better and they don't make as much noise as the metal ones do.

Chew Toys

Hamsters chew, they chew on everything in their cages. They have to in order to keep their teeth from over growing. If you don't have something hard for your hamster to chew on occasionally they will have teeth problems and vet bills are expensive.

There are wood blocks, honey sticks, fruit flavored wood shapes, as well as cardboard tubes you can use to hide treats in and use as chew toys.

I had one hamster who would not chew on anything I gave him. But he would continuously chew on the bars of the cage. Even after I had him out and was playing with him for more than an hour.

I finally bought some small dog biscuits and gave him one. He loved it and chewed the whole thing right down to the last little morsel. If your hamster doesn't want to chew on the wood toys you buy him, dog biscuits are a really great and cheap alternative and hamsters really seem to love them.

Nesting Box

Hamsters are nocturnal and will sleep most of the day, so they need a small box or plastic shelter in their cage where they can sleep. Most pet stores have an ample supply if plastic igloos and dens your hamster can use as a nesting box.

If your hamster likes to chew on wood, there are small wooden houses you can buy to use as a nesting box that are made so your hamster can chew on them.

Homemade nesting boxes can also be used. Anything from a tissue box to an old shoe box with a small hole cut in the sides so the hamster can get in and out can be used as a nesting box. Cardboard boxes will have to be replaced often as they will get smelly and are almost impossible to clean after a hamster has urinated on it.