Smeagol will never be used in my breeding program as he was "rescued" from a feeder breeder. After seeing this sweet little boy I couldn't let him be taken away and fed to some snake. I know that another feeder have taken his place in that snakes belly... but after meeting my little double rex hairless boy I couldn't let him become food.

Smeagol really is a love bug, and I just love smooshing him up. His markings may not fit the standard, but he's pretty close to ideal in my eyes, but that might just be the rat mom in me talking.

Samwise is a boy that came my way via a feeder breeder. I just couldn't let him end up as snake food. Unfortunately he's having a hard time fitting in with the rest of the mischief. If the right home came along I would be willing to let him go. I think he would be happier neutered and living with a group of girlie rats. He's content here, but I think he would really blossom with a small group of docile girls.

Sam has the cutest white tipped tail that matches his adorable white fuzzy belly. He's a black rex berkshire, and has the silliest whiskers you've ever seen.

Pippin is a really sweet boy. The youngest of all my males. It took him some time to really find his place with the Palace boys, but now he's just one of the guys. He's always happiest when horsing around with the other young men, stiring up trouble, or falling off of something.

Pip is a very cute white dumbo eared boy with a broken pearl hood. He carries some merle, and should produce some adorable petit kittens. He's always been smaller than the other boys, but that just adds to his charm.

Peregrin has a wonderful even temperament. Healthy, vital, and energetic, he's always looking for something to do. He's just as happy to problem solve on his own time, as he is to be cuddling with his people - both things that make an excellent pet rat. I'm rather partial to this munchkin.

Another white dumbo boy with a broken cap. Peregrin has a deep blue cap that is slightly merled. He's related to Pippin, and both share their names with one of my favorite literary characters. You can see more of him in the nursery with Rosie.

Frodo was always very adventurous as a ratlet. Seems he was always falling head over heels into trouble somewhere. He's always been very sweet and has kept me laughing. Thankfully he's settled down a bit as he's matured, and is now a reliable house pet - perfectly safe outside the palace.

Squishy to the Nth degree, Frodo is definitely our chubbiest boy, but he's all rat, and a dumbo to boot. He's a total smoosh. Another lovely berkshire, he's also our only agouti - although he's a black/grey rather than the typical brown.

The last of the three boys saved from being feeders, Merry is also the oldest of our mischief. He is the quiet king of the palace, and prefers to watch the goings on from a distance. Very shy around strange people, he's always been a love sponge with those he's closest with. He'll always hold a special place in my heart as he's the most like my very first rat whom passed away over eight years ago.

Merry is white with a dark blue hood. He looks like he's got a little fairy footprint right in the center of his hood. Being from a feeder breeder he won't be used in my breeding program, but he'll live out his days here at Shirelings.

Took is a real sweetheart, and always one of the first boys to poke his head out to say hello when I enter the room. He loves ripping up tissue paper, and is just the most personable little rat you could ever meet. He's always checking to see if I'm watching him as he messes up the place.

If you are looking for great markings, don't look any further. Took is a stunning dumbo berkshire. As a baby he was jet black (aside from his white underbelly), but has ended up with a lighter grizzled undercoat as an adult. With his personality and type he's going to father some really special babies.