ODE TO A DAPPER RAT
There once were a bunch of smart looking ratties
They really looked quite dapper
They roam around Robyn and Als house
They walk with a Buckley swagger.
There is Scrambler who is a cheeky mink
He really is quite sweet
Scrambler is the elder statesman of the dapper rats
He enjoys his food his favourite being
Something nice from his mums finger is a treat.
Ilford is a pretty boy, his whiskers are quite twitchy
He loves his mum and dad to scritch him and realy gets quite lickey
He is angelic looking, and calm as he can be
He is the kind of rattie you would invite for tea
Bug he is a beastly boy, who causes his parents trouble
In laughter Robyn and Al always bend over in a double
Bug is here bug is there oh Blast that Rat and Shoot
Where is he now, he is in my drink and now he is in Robyns old work boot
Nougat is as sweet as can be, as his name suggests
He hops about the rattie room with vigour and with zest
His nose is very fuzzy and he looks like he is in a Tux
He is a handsome boy one of Robyn’s newest Bucks
Sweet little Schnoz reminds me of Jimmy Duranty
His nose is quite appealing don’t you think he looks like your Aunty
Schnoz enjoys a surf, and a play with his fellow ratties all are sweet
He pounces on his mates and grooms them in their cage but when the
Table is turned he becomes quite a
meeper,
Little Husky is a cheerful rattie, and also quite Bold
His soft Champagne
fur is lovely to look at, that lovely fur when
He fuffs it, helps keep out the cold
Your lovely red eyes keep me in a daze
So soft and pink of into the distance they often gaze.
Oh dapper ratties you are so cute… and very cheeky to boot.
We must not forget those who have come and gone on before..
Dapper himself and Fudge and old Stat.. and have you seen the rat in the hat.
Nimbus and Bramble and Bear and Motley , and have you seen the rat in the hat.
Roofie and Bokeh, Spritly and Rumpus, and have you seen the rat who loved to fly
Schnapps and Lamington and Grub, you were very much loved,
So of the Dapper ratties I speak, all of them cute
And all of them sweet.
Colleen Hunter 2006
An ode to my friends
I have a bunch of special friends
They are spread through out the world
Even though I’ve never met them
Each and everyone is a gem and a pearl
They speak many languages,
Their cultures are diverse
Each and everyone is special
That’s why I write this verse.
I pray for them each night
And think of them quite often
In my thoughts they are each day
When I’m down I know. I can count on them
My life is made more full and special
Because they each exist
Everyone is more precious to me
That is why they are on my list.
__________________
ONLY
ANOTHER RATTIE PARENT
Only another rattie parent
could know and feel your joy
when you come home through
your door carrying your your new rattie girl or boy
Only another rattie parent
could know whats in your heart
as you watch your new rattie
on their first free range from this place to that place does dart
Only another rattie parent
can know the utter bliss
of when your new rattie give
a rattie kiss.
Only another rattie parent
can share your frustration
when your little rattie pees
and chews on everything in sight to your agrivation.
Only another rattie parent
can share your sleepless night
when your rattie is ill and
is not acting quite right
Only another rattie parent
can now your relief
when their illness is quite
brief
Only another rattie parent
can know and share the break of your heart
when your little rattie comes
to its time to depart
Only another rattie parent
can know why your shed tears like a river flow
simply because your rattie
has flown off to the rattie rainbow
Only another rattie parent
can feel the empty space in your sole
Only another rattie parent
will uphold you when your low
Only another rattie parent
will rejoice when your decide
your grief has gone on long
enough and a new rattie will reside
__________________________________________
Oh Little rattie sitting their
Oh little rattie how do you fair
Oh little rattie with eyes so bright
Oh little rattie wont you come and play tonight
Oh little rattie sitting in the box
Oh little rattie, you chewed a hole in my socks
Oh little rattie so sweet and squishy
Oh little rattie your fur I love to Scritchy
Oh little rattie sitting on my shoulder
Oh little rattie, you do look older
Oh little rattie where have you been
Oh little rattie what have you seen
Oh little rattie what have you there
Oh little rattie, it’s the remains of my chair
Oh little rattie with a tail so long
Oh little rattie , oh dash where have you gone.
Oh little rattie, come out of there
Oh little rattie I really do care
Oh little rattie you are so warm
Oh little rattie I’m ever so glad that you were born
