More rats!

What's that term for when your experiences don't jive with the reality of others? When you know something to be one way and then you bump up against what the rest of the world thinks and your mind just can't comprehend it? Ugh, it's on the tip of my tongue.

Well, I think Bridget is getting that with the rats.

Here we have three soft, squishy, adorable, highly intelligent, affectionate, sweet little animals living in our house. Rats are one of the most intelligent rodents (I read last night that only squirrels might possibly be smarter - that won't surprise anyone who has ever tried to outwit a squirrel!). Rats are less likely to bite than hamsters. They like to be held more than rabbits and chinchillas. They smell less than mice and ferrets. And respiratory allergies to rats are not common (I'm allergic to cats, rabbits and guinea pigs but have no problem with rats).

In short, they make great pets. So incredibly adorable and sweet and just tons of fun.

And when Bridget tells people about them the number one reaction is a squished up face and the word "RATS?" uttered in an incredulous voice.

Yesterday at Girl Scouts Bridget brought up the idea of showing the rats to the other kids. At home she told me it turned out that most of the girls thought rats were "disgusting" or were scared of them. It was suggested that maybe the girls who were interested could come to our house to see them on their own.

Ok, so I asked her how many girls would be coming over?

One. And the sad look on her little face when she told me that. She just doesn't get it. The public opinion of rats as evil, disgusting creatures is just not fitting in with the three little angels we have living with us right now.

Look, do these kids seem traumatized?

I'm not saying go up to a wild rat on the street and pet it or anything. These are domesticated. It's like the difference between wild dogs and domesticated ones. Or feral cats and the fat, purring one you grew up with.

And I'm not saying rats are for everyone. Yes, they're work. Any pet is more work than no pet ;-) We have to clean the cage daily. Also, because they are so intelligent they need a lot of stimulation, so they get hours of cage free time a day (which is not a hardship, believe me - they're fun!). We all have accidental scratches on us from their tiny little nails. They also scent mark, which is a polite way of saying they like to dribble pee on you so you smell like them. That's the number one reason I could see for people not liking rats. But really, just don't hold them and it won't be a problem. (edited to add - I meant don't hold someone else's rats! If you don't want to hold a rat, don't get one as a pet. They really love people and love to be held so getting one and never holding it would not be kind)



But look at that face. Is that just the most evil, disgusting, sinister thing you ever saw, or what? That's Suki, my special little rat. I think she's bonding with me. She likes to sit on my shoulder and chew my hair. Evil. Pure evil I tell 'ya.