Rats 104 - Socialites

Okay. So enough about why rats aren't so bad, lets get to the good stuff.

Reach into a cage that houses a hamster, guinea pig, rabbit, mouse, or gerbil and you get one of two reactions every time.

1) It sleeps soundly and does't notice until you startle it awake, which leads directly to;
2) Complete and utter panic as it desperately attempts to evade you.

A rat on the other hand waits for you. The rat sees you enter the room and goes straight for his front door, stands up on his hind legs and waits for you to visit.

You see rats are social by nature and if you rear a pup, there will be a strong trust for humans. Like dogs or cats, a rat that gets plenty of positive attention will be a great friend. Maybe he won't fetch the newspaper, but he will still show his love in other ways.

I've had seven rats. I had 6 females over a few years and I adopted a male rat. Without fail, each of those rats had grown huge attachments to me and treated me kindly. They came to the cage door to be picked up - not to escape, they were relaxed while being held, and they groomed me. Yes, every single one of them would check my eyebrows and beard until they were satisfied that I was OK.

That's the sort of connection you can have with rats. They want to be part of a group and you just won't get that from many other rodents.

Children who can be taught how to care for small animals will enjoy this same friendship and learn valuable lessons respecting a pet. Rats are rewarding pets that deserve a loving home and will thank you in their own special way...not by sleeping all day.

Rats 103 - Guest Blogger: Will Shakespeare Asks, "What's in a name?"

I like to think I'm pretty good with words but I really don't think I hold a candle to this guy. Please welcome William Shakespeare to Twist Of Liam as he adds his two pence. 

Sayeth Kitty:

Romeo Rat, Romeo Rat, wherefore art thou Romeo Rat?

Deny thy father genus species and refuse thy name;
Or, if thou wilt not, be but sworn my love understanding,
And I'll no longer be a Capulet Rat-hating Cat.

...

'Tis but thy name that is my enemy;
Thou art thyself, though not a Montague Rodent.
What's Montague Vermin? it is nor hand, nor foot,
Nor arm, nor face, nor any other part
Belonging to a man. O, be some other name!
What's in a name? that which we call a rose
By any other name would smell as sweet;
So Romeo Rat would, were he not Romeo Rat call'd,
Retain that dear perfection which he owes
Without that title. Romeo Rat, doff thy name,
And for that name which is no part of thee
Take all myself.

Later sayeth Rat:

By a name
I know not how to tell thee who I am:
My name, dear saint, is hateful to myself,
Because it is an enemy to thee;
Had I it written, I would tear the word.

~~ W Shakespeare

So, there you have it. Shakespeare himself has been trying for ages to explain how rats simply got shortchanged in the PR department. You just can't say "Rat" and make it sound nice. "Rodent" and "vermin" don't sound much better, either. Have you ever tried to use either of these as a compliment? or a nickname for your spouse? 

What if we just started calling them something friendly and familiar... like"giggles"? Who wouldn't want a furry little giggle in their classroom???

{This is the third entry in this series. 

If you are curious or want to know what you missed, start here.}