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RE: 4th Happy WORLD RATS DAY: A drawing (Baby Fufunchi) and a heartfelt memory
My 5 year old son is a big fan of rodents in general. At present we have a hamster, but I get the feeling before too long we will be rat owners. It seems like as children most of us find rats and mice cute and interesting. Pretending to be a mouse was one of my favorite games as a child. But then somewhere along the way in adulthood the message is cemented in us that they are repulsive. I got totally freaked out seeing a wild one near my feet a few months ago when I was in the woods, but it was totally irrational. It seems like a full time job catching the things we have been programed to think, and then changing them.
That's pretty cool that they can learn a trick so fast. Maybe we will be observing that in the coming months :)
Oh they are indeed so smart, the only thing that's bad is that they only live 4 years tops being as loving as a dog, it takes a toll because you love them so much and they shine so bright and are gone so soon, but I'm grateful for the time. If ever getting them, remember, you must have at least two (three is better) as they're social and they do need companionship, if not they don't develop their character as it should be and are just sad and depressed. It's natural to be freaked by any wild animal, if a person comes dirty out of the sewers and feels menace I wouldn't go and touch it, we must remember though that dirt down there is ours :( they just fend as they can. Rats are often blamed for the plague but truth is that they were not the carriers but the flees that were in ALL hot blooded beings back then including people. As a curiosity Rattus Norvegicus (common rat) was resistant and helped to displace other rodent species, helping (oh the contradictions) to erradicate it XD by displacing other animals more susceptible to have flees. Really they are amazing, with a little patience you can potty train them, teach them to fetch a ball, come by their name. I had a hamster, she was so beautiful and special but she chewed "everything" ratties can be taught not to, hahah they will gnaw things sure, but they can be trained to be on open cage under vigilance. hahah I sound like a Crazy Rat Lady hahah :) well hahah I try my best to spread some information about it.
Pd. I studied Molecular Biology but I could never hurt one... now I'm a pro-them and try to make people aware of how many lives they have saved as involuntary research subjects. We should be grateful.
That is a very interesting perspective about the lab rats. I never thought of it that way before, and it makes good sense.
I have a close friend that adores her rats, so you don't sound like a crazy rat lady at all. You two would probably like each other :)
well, now through internet I find that I'm not that odd, many people have "converted" LOL :) they are indeed adorable, most underrated pet.