Lonely rat kisses woman who took him home

[catbyte]

[limbicnuminousity]

1. Rats can make pretty good pets.

There are some strains bred by fancy rat breeders that are interesting. Russian Blues, Dwarf strains, etc. The semi-surprising thing is how intelligent and sociable they are compared to other rodents. Wouldn't buy from a pet store though. Early socialization and handling makes a huge difference.

[Rhiannon12866]

2. I had a pet rat, I was a psych major and brought my rat from class home, he was smart and earned me a B in a tough course

And I couldn't bear the thought of him being "recycled" to the biology lab. And I had a pet mouse as a kid that I loved. My rat was always a little nervous, but he learned to be friendly enough and he especially loved cheese.


He was a hooded rat, looked like this:

[StarryNite]

3. I had a female rat like that when I was a kid.

I named her Benny. I bought her for 50 cents from a kid at school whose rat had babies. She was the sweetest thing, very friendly and very smart. I would take her outside and put her down on the lawn. I would walk slowly and she would follow me through the grass. I took her to stores on my shoulder. I took her to high school football games in my sweatshirt pouch. She really was like a tiny little dog, loving and loyal.

[Rhiannon12866]

4. Awwww! My rat was male, I think all the "lab rats" were. And I chose him because he appeared to be the calmest

I named him Barnaby after the B he got me in that course and of course loving animals I just couldn't abandon him so I had him in my room at school and brought him home with me. After the lab experience he was always a little nervous, when I cleaned his cage he'd run around only in the periphery of the room. But I gave him a good home and gave him treats. Another girl in my class took her rat as well, but she ended up giving him to some children who wanted him.

Sounds like your rat was more sociable, that he had a better start in life, kind of like my mouse, Franklin (D. Roosevelt). I found him in a store and he was the only mouse left in the terrarium so I thought he must be lonely. He was extremely friendly, also black and white, and when I went to summer camp, my grandmother "mouse sat" for me. She was very fond of him too, gave him a blueberry every morning when she ate her cereal.

[ailsagirl]

6. Yes, they can

I had a white rat for quite awhile I named Dominque and I loved him very much.

[PlutosHeart]

5. I had a white rat named Ratsky

He was like Houdini and would escape his cage at night and either lay on my neck or chest to be with me. I loved him and I miss him.

[karin_sj]

7. That was so sweet

Thanks for sharing it

[chouchou]

8. I have 2 ratties and a rabbit.

Love them and spoil them