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Willard and Ben by Victoria Roberts

Rats. Are. Disgusting.

I don't think many people would disagree with me.

After my husband and I married 22 years ago, we rented a very small two bedroom home out in the middle of nowhere because that's what we could afford at the time. The house sat near a creek, and I thought how lovely. Sure. That was the dream until we found a handful of rats invading our territory.

My first misconception was that rats were drawn to dirty, trashy houses. Well, my house was spotless, and we didn't have any trash around. But that didn't matter. The creek in the back of our house drew the rats. And boy did those critters love our basement. My husband would often find those buggers in the traps, and I can't lie. They were gray, ugly, and sometimes as big as cats. *shiver* Note: Thank God my husband grew up on a farm.

My husband and I have come a long way since then. We have a house we call our own and have two kids and a mixed lab named Zoe.


So imagine my surprise when my beloved sister gave my kids the idea that "fancy rats" would make cool pets. These aren't just any rats. They're "fancy," as if that would make a difference.

Oh, I did what any mom would do. There was no way while I lived and breathed there was going to be a pet rat living in my home. Could you imagine such a thing? Rats carry disease. They're ugly and disgusting creatures. Why on God's green earth would I have such a monstrosity as a pet?

One night I'm knee deep in edits so my husband takes the kids to the pet store to buy dog food for Zoe. Do I even need to finish this story? Do you know where this is headed?

Meet the newest additions to our clan, Jango and Scabbers. They're babies, they're adorable, and they even like to cuddle. I know some people are cringing right now, but I have to say, these two are more personable than hamsters or rabbits. They're smart, and they even clean themselves as much as cats. And there is no way I'm admitting to my kids that Jango and Scabbers are growing on me.


 


 

What if your kids wanted a pet rat? Are you brave enough to do it?

Comments

  1. I was just going to say that I think rats get a bad rap. I wanted to get two little rats that a lady I knew couldn't keep because she was moving overseas, and my husband said no. I'm so jealous of your little cuties.

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  2. I like all animals. The closest that I've come to a rat though is caring for some baby mice that fell off a roof. They were really tiny and didn't make it :(

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    1. Aww... I have to say that I love most of God's creatures. Rats were not on my list, but these two are so darned cute.

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  3. I'm not a big fan of rats...but you make them look cute!

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  4. Rats can be incredibly cute - your guys are! I'm good with most pets but there is one that I just can't deal with. Snakes will never be allowed as pets in my house. 😊

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  5. I am also a pet lover and I exactly know how it feels to have a pet. I appreciate that. Now it's time to avail executive cars birmingham for more information.

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