Rats are surprisingly sweet pets

I used to live in a basement apartment, next to the trash room. Rats were often blocking my door, and I could hear them walking in the ceiling right above me as I slept. I hated them so much that I happily killed as many as I could, with no remorse.

Many years later, I saw my 5-year-old boy nurturing a ladybug at the playground, giving it so much love. I realized it was time to get him a pet. I called the pet store, and they recommended mice.

“Mice?! Don’t they bite?”

“No. These are domestic mice, also known as ‘fancy mice’. Wild versus domestic are as different as a wild dog versus a poodle.” They are bred over many generations to be sweet companions.

So we got mice, and they were wonderful. As easy as goldfish, and much more fun. My boy would carry his mouse in his pocket as we headed out into nature to play. We built them homes, boats, and toys.

So that was surprise number one. Mice make great pets for kids. Low-maintenance, super-portable, perfect for playground attention, and a short lifespan.

A few months ago, our last mouse died. I was surprised how hard I cried - the hardest I’ve cried in my life. She was such a big part of my boy’s childhood.

A few weeks later, he asked for a rat. My arch enemy? I thought he was kidding. Then he showed me videos of pet rats being adorable - maybe even better than mice. OK.

We adopted two twin brothers, which he named Cricket and Clover. They look almost identical but I can tell them apart by their personality. Full of energy and wants to climb to my shoulder? That’s Cricket. Mellow and wants to cuddle in my armpit? That’s Clover.

Turns out they’re even better than mice. Mice can’t help where they pee and poo, but rats, like cats, save it for their litter box. Rats are very trainable, so they can come when called. They’re more attached and affectionate. They have more personality, which then makes us more attached and affectionate, too. Go search for videos of pet rats, and you'll see.

Many times a day, I go cuddle them and kiss their bellies, and they lick my nose. They’re wonderful.

As much as I love these rats, my deepest joy is that I'm loving what I used to hate. Cuddling what I used to kill.

(That’s Cricket, licking my head. Who knows why.)