RATS!

[Linda and "Toby"]

My son's girlfriend Sarah has 3 adorable little rats. (OK, they're not as cute as doodles, but they are very easy to crate train - lol!) If you know anyone else who enjoys rats, here's her website: http://www.ratinmypocket.com  Her birthday was Sunday so I took some photos of them for her. I'm giving them to her today. Here are my favorites. :)

[Nancie & Gracie Doodle]

Oh, the rattys are adorable! I mean it too! My daughter had pet rats. American Fancy Rats. The first one was when she was in the 5th grade. Her name was Ratillia but we called her Tilly for short. She was Megan's best friend. When she did her homework Tilly would sit on Megan's shoulder and then run down her arm, around on her desk and up into the bookshelf and go to sleep on top of the books. She would steal things like erasers and take them up with her to the books. We had hamsters and there is no comparison. The rats are very clean and sweet and loyal. Only problem is they live for only about 1 1/2 years. Next we had Sniglett aka Sniggy. The rats would go everywhere with us. They would go down in Megan's sweatshirt sleeve and hang out and then peek out the sleeve. They would have dinner with us (at home only). Loved to run down her arm, snatch a piece of broccoli, perch on the plate and eat it holding it with her little hands. Then run back up the sleeve or up to Megan's shoulder and snuggle her neck. As an adult she had one in NYC that her then boyfriend (now husband) bought her. Her name was RATS. All of their passings were very traumatic. Rats make wonderful pets!

[F, Calla & Luca]

We have a really nice restaurant in a sculpture garden in NJ called Rats, after Wind in the Willows, I think.

[Linda and "Toby"]

Thank you guys! I'm so glad you're enjoying my rat pack photos. You really brightened my day!

You're right, F. Parker, they do look like they could be in the movies! ha! And as much as I adore these little cuties, I'd probably scream if I found myself this close to a WILD one, Kyoko -lol!

Nancie, I can hardly wait to share your post with Sarah! She will love hearing the stories of Tilly and Sniggy and RATS. And yes, you're right - they do have short life spans, and losing one is as traumatic as losing any other pet. We humans sure do have a way of getting attached to our furry friends, big and small.

Here's a slideshow (to music) of the photo shoot I did for Sarah and her rats last year. We used my granddaughter's little doll house as a prop. :) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ANohnwny-q4

[F, Calla & Luca]

Amazingly cute. Is that Sarah? She is lovely , too. I guess we need furry pets that have the lifespan of African gray parrots : )

[Linda and "Toby"]

Yep, that's our Sarah. She and my son, Ryan, are a perfect match. :) She's a straight A's Biology major (getting a minor at the same time in Environmental Studies) he's a wiz-kid computer programmer/developer. Both have a great sense of humor and are real home-buddies who love to watch movies and laugh a lot. They're fun to hang out with. :)

[F, Calla & Luca]

They sound wonderful.

[Joanne ~ Spud*]

I do know someone who would love this site. Emailing this to her now. At times she lives with more than 29 rats. Pet stores call her to take adult rats who can't be fed to snakes. Ugh. She also stops on the road and says little prayers for rodents killed by vehicles so she is a sucker for the homeless rat.
I used to work with her and she would bring rats hidden in her pocket.

I never accept invites to her apartment :)

The photography was very good I think. Nice Job Linda

[Ann Kendig]

Great photos Linda! Gosh, you are so talented!! I like rats. Had some pet rats and hamsters growing up. BTW, Duke LOVES to watch the rats/hamsters etc. at the pet store. He stands so still and watches them and his little tail twitches back and forth. Sheba on the other hand gets very excited. I know she wishes they could get out so she could chase them! Ooops, got sidetracked. Again. your photos were wonderful and captured their personalities. They would be great pictures in a children's storybook!

[Linda and "Toby"]

Thank you, Ann! Yeah, it sure would be fun to illustrate a children's book with them. I had no idea they had so many whiskers! ha! Toby is really good around them. He likes to sniff them and you can tell that he wishes he could PLAY with them. :)

[Mandy&Bailee]

Love rats! I've had three and always they were the best pets. The first was Clover,a femal white/tan - she was so sweet and loving, liked to cuddle. After she died (respiratory infection, so sad) I had two black/white males, Hugs & Kisses. They were so active and smart and naughty! They would pile up all the decorations in their tank and climb up to take their lid off and get out of the tank. Ended up having to weight the lid down with a a book all the time. I wish I could have them now - but not with two Jack Russells at home - they are bred to be ratters!

[Linda and "Toby"]

Hugs and Kisses - what great names!!! And smart, indeed!

[GBK]

How did I miss this post??? OMG these guys are adorable and Linda, truly, you are an amazing photographer!