[Christina86]

So, my family has *always* owned dogs and cats. Unfortunately, because of where I live - a larger animal just isn't feasible.

So I'm getting a rat!

And OMIGOSH is he ever CUTE!!

I bought his food, bedding, bowls, water dispenser and some treats today. Tomorrow I buy the cage, an exercise wheel, ball and then I get to pick up my baby boy!!!!

I think I might spoil him more than I spoil myself, which could be a good thing for me. Basically, I need companionship (now he's a therapy rat!! ) and they're very smart and can be trained. Also, he's really cute and pretty small and doesn't bite like some other rodents/small mammals would.

YAY!!!!!!!!!!

My baby is bought today, and he comes home tomorrow!

Any other rat owners here? If you are, can you PM me with some good links you've found to caring for them? I don't want to mess up and make my poor baby sick! (Even though I've bought/read a book on them, and two entire websites of info and listened to two petstore employees...)

YAY!!! I get a RAT!!!

I'll post pictures when I can. Supposed to leave him alone to explore for a day, so I'll probably post pics on Saturday night or Sunday.

[pachyderm]

I used to have two rats

I'm not sure if I still have any of my old books/links but I can look.

I really want to get a rat again! They are such lovely pets. I had two- one albino (soooo adorable) and one brown. They're such lovely pets and animals- 'grats on getting one!

[AAAAA]

Congrats!

[Flit]

D'aww! I want a rat! I keep saying that x3 My mom just looks at me funny and my boyfriend demands a ferret. I don't know, maybe a ferret would be better? In any case, congrats :3

[Christina86]

Ferrets are cute... like a gynormous LONG rat. More expensive too.

My mom doesn't seem thrilled I got a rat (she suggested guinea pig) ... but she said as long as she doesn't have to care for it or babysit that I can have whatever I want.

Rats seem to take more work then smaller rodents... but ferrets are bigger than rats, so I'd assume the same works as well. Ferrets can smell more unless their scent glands are surgically removed ... not fun for the furry, but better for "you".

[Christina86]

Thanks everyone, I'm super excited! I just got off the phone with my mom... I don't think she expected me to actually get one (I asked her 'blessing' for it even though I dont live at home). Just as long as it doesnt come home for Christmas (which is why it has a petstore home for a few days then... sad, but acceptable/appropriate given we have dogs & a cat).

Anyways... wow, they're kinda expensive! He was $10... but everything else is going to set me back a good amount over $100 to get started out.

I'm cleaning my room as we speak to prepare space for the cage ... "rat proofing".

[gimmeice]

Congrats on the new pet.

[Christina86]

LOL Gus!!! But they're cute mice.... but close enough.

Thanks Orange_Blossom, I'd almost forgotten. Almost. teehee

[sarahlilianne]

Congrats Christina! I'm happy for you. Have you chosen a name for him yet? May he bring you lots of joy!
Lily

[MyBestKids2]

Congrats Christina, may he bring you years of joy!!

[Christina86]

Thanks Lily.

His name is "Miles", after a very dear friend of mine who has been a constant loving and supportive influence in my life.

And Miles is going to be my "therapy rat" when my friend eventually has to move on with his life and I might not see him as often, for one.

Other than that, I hope this convinces me to take better care of myself and improve some self-esteem and have some fun.

Oh and I LOVEEEEEEEEEEEE animals.

I Miles. He's a cutie. Pictures posted as soon as I can... sometime over the weekend, probably.

[Christina86]

((((((((((((Everyone))))))))))))))))))))

Thanks for sharing in my joy over this new addition to my family. Finally, a pet *all* my own ... this is going to be interesting, and kinda fun!

Lets hope he still likes me after the trip home tomorrow night, hmm? He might not, but I'm supposed to give him space for a day and not pick him up... so I'll try to post pictures on Sunday.

[Behindthemoon]

give us a photo-show of him some day,okay?

[Christina86]

A bazillion dollars later...

He's got a very big cage. One meant for ferrets or rabbits, since he's apparently going to be a big boy when he's full-grown. I just set up the cage. It took me over an hour to set it up and put stuff in it....

I'll pick him up in a few hours. And post pics as soon as I can.

He's an expensively spoiled rat!!!

[Christina86]

The little bugger is trouble.

He was trying to chew out of the box that the petstore gave me to take him home in...

But we spent about half an hour together (him on my shoulder, my lap, on the floor, and in the sink, which he didn't like at all) ... now he's hiding in his cage, hoarding food.

Cute boy. I'll post pictures when I can.

[sabby]

YAY!!!!!!!!!!!

Have fun with your new buddy!


sabby

[selfy]

heh
i used to have two rats. they rocked so much. i learnt a few things. always keep the door shut if theyre roaming around. never let them unsupervised around kids (my brother broke one of my ratties poor tails, i was dead pissed)

they always used to fall asleep in my jumper and in my trousers on the floor.
godamn i miss them. lol.

also, i used to take them out for walks with me, stick em down me sleeve.

[MyBestKids2]

Yippy Skippy!!! So glad you finally have your new friend, can't wait to see pics

[Christina86]

"guy" --- his version of "hi"

He says hello.

Rule: Never let him walk across your keyboard. Ick. lol.

I'm going out for a bit... I'm going to leave my music on so he gets used to the noise level in my place... I doubt he'll get out, and even if... he hasn't figured out "climbing", only "falling" (short distances, about 1/3 of a foot).

He may be photo-shy, but we'll see tomorrow.

[sarahlilianne]

Hi Miles! Can't wait to see some pictures of you !
Lily