 Re: rats and pigs?
As owners of both cavies as well as rats, we have a deep love for both of them. And we know that many people have issues with rats-but I do feel compelled to jump to their defense. Yes-they do have a jaded past-but please believe me when I tell you that rats are as devoted and loving to humans as any dog or cat.
Rats are incredibly social, intelligent, complex creatures that clearly exhibit problem-solving skills, analytical thinking, and deep love and devotion to their human companions. They will setup their living space on their own in an orderly and logical fashion. They bathe themselves regularly, and work towards keeping their living area tidy. They are anything but dirty. And these are not fanciful observations, either. It is abundantly clear how much is going on in their little heads. Our latest rat is a white-haired female named Beth. Every day we come home from work, she is at her gate, holding onto the bars, her little nose twitching while she looks at us with this sort of "come say hello to me" thing. As soon as the bars are open, she is climbing into my hand. She sits on my lap as we watch TV, and falls asleep as I massage her under her jaw. She will sit on my shoulder as I walk around the house and snooze, and when I finally have to put her back-she protests-as she prefers to stay with us. She never bites, and doesn't have an aggressive bone anywhere in her little body.
Hey now-we love our cavys just as much, so don't misunderstand us here-but a rat is a companion that instead of running from your hand will actually struggle to get into your hand.
Just had to say that.  |