Joined Sep 5 2009
My first rat was George in my second year of college. I was lonely during the day in my apartment and wanted a friend. After 1 day, my now-fiance Dan taught him how to run along his shoulders and arms, and from that point on I loved rats. After reading up on rats more, I was convinced I needed another rat for sociability. Thus came Monk, a black and white hooded rat who was way less socialized than George with people. I called Monk and George the Kamikaze brothers, as they could destroy anything they put their minds to in a matter of minutes. George lived for a full 2.5 years. When he died, I was crushed. I thought it would be a good idea to get an older rat for Monk for sociability; I wasn't sure about getting more rats after Monk and the new rat died, as I couldn't stand the heartbreak. The new rat ended up being a gray dumbo named Paco, who I then named Plato. I was his third home, and he definitely didn't trust humans. I guess I can't blame him. He bit me every chance he got, but was very sweet with Monk so I let him stay. Once Monk died at 3 years old, he started to get a little bit nicer and would fall asleep on my lap. A short while after Monk died, he passed. After a while of grieving, I decided I could deal with the dying for all the beauty and friendship that rats give me in their short lives. I am hoping to have a couple of new boys from Kaizen after my honeymoon at the end of September. I can't wait!