I have recently started to
Consider getting a new pet. Skoshi, my dog, is still young and spritely, but my cat is over 70 in cat years and no fun. I especially am considering dumbo rats, because of their intelligence and size. Smaller than a guinue pig, which I always thought looked like a sized-down fluffy elephant, but bigger than a mouse or rat.
Allow me dispel one of the thoughts I'm sure are bouncing around in your head. Rats, if bought from any pet store or breeder, are not disgusting, filthy rodents. While I'm on the subject, rats prefer to be very clean; I've read that they'll also clean you if you're not as squeaky clean as they are (no pun intended). Anyway, you will probably not see a store bought rat climbing out of the sewers, randomly chewing through walls, or eating babies's toes. I once rat-sitted for my best friend's rats, christened Olivia and Penelope. Whenever I say this, the conversation goes something like this:
Them: You took care of a friend's RATS!? For a WEEK? (disgusted glare)
Me: They were very clean rats. And it was a good friend. (roll eyes)
T: Um, are you sure you don't have...I dunno...
bubonic plague or something?
Me: I think I would know if I had bubonic plague.
T: Uh-huh. (walk away)
Ok, maybe not quite like that, but close.
Anywho, this is my silent e-plead that somebody out there (specifically some one reads my blog) has the information I need to a) take care of my small pet (if I get one) b) convince my Dad to LET me get one. Anybody who has ANY experience with gerbils, rats, dumbo rats, pet rabbits, basically ALL small rats.