I'm a pet lover and wondering how many other techs out there love their animals.
My favorite pets I've ever had were my three rats--girls named Sara, Rachel, and Abby. Just lost the last one last week...a very sad occasion in our household. My husband loved them as much as I did.
For those who would freak out about rats as pets, I must tell you...
- They are Domestic Fancy Rats, bred for over 100 years to be human companions, not sewer rats.
- They are incredibly clean animals, spending more time than cats do grooming themselves (and each other--it's a social thing).
- They are more intelligent than dogs (scientifically documented).
- Their personalities are more gentle than cats, and they are as affectionate as puppies.
- They never bite except in self-defense, but they will lick you like cats do to show affection.
- They only squeak out of pain or fear; their normal verbal communication is ultrasonic; humans can't hear it.
- They do not run away when let out of their cage for playtime; they actually will come when called (unless, of course, there's something fascinating that they can't tear themselves away from).
- They can be taught complex tricks, but they get bored too easily with repetitive activity. That's why lab rats have to have their food as the reward for their tasks; otherwise they'd just ignore the task.
- Their tails do have hair on them; it's just very fine and short.
- They are very, very CUTE, as these pictures illustrate!
I think we will get two dogs next, but it will be a while. (Probably something in the greyhound category?)
So, what kind of pets do you have? How many? Names? Show pics if you have them!
