My favourite two rats are Puppy and PingPong. They are large white and gold albinos and have never seen the inside of a cage. They have always been with me, either carried on my body or in a special bag. I take them everywhere and when we go out they go shopping or to restaurants with me, suitably disguised as humans, of course. At home they use either a draw in filing cabinet or they have my office or my bed which has a little box section for their food and water.
I call them the two golden princes because they are very handsome and I imagine them dressed as swashbucklers in waistcoats, hats and swords. Whenever I return they are both there waiting for me at the bottom of the bed and they get excited to see me, just like dogs would. When I'm sitting or lying on the bed they always want to be close and cuddled up with me. One of their most endearing traits is to hold my hand in theirs. I find this remarkable. They actually hold your hand.
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| Puppy (left) and Ping Pong having a nap |
Another thing is to wake you up when they want something by nuzzling your ear with their nose or kissing you. Often when I'm lying down they will put their heads next to mine and just stare at me as if to say Ï love you and it's so nice to be together like this".
When my big cat Soxy comes on the bed Puppy chases him away. So funny to see a cat scared of a rat.
Rats are so clever. They learn quickly, adapt easily and often can anticipate what you want.
SADLY, SINCE I STARTED WRITING THIS Ping Pong has passed away. He was 2 years 1 month old which is about 60 years in human age. I miss him so VERY much. When he died I let Puppy stay next to him all night so that he knew the score. They say that is important for rats and rats feel sorrow. I saw Puppy hold his hand and kiss his nose as if to say goodbye and I cried my eyes out. All night Puppy did not move away from him and I lay with them. Next morning I said Buddhist prayers for Ping Pong and buried my dear dear friend.
Now I keep Puppy company constantly. He is 2 years 4 months old and still quite fit, although much overweight. I keep close to him because that is very important to rats and because I adore him. If humans had the same natures as these dear creatures the world would be a much nicer place.
They say pet rats only live on average for 18 months. Wild ones for about one year. However pets rats can live for 3 or even 4 years if you take good care of them and I'm hoping that Puppy will stay by my side as long as possible, unless his brother - the other Golden Prince - calls him to join him in Heaven.
Life is full of suffering and even love ends in sadness but we still have the lovely memories.
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| Puppy - still by my side PLEASE BE KIND TO ANIMALS AND RESPECT THEM AS FELLOW BEINGS |
