How young is too young?

[dreampilot79]

Hmmm.. see rats in the pet stores all the time.

They usually bill them as pets for your pet snake though.

Funny... think if you got a a pet rat for your pet snake....you might just have to describe death more often.

Just hope the snake has manners and doesn't belch during the memorial service!

 

[cheerful_deviant]

YUCK!!!!! Anybody who thinks rats make good pets should have orange squeezins poured all over them and be thrown in an oven..................... about 350 for 45 mins.

I love you to.

 

[Lisa Denton]

I love you to.

Your a cute duck, do ducks eat rats?

 

[cheerful_deviant]

Your a cute duck, do ducks eat rats?

Only in a stew.

 

[Penelope Street]

The Bittersweet Saga of Johnny the Rat

When my daughter was about six years old, my then-husband bought her a snow-white rat. Looking back, it was probably among his better choices of things to purchase without asking.

My daughter named her rat Johnny and, in spite of my concerns, he turned out to be a darling little creature. She carried him everywhere for the next week or so, clutched to her chest. He never bit her or even so much as squealed, even though she very probably hugged him to death.

One day Johnny didn't move any more, except for his whiskers and eyes. His body was warm, but limp. I'm pretty sure she managed to break the poor thing's spine. Fortunately for my wallet, Johnny did not survive long enough to warrant a trip to the vet.

We buried him in the back yard. My daughter and I shared a cry. She muttered, "My poor, poor Johnny" for a day or two, then got over it and moved on, as we all do.

At first, I was worried my daughter would want another rat, but she never so much as mentioned the possibility. Eventually, she gave Johnny's cage to some friends who had some other rodent pets. After that, I thought it was safe to ask why she didn't want another rat, without the risk of acquiring one.

Her answer not only stunned me, it still brings tears to my eyes to this day.

"Because wherever Johnny is, I don't want him to think I could just replace him."

 

[fifty5]

Re: The Bittersweet Saga of Johnny the Rat

When my daughter was about six years old, my then-husband bought her a snow-white rat. ...

"Because wherever Johnny is, I don't want him to think I could just replace him."

Follow that! I can't...



Eff