You get to really feel for other rat owners. On our different rat lists, Person X will report a problem with their rat, and a few days later, Person Y will post a message asking Person X how their rat is doing. As Abita said before, we get to know the person and their love for their little friend, and we all share the happy times and the sad times and all the concerns in between. I, too, have cried at my desk, over the heartbreak of a friend losing a rat I've only seen in pictures.
I made friends with a girl in California, A, whose favorite rat, HA, is the Biggest Ham In The World...literally.
You think my rats are big? HA tips the scale at over a kilogram. He's a very mellow rat, who sits there patiently while A dresses him in a cowboy outfit, a doctor outfit, a tu-tu, as an Easter bunny, in a green bowler with a shamrock for St. Patricks day...you get the idea.
HA is very, very popular on the rat lists. HA has also just been diagnosed with a tumor near his genitilia. Sadly, A is visiting her father & stepmother, and will be for awhile (she's a minor). HA is with other family.
I can only imagine how frustrated the poor girl must be. Fortunately, HA is with A's aunt, a fellow Rat Person who happens to date a veterinarian. But still--you're supposed to be with your children when they're sick.
The rat lists are full of get-well wishes for HA.
Posted by Publius at September 16, 2003 10:07 PM