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Re: Arrgh, I want a dog! Morgawse Send a noteboard - 16/02/2012 02:23:36 PM
The thought keeps sticking with me - I really want a dog. I have had them my whole life, in some way or another (at home while I was at college, roommate owned some after school, etc).

It occurred to me that I don't know what kind of pets any of YOU have, other than a few exceptions.

Who has what?

We have rats. Three, currently, although numbers vary up and down. They don't live long, sadly, hence the 'down', and as I have a tendency to give them as much space as possible there's usually room in the cages for one/two/three more which leads to the 'up' as people go 'my friend's sister's neighbour has a rat and he doesn't want it any more, can you take it?'. I'm a complete soft touch, can't say no, so they move in....
Is that your favorite type of pet?

I can't imagine not having rats now. They're such clever and affectionate small creatures.
I'd like other animals some day too, I'd love a dog, bunnies and (maybe, some far off day) a horse. Haven't got the room at the moment though.
Did you adopt a stray/shelter pet? Or buy from a breeder?

Our first rats came from a pet shop. I won't judge anyone who gets their rats from there, I've done it since albeit feeling guilty, but I prefer not to now. Small animals in pet shops, especially in the big chains, tend to come from rodent farms or backyard breeders. They're often (not always, but often) poorly socialised, bred indiscriminately without consideration for a healthy line or genetic defects, and kept in poor conditions. (I am aware mine are thoroughly spoiled, and I wouldn't expect a shop to do the same, but enough room to stand up, appropriate temperature, somewhere to hide from children poking them, and sufficient food and water should be the absolute minimum).

Of our current three, two came from rescue (they were handed in by someone who bred them to be snakefood and couldn't go through with it), and one used to belong to my friend - she was the last left out of a trio of cagemates and my friend didn't want to continue having rats, so ratty came to me to live with mine so she wouldn't be lonely. Have also gone to breeders in the past, but I don't currently have any breeder babies. Am resisting the urge to go on a waiting list for a breeder I know who breeds gorgeous, friendly rats, though...
What is your pet's name?

The boys (neutered, there will be no gazillions of tiny rat babies here...) are Stanley and Bailey. Their ladyfriend (who mostly uses them for pillows, and as food delivery devices - they fetch it, she steals it) is called Willow. I didn't name them, those are the names they had when we adopted them.
Is it a good pet?

They are very good pets. They are completely tame, affectionate, and smart. They want your attention, and they love to come out of the cage to play. In 8 years of rat keeping, I've only been bitten once, and that was mostly my own fault.
This is going to be a horrible question, but: would you make a different decision now?

Not in a million years.
Jennifer

Mornings are still not for me.
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Arrgh, I want a dog! - 16/02/2012 11:34:00 AM 1236 Views
Re: Arrgh, I want a dog! - 16/02/2012 12:02:25 PM 905 Views
Re: Arrgh, I want a dog! - 16/02/2012 02:17:41 PM 944 Views
Re: Arrgh, I want a dog! - 16/02/2012 09:15:10 PM 1040 Views
Yes! - 16/02/2012 09:32:06 PM 978 Views
What's up with all the Army guys I know getting cats? - 16/02/2012 06:26:12 PM 1082 Views
Probably just how one get's raised - 16/02/2012 09:11:51 PM 987 Views
Doggies are splendid ^_^ - 16/02/2012 12:33:53 PM 1129 Views
Yah huh. - 16/02/2012 02:20:15 PM 1045 Views
Yes I mean wouldn't* - 16/02/2012 03:06:54 PM 994 Views
Me too, I never had one - 16/02/2012 01:04:45 PM 1034 Views
They are so nice. Btw, I want a German one, I'm pretty sure. - 16/02/2012 02:24:17 PM 995 Views
Me too. But we can't till we have a bigger house. - 16/02/2012 01:30:18 PM 953 Views
Aw. - 16/02/2012 02:16:42 PM 1031 Views
Re: Aw. - 16/02/2012 02:54:33 PM 997 Views
Re: Aw. - 16/02/2012 02:58:17 PM 1047 Views
Re: Aw. - 16/02/2012 03:02:48 PM 908 Views
Re: Aw. - 16/02/2012 03:14:47 PM 976 Views
She's cute. - 16/02/2012 03:18:24 PM 916 Views
Yes - 16/02/2012 03:31:20 PM 1062 Views
I thought you were a cat lady. - 16/02/2012 02:20:29 PM 983 Views
I have cats, but I'm a fan of both. - 16/02/2012 02:28:08 PM 885 Views
Re: I have cats, but I'm a fan of both. - 16/02/2012 04:24:54 PM 877 Views
Re: Arrgh, I want a dog! - 16/02/2012 02:23:36 PM 1403 Views
You were one of the few people whose pets I knew. - 16/02/2012 02:34:26 PM 1106 Views
Hah, yes I do talk about them a lot I guess... - 16/02/2012 03:10:23 PM 1390 Views
*probably doesn't need to answer this but will anyway* - 16/02/2012 02:56:19 PM 961 Views
- 16/02/2012 03:01:59 PM 961 Views
Well. - 16/02/2012 03:22:48 PM 911 Views
- 16/02/2012 04:29:00 PM 968 Views
I know. - 16/02/2012 04:32:02 PM 964 Views
Re: I know. - 16/02/2012 04:41:34 PM 991 Views
*NM* - 18/02/2012 02:46:44 PM 540 Views
Snuggle puppies rule! - 16/02/2012 04:06:03 PM 1051 Views
Re: Arrgh, I want a dog! - 16/02/2012 04:22:46 PM 1004 Views
How much is that doggie in the window? - 16/02/2012 04:40:26 PM 867 Views
You need a toddler. - 16/02/2012 05:01:32 PM 960 Views
- 17/02/2012 06:27:33 PM 1052 Views
Me too - 16/02/2012 07:35:36 PM 972 Views
- 16/02/2012 07:48:46 PM 957 Views
Nevermind *NM* - 16/02/2012 09:48:56 PM 505 Views
yay pets! - 17/02/2012 05:32:00 PM 955 Views
Have you got one yet? *NM* - 18/02/2012 02:48:26 PM 505 Views

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