“I want a pet of my own,” declared my 9-year-old son, Max, one morning while devouring his frozen waffle. I raised an eyebrow, glancing at our oversized designer dog lounging in the corner, remnants of a toy still tangled in his fur. “No, I mean something that is just mine,” Max insisted, shaking his head. “Like a gerbil or a hamster.”
A wave of dread washed over me. Over the years, as we welcomed one child after another into our home, we had tried various pets: parakeets that nipped and scattered feathers everywhere, African frogs that we often forgot to feed, hermit crabs that rarely saw the light of day (because they ate each other, can you believe it?), and an endless parade of fish—far too many fish. A note of caution: only parents wishing to teach their children about loss should ever consider keeping fish.
Having learned my lesson, I had previously vowed never to acquire pets that required tanks or cages again. It was challenging enough to keep my children alive and clean without adding the burden of pet care.
In parenting, there are numerous unwritten rules, but perhaps the most critical is: never create “rules.” You will invariably find yourself violating them. When your sensitive and empathetic 9-year-old, who wears his heart on his sleeve and feels the weight of the world, asks for a pet that can reciprocate his affection, it’s difficult to say no.
Thus, I found myself on the path to becoming a rat owner.
More specifically, a two-rat owner.
Reluctantly, I began researching small animals, aware that a pet could be a valuable emotional companion for Max. We needed a creature that was social, capable of offering love back, and would enjoy being held. Importantly, it had to be easy to care for and not trigger my allergies. After some denial, I realized that—believe it or not—rats are known for being remarkable, social, and intelligent pets. They suddenly seemed like the best choice. So, like any responsible mom would do, I scoured Craigslist for a rat breeder. Yes, they do exist.
A few months later, Max and I embarked on a two-hour drive to pick up our soon-to-be-beloved pets from the meticulous breeder, who provided detailed notes on cage dimensions (size matters!) and appropriate bedding (aspen shavings only!).
I wasn’t sure what to expect from a Craigslist rat breeder, but I certainly didn’t anticipate meeting a 19-year-old community college student living with her parents, a younger brother, and a multitude of rats. Upon arrival, I noticed the breeder’s mother cooking dinner while her father relaxed nearby with a newspaper. I gazed at the large cage brimming with rats and their young, and suddenly felt reassured that I wasn’t the most lenient parent after all.
Max promptly named his new companions Bella and Daisy, cradling them on his lap for the long drive home. Bella and Daisy enjoy lavender-scented bedding, multi-grain Cheerios, and cardboard tubes. Max just adores Bella and Daisy.
When I shared a picture of Max with his new pets on social media that evening, I was met with a flurry of comments ranging from disgust to admiration. “You are a better mom than I am,” many friends remarked. But in truth, I don’t believe that’s accurate. Motherhood can empower you to do things you never thought possible. It compels you to find strength you didn’t know you had. For me, this translated into showing affection to large rodents with long tails and red eyes simply to bring joy to my child. The version of me that once lived in a Manhattan apartment still can’t fathom that I willingly invited rats into my home, but the mom version of me understands completely.
While I can’t claim to be overjoyed about being a rat owner, and the task of cage cleaning remains unappealing, I recognize that these rats make Max genuinely happy. He feels emotions deeply, more so than my other children, and he needed this experience. In essence, this is what love looks like: owning pet rats.
Fortunately, rats have a lifespan of about three years, so there’s that to consider.
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In summary, the journey from reluctant pet owner to rat enthusiast illustrates the lengths a parent will go to for their child’s happiness. The experience has been filled with unexpected lessons about love and resilience, even if it involves caring for a couple of furry rodents.
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