I agree!!!

How adorable :-)

So cute!!  I think rats and mice in general are very misunderstood :)

me too!

Agreed. Rats are absolutely fascinating (and fantastic!). I've adopted many throughout the years as companions. They really do match up with humans quite well, and are more like us as a species than not. Or more so than many people would like to admit. I try my best to dispel the anti-rat beliefs many people have, but that's hard to do. Thanks for posting this!

Their tails creep me out (there is something about them that is just wierd)

but i have to agree as well. They can be cute. I had a friend that had one when i was growing up he was pretty cool.

I have a degu (that i rescued) and he  too also has five "fingers" love watching him eat his pumpkin seeds its too cute.

If my dog didn't think he's be a toy to play with (in his mouth), I'd be down for having one as a pet!

I had a pet rat and and even a mouse growing up and they are awesome pets!  I had a cream hooded rat named buttons for 3 years.  My sister had a black hooded rat names popsicle. 

I've owned 2 rats and are they are the best pets. They can be a little stinky but if cage cleaned several times a week should be good to go.  My daughter and her friends play with them and since they're 8 and 9 some of the things aren't so funny, but I won't go into detail.  They have never been bitten and will kiss you with their little tongues just like a dog. Don't cringe until you've been kissed by a rat.  Jeanette

Agreed....Rats are living breathing beings that deserve a chance to live their lives- they too serve a purpose in this world!!....They place an important part of the whole scheme of things!!

Ahhhhh! Unfortunately I don't think I could ever be a member of the "rats are cute" club. In the NYC subway system, they are anything but cute. Especially when they jump out from behind the dumpsters!

oh, he/she is soooo cute!

I had a pet rat in 8th grade- it was all white and HUGE.  It would climb under my hair on my neck and hide there- super sweet, never bit anyone. I eventually had to give him away but it was a great pet to have.  Now I have a rabbit who hops around my house all day and yes, he's potty trained. :)

I had a pet rat back in high school (unfortunately, they only live a few years) and ADORED him. Angus was funny, loving, smart, loved to play and interact with my family and me - just a joy. People would always look at me funny when I talked about him, which made me wonder why other rodent-type pets like gerbils, guinea pigs, etc. are considered normal, and having a pet rat is cause for a press conference. Angus lived in a gigantic cage during the day (we had two cats as well) and we'd let him out at night when we were relaxing, watching tv. He loved to sit on my lap, be rubbed between his little eyes and eat guac-flavored chips. Not a bad life :)

I have lived with rats for over 14 years, and I have rescued them for 8. They are amazing little creatures that deserve our respect and compassion. Visit my rescue website at http://hleughmyer.tripod.com/ to see some of my rat companions. We have several up for adoption in Indiana. I will also share a poem I wrote about these wonderful but misunderstood little animals.

Rat

Vilified by Hollywood
Blamed for a disease
That dark, consuming shadow crept
Not from you, but from your fleas
You suffer undefended
At the mercy of men in white
Drugged, deprived, shocked, and sliced
Yet rarely do you bite.

Expendably inexpensive
To those easily seduced
By carnivorous constrictors
You're recklessly reproduced
Provisions for ball pythons
Uncomplicated prey
Confined inside four walls of glass
Victim of the day.

Your bodies are broken
With the sharp snap of steel
You writhe with convulsions
From a poisoned meal
Slow death by starvation
Immobilized in glue
A living being so despised
Just because you're you.

Your willowy whiskers vibrate
Teeth grinding like a purr
Your eyes contented little slits
As I caress your fur
Overflowing with affection
This guiltless little creature
To some may seem a curse
But to others, is a teacher.

Heather Leughmyer