The downside of the rat

So, you thought perhaps this would be political? Nah ... I've had more of that than I can stomach. And those are rats with serious personality problems. At least some of them are. This is just more about Duncan, who fascinates me and intrigues me and amuses me and pleases me, and so far hasn't lied once.


Seriously, who could resist this cuteness? And seriously, any and all of these shots are worth clicking to enlarge if you love cute.



Or, perhaps you prefer this side?










Or this?












Or maybe a seriously roly poly cute belly floats your boat?














Now, if you are a true animal lover, even if you don't particularly love rats, you probably are all focused on those little button eyes, that curious expression, those utterly amazing whiskers, and you haven't even noticed the detail that would have driven my Mrs. Clean mother right up one wall and down the other, and would have had Duncan banned to the garage (where my hamsters ultimately ended up when I was in 7th grade, due to the "smell.") Duncan, by the way, is in my kitchen, and that's where he'll stay. Sorry, Mom. I was a really good kid and gave you little trouble. But I'm post-menopausal now, and I'll do what I want.

Duncan loves his hammock, even though it's billed as a "ferret" accessory, and even though the only one I could find for him was pink. The first couple of days it was in his cage, he would leave his fat butt pleasingly plump posterior sitting on the upper shelf of his cage, and would only put his front end in the hammock. But once he determined it was "good," he went in and he hasn't come out.

Hmmph ... I thought he was at least coming out to pee.Apparently not. He's been annoyed when the hammock's removed for laundering, so I guess I'll stop on the way home tomorrow and get him another, so I can swap them out when one is in the laundry.

He's cute. He's funny. He's fun and loving and smart. And yes, before you go out and get one, there is a downside to a rat. More laundry.