![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
timepiececlockI've recently become obsessed with the idea of getting a pet, and I've pretty much settled on getting a pair of rats. I've been researching, and everything I've read says that rats are the best choice for me. They're supposedly the most intelligent and friendly of rodents, and less inclined to bite or run away. I've read several articles that said if you like interacting with dogs, you'll find similar social qualities in rats.
When I was young my day care school had many different pets, among them hampsters, birds, gerbils, and rats. I played with the rats many times; I was never bit, only very lightly nipped-- more like the rat pressing its teeth against me than biting. I could ride around with them on my shoulders, and they were fun to play with. I found the hampsters to be alright, but they were smaller and were always trying to run away or get out of their cages.
If I had enough space and money, I'd buy a dog. If I had enough money, and less space, I'd buy a cat. But if I share an apartment, I would need to have my roommates consent to bring a cat into our living situation. And this year, once I move out of my parents' place, I'll probably only be able to afford a rodent or fish. And fish are terrible pets, more like living ornaments. Rodents cost only about a quarter of what cats cost in annual care.
I looked, briefly, into ownign a ferret. But from what I've read, while they make splendid and loyal pets they require training, something I might not have time to do. They're also illegal in my state, and owning one is a misdemeanor (also though there are supposedly half a million domesticated bred ferrets in California homes right now.) Later in life I might see if I could own one, if they become legal or if I move out of state. Secretly owning an illegal pet, while it has its romantic appeal, is not something I can feasably do, and I'd hate to get one only to have it confiscated and possibly put down.
So rats it is. My new year's resolution was to get a pet, so sometime this year you'll be seeing me post pictures of something cute and furry. Maybe rats, maybe a cat. But something.
When I was young my day care school had many different pets, among them hampsters, birds, gerbils, and rats. I played with the rats many times; I was never bit, only very lightly nipped-- more like the rat pressing its teeth against me than biting. I could ride around with them on my shoulders, and they were fun to play with. I found the hampsters to be alright, but they were smaller and were always trying to run away or get out of their cages.
If I had enough space and money, I'd buy a dog. If I had enough money, and less space, I'd buy a cat. But if I share an apartment, I would need to have my roommates consent to bring a cat into our living situation. And this year, once I move out of my parents' place, I'll probably only be able to afford a rodent or fish. And fish are terrible pets, more like living ornaments. Rodents cost only about a quarter of what cats cost in annual care.
I looked, briefly, into ownign a ferret. But from what I've read, while they make splendid and loyal pets they require training, something I might not have time to do. They're also illegal in my state, and owning one is a misdemeanor (also though there are supposedly half a million domesticated bred ferrets in California homes right now.) Later in life I might see if I could own one, if they become legal or if I move out of state. Secretly owning an illegal pet, while it has its romantic appeal, is not something I can feasably do, and I'd hate to get one only to have it confiscated and possibly put down.
So rats it is. My new year's resolution was to get a pet, so sometime this year you'll be seeing me post pictures of something cute and furry. Maybe rats, maybe a cat. But something.
![[identity profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/openid.png){kind=small}
no subject
Date: 2008-01-03 02:02 am (UTC)yay for pets! yay for rats! my sister wants a rat, and Mom lets her get gerbils instead. (My grandmother spent my whole childhood saying they were going to trade one of us in on a gerbil, and that's what they're doing to me. I go to school, they replace me with a pet. And a new car.)