Introduction: Rats are known as the dogs of the rodent world. They thrive on our love and attention, play with us, snuggle with us, steal our snack as we watch tv, give us kisses, and let us know our hygene isn't up to par by grooming our fingernails and ears. They are completely selfless animals that love us unconditionally through out their short lives. They chew through hammocks that we lovingly place in their cages.They pick out their favorite treats from the nutritionally balanced homemade mix that we have prepared for them, then hide their least favorite food hoping that we will be tricked into replacing it with more of the "yummy" stuff. They stare at us with wide puppy dog eyes as they hang from the bars of their cage like little prisoners asking for "just a little" snuggle time. If the thought of snuggly, playful, uncondition love from a little furry (or hairless) critter out weighs the task of replacing countless hammocks then rats just might be the pets for you.