Yep, we've got them.
But we have two kinds. Oh, they are the same species: Rattus norvegicus, but one kind inhabits our basement walls and ceilings. I hear them occasionally as they run across in my office in the basement. Shiver. Everyone in San Francisco has them. Shiver. We have lots of interesting (or disgusting depending on your outlook) stories about rats during the major rains of the 1997-8 el nino when the rats decided they better leave their nests under the flooded grounds. Double shiver. Most of the time though, they stay deep in the bowels of the sewer systems or basements. Shiver.
The second kind is in a cage in Emma's room.
That's not a picture of it, but it looks a lot like this one.
Emma has wanted a rat ever since she saw her friend had two of them. I'm sure seeing Ratatouille didn't hurt. Of course she has also wanted a rabbit, dog, cat, horse, fish and other various animals. But rats have stayed on top of the list. For months now. We told her either her birthday or when she could save up enough of her allowance (3/week, would take 4-8 weeks for rat, food, etc).
She saved up. It didn't hurt that she found 7 dollars lying on the ground that no one claimed.
So Sunday we went and bought a rat to add to our population of rats living in the basement. Shiver.
This one is very cute though. Really. She (it's a she) lets us pick her up without any struggle, seems curious, doesn't mind being held, is actually kind of cuddly. We take her out at night and in the morning. Right now she is getting used ot us at the moment, later we'll let her run free in the "rat-proofed" room :) for some exploration.
Emma wants another one. Funny thing though, we keep reading that we really should have two. They are very social animals. Would have to be a female though, don't want more rats reproducing. Shiver.
Her name is "Lucky" because, as Emma said as she named her "I'm lucky to have her as a pet"
