If you search for the word “rat” on thesaurus.com synonyms like “betrayer”, “sneak” and “backstabber” come up. These words convey the negative attitudes people often hold towards these rodents.
I’d like you to take a moment and picture a rat. A big, black rat with a pointy nose, a long tail, big sharp teeth and red eyes. The kind of rat you’d expect to see in a dark alleyway at night. Scary, right?
What about this rat?
He’s cute, right? No red eyes, no fangs. His name is Darwin. He’s one of three pet rats I currently have. The other two are called Scout and Bailey.
When I talk about rats, I’m talking about Scout, Bailey and Darwin, as well as pet rats in general.
I got my first rats when I was thirteen. That might not have been the perfect age; I was in secondary school and that’s the kind of place where people tend to be less than understanding. I loved them though, and nobody’s harsh comments could change that.
School can be a horrible environment for anyone who’s even a little different, so it’s not surprising that I was made fun of for owning rats. But even now that I’m no longer in school, people still tend to take issue with my owning rats.
Back when I was thirteen, I joined a few rat groups on Facebook. That’s where I discovered a whole different kind of people. These people were kind and understanding. They could look at these little rodents and see the beauty in them.
Rat people are a special kind of people. They’re the people who take on misunderstood creatures and love them.
Almost eight years later, I’m a member of (probably) hundreds of rat groups on Facebook, and I’m friends with so many people who own rats. Rat people see cruelness in the world and choose to make it a little bit better anyway. I know people who take in abandoned and sick rats even if they know they’re unlikely to make it. These people are willing to give them a chance.
As Anthony Douglas Williams aptly put it, “When I look into the eyes of an animal, I do not see an animal. I see a living being. I see a friend. I feel a soul.” This is what rat people do. They see past the stigma and stereotypes of rats. They see the fantastic animals that rats really are.
Rat people, in my experience, are very openminded. They accept the unaccepted and this extends beyond rats. They see the beauty where many other people don’t. Rat people are some of the most empathetic people I’ve ever met. They’re the kind of people who welcome you with kindness and warmth. They’re the kind of people you want on your side.
I’m not saying that rat people are optimistic (although many are). I’m saying they care. Rats don’t live very long and difficult decisions often have to be made for the animal’s sake. I know many rat people who take on aging and sick rats knowing that their time is limited, but wanting to give them the best life possible. Rat people know what they’re signing up to. They know the heartbreak that comes with losing these precious animals and they take them on anyway. They opt to give these animals the best they can, even though they know it’ll hurt when they inevitably lose them.
In the words of this unknown author, “Saving the life of one animal won’t change the world, but the world will certainly change for that one animal.” Rat people are the epitome of this quote. They care so, so much. And it’s true, when you rescue an animal, you do change their world. With the same token though, I truly believe that animals save us too.
Despite their caring nature, rat people have experienced the harsh comments of non-rat people. These are people who take on these amazing animals despite knowing how short their little lives will be. They shouldn’t have to deal with other people telling them that their pets are disgusting. No one tells a dog owner that their dog should be poisoned, so why is it okay to tell a rat owner that their rat should be? (This has actually happened to me). Rat people know how cruel the world can be and, in my experience at least, they’re not afraid to fight for what they believe in. I personally think that makes rat people pretty badass. I certainly know a few very badass rat people!
In my opinion, this world needs more rat people. It needs people who judge less and accept more fully. It needs people who can look past the bad and see the good. The world needs more people who will step over bugs instead of squishing them, who will put worms back in the earth so they don’t dry out, who will open the window to let a fly out instead of killing it. The world needs more people who will show other creatures kindness, even though they don’t need to. The world needs people who aren’t instantly disgusted when someone mentions the word ‘rat’, or ‘snake’ or ‘insect’. The world needs more people who are open to seeing things for what they are and not just seeing what they expect to see. I’ve known people who swore they’d hate rats, but the moment they met them they fell in love. The world needs more of that love and acceptance. The world needs more people who not only see its beauty, but are willing to fight for it. The world needs more rat people.
As Debasish Mridha said, “A beautiful heart finds beauty in everything.” This is what rat people do. They see the good in these little animals and I believe that it’s a testament to their character. Rat people have kind and beautiful hearts.
Rats are very special animals but rat people are a particularly special breed of people. I’m proud to call myself a rat person, and even prouder to be able to say I know so many rat people. Each and every one of you makes the world a slightly better place.
This is so true and beautiful. Thank you for speaking out for them.