I may be one of the few people who like rats.

Most of my fellow city dwellers despise the things.

Next to New York City, I believe that Baltimore has the second-highest rat population. If I recall correctly, for every 10 humans here, there is one fat and happy rat.

I tend to think of them as homeless neighbors.

I don't see what there is to dislike about them.

People complain that they are the size of cats here. That is nothing but a sure case of weight discrimination. Most of America is overweight -- why should not the rats here be as well? Besides, I think it is fun to watch them wobble as they cross the street or run under a trash can or chase each other around.

People complain that they carry disease. Well, humans carry disease too. It's not the rats' fault.

People think they are ugly. Sure, they don't have the nice, fluffy tails that squirrels have; they don't puff their cheeks out like hamsters; but they are still furry. That's got to count for something, right? Furry and fluffy are always cute.

People think they are scary. What?! Do you run away from squirrels? There's not that much difference. It's not like rats have fangs or poisonous stingers.

OK, so they do eat trash. I'm not a fan of this, but one must admit that all wild animals will eat out of trash, and sadly, many people have no choice but to pick through trash as well. I'd bet that if we all left out little bowls of rodent food for our neighborhood rats, they wouldn't have to eat our trash anymore.

And rats are smart. I admire intelligence in creatures. No dog has the willpower or IQ to run through a lab maze and then remember the path. You can even potty train rats. And they have to be smarter than the mice around here.[1]

My wife says that I have lots of rat adventures. This may be a slight exaggeration, but I have rescued some from being trapped in empty garbage cans, and I do enjoy watching them leap like flying squirrels from the tops of trash piles when you pass them in the alleys. One time, while talking to sadeyedartist outside while sitting on the curb, one wobbled right underneath her legs. I thought it best not to let her no about it until he didily-bopped away again.

And I admit, I do talk to them. But I talk to any animals, so don't hold it against me.

Sometimes, I intentionally drive down the alleyways just to see if I can spot any.

And we have found this cute mark in the sidewalk near our house that looks like a rat relief sculpture to us:



See, isn't that cute?

Anyhow, no worries; next entry will be somewhat more meaningful.

Tags: animals, bias, humor
Current Location: Our apartment
Current Mood: fun
Current Music: silence