Just an appreciation post. I’ve been ratless for a little over a year since September 10th of 2025. My boyfriend and I got a pair of rats and long story short, we got them from a feeder bin and ended up with an oops litter. After we finally separated them, poor Monty was so sad about being alone. Once the babies were born and were old enough to introduce the boys to their father, that’s what we did. Admittedly… we did everything wrong. I look back on how inexperienced we were, how we did things and now know that’s not how it should have been done, it was very risky. But, our Monty accepted them right off the bat. He was just so thrilled to not be alone anymore he loved them so, so much. We were so lucky to have a rat like him especially being first time rat owners. He was such a pacifist, so gentle, patient, and sweet. As a first time rat owner he was everything we could have hoped for and more. I miss him so much and knowing what I do now I wish I did certain things differently, but I will forever be grateful for the experience and the love we were able to give him, his mate Haarper, and all of their babies. We went through a total of 16 losses by the end of it all…. But I long for the day I can be in a situation to have rats again. 

In loving memory of my Monterey Jack.