I have always loved animals for as far back as I can remember. Since I could talk I was asking my parents for a dog, took me 15 years of convincing but finally got my turn to be a dog owner. His name is Dakota and he is an Akita mix and now 4 years old. We got him Aug. 2000.

I've always had fish and hamsters as a kid, but never thought of a rat as a pet...until I was in a local pet shop and I met Jim, "The Rat Man", he introduced me to his rat Cassandra who was almost 3 years old at the time. Later that day I got my first rat...Goddess(a brown hooded). I got her in March of 2001. I had her set up in a 10 gal. tank with pine (yes I know I know!) I read up on bedding and about 2 days later had her in Carefresh (much better!!!) I had Goddess for about 2 weeks but every time I picked her up she'd pee on me and it was getting very annoying. I was on my way to trade her in, crying my eyes out cus i loved her dearly already, and she licked me, as to say "I'm sorry" When we got there Jim told me if i had her with a friend most likely it would stop, so instead of trading her in I came home with Haley (a beige hooded). Goddess never peed on me again...infact she did a whole lot for me, had a litter of her own (unplanned) and took WONDERFUL care of the babies, help nurse orphaned newbies, and even helped me raise a wild rabbit baby, She was by far one of the best, sweetest rats I've ever met.

Goddess lived until May of 03'. For a pet store rat it wasn't bad. Haley on the other hand only lived until Jan. 02.

I worked at that pet shop from June 01-Sept. 02 when I couldn't take being treated poorly by other workers any longer. There were some employees who were cool tho, and one, Tom, was who i got my nick name from the "Rat Queen" he'd always say "How's it going RQ?"

Most of my rats back then we rescues from the shop, One had over growing teeth which I had to clip on a weekly basis, Nemo. One had her toe stuck in a cage and I had to amputate it, Toe-fu, Who lived happily for 2 more years with a missing toe. And many many more.

 

This is when I decided to start breeding, I went out and searched and found a Blue Hooded Rex female, I had already had a Blue Berkshire male. I bred them and got my first PLANNED litter on September 18, 02. I got all the babies (except 2 I kept) loving wonderful homes.

 

Thats my story on my rat life...now to my other life aside from rats...

 

I enjoy bowling, I bowl every friday night with my boyfriend, Ryan, and my other friends, and I am also on a league on saturday mornings.

I enjoy shopping, as do most girls my age, Listening to music (mostly rock, classic rock), chatting on the computer and phone, playing online and video games, watching movies (comedy, drama, horror, disney mostly), and TV.

 

My other pets include...12 Rats all together, The Dog, 2 Hamsters, a Uromastyx (lizard that DOES NOT eat rodents!!), 3 Goldfish, 2 Bettas, Pleco, and a Spotted Dojo.

 

I am currently looking for a new Guinea Pig (or a pair) since mine died in feb. Prefer a longhaired or a texel. Would like to rescue one looking for a home, or get from a reputiable breeder. If u have any info email me Ratqueen85@aol.com. Thanks