Miyuki & Fuyume are two beautiful female albino rats, also a twin sisters, who were rescued from a medical lab. They have moved in with me in December 1999, travelling by underground across London in a small white box. Indeed I remember it was a very cold night. Despite the long tiring journey for the first time outside their old home, their eyes were sparkling with curiosity when I opened the box upon their arrival. Miyuki & Fuyume both stood on their hind legs, head swaying and greeted me with teeth chattering. 

That was the first time I have ever seen rats. I had few negative reactions when I announced I would be adopting rats, and to be honest, I was a little worried because of what I heard and knew (or thought I knew) about rats, nobody seemed to have anything good to say about rats. Well, I can tell you for sure, it’s not true at all. Frankly speaking, I have always imagined rats are very similar to mice, and so I was not quite prepared for their grand size. My rats were about 5 months old when they joined me, so almost an adult sizes. I was also a little bit scared of their tails, but it only took me a day or so to become used to their appearance. 

More time I spent with rats, more I became curious about the rats and what they get up to. I used to sit in front of their cage for hours watching them and I was never bored, until the rats got bored of me and go to their nesting box.  Rats are very soft and warm just like a plump puppy.  They are a good sized animal to handle, not too big like a dog, but not too small like a mouse. My rats are about the size of a baseball when  they tuck their nose under their bellies. That is a cute sight. 

Rats are extremely clean animals. They look after themselves very well, grooming in every opportunity. They do not smell at all (well, girls smell less than boys do). They wouldn't bite unless they think you are their food or you scare them. 

 I have never regretted getting pet rats at all. In fact, more I get to know and understand rats, more I enjoy their company.

Don’t 
- prod a sleeping rat, you get bitten, guaranteed.
- Pick a rat up by its tail. Hold it properly with your palms. 
- corner a rat to catch it, that's scrary for the rats too.
- squash, drop or throw a rat. 
- feed the food or treat through the cage bar. They'll learn that whatever comes through the cage bar is tasty treat. It could be your kid's finger.
- make sudden movement or loud noise (don't even 
  dare sneeze!)
- force the rat to come out and play with you!

Do
- let the rat to get used to your smell and your voice first .
- make sure your hand is clean is free from smell of food.
- let the rat explore you & your territory in his own time.
- give them a treat to let them know you are a good guy
- provide a small dark box or a hat for the rat to hide in when they are out & about. I call it an escape hutch. You should respect it is a safe house for the rats, so don't try to pull the rats out or touch the rat when it is in the hutch . It'll pop out again once he is relaxed and confident. Or he can be bribed or allured out with nuts and treats.