Celeste first got Bilbo and Frodo in January of 2003. I was dead set against it as I had never had rats and didn't really want any. So, I laid down the law and two weeks later, we had two rats. She kept saying that since I was allergic to cats, rats would be the next best thing. Her sister had had a rat when they were kids and Celeste wanted to have a pet. The hardest thing to get over about them is their tails but once you come to grips with that, they are pretty cute. The saddest thing for me is that their average life span is only 2 to 3 years and they are both over 2 now. Bilbo looks like he will be the first to go. His eyesite and nose are already failing. He is such a good boy but he is just getting old. I've been doing my best to care for them. (Note: Bilbo died on Jan. 20th, 2005)

I've had two birthday parties for them (when they turned one and when they turned two) and they enjoyed the treats that my friend's daughter gave them. Rats are very easy to own. They don't bite and they like to sit on your shoulder and watch you type. I recommend them to anyone who cannot have a large pet.

When Bilbo died, Frodo looked lost. Rats are very social and they hate being alone. I called a local rat breeder and asked where I could get an older rat to be a companion for Frodo. She gave me the name of a woman who does, "Ratty Rescues", which means that she takes in rats that people cannot take care of anymore. This woman, Kim, had over 40 rats. I found a couple of brothers, Elvis and Frank, who Frodo seemed to bond with immediately and I took them home. Then Frodo died on March 30th, 2005 and currently I still have Frank and Elvis. Elvis has had cancer and I'm not sure how long he will be with me but he and Frank are both cool old rats. Their favorite place to sit is side-by-side on my leg. Scroll down for some pictures of them.

Elvis died after a long respiratory illness on September 1st, 2005. He was such a fighter and he loved life. I had him on 5 different medications as well as steriod shots. The little guy was just so peppy but he finally succumbed to his illness. I will miss him. He loved to be petted by me as well as by mom. As of now, the only one left is Frank. He definitely misses his brother and best friend Elvis but I don't really want to get another "Recused Rat" and then have to go through all of this again when Frank dies. I can see getting some rats again in the future but right now, I want to take a break. I just get so emotionally attached that it is hard for me when they get older.

When my rats get sick, I take them to a great vet at the AllPet Veterinary Clinic. The Veternarian there specializes in rodents and rabbits. Her name is Dr. Barbara Deeb. She is so kind to her clients and has a way with them that makes them feel comfortable even when they are being checked out. I remember a time when I first got Frank and Elvis and she spent a few seconds trying to move their tails together in the shape of a heart (I brought them in for a checkup close to Valentines Day). All of the people who work there are so nice. They all will answer my questions on the phone and I only have to bring the rats in, if there is something happening that they will need to look at. They don't make any money when they answer my questions on the phone but they still do it anyway. Dr. Deeb always takes Wednesdays off and Dr. Lena (I call her The Punker Vet because she used to have red streaks in her hair) is also thorough and nice. All in all, AllPet Vet Clinic is the best! ***Note: Dr. Deeb died very suddenly of cancer on May 9th, 2005.***

Their first birthday cake	Their second birthday cake

Yummy treats on their birthday	Lydia feeding Frodo

Very young Frodo at moms	Two noses coming out of the blanket

Frodo, perched on cage	Much younger Bilbo

Bilbo on the move	Old Frodo

Frank (front), Elvis (back)	Napping on my leg

Elvis on Chair	Elvis as a vulture

Frank, on his perch	Frank, turning around on the Leg Bridge