Bard Rattery - Heart Rats

What Is a Heart Rat?
A Heart Rat is a term used in the pet rat community to call a rat who you have a special connection with. Often its not the one you think is the coolest or the cutest or the most fluffy. Its the rat that some day just finds a little hole in your heart and sits perfectly in it. This is where I am going to start talking about my first heart rat... not the founding buck of this rattery a simple Rex Velveteen Siamese Buck from a pet store named Matt... but of Jeremy, a top eared smooth coat verigated black.

Jeremy picked me. In the grungy smoky basement full of tanks that an unethical breeder ran as her poor excuse for a rattery, a little guy jumped out of the tank and begged me to take him home. He wasnt my first pick but when a rat picks you you have to listen and I did. This photo is of the first week I took him home. Hes bruxing and boggling in this picture. He was sick from the start and I learned to treat upper respiratory infections at home from taking care of him. He loved me dearly and did so much to help me as one of my first two ESA. He even put up with his brother turning hormonaly agressive and needing to live separate from him like a champ but he was lonely. We got babies for him when he was a year and a half. Little did I know they were sick and brought some pathagen that got him sick and he passed faster, always having a weaker imune system. He was an unhealthy rather normal looking rat. I would have passed him over if he had not literaly climbed out of a glass tank to be with me. He revived my love of rats and Ive had them ever since. I will always miss Jer and Thank him for being my heart rat for that year and a half I had him

Why Did I just regale you with the tale of Jeremy? Well I think its important to remind people that sometimes the rat pics you. When you adopt a pair (or more) of rats from Bard Rattery, try to keep in mind that heart rats come in all colors shapes and sizes. That agouti top eared may not have the looks you want but if I write a personality that speaks to you that rat will probably be a better fit than whatever pearl harly I find in my litters. Always pay attention to your feelings and keep an eye out for temperaments that speak to you. Also let the rats take there pace they might just become your new best friend if you let them pick you.