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Lisa Abraham's avatar

I do remember Ryan owning a rat when we lived in Pennsylvania - cutely named Skittles. It's odd how it seemed (at least in our family) that every rodent owned (and we owned a lot) whether it was a hamster, guinea pig or gerbil, had cutesy names. Muffy, Fluffy, Sugar, Fuzzy etc. Could be that small children prefer that over regular names. But, back to Pixie and Dixie, I for sure would have awarded you a blue ribbon - I don't care how easy it is to make a volcano - it takes real scientific commitment to perform an experiment on a beloved pet.

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wkkortas's avatar

What a wonderful tale...I am sure both of our heroes were hated to pieces by some Mr. Jinks.

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BJ's avatar

You should have won a ribbon! One of my grandson's had pet rats. They were interesting, and way more fun than that nasty little hamster my son had as a kid.

When i worked at the feed store, we often had people come in with pet rats, snakes, etc. Small town America lives, you just don't hear about it.

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Landscape Artist's avatar

Absolutely true BJ

I bet you could write a book with stories from the feed store.

Are you not blogging anymore? I miss your posts.

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Chris Mayhew's avatar

I was rooting for you to win the blue ribbon - much better project than an erupting volcano that ends up at every science fair across the United States. Yours was definitely more original. I have to admit I hate rats; I find noting cute about them at all. However, I was impressed that they went around town on your shoulders. Great story.

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Landscape Artist's avatar

Thank you!

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Mark Jones's avatar

Good story, you should have won a ribbon! I had pet rats, they were fun and friendly.

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Landscape Artist's avatar

This is a funny comment, Lisa, especially your last line.You are correct that we seem to name rodents silly names, perhaps because with serious names they take on more gravitas.

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Landscape Artist's avatar

I LOVE this comment. How many would remember Huckleberry Hound?

For my readers, I'll expand on your wit, wk.

" I hate meeses to pieces!"

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Landscape Artist's avatar

Hey Mark, thanks for your comment. It's amazing how many kids had pet rats in those days. Very few kids today are allowed to have pet rats. As you have observed, they ARE fun and friendly. Can you imagine a pharmacist at CVS pharmacy allowing a child into the store with rats on her shoulders? My how things have changed. In my own mind ( I must have been quite the little narcissist), I should have won a ribbon too.

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