I have always loved rats and when I first got them as pets, Smokey and Ramses wiggled thier way into my heart forever! I learned about rats by interacting with my two every day, I remember being told to leave them alone long after keeping them out but I didn't listen and the rats never seemed to want to quit. I would let them run through my hands and then they would sit on my shoulder or head. Over time I started to train them for different behaviors (which means they were doing things I appreciate and I would treat them for it) and I had a pair of rats that I was very happy with. But they died after I went away for two weeks and I couldn't forgive myself for it. So I decided to become a breeder! I needed rats that didn't die after two years.
I bred my first litter and then a few more all with my now husband'ssupport, learning how to bottle feed was exhausting. The first lesson I learned was to always have two females with litters unless you're prepared to raise an entire litter on your own. But those rats I raised were the most friendly rats I had ever.