Pet rats
Curly was the king rat of my original three boys. He was least interested in me and tended to put his brothers in their place, so initially I didn't warm to him.
But at some point my brain internalised that they weren't here to perform for me and any and all time I got with them doing what they like is precious. As I learned more about how top rats are, I respected him more and more. He always knew what he wanted and was fair with it. Heavy is the head that wears the crown.
Pet rats
The short lives of rats are a curse but the upside is that you get to see a lifetime and all the changes in it. Curly became king rat early on. When puberty hit he got more rowdy but calmed down afterwards. When the new boys came along he was pretty chill about them, and even made effort to spend time with them. Then when they hit puberty and deposed him, he accepted his retirement. As his brothers passed he was very cuddly with them, keeping them company more and more as they faded out.
Pet rats
These days he lives a very quiet old rat life. He's still got most of his mobility but likes to sleep most of the time. When he wants to move, he can move fast, usually snapping for treats, but it's fewer and fewer hours. When we do free roam time he's the only one of his cage who might not come out.
I joke that he's so lazy now he doesn't even deserve to be called a potato and so he is only potat. But the truth is I love him so much and am happy for him to do whatever makes him happy.
1
