Kristina Kamarauskas is a self-proclaimed sucker for rats. When she first saw Wally she could not resist, even though she had four other rats at the time. "He was sooooo cute," she says.

Wally Bird is a Dumbo (for the ears) Rex (for the plush fur and curly whiskers) rat, which is quite unusual. He was named Harvey Maximillian Wallace III, but this was shortened to Wally, and "Bird" was added because he slept on a perch instead of in the terry cloth when he was little. "I have never seen that before. I think it was because he had been around birds in the pet store," says Kamarauskas.

Wally has been a loving pet. Ever since he came home, small enough to fit between the bars of his cage, he has loved to have his head rubbed. He will sit still for long periods while she does this. nd he loves to tunnel. When she sits on her bed to read she will put an old blanket out for him to make tunnels through.

He wakes up when she does in the morning and pokes just his nose and eyes out from under his blanket. He eats chewy trail mix from Okanagan Bake House for breakfast. He doesn't like having his bath and will crouch down to make it hard for her to pick up when she announces bath time. He squirms and tries to escape to the highest ground - her shoulder.

Wally has been brave through an operation for a tumour in his shoulder and did not even bite her when she applied hydrogen peroxide afterward. The trauma only brought the two closer.

When questioned about spending $400 on a $6 pet Kamarauskas says, "A pet is a pet, and besides, he brings me so much joy!" But if it comes back she will "put him to sleep when his quality of life is gone."

"Rats are better pets than other rodents and I've had them all," says Kamarauskas, referring to hamsters, gerbils, mice and guinea pigs. "They have longer memories." Wally and Nadia, (named because she liked climbing bars and hanging from them) respond to their names. They also don't bite and they can be trained to poop in a designated corner of their cage.

She recommends aspen shavings as they do not have oil and she suggests that males are more affectionate. "The best rats for longevity and health are from laboratories and not used there. Try to find out the history if you can," she advises.

The downside of rats for pets is the short lifespan. Kamarauskas' mother tells her, "Why do you have rats for pets? Every two years you're in mourning!" "Well the cherries (where they are buried) taste better now!" she responds, undeterred.

Lynn Dewing