When thinking about pets, most people think of cats and dogs. Few would think of rats, but eighth-grader Riley Mullican does. 

Mullican first established her desire for a rat when she was younger and worked at a chicken coop where she always saw lots of rats. Mullican didn’t see the rats as creepy, but instead as cute; she saw the appeal of having them as pets. So, she eventually purchased two rats from Petco and named them Dexter and Remy. Mullican remarks on how it didn’t take any convincing from her parents to purchase the rodents since they were both already on board with the idea. Dexter being the name of a rescue rat, she couldn’t get to before another buyer. But this motivated her to name the rat after that one. Remy, her other rat, is named after the infamous rat, Remy, from the Disney film Ratatouille.

Mullican is the caretaker for both Dexter and Remy when it comes to play, food, and shelter for them. The two rats have a large enclosure, cardboard boxes, and a modified dog gate (so they can’t escape) made for them to run around in. The personality of the rat Dexter is calm, composed, and laid back while Remy lives up to his namesake and loves food. Both enjoy to play, especially Remy who enjoys a good game of tug of war with Mullican. And her favorite fun memory with Dexter is when he climbed on her head. Both of the rat’s favorite things to eat are peanuts and cheerios. They both dislike millet, a type of grain good for the health of the rat, and food pellets.   

To conclude, Mullican says to anyone that’s interested in purchasing a rat that they can be noisy but that they are “so playful and cuddly.” She states that “the sweetest thing about them is how nice they are and how curious and around new people they love to let people pet them.” Although they are not your everyday pets, Mullican is sure that they are one of the most caring.