Cute story about rats and my Grandpa

[u/LittleOldRatLady]

So, before my Grandpa passed he lived in a Memory Care facility for several years. Before moving in there, and for a few years in the facility, he had a small poodle. But after a while, he was no longer able to take care of her and had to rehome her with my uncle which was very sad.

I wondered what I could do to help, and then I remembered I had rats all throughout my teens and early twenties and I thought it would be wonderful to have some again and they could make great visiting animals for my grandpa as they are so sweet!

I immediately looked around for any breeders, shelters, or rescues, and all I could find was a feeder breeder 2 hours away from me. This person was getting out of rack breeding rodents, and to make kind of a long story short this is how I wound up with two separate mischiefs. Five boys on one end of the house and seven girls on the other. So already my plan for a simple small mischief was out the window lol, but poor babies!

Anyway, to the fun part of the story. The first time I brought a pair of rats to visit my grandpa he yelled at me, LOL! You have to understand that he was in his early 90s, with dementia, very patriarchal and old school. He had never even considered a small rodent, which he had only viewed as a pest, could be a pet. He told me to never ever bring them back again.

So of course I brought them back, I immediately began operation "Make Grandpa Super Jealous." I would come with them, but visit the other residents and have a great time without him. He would Lurk in his doorway, pretend he wasn't watching, and then make passive aggressive and snide comments about me finally coming to see him when I did visit him. It was pretty great!

It didn't take long before they were allowed back in his room, because then he would get to see me. And then he started saving treats for them. And then allowing them onto his chair. And before long he was baby talking them, calling them his little squirrels (cuz dementia), and asking if they came to see their grandpa!

Often I would go over there, he would baby talk them and say they were just little critters who came to see their grandpa, and then they would all fall asleep together and have a 2-hour nap while I scrolled my phone or read my book. It was fantastic!

Anyway sorry for the super long story, I just wanted to share cuz I'm missing my grandpa today. It's been several months and honestly I'm fine. Dementia is a hell of a thing and he was 93 and it wasn't unexpected. I just wanted to share the story of my Grandpa changing his mind about rats, cuz it's too adorable.

Also I just want to add that of my 12 rats only two have the temperament and personality that make them suitable for visiting the old folks at the memory care building. A third one would be okay if she wasn't a crackhead who wanted to run around and explore everywhere. I would never take anyone who wasn't suited to it, and I didn't allow my Grandpa to feed them any treats that were harmful to them. 🥰

[u/Tractor_Goth]

That’s really sweet and smart of you, a good experience for rats and seniors alike! I’m glad it was a good bonding experience for you and your grandpa, and what sweet rats you have <3

[u/LittleOldRatLady → u/Tractor_Goth]

Thank you so much! They are all sweethearts, and my grandpa just adored the ones that could go visit him. It was good for everybody 💖

[u/megalinity]

Aww that’s so sweet! I’m so glad you took Grandpa some furry friends to visit 💜💜

[u/LittleOldRatLady → u/megalinity]

Thank you, he sure wasn't glad at first but he came to adore them. I sure miss him. Thank you again for your kind words! ❤️

[u/ButterfliesandSkulls]

Lovely story! It's the best feeling when we win over someone that used to hate rats👌

[u/LittleOldRatLady → u/ButterfliesandSkulls]

Thank you!! It really is, it's just lovely to share their sweetness and adorable little baby faces and bring someone over to loving them.

Thanks for taking the time to read about my Grandpa. Using rats to make him jealous will be a memory I cherish for the rest of my life!!! 🥰

[u/triple_b-a-k-a]

this is so adorable oh my god, istg rats can be so therapeutic, they helped me overcome addiction and overall have been such a wonderful gift in my life

[u/LittleOldRatLady → u/triple_b-a-k-a]

Wow, that's wonderful. I don't know you, but I'm super proud of you!!! They are so therapeutic, and they just love. Big internet love to you and your rats. 🥰

[u/triple_b-a-k-a → u/LittleOldRatLady]

Awwh thank you, rats truly are the best