The digital archives of Brandi Saxton’s personal devices tell a vivid story, not just of a pet owner’s affection, but of a decade-long passion project that culminated in the creation and publication of "It’s a Rat’s World" (IARW) magazine. With an astonishing 11,288 photos of her rats currently stored on her phone, a number that excludes countless images from before 2016 and even pre-digital photographs, Saxton’s dedication to documenting her beloved rodents is evident. This extensive collection, while not all professional-grade, represents a significant personal and professional endeavor, particularly given her recent hiatus from rat ownership.
Saxton’s photography obsession with her rats wasn’t merely a hobby; for 13 years, it was an integral part of her role as the publisher and editor of IARW. The magazine, which ceased publication in July 2020, relied heavily on visual content to engage its readership. Photography was essential not only for accompanying articles and gracing the cover of each monthly issue but also for populating the magazine’s social media presence. This demand for consistent, high-quality imagery spurred Saxton to develop a keen eye for capturing the essence of her furry companions.
"It’s a Rat’s World" was more than just a publication; it was a community hub for rat enthusiasts. A unique feature that emerged shortly after the magazine’s inception was the implementation of monthly themes for both the cover image and "The PapRATzi Page(s)," a dedicated section for reader submissions. These themes aimed to be accessible for owners, ranging from simple observational categories like grooming, sleeping, and eating, to more elaborate concepts such as yawning, showcasing rat tails, interspecies friendships, and interactions with humans and children. The magazine also explored themes like rats in transit, outdoor adventures, and more.
While Saxton acknowledges she is not a professional photographer, she notes a marked improvement in the quality of her work over the years, particularly in her cover photography. This retrospective celebrates that journey, offering a curated selection of her most cherished cover images and candid shots that could have easily graced the front page.
The Serenity of Sleeping Rats
The inherent charm of rats is amplified when they are captured in a state of deep slumber. Saxton highlights this universal appeal, describing sleeping rats as the "very definition of preciousness."
One particularly poignant image features Preacher, a beloved rat, sleeping soundly on his back. This candid photograph was taken on Saxton’s birthday in 2020, during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic. Isolated at home with her immediate family, Saxton found solace in observing her rats. This particular moment, with Preacher exhibiting the quintessential "belly up" sleeping posture, complete with fluttering eyelids and twitching nose, offered a much-needed dose of joy amidst the global uncertainty. The image encapsulates a sense of peace and unconditional trust, a sentiment deeply appreciated during a chaotic period.
Another heartwarming photograph showcases Brinley, a young rat adopted with his brother, Moffett. These two were known for their distinctive habit of sleeping on their backs, a characteristic Saxton has documented in previous writings. This image, a recurring feature on Saxton’s personal phone’s home screen, exemplifies the endearing quirkiness of pet rats. The irony, Saxton notes, is that while capturing a sleeping rat is often effortless, attempting to photograph them in a specific pose for a cover shoot invariably results in them becoming fully alert and uncooperative.
Brockton, a senior rat and a "heart rat" for Saxton, is featured in a touching photograph from May 2012. This image served as the cover for the issue with the "sleeping rats" theme. To accommodate Brockton’s age-related ailments, including arthritic legs and patchy fur, a blanket was used to conceal these details. The photo shoot took place on Saxton’s bed, making it easy to lull the elderly rat into a peaceful sleep. This photograph remains one of Saxton’s most treasured memories of Brockton, underscoring the poignant contrast between the desire for energetic subjects for photos and the reality of their often-unpredictable napping schedules.
The collection also includes a charming image of Castiel, a young rat who found the pink feathers intended for a Valentine’s Day shoot irresistibly comfortable. While this image was not ultimately used for the February 2016 cover, which instead featured Castiel’s brothers, Winchester and Crowley, it captures a moment of pure, unadulterated comfort. A video of all three brothers enjoying the feathers was also shared on social media, further highlighting their playful nature.
The Art of Rat Dress-Up
A significant portion of IARW’s covers featured rats adorned in costumes, a creative endeavor that often required ingenuity and resourcefulness. Saxton describes the process of crafting these ensembles, which ranged from hand-sewing felt creations to repurposing existing items. The following selection showcases rats engaging in "dress-up" for non-holiday themed covers.
The release of the final "Star Wars" film in December 2015 sparked widespread excitement, and Saxton channeled this enthusiasm into the January 2016 issue of IARW. The cover featured Sterling, a hairless rat, who Saxton humorously likened to a pink Yoda. A simple cloak was fashioned from camel-colored fabric, and Yoda figurines from her son’s collection completed the scene. The "Star Wars" theme extended to Saxton’s son’s bedroom decor, including his bedding and headboard.
Crowley, another of Castiel’s brothers, is featured in a charming winter-themed costume. Saxton discovered a small, rat-sized snowman plushie wearing a knitted hat and scarf. After carefully extracting the winterwear, she attached an elastic chin strap to the hat, creating an instant rat costume. This ensemble proved popular, with many rats posing in it over the years. Crowley, noted for his natural modeling abilities, wore this outfit for the January 2018 cover.
The theme of Scottish heritage was explored in a striking cover featuring Crowley once again, this time dressed as a Scotsman. This idea was inspired by a visit to Stirling Castle in Scotland, where Saxton encountered a whisky liqueur bottle topped with a miniature, rat-sized tam o’ shanter. Upon returning home, she replicated the tam with an elastic strap and crafted a matching kilt and miniature, non-functioning bagpipes from flannel fabric. This image graced the October 2017 cover.
For the September 2012 cover, Saxton commissioned Natasha Matherly, a regular columnist for IARW, to create an artist’s smock and beret for Wolfgang, a rat affectionately nicknamed "Pablo Racasso." While Saxton’s sewing skills were limited, she contributed by painting a small, Picasso-esque rat painting to accompany the ensemble.
Holidays with Rats: A Festive Showcase
Saxton expresses particular pride in her holiday-themed covers, acknowledging the challenge of consistently generating fresh concepts and color palettes year after year.
Wolfgang, a rat known for his photogenic qualities, delivered a perfect pose for the February 2013 Valentine’s Day cover. This image is ranked among Saxton’s top ten favorite rat photographs. A fun fact associated with this picture is that the pink feathers used as a prop were later utilized by Castiel three years later, demonstrating a charming continuity in the use of beloved items.
The April 2019 Easter cover featured Custer, Preacher’s brother, embodying the spirit of the Easter Ratty. Saxton created the bunny ears worn by Custer, an accessory that has since appeared on several other covers. This image was selected by Saxton’s husband from a collection of favorite Easter photographs.
Sirius, another rat with a knack for modeling, perfectly captured the vision for the October 2014 Halloween cover. The image, featuring Sirius sitting in a metal pumpkin adorned with candy corn, was precisely as Saxton had envisioned.
Several interesting facts surround the Sirius Halloween photo:
- Saxton created the candy corn hat and later published a how-to guide for its creation in the October 2017 issue.
- In 2015, an illustration of this photograph was posted on Instagram. By 2024, a follower had a large tattoo of the illustration inked on her thigh, a testament to its enduring appeal. Saxton has since connected with the tattoo artist online.
- Sirius was not allowed to consume the candy corn, not even the piece he was shown nibbling.
Winchester is featured in a Christmas-themed cover from December 2016. While the wicker hat prop and Winchester’s matching top hat appear perfectly coordinated, the hat was actually made nine years prior for Saxton’s "heart rat," Delphiniums Blue, whose picture was used for a December 2008 cover. The discovery of the wicker hat in 2016 provided the perfect opportunity to bring the hat back for another cover. Saxton describes these last two Christmas images as her absolute favorites, preferring a softer palette over traditional red and green, and expressing a fondness for the color pink.
The December 2018 cover was inspired by the idea of using only ornaments as props. Saxton found a clear glass ornament large enough for a rat to sit in. The photograph of Preacher within this ornament, surrounded by pink and gold baubles, is particularly striking, as Preacher appears almost plush-like, prompting many viewers to question if he was real.
The final Christmas cover for IARW, published in December 2019, before the magazine’s cessation in July 2020, aimed to create a sugary, pastel wonderland. This set, meticulously assembled with various props, brought a magical quality to the photoshoot, resulting in a high success rate for usable images. The challenge of choosing among four adopted baby rats for the cover was significant, but ultimately, the nervous Gatwick was selected.
Saxton concludes by expressing gratitude for the opportunity to share these cherished memories and photographs, many of which are also available on merchandise in her Zazzle shop. The collection represents not only a personal archive of beloved pets but also a testament to the dedication and creativity involved in producing a niche publication for over a decade. The sheer volume of images and the detailed stories behind each cover highlight the profound bond between Saxton and her rats, a bond that transcended mere pet ownership to become a driving force behind a creative and community-focused enterprise.
