The vast digital archives of personal devices often hold a treasure trove of memories, and for many pet owners, these memories are captured through an endless stream of photographs. For Brandi Saxton, a former publisher and editor of "It’s a Rat’s World" (IARW) magazine, this sentiment is amplified by an extensive collection of images featuring her beloved rats. While her current phone boasts over 11,000 rat photos, this number represents only a fraction of the visual documentation of her thirteen-year career dedicated to celebrating these often-misunderstood animals. This extensive collection, spanning digital and pre-digital eras, serves as a testament to the deep personal connection and professional dedication Saxton cultivated through her unique publication.
Saxton’s journey into the world of rat photography was intrinsically linked to the creation and success of "It’s a Rat’s World." Launched with the mission to provide a dedicated platform for rat enthusiasts, the magazine relied heavily on compelling visuals to engage its readership. Photography was not merely an ancillary component; it was fundamental to the magazine’s identity. From gracing the covers to illustrating articles and populating the popular "PapRATzi Page(s)," where readers’ submissions were showcased, images of rats were the lifeblood of IARW.
The magazine’s editorial strategy often involved themed months to inspire reader submissions and create visually cohesive issues. While holidays naturally provided thematic inspiration, Saxton frequently devised more accessible themes to encourage broader participation. Categories like "grooming," "sleeping," and "eating" were popular, alongside more creative prompts such as "yawning," "rat tails," "rats and their friends," "rats with other pets," "rats and their people," "rats and children," and "rats traveling." This approach not only fostered a sense of community among IARW readers but also highlighted the diverse behaviors and personalities of pet rats.
While Saxton acknowledges her amateur status as a photographer, particularly in the early years of IARW, her dedication to the craft led to a noticeable improvement in the quality of her work over time. She expresses particular pride in the magazine’s cover images, many of which were conceptualized and executed with considerable effort and creativity. This retrospective look at some of these covers, alongside candid moments that could have graced the front page, offers a glimpse into the passion and artistry that defined "It’s a Rat’s World."
The Art of Capturing Sleeping Rats
The inherent charm of rats is amplified when they are caught in a state of peaceful slumber. Saxton highlights the "preciousness" of rats curled up and fast asleep, a sentiment beautifully illustrated by the photographs she has curated. One particularly poignant image features Preacher, a rat who provided a moment of quiet joy on Saxton’s birthday during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020. Isolated at home, Saxton found solace in observing Preacher’s deep sleep, his belly exposed and legs relaxed, his nose twitching as he presumably dreamt. This candid moment, captured during a time of global uncertainty, underscores the profound emotional connection Saxton shared with her pets, finding comfort and a sense of normalcy in their simple presence.
Another striking image showcases Brinley, a young rat known, along with his brother Moffett, for his tendency to sleep on his back. Saxton notes that this "back sleeper" behavior was a recurring theme in her writing for IARW, and the photograph of Brinley exemplifies this unique characteristic. She admits that capturing such moments of stillness can be challenging; rats, it seems, possess an uncanny ability to remain wide awake when a photographer is actively trying to capture them in a relaxed pose, only to drift off the moment the camera is put away. This common experience among pet photographers resonates with Saxton’s own observations.
The challenges of photographing sleeping rats are further illustrated by the story behind Brockton’s cover photo for the May 2012 issue of IARW. Opting for a senior rat, Brockton, Saxton used a blanket to conceal his arthritic legs and patchy fur, focusing instead on his serene slumber. The photoshoot took place on her bed, a familiar and comfortable setting that likely facilitated Brockton’s repose. This image, now a cherished memory, exemplifies Saxton’s ability to capture the essence of her aging rat, finding beauty even in the signs of time. The irony that rats often choose to nap precisely when owners desire them to be active for photographs is a shared frustration and a relatable anecdote for many pet enthusiasts.
The image of Castiel, a young rat, sleeping amidst soft pink feathers intended for a Valentine’s Day shoot, further illustrates the unpredictable nature of animal photography. While this particular shot did not make the February 2016 cover, it remains a delightful capture of a rat embracing comfort. The anecdote reveals Saxton’s proactive approach to utilizing themed props, even if the intended subject had other plans.
The Creative Endeavor of Rat Dress-Up
Beyond candid moments, Saxton’s photography often involved an element of creative staging, particularly when it came to dressing up her rats for themed covers. This aspect of her work required ingenuity, involving hand-sewing, repurposing materials, and a good deal of imagination. The "Rat Dress-Up" section highlights a selection of these playful moments, often inspired by popular culture and seasonal events.
A notable example is the January 2016 cover, inspired by the release of the latest installment in the "Star Wars" saga. Saxton, a fan of the franchise, found a natural parallel between her hairless rats and the character Yoda. She meticulously crafted a camel-colored cloak for her rat, Sterling, and incorporated Yoda figures from her son’s collection. The backdrop even featured "Star Wars"-themed bedding and a headboard she had designed, showcasing a deep immersion in the theme.
The winter season also provided ample inspiration. For the January 2018 cover, Saxton repurposed a knit hat and scarf from a small snowman plushie, adding an elastic chin strap to create a charming ensemble for her rat, Crowley. Crowley’s natural photogenic qualities led to his frequent appearance on IARW covers, a testament to his calm demeanor and ability to hold a pose.
Crowley’s modeling prowess was further showcased in the October 2017 cover, where he was depicted as a Scotsman. This costume was inspired by a small, rat-sized tam o’ shanter found atop a whisky liqueur bottle during a family trip to Scotland. Saxton ingeniously crafted a matching tartan kilt and even non-functional bagpipes from flannel, demonstrating a remarkable commitment to thematic detail.
For the September 2012 cover, Saxton collaborated with a fellow IARW columnist, Natasha Matherly, to create an artist’s smock and beret for Wolfgang, who was playfully nicknamed "Pablo Racasso." While Saxton limited her sewing skills, her artistic vision extended to painting a miniature "Picassoesque" rat artwork as a prop, further enhancing the conceptualization of the cover.
Celebrating Holidays with Rats
The annual cycle of holidays presented a unique challenge for Saxton: the need to continually innovate and create fresh visual concepts. She expresses immense pride in her holiday-themed covers, acknowledging the difficulty in devising new ideas and color palettes year after year.
Wolfgang also made a memorable appearance on the February 2013 cover, celebrating Valentine’s Day. Dressed in angel wings and surrounded by pink feathers, he exuded an ethereal charm. Saxton considers this one of her top ten favorite photographs of all her rats, noting the serendipitous reuse of the same feathers for Castiel’s nap three years later.
The Easter-themed cover for the April 2019 issue featured Custer, Preacher’s brother, playfully styled as the "Easter Ratty" with handmade bunny ears and fake carrots. This image, selected by her husband, exemplifies Saxton’s dedication to crafting unique holiday visuals.
Halloween provided another fertile ground for creativity. The October 2014 cover featured Sirius, a rat who proved to be a natural model, perfectly embodying the spooky spirit of the holiday. Saxton recalls the meticulous creation of a candy corn hat, a how-to for which was later published in the magazine. The enduring impact of this image is evident in a follower’s 2024 tattoo of the illustration, a testament to its lasting appeal. The anecdote about Sirius not being allowed to eat the candy corn highlights the careful considerations involved in animal-themed photoshoots.
Christmas covers often involved intricate staging and a blend of inherited and custom-made props. For the December 2016 cover, Saxton found a wicker hat that perfectly complemented a hat she had made nine years prior for her heart rat, Delphiniums Blue. This re-contextualization of a cherished item speaks to the long-term planning and sentimentality embedded in her work. The desire for a softer color palette led to the adoption of pink for the December 2018 cover, where Preacher was photographed sitting inside a glass ornament, appearing almost plush-like, a detail that even led to inquiries about his reality.
The final Christmas cover for IARW in December 2019 marked the magazine’s swansong before its cessation in July 2020. This cover featured Gatwick, a nervous baby rat, amidst a pastel-themed set of sugary confections. The magical atmosphere of the shoot resulted in an unusually high number of usable photographs, a testament to the carefully constructed environment and the captivating presence of the young rats.
Saxton’s extensive collection of rat photographs represents more than just a personal archive; it is a visual chronicle of a decade-long passion project, a testament to the unique bond between humans and their pet rats, and a celebration of the creative endeavors that can arise from deep affection and dedication. The legacy of "It’s a Rat’s World" magazine, and the captivating imagery it produced, continues to resonate with enthusiasts and offers a unique perspective on the often-overlooked world of rat companionship. Many of these images are also available on items in Saxton’s Zazzle shop, allowing others to share in the charm and artistry of her rat photography.
