The digital archives of a former pet magazine publisher reveal a staggering collection of over 11,000 photographs, predominantly featuring rats, a testament to a unique editorial journey spanning 13 years. This extensive visual record, largely accumulated before 2016 and supplemented by physical prints stored away, offers an intimate glimpse into the dedication and creativity behind "It’s A Rat’s World" (IARW), a monthly publication that catered to rat enthusiasts. The sheer volume of images, some blurry and imperfect yet cherished as memories, underscores a profound connection between the publisher and her subjects, culminating in a rich visual history of rat ownership and appreciation.
The genesis of this photographic endeavor was intrinsically linked to the launch of IARW. As the primary visual content for the magazine’s social media, articles, and crucially, its covers, photography was not merely an artistic pursuit but a functional necessity. The publisher, Brandi Saxton, embraced this challenge, transforming it into an opportunity for creative engagement. A pivotal element of IARW’s editorial strategy was the introduction of monthly themed photo contests and cover features. These themes, ranging from practical everyday activities like grooming, sleeping, and eating, to more whimsical concepts such as yawning, showcasing rat tails, interspecies friendships, and interactions with humans and children, provided a framework for reader participation and editorial content. This approach not only fostered a sense of community among IARW’s readership but also highlighted the diverse personalities and behaviors of pet rats.
The journey of IARW’s visual content reflects a clear evolution in photographic skill. While the early years may have been marked by amateurish attempts, Saxton’s dedication to her craft, driven by the demands of a monthly publication, led to a noticeable improvement in the quality and artistry of the magazine’s covers. This retrospective exploration of IARW’s photographic output, particularly its cover images, serves as a celebration of these years of dedicated work and a showcase of the charm and character of the rats that graced its pages.
The Enduring Charm of Sleeping Rats
The depiction of rats in repose proved to be a consistently popular and endearing theme for "It’s A Rat’s World." Images of rats curled up and fast asleep evoke a sense of profound peace and vulnerability, capturing a moment of pure innocence. This theme was not only a source of charming visuals but also a reflection of the trust rats place in their caregivers.
One particularly poignant image captures Preacher, a beloved rat, sleeping soundly on his back during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020. This candid shot, taken on Saxton’s birthday, offered a much-needed respite from the anxieties of lockdown. The sight of Preacher, utterly relaxed with his legs splayed and eyelids fluttering, dreaming peacefully, provided a profound sense of joy and connection during a period of isolation. The image serves as a powerful reminder of the emotional support that pets can offer, particularly during challenging times. This period, marked by widespread social distancing and a heightened sense of uncertainty, saw a surge in pet adoptions and a greater appreciation for the companionship animals provide. The emotional impact of such simple, serene moments, as captured in Preacher’s slumber, resonated deeply with readers seeking comfort and normalcy.
Another notable photograph features Brinley, a young rat, captured in a deep sleep shortly after his adoption. Brinley, along with his brother Moffett, was known for their distinctive habit of sleeping on their backs, a behavior that Saxton had previously documented in the magazine. This recurring theme of "back sleepers" highlights the unique quirks that rat owners come to cherish. The image of Brinley, comfortably nestled on soft towels, became a personal favorite, even serving as a rotating background on Saxton’s iPhone. The challenge, as Saxton humorously notes, was that the rats were often most cooperative for candid shots of sleep, but would invariably become wide awake and uncooperative when a formal cover photo was required. This common predicament among pet photographers underscores the unpredictable nature of working with animal subjects.
The May 2012 issue of IARW featured Brockton, a senior rat, as the cover star for the "Sleeping Rats" theme. Recognizing Brockton’s advancing age, a blanket was used to artfully conceal his arthritic legs and patchy fur, focusing instead on his peaceful slumber. This photograph, taken on Saxton’s bed, became an all-time favorite, embodying the gentle spirit of an aging companion. It’s a poignant reminder that themes in pet photography often evolve to reflect the life stages of the animals, celebrating both their youthful energy and their serene elder years. The decision to feature a senior rat on the cover also speaks to a broader trend in animal welfare advocacy, which increasingly emphasizes the value and adoptability of older pets.
The theme of sleeping rats extended to other beloved companions, such as Castiel. A photograph of baby Castiel nestled amongst soft pink feathers, seemingly undisturbed, highlights the serendipitous moments that often lead to memorable images. While this particular shot did not make it to the February 2016 cover, it showcases the inherent cuteness of rats even in their most unguarded moments. The reuse of the same feather prop years later for Castiel’s nap, a full three years after it was used for a Valentine’s Day shoot with Wolfgang, exemplifies a resourceful and sustainable approach to creative production.
Rat Dress-Up: A Creative Canvas for Canine Personalities
Beyond capturing natural behaviors, "It’s A Rat’s World" frequently delved into the whimsical world of rat dress-up, a theme that demanded significant creativity and resourcefulness from the publisher. These elaborately staged photographs not only adorned magazine covers but also served as a testament to the publisher’s ingenuity in crafting miniature costumes and props. The process often involved hand-sewing, repurposing everyday items, and a keen eye for thematic relevance, all to bring to life a unique narrative for each issue.
A prime example of this creative endeavor is the January 2016 issue, themed around the highly anticipated release of the latest "Star Wars" film. Saxton, inspired by the iconic characters, envisioned her hairless rats as miniature Yodas. Sterling, a hairless rat, was outfitted in a custom-made camel-colored cloak, and a collection of Yoda figures from her son’s toy collection completed the scene. The "Star Wars" theme extended beyond the cover image, with Saxton’s son’s bedding and headboard also reflecting the franchise’s aesthetic, demonstrating a deep immersion in the subject matter. This theme tapped into a significant cultural moment, with the "Star Wars" franchise experiencing a resurgence in popularity, allowing IARW to connect with a broad audience through a universally recognized cultural touchstone.
The winter months also provided inspiration for themed shoots. A charming ensemble featuring a knit hat and scarf, originally part of a small snowman plushie, was ingeniously adapted for rat photography. After carefully removing the winterwear without damaging it, a thin elastic chin strap was added to the hat, transforming it into a perfectly fitted costume. Crowley, a rat known for his natural modeling abilities, donned this outfit for the January 2018 cover. This resourceful approach to costume creation exemplifies how everyday objects can be creatively re-imagined to serve a specific artistic purpose, a strategy often employed by independent publications with limited budgets.
Crowley’s versatility as a model was further showcased in the October 2017 cover, where he was depicted as a Scotsman. The inspiration for this costume stemmed from a trip to Stirling Castle in Scotland, where a bottle of whisky liqueur featured a tiny, rat-sized tam o’ shanter cap made from a family tartan. Saxton ingeniously repurposed this cap, adding an elastic strap, and then crafted a matching kilt and miniature, non-functioning bagpipes from flannel fabric. This detailed approach to creating a thematic costume highlights the dedication involved in producing visually compelling content, transforming a simple souvenir into a central element of a magazine cover.
The artistic world was also explored through the "Rat Dress-Up" theme. 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." Saxton herself contributed to the scene by painting a miniature Picasso-esque rat portrait, adding another layer of artistic interpretation to the shoot. This collaboration between publisher and columnist underscores the interconnectedness of the IARW community, where various talents converged to create unique content. The commission of custom artwork also points to the value placed on high-quality, original visuals for the magazine’s cover.
Holidays With Rats: A Festive Visual Calendar
The "Holidays With Rats" theme provided a consistently engaging and visually festive element to "It’s A Rat’s World," allowing Saxton to explore a wide array of seasonal celebrations through the lens of her beloved rat companions. The challenge of consistently generating fresh concepts and color palettes for these recurring themes year after year speaks to the enduring creative drive behind the magazine.
Wolfgang, a particularly photogenic rat, played a starring role in the February 2013 cover, capturing the essence of Valentine’s Day. Posed amidst a bed of soft pink feathers, with a backdrop adorned with hearts, Wolfgang embodied a sweet and angelic presence. This photograph, a personal favorite of Saxton’s, also featured the same feathers that Castiel would later find so comfortable for his nap three years later, illustrating a charming continuity in the magazine’s visual narrative. The use of specific props across different themes and over time creates a subtle but recognizable stylistic signature for the publication.
Easter was celebrated with a playful depiction of Custer, Preacher’s brother, as the "Easter Ratty." Custer, adorned with a pair of meticulously crafted bunny ears, posed alongside artificial carrots. These handmade ears became a recurring accessory for various holiday covers, demonstrating Saxton’s commitment to creating unique and recognizable visual elements for the magazine. The selection of Custer for this role, chosen by Saxton’s husband from a plethora of favorite Easter pictures, highlights a collaborative approach to editorial decision-making.
Halloween was immortalized through a striking image of Sirius, a rat who proved to be an exceptionally adept model. The October 2014 cover depicted Sirius seated within a metal pumpkin, surrounded by scattered candy corn, a scene that perfectly matched Saxton’s vision. This particular Halloween shoot yielded several interesting details: Saxton crafted the candy corn hat worn by Sirius, and later shared a "how-to" guide for its creation in the October 2017 issue. The enduring impact of this image is further evidenced by a follower’s 2024 tattoo of the illustration, a testament to the lasting impression the photograph made. Saxton’s acknowledgement of her follower and the tattoo artist demonstrates the strong community engagement fostered by the magazine’s content.
Christmas covers offered a particularly rich tapestry of festive imagery. For the December 2015 cover, Winchester, brother to Crowley and Castiel, was photographed in a wicker hat prop that perfectly complemented his own handmade top hat. This prop, discovered in 2016, was a fortunate find that allowed for a direct visual connection to an earlier Christmas cover from December 2008, featuring Saxton’s heart rat, Delphiniums Blue, wearing a hat made nine years prior. This juxtaposition of old and new elements highlights Saxton’s ability to weave a cohesive visual history through her work. The preference for a softer, pastel color palette for later Christmas covers, moving away from traditional red and green, reflects an evolving aesthetic sensibility and a personal fondness for the color pink.
The December 2018 cover featured Preacher again, this time posed within a large, clear glass ornament, surrounded by pink and gold baubles. The resulting image was so striking that Preacher appeared more like a plush toy than a living creature, prompting many online viewers to question his authenticity. This effect speaks to Saxton’s skill in staging and lighting to achieve a specific artistic outcome.
The final Christmas cover for IARW, in December 2019, before the magazine’s cessation in July 2020, presented a sugary, pastel wonderland. Saxton meticulously arranged an array of props, including candy, cookies, and other sweet treats, to create a magical setting. This elaborate set, still in storage, was used to photograph newly adopted baby rats. The enchanted atmosphere of the set seemed to imbue the photos with a special quality, as nearly every shot proved usable. The challenge then became selecting which of the four brothers to feature, with the nervous but ultimately photogenic Gatwick securing the coveted cover spot.
These photographs, spanning a decade of dedication, not only document the lives of individual rats but also serve as a broader commentary on the evolving landscape of pet ownership and media creation. The sheer volume of images and the intricate detail in their creation underscore a passion that transcended mere professional obligation, solidifying "It’s A Rat’s World" as a unique and cherished publication within the pet enthusiast community. The publisher’s continued engagement with her audience, through platforms like Zazzle where her rat photography is available on merchandise, ensures that this legacy continues to be shared and appreciated.
