The sheer volume of digital memories captured can be staggering. For Brandi Saxton, a former publisher and lifelong advocate for pet rats, her personal digital archive tells a story measured in thousands of photographs, a testament to her passion for these often-misunderstood creatures. Her phone alone boasts over 11,000 images of her rats, a figure that excludes a significant portion of earlier digital captures now lost to technological obsolescence and a substantial collection of pre-digital physical photographs relegated to storage. This prolific photographic output was not merely a hobby; it was an integral part of her professional life as the publisher of "It’s a Rat’s World" (IARW), a monthly magazine dedicated to the welfare and appreciation of pet rats.
Saxton’s journey into rat photography began with the inception of IARW. The magazine, which ran for 13 years, relied heavily on compelling imagery for its covers, feature articles, and social media presence. Beyond the practical necessity of visual content, Saxton cultivated a unique editorial approach that transformed reader engagement into an art form. She introduced themed monthly cover images and a dedicated section, "The PapRATzi Page(s)," which showcased reader submissions. These themes ranged from the practicalities of rat ownership, such as grooming, sleeping, and eating, to more whimsical concepts like yawning, showcasing rat tails, and documenting the interspecies relationships rats form with other pets and their human companions. This creative strategy not only provided consistent content but also fostered a vibrant community of rat enthusiasts who actively participated in the magazine’s visual narrative.
While Saxton acknowledges she is not a professional photographer, her dedication and the evolution of her craft over the years are evident in the quality of the magazine’s covers. She expresses a particular pride in her work, choosing to share a selection of these cherished images, along with a few candid moments that could have graced the cover, offering a glimpse into the rich visual history of IARW and her personal connection to her rats.
The Art of the Sleeping Rat: Capturing Tranquility
The inherent charm of rats, regardless of their activity, is amplified when they are captured in a state of deep slumber. Saxton highlights the "preciousness" of a curled-up, fast-asleep rat, a sentiment that resonated with her readers and became a recurring theme in her publications.
One particularly poignant image features Preacher, a beloved rat, captured during the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020. Saxton describes this candid moment as a birthday gift, taken while she was isolating at home with her family. The sight of Preacher, sleeping soundly on his back with legs outstretched, eyelids fluttering, and nose twitching, offered a much-needed solace amidst the global uncertainty. This image, a symbol of carefree trust and peaceful dreaming, provided Saxton with a profound sense of joy during a chaotic period. The photograph, shared on her Instagram, serves as a reminder of the simple yet profound comforts that pets can provide.
Another heartwarming photograph showcases Brinley, a young rat adopted with his brother Moffett. Both were known for their distinctive habit of sleeping on their backs, a characteristic Saxton had previously documented in her writings. This particular image, often used as a rotating background on her phone, exemplifies the endearing quirkiness of pet rats. Saxton humorously notes the irony of capturing such tranquil moments; while these "wiggle-monsters" were easily photographed asleep in everyday situations, they would become remarkably uncooperative the moment an attempt was made to stage a cover-worthy shot.
The evolution of Saxton’s photographic skills is perhaps best illustrated by her cover for the May 2012 issue, which featured Brockton, a senior rat. Recognizing Brockton’s age, Saxton opted for a softer approach, using a blanket to conceal his arthritic legs and patchy fur. The gentle ambiance of the photoshoot, conducted on her bed, facilitated Brockton’s natural inclination to sleep, resulting in what Saxton considers one of her all-time favorite portraits. This experience underscored a common observation in pet photography: the more effort one puts into eliciting an energetic response for a photo, the more likely the subject is to retreat into a nap.
The theme of sleeping rats extended to younger subjects as well. A serene image of Castiel, a young rat, depicts him nestled comfortably amidst soft pink feathers, originally intended for a Valentine’s Day photoshoot. This image, though not ultimately chosen for the February 2016 cover, which instead featured Castiel’s brothers, Winchester and Crowley, captured a moment of pure contentment. A video also documented all three brothers enjoying the feathery nest, showcasing their playful interaction with the props.
Rat Dress-Up: A Creative Costume Chronicle
Beyond candid moments, Saxton embraced the creative challenge of dressing her rats in costumes, a significant aspect of her cover photography. This endeavor often involved intricate hand-sewing and resourceful repurposing of everyday items. The resulting images transformed her rats into characters, adding a unique and whimsical dimension to the magazine.
The release of the final "Star Wars" film in December 2015 provided an irresistible opportunity for a themed cover. Saxton, inspired by the resemblance of hairless rats to Yoda, immediately set to work crafting a cloak for Sterling, her hairless rat. The January 2016 cover featured Sterling alongside Yoda figures from her son’s collection, with even the background elements, including her son’s bedding and headboard, subtly nodding to the "Star Wars" universe. This elaborate setup highlighted Saxton’s dedication to creating immersive and thematic visuals.
Another memorable costume involved a charming knit hat and scarf ensemble, originally part of a small snowman plushie. Saxton ingeniously adapted these winter accessories, adding an elastic chin strap to the hat and stitching a thin strip of elastic to create a miniature kilt from flannel fabric. This ensemble became a recurring element, with Crowley, Castiel’s brother, modeling it for the January 2018 cover. Crowley’s natural modeling talent led to his frequent appearances on IARW covers, cementing his status as a furry celebrity.
Crowley also donned a Scottish-themed outfit for the October 2017 cover. Inspired by a tiny tam o’ shanter atop a whisky liqueur bottle purchased at Stirling Castle during a family trip to Scotland, Saxton replicated the hat and fashioned a matching kilt and miniature, non-functional bagpipes. This creation exemplified her ability to translate real-world inspirations into elaborate rat costumes, demonstrating a keen eye for detail and a passion for storytelling through imagery.
For the September 2012 cover, Saxton collaborated with Natasha Matherly, a regular columnist for IARW, to create an artist’s smock and beret for Wolfgang, a rat who was humorously nicknamed "Pablo Racasso." While Saxton’s sewing skills were limited, her artistic vision for the cover was realized through this commission, and she contributed a small, Picasso-esque painting to the scene. This partnership underscores the collaborative spirit that underpinned IARW’s content creation.
Holidays With Rats: Festive Photography Through the Seasons
The challenge of generating fresh and engaging holiday-themed covers year after year was a significant undertaking for Saxton. She meticulously conceptualized and executed a variety of festive scenes, each featuring her rat companions in seasonal attire.
Wolfgang, a particularly photogenic rat, proved to be a natural for the February 2013 Valentine’s Day cover. Dressed as an angel with delicate wings and surrounded by pink feathers, Wolfgang’s image became one of Saxton’s top ten favorite rat photographs. The feathers, incidentally, would later serve as a cozy backdrop for Castiel’s nap three years after Wolfgang’s photoshoot.
For Easter, Custer, Preacher’s brother, transformed into the "Easter Ratty" for the April 2019 cover. Saxton handcrafted the bunny ears worn by Custer, an accessory that reappeared on several subsequent covers. This image, chosen by her husband, reflects Saxton’s dedication to creating unique and memorable holiday imagery.
Halloween provided another canvas for creative expression. Sirius, a rat known for his modeling prowess, perfectly embodied the spirit of the season for the October 2014 cover. The image featured Sirius seated within a metal pumpkin, surrounded by candy corn. Saxton’s attention to detail extended to a handmade candy corn hat, for which she later published a how-to guide in the October 2017 issue. The enduring impact of this photograph is evident in a follower’s 2024 Instagram post showcasing a large tattoo of the image on her thigh, a testament to its lasting appeal. Saxton also revealed that Sirius did not consume the candy corn prop, prioritizing his safety over the visual realism of the shot.
Christmas covers presented a unique set of challenges and opportunities. For the December 2015 cover, Saxton creatively leveraged her son’s "Star Wars" themed bedroom, aligning the theme with the popular franchise’s film release. The image featured Sterling in a hand-sewn cloak, surrounded by "Star Wars" memorabilia.
A distinct shift in aesthetic emerged with the December 2018 cover, which featured Preacher nestled within a large, clear glass ornament. Saxton’s aim was to move away from traditional red and green and embrace a softer palette, a preference for pink influencing the overall composition. The resulting image was so artfully executed that many viewers questioned whether Preacher was a living creature or a plush toy.
The final Christmas cover for IARW in December 2019 marked a departure into a pastel wonderland. Saxton meticulously arranged a set filled with sugary props, including candy and cookies, for the newly adopted baby rats. This particular setup proved exceptionally magical, yielding a high success rate for usable photographs. Ultimately, Gatwick, a nervous but endearing young rat, was chosen for the coveted cover spot, embodying the charm of the pastel-themed shoot.
Saxton’s extensive collection of rat photographs, accumulated over years of dedication to "It’s a Rat’s World," represents more than just a personal archive. It is a visual chronicle of a unique publication, a testament to the profound human-animal bond, and a celebration of the often-overlooked beauty and personality of pet rats. The images shared offer a window into a world where creativity, passion, and a deep affection for these small creatures converged to create something truly special. Many of these iconic images can also be found on various merchandise in Saxton’s Zazzle shop, allowing enthusiasts to own a piece of this photographic legacy.
