For dedicated rat owners, the concept of a "heart rat" transcends the typical affection for a beloved pet. It signifies an unparalleled, almost mystical connection with a specific rat, a soulmate that leaves an indelible mark on their lives. This unique bond, deeply personal and often inexplicable, is more than just a favorite pet; it’s a profound relationship that shapes an owner’s identity and leaves a lasting legacy long after the rat’s passing. The term "heart rat" is not about having one exceptional rat among many, but rather about a singular creature who embodies an animal soulmate, a gift from the universe during times of particular need.
Defining the Heart Rat: A Bond Beyond Affection
Within the devoted community of rat enthusiasts, a "heart rat" is universally understood as the ultimate favorite, the pinnacle of affection among a lifetime of cherished companions. These are not merely pets that bring joy; they are extraordinary animals with whom owners develop an exceptionally deep and often spiritual connection. The intensity of this bond immortalizes the rat in the owner’s heart, creating memories that endure for a lifetime. For many, the emergence of a heart rat feels serendipitous, as if these special creatures are intentionally placed in their lives at moments when their presence is most profoundly needed. While not necessarily a belief in predestination, the depth of connection experienced with a heart rat is distinctly different from other pet relationships, and even from many human interactions, profoundly impacting the owner’s life and sense of self.
Identifying a Heart Rat: An Organic and Unorchestrated Connection
The development of a heart rat relationship is not something that can be forced or engineered. It blossoms organically, stemming from a shared kinship that feels distinct from the bonds formed with other rats. Losing any pet rat is an intensely painful experience, but the grief associated with the loss of a heart rat is often described as being on an entirely different level. Many owners, after experiencing such profound sorrow, attempt to shield themselves from further heartbreak by consciously avoiding such deep emotional investment. However, as the experiences of seasoned rat owners suggest, the heart rat often chooses the owner, forging an instantaneous and effortless connection that defies conscious control. These remarkable animals possess a remarkable ability to push their way into an owner’s heart and soul, initiating a bond that feels destined.
The "Bowl-You-Over" Personality: Key Characteristics of a Heart Rat
While each heart rat is unique, certain personality traits appear to be recurring themes among these exceptional animals. They are often described as uncommonly friendly and possessing a demanding, larger-than-life presence. This "pushy, bigger-than-life personality" compels them not only to be loved but to be the absolute center of their owner’s universe. This isn’t to say all heart rats are identical, but a strong, engaging personality seems to be a crucial factor in their ability to forge such deep connections.
One notable example is Brockton, a Rex black Berkshire. Upon meeting him during a surrender at Any Rat Rescue (ARR), Brockton displayed an immediate and overwhelming warmth, treating his rescuer like a long-lost friend. He engaged in vigorous grooming of hands and "popcorned" with excitement, a behavior indicative of extreme happiness. His infectious personality during quarantine led to his adoption, along with his brothers. Brockton was known for his excessive "bruxing" (teeth grinding) and "boggling" (head shaking), behaviors often associated with contentment and excitement in rats.
Similarly, Korben Dallas and Leeloo, a bonded pair, exhibited Brockton-level enthusiasm upon their own surrender. Leeloo, in particular, demonstrated an immediate affinity by jumping onto the rescuer’s shoulder. Korben, perceived by some as Brockton reincarnated, displayed an assertive yet endearing claim, gently tugging on the rescuer’s lip with his teeth, an action interpreted as a declaration of possession. This assertive yet affectionate behavior is a hallmark of many heart rats, signifying an immediate and undeniable connection.
Beyond the Mold: Unpredictable Pathways to Connection
Heart rats can reveal themselves through unexpected circumstances. The time and effort invested in gaining the trust of a fearful or traumatized rat, or the dedication required to care for a rat with chronic health issues, can significantly deepen the bond and elevate that rat to heart rat status. Sometimes, it is the very act of a once-busy rat slowing down that allows an owner to fully recognize the depth of their love for them.
Leeloo, a Siamese rat, initially presented as an independent adventurer. Her daring escapes, including a three-day disappearance before finding her way back home by scratching at the back door, cemented her reputation as a tenacious and spirited creature. The fear briefly glimpsed in her eyes upon her return underscored the profound connection she shared with her family. It was only when Leeloo’s health began to decline, forcing her to slow her adventurous pace, that her owner fully comprehended the imminent heartbreak of her eventual loss. Her vet aptly described her as "the Amelia Earhart of the rat world—spunky, fearless, always looking for adventures," a testament to her extraordinary spirit.
The concept of a heart rat can also extend to multiple individuals who function as a singular unit. The "Supernatural Brothers"—Winchester, Crowley, and Castiel—exemplify this. Despite their individual Rex variations, their personalities were remarkably similar, and they acted in near-perfect synchronicity. Their inseparable nature and tendency to move and react as one led their owner to consider them as a collective heart rat, embodying the essence of a single, profound connection through their shared existence.
The Quantity of Heart Rats: A Lifetime of Love and Loss
The number of heart rats an individual may have is intrinsically linked to the number of rats they share their life with. Initially, many believe they will only ever experience one such profound bond, perhaps due to the sheer intensity of the first experience and the long period before another rat elicits a similar level of deep attachment. However, over time, and with multiple rat companions, it becomes clear that the capacity for such love is not limited.
Over a span of 30 years, one dedicated owner has loved and lost 59 rats, with six of them, or potentially eight if the Supernatural Brothers are counted individually, achieving heart rat status. This demonstrates that while rare, these profound connections are not necessarily one-time events. Furthermore, the concept of hierarchy can even extend to heart rats themselves, with some individuals experiencing a "heart rat among heart rats"—a bond that surpasses even the profound connection they share with other heart rats. For some fortunate owners, they may be blessed with two such exceptional individuals.
Rory (Borealis): The Life-Altering Catalyst
The journey of a heart rat often begins with an individual who profoundly alters an owner’s life trajectory. Rory, the first heart rat, entered the author’s life shortly after her marriage. At the time, she was navigating early adulthood, grappling with undiagnosed ADHD, depression, and anxiety, issues that were poorly understood and discussed in the 1990s. Pocket pets, particularly rats, had always provided a source of happiness, and it was this solace-seeking that led to the adoption of Rory. Initially believed to be a female, Rory revealed himself to be a male, a beige hooded rat who would soon become Rory Borealis.
The attachment to Rory was immediate and all-encompassing. He became an inseparable companion, accompanying his owner to restaurants, stores, movie theaters, and vacations. Rory provided a unique form of happiness, offering comfort during moments of profound sadness. His ability to sense his owner’s moods, curling up in her arms, licking away tears, and snuggling for hours, was remarkable. Even strangers were captivated by Rory’s gentle nature; a few strokes would lull him into a deep sleep in his owner’s hand, challenging their preconceived notions about rats and fostering a sense of awe. This unparalleled connection with Rory left an indelible impression, and no other rat quite matched his unique presence.
Rory’s passing plunged his owner into a deep depression that lasted for months, feeling as though a part of her had died with him. The decision to get another rat was not to replace Rory, but rather to honor the transformation he had inspired. Rory had fundamentally changed her into a "rat person"—a label she embraced with pride, akin to being a "dog person" or "cat person." More importantly, Rory had revealed her calling: to dedicate her life to these often-maligned animals and to advocate for their true nature. In honor of this profound influence, her human child was named Rory, and the name Borealis was adopted for the art gallery and frame shop she and her husband owned for eight years.
Delphiniums Blue: A New Chapter of Profound Connection
The profound bond shared with Rory made the idea of loving another rat as deeply seem impossible. However, Delphiniums Blue emerged to challenge this notion. During the adoption of two Dumbo brothers from a pet store, Delphiniums, a Russian blue roan, distinguished himself by approaching the glass and making direct eye contact, forging an instant and unbreakable connection. This encounter led to the adoption of three rats that day, marking the last time the author would acquire rats from a pet store, solidifying a commitment to adoption from shelters.
Delphiniums Blue possessed a distinct personality compared to his predecessor. He was the alpha of his rat mischief and even held a position of influence over the family’s dogs. While he didn’t accompany his owner on outings as frequently as Rory due to the demands of caring for a human child, Delphiniums became the inspiration for "It’s a Rat’s World" magazine, consistently providing humorous content and stories.
Despite never knowing Rory the rat, Delphiniums Blue shared a deep affection for Rory the human. It was the young son who, at the age of two, coined the nickname "Finiums" due to his inability to pronounce the rat’s full name. This nickname became deeply ingrained, adorning the author’s personal and art Instagram account and serving as the foundation for a fictional forest populated by quirky, "spooky" rat characters in a novel she is attempting to write.
In a poignant tribute to the poem that inspired his name, a shoulder tattoo of Delphiniums Blue was created, surrounded by flowers, including blue delphiniums. This tattoo serves as a constant reminder of his significance, a testament to a bond that defied simple explanation. The author emphasizes that knowing Delphiniums Blue was to love him, and anyone who encountered him would have been equally smitten. For newcomers to rat ownership, the message is clear: patience is key. Heart rats appear unexpectedly, and when yours arrives, it will undoubtedly be a life-changing experience.
