THE YEAR OF THE RAT
For being such an unassuming and short little month, February sure has a lot going on. It starts off with that arbiter of weather, Groundhog's Day, followed by other special days, Valentine's and President's days. It is Pet Dental Health Month, Black History Month, Heart Healthy Month and Laugh-Friendly Month. It is the annual presentation of the Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show. And this year, of course, it is a very special month with 29 days, the extra one for leap year.

Another major celebration occurring early in the month is the beginning of the Chinese lunar New Year, this year once again acknowledging the first of the 12 animal signs of the Chinese zodiac, the Year of the Rat.

With the Year of the Rat falling in the afterglow of the extremely popular animated film, "Ratatouille," there has been a heightened interest in rats as pets, and, according to those in the know, it's high time the poor rat has an image reversal. For children and adults alike, it's hard to resist the appeal of Remy, the star of the movie, a Parisian sewer rat with a flair for fine cooking and dreams of becoming a chef. Fans of pet rats insist, contrary to popular opinion, rats are one of the cleanest and least smelly pets you can own. They are also very smart, highly sociable, curious and easily trained. It's certainly a plus if they can cook.

According to Chinese lore, the rat's exceptional problem solving skills are responsible for placing him in the first position of the 12 astrological animals of the Chinese calendar. The god of heaven wanted to choose 12 animals for the calendar, so he announced a race to determine the order. The cat forgot the time of the race, and asked the rat. Wily creature that he is, the rat not only gave the cat the wrong time on purpose, but he also wheedled a ride on the horns of the ox, so when they crossed the river, the rat jumped off ahead of all the other animals to win the

race and place first. Because of the rat's treachery, the cat missed the race altogether, so he is not among the 12 signs, and he vowed to be the rat's enemy forever.

Owners of pet rats compare the experience to the companionship of a dog. They have an average life span of two to three years and come in a variety of colors such as silver, blond, grey, black and albino and varieties such as standard/ smooth, rex, hairless and tailless. Some have short ears and some have floppy ears. Males are called bucks, the females, does, and the babies are pups or kittens. Because of their social nature, they do best if kept with other rats, and they do require a fair amount of attention and exercise outside their cages. Females are smaller, more playful and active than the males. They are incredibly prolific; a breeding pair can produce 15,000 offspring during their lifetime, so same sex pairs or groups are recommended.

Rats do like to chew and with their incredibly strong teeth they can chew through walls, plumbing and even concrete. They are constantly looking for food, which is why, in the wild, they live where people do because we so considerately provide both food and shelter. You might not know that rats are excellent swimmers. They can laugh, making a high chirping sound when amused. They can't vomit and have no gallbladder but do have a bellybutton. They can do tricks and their ability to find their way out of a maze is legendary. Rats wash and groom themselves several times a day.

If you are interested in getting a pet rat, you can investigate breeders, which is one of the best options for finding well-socialized young rats, especially if you are looking for a particular coat type or color. Buy from a pet store only if the staff is knowledgeable, handle the animals regularly and house the males and females separately. Occasionally, shelters may have a rat in need of a good home. Shyness can be overcome, but avoid a rat that is aggressive.

It is believed that the Year of the Rat begins a new era, so this is a good year to begin a new job, get married, launch a new product, start a new project and elect a new president (F.Y.I., John McCain is the only presidential candidate born in the Year of the Rat). The opportunities are there for those who are prepared and resourceful.

Those born in the Year of the Rat demonstrate a strong presence; they are courageous, enterprising and exude great leadership qualities. Clever and sociable, the rat is the most highly organized and systematic of any of the 12 signs. Rat people are extroverted and energetic, but they can also be cunning and controlling. They are highly ambitious and strong willed. On the positive side, they are also thrifty, great savers and make good homemakers. On the flip side, they like to collect and hoard. They have a natural charm and are romantic. People born in 1912, 1924, 1936, 1948, 1960, 1972, 1984 and 1996

were born in the Year of the Rat. I

Jan Jaeger is owner of Geronimo's, Ltd., Nantucket's pet supply and gift shop and is a member of Dog and Cat Writer's Associations of America (DWAA and CWA).. Her pets at home are Junior, a Chesapeake Bay Retriever and two cats. At the shop are the cats, Messrs. Fish and Chips, Flower Bunny, Millie guinea pig and two budgies. Send e-mail to jan@geronimos.com