I walked a tiny walk

[plantgirl]

Jordan the Rat and I went for a walk this evening, in the 90 degree heat (F). We walked all the way around the block, with a brief layover in a nearby park so that Jordan could snuffle the grass while hiding under my crossed legs, and I could listen to a few lines of Henry V and watch the clouds change color with the sunset

Comments

[oakfarm2]

So is he leashed, or just following you during the walk. I try to imagine it.

I haven't read or seen Henry V either. Of course we had quite a lot of other Shakespeare plays in school, you must have had that too.

[plantgirl]

A leash would be cute, but there is no harness that would hold a rat safely, and I would never let him run loose outside - a dog could kill him in seconds, or someone step on him. He rides on my shoulder. I also carry an empty purse that he can go into, if he gets scared and needs more shelter to feel safe (or where I can put him if he gets too squirmy).

When I let him run around parts of the house he's free to scurry around the floor and whatever he can climb/jump onto, and he'll follow me if I go too far away. It's really cute, because I'll walk out of the room and he comes scurrying after, catching up to me and walking right at my heels. I wish I could get video, but I don't know how to film behind my own feet while I'm walking forward. I need someone else to take the video. :)

[plantgirl]

Also rats like to feel safe, so they usually keep close to walls or travel behind or under things where possible. The fact that Jordan runs around so much of the house is kind of amazing and atypical. If I let him down in the yard or the park he is much more cautious and doesn't go more than a few inches from me, spending most of his time under the edge of my shirt or under my legs, depending on how I'm sitting.