Griffin and his new pet

For months Griffin has been pestering Mike and I to get him a pet.  He had his heart set on a rat and nothing we could say or do deterred him.  So after getting a free cage from a lady in our ward we really had no excuse not to spend the 20 dollars to buy this boy a rat, and all the supplies.  

"Crumbs" is a black and white small rat that has instantly made his way into the hearts of all the children and Mike.  I am willing to say hi to the thing (yes, I call it a thing). But I have yet to hold it and I have no intention of doing so.  

Griffin plays with Crumbs all the time and it cracks me up to hear him talk to him.  "Hi, Crumb, did you go poo poo on me again?"  Griffin walks around with a towel, toilet paper, and a bag to dispose of the droppings.  I feel like we have a new born again.

Mike loves the darn thing too, he will hold and play with it.  I usually ask before I enter a room..."is the rat in there?" and will only enter if he is safely in it's cage.  

I don't know if I'll always feel this way, but for now, I'm happy for Griffin, and happy I don't have to hold it.

A couple of things I do appreciate about Crumbs and rats in general so far is:  

They don't seem to bite.  Mike said he's never had a rat bite him and they are known not to be bitters.  

Also Crumbs does not run and hide as soon as you put him down.  He does love to explore but usually comes back to Griffin when Griffin puts his hand down and calls for him.  

He is a cuddler.  Mike sat on the coach tonight with Crumbs up on his shoulder with his head nuzzled into Mike's neck.  

And lastly Griffin is learning so much about responsibility.  He has to clean up after Crumb, change his bedding, clean his cage, feed him, and play with him.