Training my Rats

11/3/11

                So consider this my official announcement: I have rats. Rats by choice. I have two female rats named Liberty and Mercedes. I got them because I was thinking (as I frequently do… like daily… sometimes hourly) about how much I miss having a pet. Then I thought to myself, “You know, you can’t wait for a pet to happen to you, you have to happen to it.” And in that moment I realized that like children, there’s really no convenient time for a new pet… you just have to close your eyes, jump in, and take the good with the bad. I chose rats because they are highly intelligent and they live for 3-5 years. In 3-5 years I hope to be completing grad school, more settled, possibly married… or at least dating someone? Anyway, 3-5 years is a good commitment time for me with these two rats because I think in 3-5 years, I’ll be ready for my puppies. Oh crap… in 3-5 years I’ll be between the ages of 27-30… by that point, I might be ready for children! That’s scary.

                My rats are awesome! They fill my heart. They love sweet treats like bananas and I have noticed they are also huge spinach fans. They are so greedy though. Part of me is all about rats and the other part has a really hard time bonding with them. I suppose it’s because they are a little unruly right now. They like to dart around, feel free to climb on their cage ramp when it’s open, don’t sit still when I’m petting them, and try to grab things that they want out of my hands.

                Training the rats is one of my newest night time activities. I usually limit each rat to a 15 minute session. Last week, we just got to know each other and I would hold them or let them walk around my bed for that time. I was just trying to build familiarity and trust between us.

                This week, I’ve noticed the rats have become a little to trusting. They are all over the place and have high expectations when it comes to food. I think the focus needs to go from food, to activity and relationship.

                Last night we started our first training session. I’m mixing positive and negative reinforcing techniques… although in truth, I have no idea what the standard for behavior should realistically be for a rat.

                First off, We are working on waiting patiently to get out of the cage instead of charging the open door and jumping onto the ramp. This is important for several reasons. First off, I want to establish dominance and I want the rats to know that they are only allowed out of their cage when I permit them to be out of the cage. I’m still trying to think about a cue to associate with the permissive aspect… that can be next week.

                To teach them that they are not allowed to charge out of their cage I nudge their head and say, “No” in my ‘Serious Mommy voice’. Sometimes I may have to repeat the nudge/’no’ 15 or 20 times. We did two sessions with each rat last night and this morning they were extremely responsive! They are definitely learning quickly!

                One problem I am finding though is since I’m using my finger’s knuckle to nudge the rats, they are more apprehensive about being pet with my finger tips.  I don’t want the rats to come to associate my hands with discipline… but God says that if you spare the rod than you’ll spoil the child. Maybe the rats can learn situational context?

                I was praying about teaching the rats last night. I really want to do what’s best for them and for myself. Even though they are just rats, I feel so blessed to have them. I want to honor God in the way that I take care of them and in the way I train them.

                Part of me is a little overwhelmed because it’s been nearly 10 years since I have trained anything. I know how to do it, but I struggle with patience at times and when one method won’t work, I get frustrated and overwhelmed by how to make it work. I suppose that is how parenting feels sometimes. Training animals must be a fabulous way to prepare yourself for training children. Some of the best parents I know don’t over think things. Although I’m super anylitical and love thinking… over thinking, I’m using this training series with my rats as practice for not over thinking. Does that make any sense? Do I sound ultra hypocritical writing a blog about training rats, tying in theological threads/life lessons, and obviously thinking seriously about something that is a surface level topic? The truth is, I have a boring life and I want something to blog about. 

Aside from school, work, working out, and church… the rats are kind of the only eclectic thing going on for me right now. So that’s why I’m over thinking no thinking about them… it beats thinking about learning on a neural level (one of my classes).

                Some of the next things I intend to work with the rats will be:

1.       Teaching them to “Step up” onto my hand when it’s time to come out of their cage

2.       Teaching them to “Step Down” when it’s time to “Go back Home”

3.       Possibly rat proofing my room so they can have more exercise walking around. 

My Beauty and Value

When I am left with the effects and the evidence of my sin, I find that I forget my value and the beauty of God’s design in me. Time after time, as I draw near to Him through my obedience, empowered by His grace and pardoned by His Mercy, I find that I am loved, cherished, highly valued, and truly beautiful.

My circumstances may not change, but my belief in the truth that I am of great value to God becomes sealed and cemented in my heart.

As I submit to God’s authority, I’m equipped to walk tall and endure on the road of persistence. His is my strength. He is my portion. He leads me out of my own folly and into His plan for me. God’s desires become my desires. His will becomes the map to my heart. His word, the Bible, becomes my compass as I follow and seek Him.

Ironically, the sin vanishes and a new strength arises inside of me. The callouses fall off and I am soft and pure and innocent, not lacking in wisdom or perception. Through meekness and humility I clearly discern good from bad; right from wrong. Judgment is entrusted to God as I confide my fears to Him. Only He can Judge the whole picture. Only He can see all sides and all angles. Only He is complicated enough to uncomplicated me.

My heart is His. My mind is eager to learn. He is my wilderness, and I am His Columbus.

I do not fear my future because God has proven Himself trustworthy, Honest, and integrous. He’s faithful like the sunrise and as timely as the sunset. I do not allow my past to chain me down.  I know that I am forgiven for my past and I know that I have a future full of God’s presence. After you encounter Him, you can’t help but agree that there is no greater joy than just to be with Him.

Even if I knew He would reject me forever, I’d still follow Him because I can see that He is the only thing that truly completes my life. He’s worth the sacrifice of myself. He’s worth the sacrifice of temporary gratification from sin. He is the only thing and the only one who has the power to give permanent and enduring satisfaction, despite circumstance.

He is my constant, he is my heart beat. He’s the motivator to keep persisting when life screams to give up. God redefines my definition of beauty and value because He is my beauty and my value. When I’m on my own and do things my way, I am left with the reality of my ugliness. Nothing about my mind, heart, or body is beautiful if God isn’t being glorified with it. I am not my own. There is a greater power who reigns over me. He is the Lord of my life, and the director of my destiny. He is my God and I am proud to say that I am His creation… made with value, created in beauty.