Cuddles the Rat

We have been wanting Annika to have a pet of her own since she turned four in October. Unfortunately, when our landlords put an end to our puppy dreams, we thought we'd have to wait for Seattle. But when Annika loved her cousin's new pet rat (and Josh kinda-sorta-almost didn't hate it) I got hopeful that maybe she could have a late Christmas surprise.  

We bought Cuddles on an impulse at a pet store in the mall when the shop owner carried her out from the back and she immediately curled up in my arms and licked my finger.  She was only $8 and we rushed home to tell Annika that she was a new mommy.