Rats are the greatest. You want something that's stubborn and aloof like a cat, yet eager and willing like a puppy dog, get a rat. They teach themselves tricks, they constantly beg to be allowed to come out of the cage and hang out with you, and every few days they go through a phase where they play for pretty much four or more hours straight. Or pretty dang close to it. Watch them in their cage. First one chases the other around the cage. Then the other one chases the first one. Then they wrestle a little bit, take a food break, get a drink, do a stare off, take a nap together, and then their right back to chasing each other around the cage. Make a couple sounds and they stop what their doing and rush to the side of the cage, as close as they can get to you, to perk their ears up and listen for more. After a few seconds, when they get bored, one of them will nose under the other one and flip her upside down, then continue to use her as a door mat. They do all this to each other, and yet they continue to be the best of friends. Grooming each other, taking naps together, helping build the nest, taking each others food away to make sure its safe for ratty consumption. Its adorable. I'd love to have more. Their so fun to watch, and so cute with their little ears. Its often said that rats are like potato chips, you can't just have one. Personally I disagree. Rats are more like tortilla chips and salsa. Neither is really good unless there is the other to make it better. Or injera and berbere. They make each other better and keep the other one company. You literally cannot have just one rat because they will die on their own, they have a psychological need for ratty companionship. But you figuratively cannot have just one either because two together often brings out the best in both of them. Not to mention gives you hours of entertainment watching them play and interact together. Can't have a dog or a cat because you don't have the space to let them roam? Get a pair of rats. They'll love you just as much, and provide the same amount, if not more, entertainment, as well as being cheaper all around.