Goosemoose Pet Portal

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v721/stormslegacy/PEWribboncopy.jpg)

This is something I've been thinking about for a long time, so I designed A PEW awareness ribbon. 

A lot of people don't seem to realize the extent of the bad hand dealt PEW rats.  They are the most likely to be tested on or find themselves to be snake-food.  They are the most likely to be found at pet-stores, to be abused and (due to their lack of novelty appeal) they are the least-likely to find homes among real rat-fanatics that make a good home.  They are the ones most likely to enter a rescue, and the least-likely to leave.  Any rescue will tell you, PEWs are hardest to place! They are difficult to take pictures of without "evil glowing eyes" so many people looking online pass by their pictures for more appealing rats.

So if their temperament is the same, why are these rats so overlooked?  At best, most people only have one PEW in their colony if any at all.  Some describe them as "creepy" due to their eyes.  Other people just find them boring.  Many just have trouble telling them apart!  To a lot of people, white rats remind them of labs, a trait they find unappealing.

PEWs are often born in unplanned litters, due to the fact that it is a phenotype created by many combinations of genes.  They are among the most common color of rat, if not the most common.  Often these guys sit at rescues and shelters and in the worst-case scenario, they are euthanized to make room for "prettier" rats.  In many pet-stores with pet and feeder tanks, the PEWs are seperated at an early age and plopped into a seperate snake-food tank with a much lower price-tag than those born with color.  Same litter, different purpose in life =/.

How you can help:

Next time you have room for a rat, and are considering a rescue, don't just go for the pretty colors.  Everyone loves the merles, nekkids, champagnes etc and they are almost guaranteed homes.  Instead, do a rescue and a rat a favor and choose the "Plain Jane" in the litter.  Not only will you be helping an oft- overlooked rat find a home, you'll find that they are the same inside as the pretty ones!  If you do adopt one of the "pretty ones" consider adopting a PEW to go with it.

A lot of people have no problems lecturing on the adoption of cats over kittens from the SPCA, and yet have no qualms about walking away with the prettiest rat in a rescue litter, leaving the PEW siblings and mother behind!  Don't be that person!

Other types of rats that have difficulty: normal wildrat-type agouti and black hoodeds.  Just too common!

Luckily PEWs do have one break.  Due to some states, such as Alaska and Nevada (or is it only some cities in Nevada?) only allow PEW rats.

Feel free to copy and paste this anywhere you wish,or to use the ribbon. You don't need to credit me.  Below is a signature-size ribbon.
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v721/stormslegacy/PEWribbonsiggy.jpg)

For cuteness, here's my little PEW boy making faces at me in the playpen:
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v721/stormslegacy/cages063.jpg)

I agree! I really had no discrimination against PEW's personally but Sigmund came to me and now I'm addicted. I think he is so gorgeous. I look at him and his little pink candy eyes and he looks back and me and he's like a little snow bear! I call him my angel. Chris kids me and calls him a demon but he's his favorite by far and Chris does agree he is the best looking male I have. And I do have a platinum and a hairless rat and two dumbos too! But Sigmund beats all in looks and he's a huge competitor as far as personality goes too. He's such a fun loving smart man.

He started life as a stupid little experiment in a sociology class. I don't even think it accomplished anything. No one took any rats home but he was lucky enough to be the subject of a co-worker of mine who knew I loved rats. I then told her if no one wanted him I would take him... then the next day I was all like "NO ONE wanted him RIIIIGHT?!!!!" I thought about him and named him right there. I did not think he would be barely 6-9 weeks! They had to start experimenting when they were 4!

Sadly none of his siblings were rescued and I didn't know until it was too late. My co-worker claimed they were being sent off to colleges for more experiments but I don't believe her. I feel bad Siggy didn't get to come home with another brother (or two) but he so looks up to Beastie and Bert like big brothers. It's incredibly cute.

I'm all for PEW awareness basically.
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v661/Pandara1/Sigmund.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v661/Pandara1/rats/Sigmundtongue.jpg)

Now I want more PEW's but I told myself no more rats >_<;;

I hang my head in shame  :-\

I am one of those accused of passing over PEW rats for the colorful ones. I do, however, have ONE PEW rat in my mischief. She is a little girl that lives with Bunson. She is one of the most charming rats I have ever had.

I will take this Ribbon and Statement to heart and make a more conservative effort to add more PEWs to my mischief in the future.

Thank you so much for making me aware of my shortcomings.
Dianne
Rosie's Mom
(http://www.scrubcaps4u.com/nicky/6-4-davesdesk1.jpg)

My PEWs have been among the sweetest rats I've ever had the pleasure of knowing.
(http://i177.photobucket.com/albums/w216/JR1030/PEWboys.jpg)

PEWs have personality!  Strangely enough, I rarely see them around here.  So opportunities for adopting them are slim.  I did rescue a few, though, once!  They've all left me now, but I'd do it again in a heartbeat!  Go PEWS!!

I do not, nor have I ever had, a PEW, but not due to discrimination.  I have only ever had the four rats I currently own,a fawn, a black-eyed white with grey markings, and two black hoodeds.  I would love to have a PEW!  I recently fostered a lovely PEW boy (now adopted! Yay!) and were I in a position to have any more pets right now I would galdly get a PEW.  I think it's great that you're raising awareness - I really did not realize the discrimination they face.  :(  Thanks for bringing attention to such an important issue.  I'll be sure to look for a prettly little PEW when I am in a position to adopt again!  :)

I love pews!
its my husband that doesnt.. :(

I approve of this post.   :thumbsup2:  Here's to PEW!   :yelcutelaugh:

As a rescue, I can definitely agree it is so hard to adopt out PEWs... no matter how sweet and wonderful they might be. :(

I'm going to put the banner in my signatures in all the forums that I attend. ;) I will definitely try for more PEWs they are actually one of my favourite colours of rats and the first rats that I fell in love with were PEWs. I only have one PEW though not because of discrimination but because she is the only who has crossed my path. I understand where the evil thing comes from (darn hollywood stereotypes) but Maggie(my PEW) is my sweetest and kissiest rat. <3 I have heard lots of people ask me if she was evil just because of her red eyes.  >:(

And because she is so cute, Maggie.
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v234/Bobbyo/Current/hollysa90015058.jpg)

I've never had a PEW rattie, but I had a very special PEW mouse named Stuart.  I have noticed at least with mice, the PEW seem to live longer and be more resilient: Stuart had skin cancer, beat it, and lived another year.  Have any of you noticed this in your ratties?

Aw!  I love PEW love threads.  I love my PEWs, which make up half my rats.  I really love them, I know my house will never be without one or more awesome, beautiful, special, snowy white babies.  This is a great thread.

My worst complaint is that they are a royal pain in the tail to take pictures of.  They come out as bright white glowing balls with demon flaming red eyes.  Which is cool, but doesn't exhibit their best side...

Aww fantastic post  :)

I loved my PEWs, glowing eyeballs and all!
(http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y105/SingedWhiskers/Rats/100_0041.jpg)

Hey SP those are the PEWs I fell in love with <3 Squirt and Nemo

hey is this overkill I made a little page on my website:
http://www.freewebs.com/jazztherat/pewawareness.htm

Moondust: if you want your real name up instead just please tell me and I will change it. =)

Another rescue that's frustrated with the lack of PEW lovers! ;) Though, I have had the pleasure of 2 adopters (out of so many!) that WANTED a PEW and nothing but a PEW. Love 'em!

One of our own boys is a PEW, and he has such a personality. We currently have 5 PEWS in the rescue, and it makes me sad that nobody ones them, when they are so full of awesome personalities and a joy to interact with.

We took our boy in today (his name is Atari) to the vet, because he has a nasty fungal (we think, culture will take 10 days) rash/sore that's infected, and I jumped for joy when one of the vet techs was elated that he was a PEW! Even gushed about his sweet pink eyes.

Even my pet mouse is a PEW! :heart: We're not even sure how old he is (I'm thinking at least 3 or so!), but I'll tell you what... I think he's gonna outlive me, the way he's going!

Yay for PEW awareness!

wee companions has some GORGEOUS sweet big boy pews > I wanted one sooooo bad
I might be able to convince my husband to let us foster a few <.<
hopefully :(
if not i might cry

I have always wanted a PEW, and thanks to Eveliens, I got my handsome squishy Kuper !  All of my boys are gorgeous and handsome, but Kuper just exudes sweet squishymanratness. Unfortunately, I havent been able to get a good picture of his gorgeousness yet, as everytime I try, he runs like the paparazzi is after him! ( As they should be!!!)

My first rat was a PEW! Rushmore was a happy little rat and loved nothing more than to sleep in my shirt or on my lap under the laptop computer. I've been kind of skittish about PEWs though because a lot of them seem to come from inbred lab stock. Rushmore developed a rather aggressive breast cancer that, unbeknownst to me and the vet, spread to her other organs and she passed at one and a half years old.

However, I would love any rat that I was so blessed to have the honor to take care of. PEWs are adorable!

Stealing the ribbon! I'm waving my PEW flag!

SugarMama says "What?! Who doesn't like PEWs?"
(http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b203/straycat662/000_0579.jpg)

I absolutely LOVE this!  :heart:

You can add me to the other frustrated rescuers who are saddened by the lack of interest PEWs get. I fostered a trio of PEWs for over a year until they finally found a home with amazing people who didn't care who they were getting, simply asked which ones were in rescue the longest!  :thumbsup2:

Every time we get in a pair or trio of PEWs it saddens me knowing that they'll be with us for a long time. One PEW is bad enough but a pair is even worse since then the whole "I want two or three rats that all look different" into play as well. So PEW and two/three that look the same.. that's major strikes against them.

We were just recently discussing what we could do to promote PEWs so this is wonderful!

I wish people would give them a chance because they are just wonderful, pretty little things  :)

We currently have a litter of 10 mostly PEWs and amazingly they are now almost 5 weeks old and most of them have homes lined up thanks to major PEWs lovers... that's a first, I was sure we'd have them for a long time.

I think the reason they were adopted so fast is that they have a very special rescue story:
http://apps.littlemischiefrescue.org/Blog/?e=10108&d=05/31/2008&s=Mica%27s%20Story
http://apps.littlemischiefrescue.org/Blog/?e=11003&d=06/18/2008&s=Mica%27s%20babies%20are%20growing%20up%21

(http://i114.photobucket.com/albums/n243/small_animals/babies5.jpg)

Besides the sad thing that they are clearly often not wanted.... it also means that we often have a foster home that is essentially stuck with them... while other rats tend to move in and out... they do take up much needed foster space. We'd NEVER kick them out of course, we do adore them but it sometimes means that we cannot use that foster homes for another pair or trio for month after month so with the foster home that is not freeing up, we can't take as many rats in during that time as if they weren't PEW so it also affects other rats needing to come into rescue.

I had been looking all over for PEWs since i got my girls but for some odd reason was not able to find one...than I seen RatAttack and adopted Lady from her..  :heart: :heart: my heart is all about PEWs I love them! I plan on getting more when my fiance and space allows me...i want a whole army of them lol!

(http://i277.photobucket.com/albums/kk57/wnjordan/lml.png)

I think this is such an awesome thread, thank you so much for starting it!! My Shadowfax is a PEW, and a rescue from CL. Now that he is over the bad case of mites and recurring URI's he was suffering from, he has so much personality and is such a sweet boy. I am so glad he chose me for his mommy. ;D :heart:

Oh, and I'm taking the ribbon, too. :thumbsup2:

We love PEWs and we've almost always had at least one PEW on our group. One of our most special was a boy we adopted from HVRR, Jack (RIP, sweet boy). He wasn't even with us a year before he passed from what we assume was CHF, though he'd never shown any symptoms. Until the end he was a sweet, loving boy, crawling on us and giving us kisses. Actually, the first two we adopted from HVRR were PEWs. Yuna is still with us and she's such a good girl (she takes care of little Shin, who's still nervous).
(http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c115/kitaeru/Ratties/100_0876.jpg)

We almost got our hands on a PEW someone found running around in our neighborhood (I was surprised when I found out it was here...) but someone else got to take him before we did. We'll have another PEW boy in our family soon (from HVRR) and we can't wait to spoil him.
I think it's awful that people overlook them just because they 'look the same'. They aren't any less special than any other rats. I'm snagging the ribbon for my sig.

That's a wonderful thread  :D :thumbsup2:
Our rescue just got in 3 PEW boys from the PA lab (out of the 70 they were trying to adopt out). I am not fostering them but my first thought was - poor boys, I bet it'll take a long time until they find a home since they are PEWs.
I don't care about the colors at all (although I started out with rats from a breeder however it wasn't about the color it was about the health issues). They are all beautiful to me. It's about the personality  :). I'll see the 3 PEWs at our adopt-a-thon tomorrow.  At the adopt-a-thons people come by and look at all the "exotics" we have. Everybody goes googoo-gaga over the guinea pigs, rabbits, ferrets etc. and when they walk by the rat cage most of the people go "eeeew! Rats are gross... and that tail!" They usually do the same about mice and they think my foster gerbils are mice (people are so clueless sometimes) ::). So tomorrow I'll make sure to give the 3 PEW boys extra extra attention!

I love this thread!!!  It makes me sad that some rats are considered ordinary and are basically just ignored.  I only have 1 PEW at the moment, but along with him, I have 2 black hoodies and 1 agouti and 1 agouti hooded.  I do have a Russian Blue Dumbo, but I was asked if I wanted to take him along with the black hooded boys when I adopted them from the rescue.  I am all about the "ordinary" rats.  I have always had a PEW or Hooded if not more than one in every group of rats I have ever had.  My first rat was a PEW and I swear it seemed like she lived forever.  I had a litter of Black hoodeds a while back and I was told by someone on here in the adoption section that no one wanted them because they are "ordinary".  It really broke my heart.  I kept them all instead of adopting them out. When I kept them, we ended up with 5 hooded girls and 2 PEW's. 

I will be putting your ribbon in my signature!!!!! 

My 5 PEWs are all brothers that I had intended to re-home.  I made one post in the adoptions section, and then fell in love with them and never even tried to find them another home.  I don't know what I would do without them now!

Yay!  I'm really glad that people like the concept, I was worried it was too preachy!  The ribbon is a little messily drawn but my hands are sore from other things =/.  I love the idea of a webpage, thank you so much Summer_Rat!  Moondust is fine ^_^  Anyone that wants to borrow it, put it on their webpage or anything of the sort feel free.  I encourage it!  Please, spread the word!  Feel free to quote me. 

My first rat was a PEW and I loved her dearly.  She introduced me to rats as a whole, and if it wasn't for her falling into my lap, I wouldn't have adopted any rats at all!  She was beautiful, and I wish I had taken more pictures before her passing. 

Heres one of her with my other girls ^_^
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v721/stormslegacy/Website%20stuff/ratpile.jpg)

I had forgotten to addd in my post that in many pet-stores with pet and feeder tanks, the PEWs are seperated at an early age and plopped into a seperate snake-food tank with a much lower price-tag than those born with color.  Same litter, different purpose in life =/.

I thought I would go ahead and make some sigs/banners to help with the cause.

(http://i306.photobucket.com/albums/nn262/aizlynnrosecom/pewa.png)  (http://i306.photobucket.com/albums/nn262/aizlynnrosecom/consider.gif)
(http://i306.photobucket.com/albums/nn262/aizlynnrosecom/extraordinary.gif)  (http://i306.photobucket.com/albums/nn262/aizlynnrosecom/GGMP.gif)

animated ones can be made static
more to come soon..ill edit this message..or if you have a specific request for one such as color whatever PM me

i happen to love pews! (although none of my friends/family seem to agree...) i count my himi madeline as a pew, because her markings are so light  ;D

I'm a big PEW supporter!   ;D  And very proud of it!
My second rat, Milo was a himi (the PEWs at the shelter were all much older and I was adopting as a companion for my baby boy Mr Smuckers).  I now have three real PEWs and love them to death!  I think they are so beautiful with their snow white coat and pink eyes.  I've always felt that their eyes help them to see into a person's soul and know who someone really is.  Those who are afraid of their eyes are afraid of what might be uncovered within themselves. 
The difficulty PEWs have in finding homes is part of what attracted me to this group (that and a lot of signs that I just couldn't ignore).  So thank you Mainely Rat Rescue for my gorgeous PEW trio and for helping me to keep a family together. 

(http://i207.photobucket.com/albums/bb107/Koalalou2/IMG_2820.jpg)

i used to have a pink eyed Himalayan and in a couple of weeks i am heading over to the prince edward island humane society, my best friend works there and told me that they just got in a LOT of PEWs, he said most of the females were pregnant. Unfortunately i can only fit one into my rat home but she will be loved very much and maybe even a bit spoiled!!

i really love PEWs!!! If anyone is in atlantic canada and is looking to adopt these pink eyed little babies, they should stop into the humane society on PEI. i'm sure they would gladly give you a PEW or two!!!

I don't mind PEWs, but I'd have to say my first experience with them (I have one) has not been that good.  He's not a mean boy, but he's really not friendly or adventurous at all!  Which is slightly discouraging considering my other hoodie is very adventurous and loves to play and be around me.  JubJub (PEW) would much rather get a treat and stay in his cage to run in his wheel then be touched by me at all.  I'm not sure what I've ever done wrong with this little guy (I'm likely to blame myself for his anti social behavior), but it's a bit discouraging.  At least he loves his adopted brother, right?  I just wish he didn't hate being handled by me :(
p.s. do all PEWS sway?  My hoodie hardly ever does, but my PEW got "snake" as his nickname cuz he sways SO much.

Many rats with light eyes sway.  Their eyesight is significantly less than those of black eyed rats and so they sway to sense vibrations and get a better understanding of their environment.  Kind of like bats sending out a signal and reading the response waves.
All rats are different and some to tend to prefer rats to humans (and some humans to rats).  Was your boy abused or ignored before you got him?  Some can never forget the things that have happened to them, others move on quickly and are eager to show love.  Just keep working with him and use some trust training techniques and see if he comes around.  How long have you had him?

@Koala
I've had him since mid January and I'm new to rats so I have NO idea how old he was.  Though I'm guessing he wasn't that old cuz he was a small guy.  I got him from a pet store (I know ... I didn't know better, until now) and had a hard time bonding with him right from the start.  Even had a bit of a hard time bonding with his adopted brother, but they bonded quickly after about a month.  He comes up to the top of the cage when I come over.  He's always curious what I'm doing when I'm over there.  He just HATES being picked up (Is never mean about it, he just struggles a lot) and doesn't really play with me at all.  He's SUPER skittish too.  Way more so then his brother.  Although I've found he LOVES to jump up my back or front onto my shoulder sometimes.  He just hates my hands...odd huh. 

@ Kristy
Some rats are just like that. Our PEW girl Yuna didn't like us holding her for the longest time (still doesn't like playing, but tolerates being out when she's on our shoulders), but her cagemate, Jack (RIP), also a PEW, loved being held. We have three babies right now (agouti berkshire, bareback, and capped) who struggle A LOT and are skittish when we pick them up, but calm down when they're on our shoulders/laps. The less they're handled from birth, the harder it can be for some of them to adjust to being held/picked up - and I'm sure you know pet store rats don't get socialized usually. Just keep working with him; it may take a long time, but I'm sure eventually you'll get him to trust you picking him up. Good luck with him :thumbsup2:

@kita Thank you for the encouragement.  I don't hate him for being anti-social its just a bit hard to keep up the attention with him when he doesn't seem to respond.  Oyie I sound like a bad rat mommy  :-\  But I still give him scritchers and kisses hoping one day he'll return the favor :P

@ Kristy

It is hard when they're anti-social. I can completely understand - my mom and I have a habit of adopting "problem" rats from HVRR, so we always have anti-social rats in the house :P We love them just as much as the others though. And actually, one of the current anti-social lot (our little capped boy, Shin) has given me a few little lickies when I held him. Not much, but it's a step. It's a great feeling when the anti-social ones finally come around, so I guarantee you it'll be worth the extra effort ;)

Kristy don't give up. I have a rat Katie who is very anti-social. To the point where I had considered adopting her out because I felt so bad about her, I felt like I wasn't taking good care of her. I had someone come over to take a look at her, and that day she let me pick her up with NO trouble THREE TIMES. Ever since then she has been getting better and better. We've done a TON of trust training and she still does not like to be picked up but with time it has gotten better.

Even if he doesn't ever come out of his shell more, at least he is with someone who cares and tries instead of with someone who might ignore him for being shy. Don't be too hard on yourself.

 :heart: Thanks Jesi :) That helps!

my pink eyed himi hated being handled, i think she was just scared cuz she couldn't see very well.

my ruby eyed rat is the only one who sways though.

My boy Zeus is a pew and I love him to pieces (even though he is a little overweight and a little scaredy rat - I'm working on both of those things) he is still a sweetheart and I wouldn't trade him for even the most beautiful multi-colored. I don't see why people don't find them appealing. My boy is just as lovable as any pet rat.


BTW: Love the Banners! I will use one!

I adore my PEWs and black hoodies - who cares if they are boring or a dime a dozen?

My only "thing" now - I swear, the next rat group I get, I'm going to a breeder and getting a well bred baby or pair.  I'm tired of sick rats or ones with weird problems, I'd just like ONE time to have normal rats :)  I love 'em all, but geesh kids, let's at least pretend to be normal for a day? :)

And the only reason I didn't get me some PEWY goodness from CCRR (who has XRC girlies) is because Apiro and Tula came back AGAIN and 3 homes, plus 2 trips to rescue, in about a year?  I couldn't leave them behind again.  So no PEWY girls with some bratty babies for me.....

Kristy- I feel your pain! The day I took my PEW SugarMama home, she fell asleep in my jacket during the car ride. Once I got her home she was like a completely different rat, she wouldn't let me hold her and ran away from me if I even came in the room. I did the forced-love technique and now she falls asleep with scritches and I can pick her up and kiss her belly. I've never gotten a kiss from her, but I know she loves me.

It'll take time, but eventually your PEW will come around. And if not, that's ok too  :heart:

My only "PEW" turned into a himalayan  :(, but my platinum boy is fading into a "PEW" as he gets older   ;).

I don't have any plain PEW's, I have one that would be one, if it wasn't for his leigh brown hood. I just haven't had a chance to get any yet, but I would if I came across one. I have recently adopted two black hoodies though, and the woman I adopted off said the same thing, they are really hard to get homes for, i can't see why, they are adorable (then again any rat is adorable in my eyes)

I feel the need to elaborate on the "scared-y rat" comment now that I have just read the post by Kristy R.

My Zeus is the same way. If I want to pick him up from the cage, I have to open his hands and feet up and scoop him up by the bottom with one hand and the front with my other, otherwise he will grab onto anything he can to stay put. I feel so bad. He does give me kisses, once hes on me, and while in the cage, but he is just so scared of being picked up. His brother, Poly (polydectes) will now come when I call them, or tap down on the floor and say "come here boy" or "come here poly", but Zeus will just look at me and stay in his little hiding space as if to say "are you crazy? I'm not coming over there"

I have FOUR PEWs in my permanent mischief,

puppy:    (http://i282.photobucket.com/albums/kk250/ese1959/Puppy1.jpg)
blaggutt: (http://i282.photobucket.com/albums/kk250/ese1959/Blagutt2.jpg)
angel:     (http://i282.photobucket.com/albums/kk250/ese1959/Angel2.jpg)
and maggie, whose only picture has her burried in babies (she produced the boys that are up for adoption, plus five girls that are alread adopted out)

plus six up for adoption.

their Spokesman-
(http://i282.photobucket.com/albums/kk250/ese1959/Maggies%20Babies/Boys3mos6.jpg)

my first rat was a pew. well, is. he's still alive and going to be a year old in September!

i wanted a pew to be my first rat. there's something special to me about albino animals, and i've always loved the white rats i saw in the stores. even though there were oodles of them and always looked sad. Ian was one of two PEWs in the tank when i bought him. the girl set him in my arms and he immediatly nosed into my elbow and relaxed. i knew he was the one. all the way home he sat on my shoulder and bruxed in my ear.

he's still me little fat, food-loving sweetheart. everyone who meets him has their opinon of rats changed completely. he loves people, scritches, wrestling with his cagemate and of course, food. he's the only rat i've ever known to actually wag his tail when scratched behind the ears :P

pews ftw <3

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v240/COX221/pets/PICT0003.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v240/COX221/pets/S6301032.jpg)

I certainly miss my beloved Mad-Eye. How could anyone NOT love this face:
(http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2098/2424946014_9251a2ff67_b.jpg)
He may have had an imperfect body, but his soul and his love/devotion to me
and Dilbert were perfect in every way!

my first rat was a PEW with the inspired name of Ratty....LOL
My namesake was the sweetest PEW girl named Spaz

I only have 5 PEW's in my Crew right now and was hoping for PEW's and Hoodies to come my way from the Moncton Rescue, but only got hoodies (which I still adore).  PEW's are my First Love...males, females, babies...I don't understand how people can mistake Jewel Eyes as demon eyes.  A good PEW is a often a "better" rat than a great Other Colour.

Bronwen is my  :heart: PEW. I hate how she is almost 27 months old and starting to age a little.   :-\
(http://i61.photobucket.com/albums/h75/rattiluv/Bronwen/shesleepslikeaProtho.jpg)
(http://i61.photobucket.com/albums/h75/rattiluv/Bronwen/Bronnyismyhick.jpg)


PEW

It's sad how common it is that when someone has problems with an individual PEW, they frequently blame it on the rat being a PEW.  When someone has a blue dumbo with issues, it's never blamed on them being a blue or a dumbo - people don't often claim to have "had bad experiences with dumbos/blues." :P

Ohh I love those banners!! Great idea =)

This topic is going to have every body running out to get PEWs with all of these cute pics!!  :heart:

I just love all the pics of all those precious babies! But I especially love Mad-Eye. What a sweet boy he is/was. :heart: And yes, if you happen to have a PEW with social problems, please don't blame it on them being a PEW. Hec, my 3 were all rescues from CraigsList, and out of the 3, my gray-hooded dumbo is the anti-social one with issues, and Shadowfax (my PEW) is a sweetheart that gives me lots of kisses every day. So every ratty is different, doesn't matter what type they are.

And I am feeling the need to follow suit, and so here is my PEW baby Shadowfax, named after Gandalf's white horse in Lord of the Rings. He will always be a little small due to him being so ill so early in life. :heart:
(http://i239.photobucket.com/albums/ff122/zoegurl2006/Pets/Ratties/bedshadowfax1.jpg)

(http://i239.photobucket.com/albums/ff122/zoegurl2006/Pets/Ratties/cubeshadowfrodo.jpg)

Wanted to post a pic of my Jed, like I said he isn't completely a PEW, but he would be if it wasn't for his light beige hood, but he is still gorgeous

He is probably my most playful rat out of the two older ones, he loves a good hand wrestle

(http://i179.photobucket.com/albums/w302/sweetersongttc/jed1.jpg)

This thread is giving me a major case of GGMR. I think PEWs are sooo cute...but have never been lucky enough to have one. A PEW or two are first in line when it's time for me to get more rats!  ;D

The funny thing is...I never really though of Mad-Eye as a PEW. When I found him, in the shape he was in, he was just a sweet rat that needed me. The only time I really thought about his "pewness" was when I had to write down what he was for the vet lol. He was always the sweetest, gentlest rat I'd ever had, never even scratched me! Such a gentleman, when ever I'd pick him up (and he was quite demanding of being picked up) he'd retract his claws. I'd be sitting at the computer and feel my ankle being pawed and knew my sweet heart wanted my attention. Any time I was gone for a couple of hours or more, when I got home, he'd come greet me and we'd lay down on the couch together and he'd take a nap  on my chest.
  Social problems with PEWs? My experience has always been, they are the sweetest of sweeties!

---

He was Devoted to his bestest buddy Dilbert Doo also from the first time they met!
(http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3129/2423654903_fea40a665b_b.jpg)

  Just because no thread about PEWs is complete without him, here's my big boy, Ethan!


(http://i73.photobucket.com/albums/i206/trent_sheba/Ethantree.jpg)


(http://i73.photobucket.com/albums/i206/trent_sheba/Ethantree2.jpg)

It is sad how often they're overlooked.  Of all my rats, Ethan's the one I'm closest to.  His personality just shines through.  I have one of each of the kinds that were mentioned in the beginning of this thread as being the most overlooked.  Of course, I have my PEW.  I also have an agouti, (Lovett), and a black hooded, (Rupert).

Amen!  :thumbsup2:

That definitely shows the misconception people have of PEWs right there.

And I think it also shows the complexity as well... Because people aren't drawn to PEW they often simply get totally ignored... and when they get ignored rats don't get socialized and rats get bored and can act out...

It's nice to know I'm not alone with the anti social rat (be it PEW or not).  I'm glad I can just chalk it up to JubJub being different and having that personality that has a hard time warming up to us humans.   :P  In fact this thread has made me MUCH more open to adopting more PEWs in the future.  YAY!!  Look here's one person's mind you've changed hehe  :wink5:

KoaolaLou2 said: "I've always felt that their eyes help them to see into a person's soul and know who someone really is.  Those who are afraid of their eyes are afraid of what might be uncovered within themselves."

What a beautiful way of thinking about their lovely eyes...
Brenda 

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v21/xmaryx/pewfairy.jpg)

What a beautiful graphic, melikerats!! I've saved it to my computer, hope that's ok. :BlueDumboSmile:

I'm really glad that people like this idea ^__^  It also makes me very very happy to hear that I may have changed some people's minds about PEW and that people are considering adopting. Honestly, I'm thrilled.  The more PEWs that find homes, the more foster homes open up, and the more PEW families that stay together.   

The key to remember is that a beautifully colored rat can convince an other-wise uninterested person to rescue.  If you already believe in rescuing by taking the "Plain Janes" you help the rescue greatly. 

With the exception of my new boy Damien the Himi (who we thought was a PEW when I first asked!)  All of mine are "boring."  I have mostly black hoodies, but they are definately one of my favorite kinds.  My Pestilence could kick the tail off of another rat any day, hehe!

I love PEWs. I don't understand why people don't like him. Charles Darwin the PEW is definitely the friendlier and kissier of my two boys. Briar (Beige Berk) is hyper, silly, and squishy though, so it evens out.

All my family don't really like PEWs. Whenever I am introducing my rats to somebody, they always tell me, "Get Briar out, he doesn't look as 'scary', he's prettier." Or they will tell me "Oh, yes, Briar is the handsomer one.

How is this not an adorable rat?
(http://i184.photobucket.com/albums/x248/CHARLIE_BRIAR/P1010280-01.jpg)

I don't own a PEW (and I've only ever had the two rats I have now), but I don't see why people wouldn't like them. In fact, I would LOVE to have a PEW, but I've never had the opportunity.

It makes me sad to think of the poor PEWs in the rescues waiting for forever homes :(

yeah ,i actually found it on a website... :D

wow that's...good. i totally agree <3


n_____n my boyfriend prefers Ian over Ahren hehe. He says he loves Ian's laid-back personality and how friendly he is. It's exactly that which drew me to Ian in the first place.

sometime i feel that the pews are sweeter to make up for their otherwise "undesirable" traits. The ones who aren't sweet just need to be presuaded that humans are just going to poke needles into you and shine lights in your eyes.

I always love my boring rats. :)

I've gotten lucky with some of the "prettier" colors... with Sophie the blue hoodie rescue (RIP) and my fawnmonster rescue, Nettie, but the vast majority of my kiddos have been common colors.  My Mattie was the sweetiest girl ever and was "just" a black hoodie from the HS.  My Mae is an AMAZING rat and she's a "boring" black berk.  Roger and Herman are the squishiest friendliest most wonderful manrats and they are black and agouti hoodeds, respectively. They are/were all wonderful and I am lucky to have known and loved them all.

I do totally support this post. I find myself drawn to certain colors (I love blues, not in the minority there, I know) but I try to adopt for personality and not looks.  I admit to being a sucker for dumbos, but wouldn't turn down a sweet homeless rat who was a PEW standard as long as I had space for him/her. My newest pair of Humane Society boys are siamese/himis.  They basically look like PEWs, "devil eyes" and all, just with dirty noses.  :yelcutelaugh:  I used to dislike the pink eyes but Mandy's Pabu and Dexter changed my mind.  I think they are beautiful now!

Melissa

I've been wanting a PEW, and it's like the one color that I haven't been able to find.   :puppy_dog_eyes:  I'm waiting around for the right one, as I'm sure one will come along sooner or later. 

I'll admit, before I had rats, I thought PEWs looked kind of 'creepy'.  The red-eye thing.  But I really don't think that way now, and I've never chosen a 'colored' over a PEW.  I've never had a PEW offered to me. 

(Of course, I'm also in the minority that likes agouti and black rats.   :yelcutelaugh: )

Yeah, those are my favorites.  I like siamese, blacks, agoutis, and PEWs.  I actually was attracted to Rane more because she's a black berk than because she's a dumbo.  I usually prefer the standard eared over dumbos, honestly. 

I think this is a great idea.  Yes, I would love to be owned by a nekkid at some point, but I tend to gravitate to the more "normal" looking rats.  Obie (Dumbo Agouti) came from a litter of Blues... even though the Blue babies were beautiful, Obie and his brother (I'm still kicking myself for not bringing him home too) were special. 

Wolfie, JakeHenry & Puck
(http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2181/2286211406_6778e57e7c.jpg)

Great thread!!!

When I first started getting rats (early 80s)  the choices for colours was PEW, Hooded (black) ... and that was about it where I lived.    Ever since then, the "plain" rats still hold a special place in my heart.  PEW to me, are lovely -- I have had some of the sweetest of the sweet who were PEW.  (True -- some of my PEW weren't so sweet but this is individual rat personality and not coat-type speaking)

Many of the rats that I've had as rescues or abandoned to me were PEW   :'(   and now that I read this thread I wonder if there isn't a correlation! Of all the rats who have come to me over the years who have been "given up"  or were unadoptable from a shelter... 90% are PEW.   100% are perfect sweet-hearts - GREAT rats.   And yes -- I've had some people say crude things about their eyes. -- But what about white bunnies? What about Edgar Winter?

Some of my PEWs have been really unique - like Pinky here (his owner couldn't take care of him and gave him the name a la "Pinky and the Brain") -- who on his first day home after quarantine built a garden (and continued to do this without wrecking the fake flowers or chewing them-- for the rest of his life -I'd put out flowers for him) :

(http://www.goosemoose.com/coppermine/albums/userpics/10118/normal_Pinky_s_Garden%7E0.jpg)

my husbands first rat was a pew.. i still have yet to ever see one irl, but i think they are beautiful, i have never seen an agouti irl either, here most of the rats are hoods.  in the future if we have room to add more rats to our horde i would love to have a pew or three i think they are some of the prettiest rats. we have a himi girl and i adore her little pink eyes, they are beautiful.

I hate how PEWs and black hoodies are mostly snake food around here.
I have two PEWs, two black hoodies, and a himi girl .
I LOVE the red eyes. I think they're so pretty and clear.

I also think this campaign is a great idea, and long overdue.

Only have one PEW now, but I'm trying to adopt a second. The founder of the local rescue I've been exchanging emails with had some family issues and promptly disappeared almost two months ago. I'm saving a spot for him, though. Poor little man was brought in with eight or nine others, and they've all been adopted except for him.

Here's my Lacy-Girl.
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v371/MandsLeanan/Ratties/Grrr.jpg)

Of my 11 rats, 8 are PEWs 3 are himis.  I have no troubles telling them apart, other than the three identical sisters.  I mark them for other people.  I love them to death, but would eventually like some color in my mischief.  I will, however, always have a soft spot for PEWs.

Pink

I have always wanted a PEW.  My little Tweener (my hannibal lector) has the most crystal eyes i have EVER seen.  They are so beautiful but yet I'm afraid because he gets that devil eyed look..lol.

Tweener I knew was going to get his points and be a himi but I love him anyway.

I have a friend that had the most beautiful PEW.  She kept her so white and clean she looked like a polar bear or something.  I also love black hoodeds.  I would love to have one

Im going to put the ribbon on the boys vanity site. Its a great idea, I love PEWS. They really are angelic looking and sweet.

I needed a thud warning for this.  Your ratty is GORGEOUS!  I love PEWs and agoutis.  I have a himi right now and lots of people still think he looks creepy becuase even though he has his color points, he has the red eyes.  I still love him though. :)

When i first got into ratties i got them from a woman who only had blues, and fawns. So i never really thought about getting a PEW before.  But because of my sister i recieved a pretty Headtilty PEW, unfortunatly she was from petco.

Her name is Ivory she's not very social and likes to nip. I definitly know it takes some time and that its not her fault for her anti socialness, and i know with a headtilt she doesn't like to be picked up, but if i socialized Rocco, i know Ivory will be one happy PEW girl. Rocco is my chocolate berkie boy who was so much more aggressive and i've gotten him to become the biggest squish ever, even before i had him nueterd. it just takes patience, time and some extra love.

I'd like to own some more PEWs in the future but now i think i have my hands full with 5 sweet ratties.

Ivory
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v733/slipprybanana/CIMG3607.jpg)

Ivory and her boyfriend Rocco holding hands
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v733/slipprybanana/CIMG3619.jpg)

They really do love eachother
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v733/slipprybanana/CIMG3627.jpg)

What a great thread. I've had some very sweet PEWs over here.

I've fostered a litter of 13 babies, and nine of them were PEWs. The PEWs were just as sweet as their siblings, but all the colored babies got adopted first. Then, no one wanted to adopt the remaining babies in pairs because they were impossible to tell apart! A few months later, I was finally down to 2 male PEWs and a family with little girls came to an adoption fair and loved them. Then they overheard someone saying that rats with red eyes are more likely to have seeing problems than rats with dark eyes. The girls started crying and said they didn't want rats with red eyes. The family adopted another group of rats that were all hoodies. My PEWs had to wait a while longer until they finally found a fantastic home.

Wouldn't you just love to slap some sense into some people. Rats can be completely blind and function normally!

I finally got a great picture of my anti-social, but wonderful PEW JubJub.  He's a bit dirty cuz his mommy has a hard time cleaning the buck grease off of him.  (Is don't like to stand still long enuff for mommies to cleanes me! :BlueDumboSmile:)
http://i259.photobucket.com/albums/hh287/tisty/DSCF0539.jpg
http://i259.photobucket.com/albums/hh287/tisty/DSCF0535.jpg
http://i259.photobucket.com/albums/hh287/tisty/DSCF0533.jpg
I had to share the pictures!!!  They're so cute!
I made them links cuz they're big pics and I thought it would be easier on you guys if they weren't in the direct post :) Hope you don't mind.

Aww I've definitley heard similar rescue stories.  It's too bad that no-one wants to adopt a pair of PEWs.  They do seem to sit for long periods of time when there's more than one of them *sigh*  Funny thing is, they are so easy to tell apart once you get to know them!Heh, I have a dark-eyed rat who was far more blind then any of my red-eyes rats and she's fine. 

This is a great post and I support the PEW movement! My little girl Clover is a PEW. I'm guilty of picking a colored girl, Poppy, first. When I realised Poppy wasn't fairing well by herself I picked up Clover. Clover ended up being much more social than my colored girl. :)

(http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c360/d0pesick/Rats/DSCF0805-2.jpg)

The second rat I got was a PEW and she was the sweetest.  Unfortunately she died in a tragic accident in December and I have not been able to bring myself to get another PEW just yet.  I do have two black hooded rats and a blue hooded. 

One day I hope to be able to accept another PEW or maybe a few into my life again because I just loved my girl and she had such an outgoing personality.   

We lost our last PEW last month, but we have a PEW mouse. I think they're so pretty, so white. It's gorgeous. My husband loves black hoods and we have five right now!

We also have a cage with two PEWs and two black hoods waiting to be adopted. I plan on them being here awhile.  :puppy_dog_eyes:

"Mum saiz you are showin pichurs of PEW watties. I makes hur take pichurs of ME cuz I'z wite, tu. Da onlies prublm is I'z gotz a durty noz an bumm. Can I joen your gruup of pwetti wite watties??"

Pete

PS, Mike canz be part cuz he is blak.

PPS, I'z gotz goopz on my face cuz I jes wok up.

(http://www.scrubcaps4u.com/pete_mike/7-1-08-Pete1.jpg)
(http://www.scrubcaps4u.com/pete_mike/7-1-08-Pete2.jpg)

I just adopted this cutie pie here - Meet George  :love5:

(http://photos.imageevent.com/littledevils/myrats2/websize/goergekhenry%20026.jpg)

(http://photos.imageevent.com/littledevils/myrats2/websize/goergekhenry%20051.jpg)

(http://photos.imageevent.com/littledevils/myrats2/websize/goergekhenry%20014.jpg)

(http://photos.imageevent.com/littledevils/myrats2/websize/goergekhenry%20006.jpg)

I've been wanting a PEW dumbo for a long time but I had to wait until one finally showed up in rescue. When he did, I snatched him up right away! I'm also keeping 2 of his brothers. Henry is a black self dumbo with some white toes and Baby K is a beige with English Irish markings & ruby eyes.

Awe...George is a handsome little devil isn't he?  :rattysmiley:  I just adopted 2 squishy squirmy little baby boy PEWs a couple of days ago!!!  The second rat I ever had was a girl PEW names Roses, because of her beautiful crystal red eyes.  I think they are just gorgeous, like little cotton puffs!  I adore them!  I went to pick up my new MArtin's cage on the 3rd of July, and he had a cage load of well mannered, extremely playful and kissy PEW up for adoption!!!  I would love to have taken them all, but I can only handle a couple at a time due to disability.  To me the fact that there are so many that don't like that is what attracts me to them.  I'm a sucker for a hard luck case.  I even adopted the one with the broken tail from Mr. Martin.  Here are my new babies!  Gordon and Waffle, names from the cartoon Catscratch.  Gordon in the cartoon has a stubby tail, so our little half tail boy is Gordon.   :BlueDumboSmileTongue:

Stubby!
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v24/birchmoon/GordonButt.jpg)

Peek a Boo!  I see CUTE!
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v24/birchmoon/Gordonpeeks.jpg)

Waffle chows down his Suebee's Mix!
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v24/birchmoon/Waffleeats.jpg)

Aweee....THUD
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v24/birchmoon/gordoneats.jpg)

Gordon and his silly yoga leg maneuvers while he eats.  Just...a little bit....taller...
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v24/birchmoon/gordonleg.jpg)

Aww, a PEW dumbo! I want one of those.  :P

I just got a PEW last week.  Standard ears, and so sweet.  It's late and I'm too lazy to go dig up a picture, but there's a picture posted of him in the adoption forum.  (As 5 of his buddies who were dumped at the shelter with him are looking for homes in IL.  ;) )

I named mine Lazer. :whee:  Mostly because "PEW" reminds me of this lolcat with a kitten going "Pew pew pew".  Also, now that I've taken some pictures of him, boy do his eyes light up!

All these PEW are soo cute!!! I have a PEW girlie named Snowball that's almost a year now. She is massive compared to my other girls!! She is such a sweethart and probably one of the most social rats I've ever had. A local teacher I know had snowball as a class pet for her first graders (Snowball was welltaken care of and she just loved kids!!) Snowball had visited on a couple of occassions with my other girls, but finally near the beginning of June I was asked to be a permament home for her!! She's like a big, white ball of fun!  I also happen to have two black-hoodie girls, in fact one of which is climbing down the back of my shirt right now! I love PEWs!!!!!    ;D

Aha! I finally got a few pics of Mr Super Kuper, hunky PEW Extraordinaire!


(http://i281.photobucket.com/albums/kk201/IctRatBoi/sleepyKuper-1.jpg)


He is definitely my sweetest, most laid back, gentle boy I have! <3 PEWS!

 I just LOVE PEWs!! I have my first one..his name is Ian and he is an absolute angel. He is so sweet, licky, and fun and even my boyfriend loves him, so it's awesome.

(http://i61.photobucket.com/albums/h79/alybaba11/IMG_0375.jpg)

(http://i61.photobucket.com/albums/h79/alybaba11/IMG_0511.jpg)

(http://i61.photobucket.com/albums/h79/alybaba11/IMG_0519.jpg)

(http://i61.photobucket.com/albums/h79/alybaba11/IMG_0330.jpg)

I seek out whiteys :). This was my first, Plonk. I swear, he's not dead in the picture!
He was just old, blind, and slept with his eyes open in awkward places.
(http://i126.photobucket.com/albums/p86/FractiousFuzz/plonk-1.jpg)

(http://i126.photobucket.com/albums/p86/FractiousFuzz/plonk2-2.jpg)

They area all so cute!  I was tempted to bring home a PEW of my own on Sunday when I went to the HS to drop off some donations.  They had only one rat there, a PEW, but it was a girl - not gonna work with my unneutered boys!  I've been to several pet stores in the last few days too looking for different things, and didn't see one PEW at any of them!

I'm preparing to adopt my 1st rats and right now it looks like it might be a pair of pew girls!  ;D
I'm going to meet them in a few weeks, I can't wait.

My very first rats were PEWs, Timothy and Sweethart (it's not misspelled, she was named after my favorite candy back then).  I got them from a classmate whose rat had an accidental litter.  I lost Sweethart after only a few months, but Timothy was with me for 6 plus years.  Back then I didn't realize that 6 years was so unusual. 

Currently, I have a little PEW girl named Ruby.  She used to be a classroom pet, but was left at a local vets last December when she developed a tumor that grew so big it was freaking out the students.  She was also diagnosed with cataracts due to retinal degeneration.  Since then she's had 2 more tumors removed; 1 malignant and a number of cysts have formed.  She's been through so much, yet she's the most lovey, licky girl I've ever met.

A couple more pics of my lovely PEW... he is sooo beautiful.

(http://i61.photobucket.com/albums/h79/alybaba11/IMG_0593.jpg)

(http://i61.photobucket.com/albums/h79/alybaba11/IMG_0617.jpg)

(http://i61.photobucket.com/albums/h79/alybaba11/iangood.jpg)

Oh how sweet!!   :rattysmiley:  Those are beautiful pictures.
He's gorgeous.

And look at Plonk on the plate!  LOL how cute... that could go in the living dead thread  ;)

Pamangel, "Sweethart" is such a cute name!

pews are awesome.  my first and only 2 rats are pews from petco and they are my little monkeys.

PEWs must be much less common over here or something. I've only ever had one, just because he is who crossed my path. I'm getting a PEW double rex girl at the end of the month and you guys made me extra excited LOL. Maybe next time I'm up in Brisbane I'll run over to the Brissy Rat Rescue and grab one or two. ;)

What beautiful pics, Alybaba!  He's gorgeous!  Very creamy looking. 

I reposeted the original post to the UK Fancy Rats forum.  Apparently they see much less PEWs over there, but anything with red eyes suffers a disadvantage when people adopt, especially Himis which are very common there. I wonder why that is? 

Edited to include a link:

Just look at how many PEWs are currently in the Mainely Rat Rescue! (http://mainelyratrescue.org/rattieblog2/?page_id=18)  It looks to be almost half their rats!  Many of the others are black hooded...kinda sad just how many PEWs though. 

Good luck with that, it took me aaaages to find a PEW, I'd always wanted a white rat so I'd been searching for PEW's for a while. I thought my boy Scooter was a ruby eyed white when I got him before I knew anything of Aussie rat varieties, turns out he's a silvered dove  :BlueDumboSmileTongue: . I eventually found one at the fairfield RSPCA when I went to adopt some meece and I fell in love. He was all alone in a filthy cage (and had been there for over a month), and someone had obvioulsy smashed his tail in the door, but it's all better now, and he's an absolute sweetheart. It was obviously meant to be because even my mad mink Skutter had no issues in meeting him, and normally if he so much as sniffs another rat, *poof* mink dunny brush  :yelcutelaugh:

Without further waffling here's Hamish!

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v482/silverchamber/february%20pics/hamishcouch.jpg)

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v482/silverchamber/New%20pets/Hamish1.jpg)

Alybaba, that last picture needs to be submitted for next years calendar!!  I LOVE it!

 ;) Thank-you!  ;)

People comment about how the red eyes on my himi look evil, but he is just the sweetest little fatty ratty ever. Nobody ever said that about the red eyes on my beige girl or platinum boy either. Maybe they don't look evil because they are dumbo, or maybe because they aren't white with red eyes.

I am getting my first PEW on Sunday! I am going to name him Karma, fitting for a PEW, I think.

It really is sad. :( Personally, I believe PEWs are the most beautiful of rats. They're just wicked hard to photograph in a way that shows that beauty off, lol. And they're a little harder to keep clean looking, hehe.

Here's my girl, Squirrel. She's super dirty in this picture.

(http://i303.photobucket.com/albums/nn138/TheGameDog/Pets/GroupOne017-1.jpg)

My Pearl is a PEW
(http://i233.photobucket.com/albums/ee135/Baloos_mom/newrats053.jpg)
(http://i233.photobucket.com/albums/ee135/Baloos_mom/rattieupdatesapril2nd2008001-1.jpg)
(http://i233.photobucket.com/albums/ee135/Baloos_mom/rattieupdatesapril2nd2008002-1.jpg)

*thud*


oh now that is too cute!!!   Look at the stuffy with Pearl!   ACK!  :heart:

I have had a few people remark on the "evil" eyes... but you're right... mostly for rats with white coats.  ???  (People are so strange, "Eww.. those eyes are awfully creepy."  -- is acceptable to say to me but not to say to a dog or cat owner.)

And yes to Twixter -- they are so hard to take pics of!!!  (your little one is uber cute though!)  I  hate using flash to take pics of PEWs.  I don't like the "glowing eye" effect in the pictures but often it's unavoidable.  Maybe we need a photographer here or one of you that takes glorious pics to help us.

I take them without flash and then lighten the photo with a photo-editor or use the low-light settings on my camera.

It always surprises me that people don't pick the PEW's!
I mean, ratbabies are cute, but PEW's, those little cottonballs with pink eyes are the most adorable!

(http://i61.photobucket.com/albums/h75/rattiluv/Bronlings%20Teya%20and%20Rennie/2PEWfuzziesandhoodiegirl.jpg)

*thuds at the ebilly cute red-eyed puffballs*

Thanks for the compliments on my Pearl!  I love her pink eyes.  She is a double rex girl so she looks like she is all pink a lot of the times.  And that is the Webkinz Mouse in the photos...also named Pearl.  LOL. ...cuz I am creative!

Well, the pew boy I was going to adopt isn't coming here anymore,  :-[. I'll be keeping a look out for another though.

I added the banner to my myspace page.  ^.^

I love how we are both looking in the same direction with the same attitude.  XD

Peanut and I.
(http://i102.photobucket.com/albums/m88/uaoguild/peanutme.jpg)

*thuds at Pearl*

A white rex is one of my dream rats  :P . They look like widdle sheep!

How could a thread like this pass my attention for so long?  ??? I HAVE a PEW!  ::)
Without further ado, Esther!

(http://im1.shutterfly.com/media/47b8d939b3127ccec4f017a2f49700000040O00RZOGjVm4Yg9vPgI/cC/f%3D0/ps%3D50/r%3D0/rx%3D480/ry%3D320/)

Just wanted to put some more PEW goodness...

Fun with corn,

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v24/birchmoon/0pets006.jpg)

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v24/birchmoon/0pets005.jpg)

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v24/birchmoon/0pets008.jpg)

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v24/birchmoon/0pets009.jpg)

honestly hear where I live in S.A. It's hard to find PEWs because most petshops breed for color. But I did find one in a feeder tank....and low and behold....I took him home....

(http://i87.photobucket.com/albums/k136/Heartlessmusic666/SANY0137.jpg)
(http://i87.photobucket.com/albums/k136/Heartlessmusic666/SANY0134.jpg)
(http://i87.photobucket.com/albums/k136/Heartlessmusic666/SANY0135.jpg)
 :heart:

My boyfriend was reading this thread over my shoulder and said, "How could anyone feed that to a snake? They're [the rats] so intelligent." Snakes are cool and have their place in the world, but I feel that anyone who bought a rat as a feeder would end up falling in love with it (though of course that doesn't usually happen). There are so many cute fluffballs here!!

We have two PEW girls, about 4 months old. Sweetest. Things. Ever. My first rat, Gashnah, was also a PEW. I love how they sway their heads for better depth perception (so cute!) and I think their eyes are beautiful. The only downside I can see is that, just like with a white car, the dirt shows. When my girls get into mischief it is easy to tell.  ;D I will post pics as soon as I get around to transferring them to photobucket or one of those sites...

I'll admit, up until a few weeks ago, I just couldn't see how CUTE PEWs are. Until i met my girl Trixie!!  The moment I saw her, she took one look at me and started bruxing. I knew i had to have her. She just moved into the big girls cage today, and they even love her. Normally, it takes Cinny a week or so to warm up to a new addition, but nope, she started grooming Trixie straight away. I can see alot of baby wipe baths in her future though lol.

 (http://i22.photobucket.com/albums/b303/amandamess/Rats/trixie.jpg)

My sweet girl, in mid brux. The moment she sees me, she starts bruxing and if she's not sleepy, she comes running straight for some scritches.

Thank you goosemoosers, for turning me on to the wonderfulness of PEWs!!

This thread is awesome. =]

I'd gladly get a whole colony of PEWs! I don't give a rat's....booty...what other people think about them! They're obviously not very good people if they can't look past the pink eyes and the rat's bad reputation and get to know them.

When I get my ratties, I plan on just picking the ones that are the most outgoing, ect. If they both happen to be PEWs, i'm all for it!  :BlueDumboSmileTongue:  :heart:

Yes, ditto -- I can't stop checking this thread! LOL --
 ooo   Trixie! Squeak! 

Once you start you can't stop. That goes for knowing and loving PEWs too.    :heart: :heart:

Aweee....look at Trixie and her cute little crossed paws.   :hyper:  I love PEWs, all I have is 2 boy PEWs.  I wouldn't trade them for Calico Velveteen Odd Eye Dwarf rats!   :BlueDumboSmileTongue:  They are the sweetest boys I've ever had!  They love to lay in my shirt, brux, and get their scritches.  Such sweeties.  There are lots of pics of them in this thread.  lol

i have a hooded and a gray, but i want a PEW with them!  :hyper:

Connor

How do I get a PEW awareness ribbon in my siggy?

Here are the promised pics of Rosey and Celeste. Without further ado...

(http://i352.photobucket.com/albums/r339/nothing_too_infernal/rosie.jpg)
Rosey was attacked by a cat as a very small baby so she has a notch in one ear and a squinty eye on the other side. When she turns her head her face looks almost diamond-shaped. I think it adds to her character and cuteness!

(http://i352.photobucket.com/albums/r339/nothing_too_infernal/bookwormclose.jpg)
Bookworm Celeste enjoying the finer points of reading.

(http://i352.photobucket.com/albums/r339/nothing_too_infernal/rcoze.jpg)
Rosey's favorite place, tucked safe in my shirt, with a good sniffing vantage.

(http://i352.photobucket.com/albums/r339/nothing_too_infernal/cwhiskers.jpg)
Squinty-eyed Celeste lost in the wonders of head-scritching.

I don't have too many action photos yet because these girls are just too cuddly! Hooray for PEWS!

This guy is my first PEW.  He's supposed to be a FOSTER, but I'm thinking I'm about to become a failure.   Last night after I had him out with me watching tv, he went back to his cage, laid down on the shelf and boggled away.   He's such a precious boy who has stolen my :heart: .

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v603/Dearpie/Foster%20Boys/P1050159-1.jpg)

Mario and Luigi were my first two ratties...got them about 2.5 years ago. Luigi was a darling PEW...this happens to be the only picture I have on my computer:

(http://img329.imageshack.us/img329/9880/luigi1xq5.jpg)

He passed away in January of 2007. I have some darling pictures of him that I'll have to look up.

Luigi was gorgeous.  Awww.  Post more pics if you find them.  :)


Dearpie!  Ack- he's so cute what is his name?   :poke:

and gracie, Rosey and Celeste are simply gorgeous.  Notched ears and squinty eyes -- only adds to the beauty - look at those CUTE LITTLE FACES  :love10:  -- and Rosey in the shirt... ::melts::

My first beloved PEW was tiny (and destructive)  Rose Anne  and thereafter I had a run of PEW girls with rose-related names. Rosey Posey, RoxanneRose, Roseanna, Roserita, Pearl Rose,  - Clever no?  (not!)

Hmmmm.....coincidence?  My first PEW in 1999 was a girl....named Roses!  Because of her pretty eyes.

This is one of my favorite pictures of Luigi. I love the look on both of their faces here!

(http://img329.imageshack.us/img329/4737/marioluigi1zm1.jpg)

And with Mimmo, before Mimmuzzo's himi points came in, so he's technically a PEW here  ;)

(http://img329.imageshack.us/img329/9674/luigimimmofk5.jpg)

I just love the snow white color of PEWs!

 All of the PEWs are so beautiful. I have two: Stella and Ruby ( sorry I can't seem to do pics) I also have a himi boy Truman and am fostering another barely himi boy named Charlie.
Pink and white is our color scheme around here!

In India at the Karni Mata temple, all rats are worshipped but it is the white rats that are considered the most holy. Everyone who visits tries to see or touch one. Maybe there have been other threads about this temple..but I thought that it deserved mentioning in the PEW thread. We are so lucky because we get to actually live with white rats!! :bow: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ACzWdSfZXmw&feature=related (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ACzWdSfZXmw&feature=related)

Yay for PEWs named Charlie! I have one too. :)

Oh my god! That is soooooo cool! That video is amazing. The whole time watching it I just kept exclaiming and laughing. I've always wanted to visit India, and if I ever go I'm totally visiting that shrine! Rats are divine creatures, and PEWs are  precious among them.

I want to go to India too...maybe catch a glimpse of a white rat!

Here are my PEW's
Charlie(one of my foster boys who I adore), Stella and Ruby( when they were young)and Truman:
(http://i33.tinypic.com/2qbsyf6.jpg)
   
(http://i34.tinypic.com/1johfm.jpg)
       
(http://i35.tinypic.com/1pdo3k.jpg) 

Hurray I got pictures to work! 
Annie     

This thread has me so excited. I'm getting a rescued male PEW from ratattack soon, and every time I look at this thread, I just get more excited. His name is going to be Cosmo! (His soon to be added brother is a tan and white variberk who's going to be Kaluha). My fiance isn't crazy about pews because they remind him of "lab rats", but I just can't get over how cute they are! I'm so very excited.  :hyper:

Cheerio, you must post pics as soon as you get them. Can't wait! I'm sure your fiance will come around once he gets to know Cosmo.

Antics, I love the hammock pic of Stella and Ruby! Such cutesomes!

One of my mom's co-workers is actually Indian and he was telling my mom about that temple just a couple days ago. We both think it's so cool.
And, just to add some more PEW goodness, introducing our new PEW, Ten Ten:

(http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c115/kitaeru/more%20ratties/100_1614.jpg)

Her sister, Mulan (also a PEW), has not wanted to hold still for the camera, but we just got them, so pics of her will come soon. And I just realized that I never shared pictures of our little Lucky boy here, either:

(http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c115/kitaeru/more%20ratties/100_1402.jpg)

So, three PEWs over here, now (and a smeezie girl). I dunno why people don't like PEWs...

Oh, and I also found out a couple of really cool things - I love Japanese history, and I ran across this: a rat temple in Japan:
http://www.johnharveyphoto.com/Japan/Kyoto%20Day%202/RatTemple.html
I also found this:


I thought it was really interesting. I remember having read that in old Japan, a white rat was associated with one of the seven gods of luck - it says the same thing on that site, though I had read it somewhere else a couple months ago.

Your babies are so cute! I will definitely be posting pics of my boy once we get him settled in. I'm so very excited to get a PEW.  :rattysmiley:

The more I see the more I love 'em. Ten Ten and Mulan are sweet! I can't wait to see more. Please post pics when you get yours Cheerio!
I love  the Japanese temple!
The Indian deity Ganesh (He is an elephant) always has his rat friend Vahanna with him because Vahanna can chew through obstacles....that wonderful Japanese story reminded me of that. Apparently westerners are a bit behind as far as rat respect goes....well not all westerners :wink5:
Annie

What better time to revitalize this thread with MRR's Precious-Pink-Eyed-Rat-A-Palooza! You can read more about it here http://mainelyratrescue.org/rattieblog2/?page_id=18

Thank you Moondust and ChaoticSerenity for making the Ribbon and Banner and allowing us to use them on our website!

I'm adding one of the remaining lil sweet PEW to the popcorn boys! I hope he likes to play or cuddle with rats lol. If he's a player, he'll join Pea and Anborn romping all over the house. If he's a cuddle, shy little Ashe will just LOVE him! I've missed having a lovable PEW ever since Mad-Eye passed on to the bridge. No name chosen yet though Gwiddion is a possibility!

ETA Or Luaron

I'm telling you PEWless people....my Waffle, a PEW, is the MOST loveable big squish ever.  His brother likes to explore, but Waffle just wants to flatten himself out on my shoulder or chest and nuzzle my neck while I pet him.  I call him momma's boy.   :yelcutelaugh:  He's an amazing rat, and I've never had one as loveable as him before...and I LOVE it!  Everyone must have a lovely PEW in their life.   :cheeky:

No problem!  Just spread the Pink-eyed love!

I'm so glad that I adopted Ziggy from you guys (now famine) who was the inspiration of this thread and the rat in the first post.  He's quickly become my heart-rat!

Yay PEWs!!

I just have to show off my girl Cloey now.  :BlueDumboSmileTongue:

(http://i193.photobucket.com/albums/z129/Karioko/7-2.png)

(http://i193.photobucket.com/albums/z129/Karioko/6-2.png)

Cloey at 6 weeks old:

(http://i193.photobucket.com/albums/z129/Karioko/ratbaby.png)

(http://i193.photobucket.com/albums/z129/Karioko/16.png)

(http://i193.photobucket.com/albums/z129/Karioko/2.png)

She's such a sweet girl. :]

Brooke and Ratties - Is she a dumbo?! Oh cuteness!!

Quote from Kita:

Such a great story! It would be really cool to start a collection of rat myths and gods. I wonder how many cultures value them and have stories about their adventures... So far we know that Indians and Japanese value them... I wonder if there's a story behind the rat in the Chinese zodiac?

Yes, She's full of PEW aaaand Dumbo goodness! :D

Thank you!

I love PEWS!! unfortunalty my last one had to be given away due to family issues but since I've moved out I would love to get one again!!!! Love the PEWS! :heart:

My new lil PEW boy I adopted from RatAttack!
He's been here a week this coming Sunday and is starting to settle in. Now if he'd just get it in his head that those other "smaller" dudes are trying to PLAY with him, not beat him up lol. He's such a cry baby, meeping pitifully when they get close to him hahaha!

(http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3216/2766990284_b1635a41cf_m.jpg) (http://www.flickr.com/photos/whtnyte1962/2766990284/)	(http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3252/2766142727_6378295992_m.jpg) (http://www.flickr.com/photos/whtnyte1962/2766142727/)	(http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3037/2766990620_d3dd3f0eac_m.jpg) (http://www.flickr.com/photos/whtnyte1962/2766990620/)
(http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3006/2766142997_7a97bf2c07_m.jpg) (http://www.flickr.com/photos/whtnyte1962/2766142997/)	(http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3050/2766990918_db0a10135f_m.jpg) (http://www.flickr.com/photos/whtnyte1962/2766990918/)	(http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3277/2766143455_a601a021b2_m.jpg) (http://www.flickr.com/photos/whtnyte1962/2766143455/)

CHARGE!

Charge in deed!  All of the boys in that litter are a bit, um, vocal.  Meetoo will settle in, I'm sure.  Very cute pictures!

I have mama Maggie - Mom to Meetoo, Bubble & Squeek (living with Lilija), Lady (with ChaoticSerenity), and Cosmo (on his way to Cheerio), plus Thelma and Louise (with my boys in NJ) and the four boys still "at home".  I WILL make the camera work!

Gracie, hug your boyfriend for me!!!  Most dudes just don't the rat thing, much less PEW's...  :(

I  :heart: :heart: :heart: :heart: :heart: :heart: :heart: PEWS!  My first rat was a PEW, Pinky (I know, how original... hey, I was 6) and since then I've had... three more.  Pinky, Pearl, Peanut, and currently Clover.  My mischief wouldn't be complete without one!  :love5:

Also; I put one of your PEW awareness banners in my sig on a non-rat-related forum... we'll see about all the ratty PR I'll get to do!  How do you get them to be static for here?

I finally have a PEW (as opposed to just my himi boy in his summer colors), and I still haven't got it right
(http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f244/bbflygirl/haveyournose.jpg)
I'm missing the white fur

PEW's are just too hard to find around here  :puppy_dog_eyes:

...well, maybe not that white...but a PEW none the less!  He's a bit dingy and has a date with a baby wipe.  I don't do baths unless really necessary.  Too much stress for them.  Here's my PEW pride and joy, Waffle man.   :heart:

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v24/birchmoon/0016.jpg)

i have 2 pew's in my group and they are my most playful.  its cute becasue they are always togehter doig something so they got the nickname of the twins.  its so cute.  granted my favorite of my boys is my little black one but that just becasue he demands to be on me at all times while the rest of my boys play with each other.
i like their labrat look, its my favorite thing about them

Ok, so I have been very very bad. I haven't posted my squishy boy I got from Stacy. Uh-oh...so here is a very large picture of Cosmo (unless I can get the little one to fit). I honestly believe with his attitude and personality, he's my  :heart: rat. My fiance still isn't crazy about him. He didn't dig the pink and white, and then Momo nipped his knee for some lovin'  :yelcutelaugh: so he's still not lovin' him too much yet. But as for me...consider me a sucker.


http://i38.tinypic.com/s10piw.jpg

after finally convincing my bf, we got our first pew! (he was a bit skiddish of the pink eyes at first, but now she is his favorite!!)

Introducing Edelweiss, or lil edel for short  :love7:

(http://i39.photobucket.com/albums/e167/redheadedcherry/rats135.jpg)

(http://i39.photobucket.com/albums/e167/redheadedcherry/rats128.jpg)

She is so cute, I loved seeing her baby pics :heart: Baby PEWs are adorable, not that big PEWs aren't, they just look like cottonballs or marshmallows  :BlueDumboSmile:

I love PEWS! There are not too many around here though! I had 2 PEW foster girls (Severe biters!)..but other than that, I have never had PEWS aside from them!

Oh thanks! I adore PEWS myself! Great idea!