Dear Mr. Biologist,
My dog Henry caught a Norway rat in the backyard. Henry just wanted a playmate, but the rat seemed quite upset — he even bit Henry. That just made Henry want to play even more. I believe all living things are sacred, so I don’t want to kill the rat. Is there any way these two can get along?
–Wondering
Dear Wondering,
Rats make wonderful pets for people but can be standoffish with dogs. I suggest you make a special place in our house for the rat, entice him in with peanut butter perhaps, and see if you can get him to live indoors part of the time. As he gets used to you, slowly re-introduce him to Henry. If things work out, you have a happy household again. If they still can’t get along, you may need to find another home for Henry.
