As part of our Paws for Thought campaign this year, we’re sharing stories of how adopting a pet has improved people’s wellbeing. Caroline adopted Robin and Tobias from Bristol Animal Rescue Centre last July. Their adoption came at a very difficult time in her life that saw her struggle with not only contracting Covid, but also a period of depression. Caring for them has given her a renewed sense of focus and love into her life, she says.
How did you come to adopt Robin and Tobias?
I had always looked after other people’s pets and I had spare room and felt I could give time and care to an animal. I have a soft spot for animals that people can’t handle and, after reading a story about rat litters being abandoned, I felt sad. I’d looked after someone else’s rats years ago and knew they were nice pets, but I didn’t feel comfortable buying them from a breeder. While there are plenty of ethical breeders and loving owners out there, there are also a lot of people trying to get rid of unwanted rats on the internet because they get them without researching all that is involved.
Were there any aspects of your wellbeing that you struggled with before getting your pets?
Adopting Robin and Tobias massively improved my mental health. The time that I adopted them coincided with some really horrible things happening at work which led to me experiencing, what was with hindsight, bad bouts of depression. There were days when I only managed to face the world because these two tiny creatures relied on me to look after them and I think their need for a play and feeding routine kept me going. I don’t think I realised how bad my mental health was until I adopted them.
I also got Covid not long after I adopted them and they were my only real world contact for seven days. (They were scared of me for the three days I had symptoms). Mainly I didn’t expect to love them as unconditionally or as quickly as I did.
What were your first impressions after taking them home?
They were well behaved from the beginning, but I fell in love with them so quickly that I became filled with anxiety that I would hurt them through negligence or ignorance. They were so tiny and so fast, I ended up paying for an expensive vet visit to confirm there was nothing wrong with them. I soon realised I had to trust them and myself more. This was still going on after four or five months and the vet said they were healthy – they were just larger rat gentlemen, so I started to realise my thinking wasn’t rational and they were fine.
What are their personalities like and how does that affect you?
Tobias is exactly as people expect pet rats to be – he is friendly, affectionate and a bit naughty. He is very robust so I tend to ‘juggle’ him more. Robin can be very sweet, but it has to be on his terms. He is really good at climbing and jumping and I have seen him show Tobias how to climb things. At first I felt really bad that Robin didn’t like me stroking him or picking him up, but as I have relaxed about this, he has become more affectionate. I think it’s important to recognise that animals may not love you straight away and you may have to show patience and give them affection on their terms, not yours. What I always find heart-warming is just how much they love each other.
How has having them improved your mental wellbeing? Are there any things you are doing differently now?
I plan time to clean, feed and play with Robin and Tobias each day and that gives me focus. I enjoy buying them toys and allowing loads of time to play with them. I don’t drink alcohol when I still have to let them out and play because their little feet look so fragile I worry about being unstable, so I think it’s improved my health too.
How do you think you’d be feeling/coping if you didn’t have them?
Sometimes I can’t remember what it was like before I had them. I look forward to the time in the evening when they wake up, and we all get up really early in the morning – them naturally and me for work, so it’s nice to have a little time chasing after them in the mornings. I purposely don’t do anything else but play with them, which has been really good as it takes me away from the internet or stressing over things I can’t change. They are clever so I have to watch them carefully or they will outsmart me.
What would you say to other people who are struggling with mental health/wellbeing and are perhaps considering getting a pet?
If you are certain you have the time and the love to give, it is really beneficial. You have to accept there will be good days and bad days as animals have moods too. I’d also say routine is really important for both the person and the animal(s) in terms of making it practical to look after them, but for me this made me feel more grounded. The internet is a good source of information, but with male rats a lot of blogs focus on the negatives which you might not experience. Do your research though and make sure you can commit.
