Pet Forum / Mammals / Rats / January 2004

I haven't thought about this ng in a long time, even though my rat
usually crawls up my leg at some point during long internet sessions
(and my gf says she's been finding her on the keyboard every time she
comes upstairs lately). However, I was just over at the web site for
one of my favorite punk/new wave-era bands, the Stranglers
(http://www.stranglers.net/), and got a pleasant surprise. The band,
whose first single was called "Peaches" and who have used rat imagery
heavily throughout their 25-year career, on their albums' artwork,
etc., now feature links on their site to numerous rat sites! And
though their rat decor has always been used in connection with creepy,
sleazy sewers and dark, dangerous alleys, the sites they link are all
related to pet rats and keeping your rodent pals safe and healthy.
Oddly, though the band is UK-based, three of the four rodent links are
for US organizations, with the remaining one a German-language site
(Now this phrase will be stuck in my head: Raus, maus!)

I don't know if the owner of the late Peaches was a Stranglers fan,
but for me to see that name in the first topic as I returned here
straight from the band's site seemed beyond mere coincidence. Anyhow,
hello again, all. Best to you and your li'l buddies!

  - Dr Strangemonde