This article is from the WSSF 2009 AFRMA Rat & Mouse Tales news-magazine.

By Hattie McRattie

Written by Dan Reinhold
Copyright 2008, 51 Pages

What a surprise! When the request to check a new rat publication for accuracy was made, I thought to myself, This is going to be tedious. Boy, was I wrong. It was a sweet walk down memory lane with Dan Reinhold stirring up all the precious memories. Even as an experienced rat breeder and pet provider, Dan has information and suggestions that I wish I could have passed along to those whose first rat experience was from my rattery.

Dan starts his e-book with a short, touching story of his youngest son and then goes on to cover every detail you should know about acquiring your first pet rats. Of course I said rats. Dan explains to the uninitiated why your rat needs a buddy and reinforces the need all the way through this treasure packed rat primer.

Unlike the books you may pick up in pet stores, his e-book is for the first time rat experience and he raises your comfort level from timid and fearful to excited and enthusiastic. He doesn’t give you a lot of information you don’t need and gives you the detail the other books skip over. Dan not only tells you what, but then he adds why. When you understand the why, you are not as apt to skip a step and not have the rich rat experience we all want for you.

This e-book is divided into four sections:
Step 1: Preparing for My First Pet Rats
Step 2: Preparing My First Pet Rats’ Home
Step 3: Selecting The Place To Find My First Pet Rats
Step 4: Ensuring The Comfort And Health Of My First Pet Rats

But each section is FULL of step by step directions as to how to make your first pets feel at home from the beginning. With each product needed, such as a cage and bedding, there are great links to quality products. Other books fill most of the pages with recycled pictures and give general information. There aren’t many pictures in this e-book, but the few that are used are very cute.

If you are thinking about buying rats or if you have had rats, but it’s been a long time, or if you are a breeder, this e-book is a must have. If you have people buying rats from you, this is something you should require. It will save you from worrying whether or not your ratties have a good home.

When you read My First Pet Rats, you will know it is written out of a love for the little loves of our lives, but it is also written as a tribute of a father’s love and pride for his son.