Adopting a Rat

[INMOM]

Hello! My DS will be attending VMI later this year. We live in Indiana, so we are approximately 9 hours away from Lexington. I've read on the forums that sometimes there are families that "adopt" a rat. How does this happen? I know that we may not be able to get there for every occasion we'd like to and that he may not be able to come home for every holiday (i.e. Easter). Just curious how this works and if we have to seek it out ourselves or if it's just something that happens. Any advice would be greatly appreciated. Thank you!

 

[KarenH]

Most of the local churches have adopt-a-rat opportunities. My rat attends a church were they have awesome support for rats/cadets before and after services at the church house as well as families who will take a rat home for a meal or nap, to Walmart, etc. Rats/cadets that live close will take home brother rats, you will find offers for rides to the airport, etc. VMI is a community that really takes care of its own. I don't think there is a formal "adopt-a-rat" program through the campus, just through the churches, though I may be wrong. The ratline may inspire many rats to get to church services as it is one of the few places they can take a break. Feel free to PM me with questions, my DS is in the middle of rez week, breakout dead ahead. BTW make parents weekend reservations NOW.

 

[15mom]

At Matriculation most churches will have a table set up. Find your church then and make that initial contact.

It is a wonderful program. My DS is a second and still goes to church almost every Sunday and still goes to his ADOPTED families home. They are now family to all of us. They just attended RING FIGURE with us and have even visited us in Upstate NY during the summer.

Food, quiet, respite, and naps.

 

[INMOM]

Thank you, KarenH. That sounds great and we'll plan on checking into that. DS plans to attend church in Lexington as well. Good luck to your son...fingers crossed that breakout comes SOON! And thanks for the advice about parent's weekend. We have a hotel that we really like, so I'll get to work on that right away.

 

[INMOM]

Thank you also, 15mom. Thank you for that information so we know to be on the lookout at Matriculation. That's very cool...guess we're all in this together!

 

[KarenH]

INMOM...interesting story. Several months ago my Rat was crossing campus on a Sunday and was stopped by three alumni couples who were visiting. They took him out to eat and since then have bought him cookies, more meals and picked him up to spend a day at one of their homes. It is just that kind of place.

 

[INMOM]

What a great story! It warms my heart to hear such things and I'm so very happy that my DS is going to go to such a wonderful place! You all have helped me worry less...thank you!

 

[sprog]

Does anyone know if there is a secular group that participates in this sort of "adoption" as well?

Or are pizza and a nap still only for the religious people?

When I went to VMI, there wasn't any such group for nonbelievers, but maybe things have changed (as professing a lack of belief has become more mainstream).