Friday, April 1, 2011

Adopt a WHAAAT?

photos by AlexK100
You are not going to believe the article I read last week discussing New York's rat problem and what is being done to clean it up. I'll just say it really rattled me (pun intended!):

"In an attempt to fight the rat epidemic that has long plagued New York City, the government has launched a controversial program called 'Adopt That Rat". Although unconventional, the initiative encourages New Yorkers to welcome those 'cuddly creatures' into their homes as pets. The rodents will be collected from local streets, subways and garbage dumps and brought to the nearest animal shelter for preparations. Once the rats have been cleaned and given the proper vaccinations, they are ready to bring home.

City officials are hoping that shifting people's views on rats will help clean up the city, boosting tourism and spending. Instead of viewing rats as pests, they say we should 'name them, take them for walks, buy them rat clothes'. New Yorkers are embracing this new approach, as well as New York retailers who have quickly hopped on the band wagon. Specialty boutiques have launched their own lines of exclusive rat couture, selling rat hats called "Rats", high definition whisker extension creme, diamond encrusted collars, rat sneakers. They can't keep these items in stock.

One New Yorker can't imagine life without her new pet rat. "As soon as I get home from work, Mickey scurries to the door to greet me. This adorable little rodent has changed my life. Sometimes people give me dirty looks when I take him for a walk, but I know it is all worth it each time I look into his tiny rat eyes."

This is crazy. GOOD LUCK NY! By the way, if you haven't already figured it out, this is definitely an April Fool's Day joke. Of course I had to find a way to celebrate my absolute FAVORITE holiday of the year!! If anyone had any good jokes played on them, or pulled off any good ones themselves, please share!

8 comments:

  1. Here's a good wrap: http://tcrn.ch/f3Oe5P
    My faves: Helvetica (the world's greatest font) and Virgle

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  2. oooh, this is AMAZING!! thanks for sharing! LOVE helvetica!! I hope the Cut Copy concert we're going to tonight isn't one big April Fool's Day prank! that would be MEEEEEAN!

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  3. you had me for a second! but i actually did have a pet rat for a while.

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  4. haha, yay liz! glad i fooled you, even if only for a bit. eeeew, a pet rat? i can't imagine!!! I bet it wasn't as cute as primo and ezra!

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  5. I saw Dad's email response to this and I asked him if I could post it:

    "Hi Shementie,

    I was very gRATified to read your highly RATed blog! After I RATified the blog as authentic, I RATher took a liking to it. It seems like a very RATional and sensible idea. It could gRATe on your nerves a bit having a pet like that. They can be a bit bRATty. If more people did it, we could build up a fRATernity of rat adopters. The food RATions could be expensive. Soon we could sell them by the cRATeful.

    yours in gRATitude,

    dad"

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  6. Dad, I love your comment (Mar, thanks for posting)! Smart, funny and very clever! I see the apple doesn't fall far from the tree ;)

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  7. I can't stop laughing at this, Ratman. The images alone are a tickle, but your dad's email... priceless.

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  8. HAha, thanks laura! Glad you liked! I had no idea my dad liked rats so much :)

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