Long gone are the ye olde days of plague and disease, with modern science making most of those curable in tablet-form. Our food is safe, well-guarded, and tucked away behind fifteen layers of plastic. Most of us don’t have farms, livestock, or anything that could be invaded and destroyed by pests; So why do people hate rats?

As a relatively long time rat owner, I may be heavily biased, but I think humans should begin to recognize the value that these critters bring to the table. I think people are most off-put by the mere appearance of the rat. I mean, what makes people hate them so much?

It’s not the face, is it? Princess Tempura Fried Chicken, or PTFC for short. Baby Back Ribs. Yes, that's her name.

Nah, it can’t be. What about the tail?

(Rats’ tails are awesome! By Oxxy on Tumblr https://www.tumblr.com/tagged/lovetail)

For me, I gotta have the tail. It's a package deal. Then , it’s gotta be the hands. They have hands and feet, not paws like cats and dogs.

(two rats holding hands by Sharesloth via https://sharesloth.com/cute-rat-pictures/)

I mean, I'm not the only one whose heart is melting here, right?

The original term and language when used to discuss rats comes from the Sanskrit word rádati, meaning 'to bite, gnaw, cut, make way, or open'. This makes sense, as this is what rats do and continue to do today. Looking at the raw language that the first humans used to describe rats, we can assume that they've always been feared or looked down upon in the public eye.

This view and how we see rats can also be proclaimed throughout the stories we share surrounding these animals. Ratatouille, anyone? Templeton in Charlotte's Web? One of the biggest cultural influences could be the origin story of the Chinese zodiac in which a rat tricks an ox into winning the celestial race.

Even in the eye of an outsider, it's obvious that all these rats are being given a bad rap. The word 'rat' simply has negative connotations attached to it, despite its actual definition being a lot less threatening.

“Hatred” here for rats is a strong word. The real issue at hand is asking why we’re not recognizing the full potential of these adorable mammals, that is pet-wise and in day-to-day life. Rats can be and are useful to humans, in spite of the weary unease between species.

Through their heightened senses, brain capacity, and similarity to human genetic makeup , rats have some great social potential as a welcome compadre in your home.

Because they co-evolved with humans (and entered society as pests before cats and dogs), rats have a heightened sense of smell to scavenge for favorable human and other refuse. “That means in rats, one in out of every 100 genes is involved in the detection of odors. This jaw-dropping number of genes involved in olfaction gives an idea of how important the sense of smell is to a rat!” Says Anne of anne_rats.

In a more serious vein, rats can even be used to sniff out mines and bombs left over from battle. In places like Cambodia, Tanzania and South Asia, people train the rodents to locate mines from previous wars.

"The idea was very strange," says operations coordinator Theap Bunthourn. "Cambodian people kill rats, don't like rats. But they're cost-efficient, they're easy to transport, they're easy to train, and they don't set off the mines because they're too light." NPR News reports.

(Marteen Boersema, a TB detection rat trainer with his rat Via Apopo)

In an astonishing feat, both worker and rodent have overcome this 'fear' of each other and have created a mutually beneficial relationship. According to Apopo's website, you can adopt one of these rats for as little as 7 euro a month, or donate to the cause.

In all reality, rats are extremely smart and can even be taught tricks, in a similar manner and method to dogs. Sure, pooch can sit and stay, but has man’s best friend ever brought him a tissue? Play basketball? Air Bud’s got some real competition going on.

If you're worried about cleanliness, don't be. Rats bathe themselves more than cats, and readily offer to bathe you as well. The Great Pointed Archer club online claims that a rat's pelt smells similar to grape soda, but any whiff of a rat will prove otherwise. Cross daily water baths off the list; Rats got it covered.

Even when rats are being the most useful they can be to the human species,as companions, as clean, safe, disease sniffer, and as literal bomb detectors, rats are still looked at with disgust and loathing. Rats may not be able to change their appearance, but you can change the way you think.

All the rats ask is that you try to see them in a more positive light.