I took the teeny paw between my fingers, pressed it down onto the inkpad, then onto a sheet of white paper. Then I said: ‘Goodbye Captain.’
One of my rats, eight-month-old Jack Sparrow, hadn’t woken up after going to the vets to be castrated.
He was such a wonderful pet, and I wanted to do something to remember him by. So, I decided to take an imprint of his paw.
It made a lovely keepsake. And later, when I stumbled across some miniature blank canvases online, an idea formed.
I shared my bedroom with 12 pet rats, and I wondered if they could do something with them to make some artwork for my room.
When they arrived, I put my plan into action. I placed the canvas in the bath, surrounded by little splodges of non-toxic paint.
Then I removed one of my rats, Gibbs, from his cage and placed him in the tub, encouraging him to walk in the paint then over the canvas using treats. To my surprise it was a real success.
‘Looks like a Rat-son Pollock,’ I said, ‘or a Rat-isse!’
After doing a few more, I shared the artwork on Facebook. And the response was overwhelming.
As it was shared, I started getting messages from all over.
Where can we buy a painting from? they asked.
With that, Toogoods Tiny Paws art studio was born. And commissions for my rat art started coming in straightaway.
Never did I think they’d be such demand for my pet paintings. But my rats’ wellbeing was the most important thing to me.
I always made sure they were happy to get creative and never painted more than twice a month. I also spoiled them with toys and treats with their earnings.
Now I’ve sold hundreds of pieces to people all around the world. My most expensive, which all 12 rodents contributed to, went for £100.
Rats get a bad rap, but I hope my unexpected venture shows what incredible pets they can be.
My brood aren’t just affectionate and intelligent – they’re great deco-rat-ors too!
Steph Toogood, 23, Ilminster, Somerset
For more info on Tiny Paws visit: toogoodstinypaws.com