Around here most of the serious damage is caused from rats chewing holes in PEX plumbing tubes in walls, ceilings, and floors that they come across. But I grew up with horses, cows, chickens and other farm animals and we had a constant battle trying to keep them from getting into and spoiling feed.
From the article, “If anyone ever brings me a two-pound Norway rat, I will write them a cheque for $500,” he said. “It's never gonna happen!”
I grew up next to a city with a port and across the street from the city dump. The land that the dump was located on was taken from my family by eminent domain. Growing up I saw some huge rats... But my dad won the “booby prize” at a home builders association event. Whoever won the rat was supposed to take care of it for 3 months until the next quarterly get-together.
I was the one who was told to take care of the rat. He was a massive brown rat. He easily weighed at least two pounds. He as big as our cat. He was tame, but easily upset by loud noises and people he didn't recognize. He had led a life that I would characterize as being sad and neglected. He came in a large cage; he had received very little attention and ate pretty much whatever was put in his food bowl and drank water out of a watering device that was attached to the side of his cage.
While I was taking care of him, I let him wander around my room and let him sit on my lap. I bought him some toys meant for Guinee pigs, hamsters, and other rodents. After three months we had built a relationship. I felt bad letting him go. He was an easy pet to take care of and was always excited to see me.
I know that they can be a nuisance, and that their populations must be controlled. But as pets they tend to be low maintenance and do have some redeeming qualities.
I had guinea pigs...
Nasty things.
But Rats were like you said
Easy and personable.