I WISH TO THANK MY PHOTOGRAPHERS, EVAN COHEN and Virginia Broitman, for their time and efforts in helping me visualize the training techniques through their wonderful talents. It’s not easy maintaining the correct lighting and photographing such small creatures as they move about. Virginia, who is also an extraordinary animal trainer, also owned many of the rodent models. She kindly provided the venue for the book’s photo session—her house. Evan and Virginia, I couldn’t have done this without the two of you.
I also wish to thank my acquisitions editor at I-5 Press, Andew DePrisco, for having faith that this book would be a good subject for publication.
Big thanks also to Samantha Martin and Mrs. Disesso, Moe’s widow, for all of their help in the world of rats in media productions.
This book is for my father, Armond Fields, and step-mother, Sara Fields, who asked me one day, “Why not write a rat training book?” as their rats, Ira and Hy, cavorted about them while they sat on their couch. My parents adored their rats and were thrilled with each new behavior they learned. So here it is, Dad and Mom, the book you suggested. I even used Ira as one of the subjects’ names.
This book is also dedicated to all the rats, and their trainers, who have worked in the media. The other rat named in this book is Ben, of the movie Willard fame.
