This year is Mom's year, Year of the Dragon. Jack was born under the year of the Rat!

IT'S AN HONOR TO BE BORN A RAT!

In China, the rat is a respected intuitive creature, synonymous with courage and an enterprising character. Rats know how to come up with solutions, take care of themselves and others without problems.

Besides being curious and intelligent with a vivid imagination, rats are very lively and need oodles of attention (mental and physical stimulation). TRUE FOR JACK!

To sum it up, the positive side of the rat personality includes being easy-going, smart, magnetic, quick witted and well-liked! On the flip side, rats have also been known to be a tad cool, calculating, selfish, and protective when they're not in top form. TRUE TOO!

What motivates Rats? You guessed it -- money and status. Occupations particularly suitable for people born in the "Year of the Rat" include: spy, psychiatrist, writer, politician, laywer, engineer, accountant, detective, actor and pathologist.

"Earth Rats" (those born in 1948 and 2008), are said to be very honorable folk who love to do things around the home and enjoy a stable life. Although a titch stingy with their moolah, they are cheerful with friends although are prone to stress.

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GANESHA AND THE RAT

Ganesha is the Hindu God of Knowledge, Intelligence, Scholarship and Good Luck. As Lord of Success and Victory of Adversity, he symbolizes the unity of the Small Being, (man), with the Great Being (elephant).

Ganesha is often shown riding on a rat's back or attended in some way by a rat. Since rats are seen as being capable of gnawing their way through most things, the rat symbolizes Ganesh's ability to destroy every obstacle, a perfect companion for "Ganesh, The Remover of All Obstacles".

Like the elephant, he can pass through the thickest growth of wild forest by uprooting everything in his path. And, like the rat, he can also slip through the narrow spaces and thick walls. And, the Atman (soul), symbolized by the rat, is capable of hiding itself behind the inscrutable shape of illusion, and finding a place of solace within the mind and heart of every being.

From http://www.squidoo.com/2008YearoftheRat