RATS was a very special little dog, especially for those who lived and served with him in Northern Ireland.  For Rats was no ordinary dog ... he was not a pet, nor was he a working dog, but the rarest of all, surely ... a dog soldier.  Many members of ADU NI came across Rats during their tours of Northern Ireland and have fond memories of him.

Above all other human beings, Rats loved Soldiers, and above all other activities (apart from eating and sleeping) Rats liked Soldiering.  He seemed born to follow the drum.  As one young soldier said fondly "We didn't choose him as a friend ... HE CHOSE US".

No one knows exactly who Rats' parents were or when he was born, but aptly his birthplace was Crossmaglen, where he served with different units of the British Army for several years.  Because Rats was believed to be a lucky dog for those with whom he served on patrol - and he certainly helped to save lives on several occasions - he was given an official Army number .. Delta (for D Company, to which he was attached at the time) and 777, this being the luckiest number the Army could provide for him... thus "D777 Rats".

For special occasions, one regimental tailor made Rats a jacket in regimental colours, and he was awarded two medals for his gallantry.  Gradually his fame spread, and when he retired with a special Army full-dress parade in his honour, Rats was a TV celebrity, receiving fan letters by the thousand.