Mouse of very small RAT, please?

[Lemars]

I think I know the answer to this one - and I almost don't want to ask.................I thought he was a largish mouse, but having taken more photos, I have my doubts.

Please could someone tell me this is NOT a rat (nah - you can't - can you)?.
He's hardly bigger than a mouse and - to all intents an purposes - appears to be all alone. He just LOVES porridge and is quite happy to share it with the various birds - robin, blackbird, sparrow - which appear to share `his/her' dinner.

He's also living about 5' from the patio door - which concerns me not one bit - but I'd rather he didn't grow into the monsters we've had here from time to time (which the dogs dispatch eventually - and is why I've no real worries about them). We're inundated with various mice etc - but this one critter is very close and cute and cheeky.

C

[Lemars]

Quick change or subject required - oops

[aeshna5]

Young Brown Rat.

[Lemars]

Thank you Aeshna - not that I'm surprised.

Now I'm in a quandry - let nature take it's course (and let the dogs find it eventually) or actively discourage it.

oh dear............................