The Bell rang and four hundred students poured into the halls. Then came the banging of metal locker doors and loud talking. This little animal, that had not eaten or had any water for a while, cowered terrified in a corner under the overhang of a locker. He was spotted! The hall began to look and sound like a street in New York during a King Cong movie. It runs like a rat, smells like a rat, looks like a rat, so it must be a rat. This rat did not need all this hassle as he had already suffered a very rough young life.

    Fortunately for the rat there was an animal loving rescuer in that crowd and this student immediately picked it up. Then, just like any animal would do in this situation, the rat bit the student. It amazes me that the student did not check the rat's ability to fly but she held on. Our theory is that the rat was purchased from a pet shop and released into the school hallway as a practical joke.

    The stressed rat in question is known in the pet trade as a "Fancy rat" and is a descendant of the brown rat, which is thought to have originated from Asia. The word "Fancy" in "Fancy Rats" is an old word meaning "hobby", particularly when applied to animals. The keeping and breeding of fancy rats became popular in the early 1900s. As a result of captive breeding there are now many different colors and coat types, such as the Rex and even Hairless! This rat is called a "Hooded" rat.

    The rat was placed in a safe container and brought to us by Plano Animal Services. We have already gotten a call from a witness offering to adopt this little rodent. All is well. NOTE: You might notice that today’s column lacks a lot of creativity, imagination, and humor. Let me just say two words: kidney stone. Nuff said?