Wednesday, December 23, 2009

When You Put a Rat Out

One night I heard some shuffling sounds coming from my kitchen. I was in a peaceful sleep, but was fully awakened by the sounds. This was a few weeks after the mouse incident, so I knew what was likely waltzing around my recycling bags. I turned on my light, and looked intently towards the kitchen. Out ran a big mouse. He disappeared. Then I heard a shuffling noise again, this time closer to my kitchen table. I stared intently in that direction. My 'I Teach NYC' book bag was hanging from a chair. To my complete astonishment, a rat head peered out of that bag. Just the head. I gawked for a second, then said to him, 'You are a rat. And you are in my book bag.' He descended knowingly. I kept staring, this time at the spot where his little rodent head made it's appearance. Out he popped again. Just the head. I think he realized he was being watched. Down he returned, no doubt feeling safe amongst my lesson plans. I was too full of adrenalin to consider that he may have hitched a ride with me from school to my house in this very bag. My thoughts were on immediate removal of his being from my apartment. As I walked to the kitchen to grab my broom, I kept a constant eye on the opening of my bag. I knew I only had a few seconds to act. I used the broom handle to lift the bag by its strap, opened my door and walked out with my package, then closed the door behind me. I dropped my bag on the hallway rug, and lifted the flap of the bag with the handle of the broom. Out scurried a six inch long subway rat, and down the stairs he ran. I was appalled to witness this, but pleased with the excecution of my rodent removal skills. I went back inside, wondering how I was going to continue living a normal life now that I knew parasitic mammals had free access to my home. With the help of an experienced exterminator with a strong flashlight, we were able to find the exact location of the point of entry. I could once again breath and sleep in peace. I would say the experience did not change me as a whole. I do check cautiously every time I open the door now to make sure he doesn't try to sneak back in. I wonder when I will start letting my guard down again?

8 comments:

paz13 said...

Tamar: Enjoyed the story. Good that you have a parasitic free apartment thank to the exterminator. Hope your apartment is able to stay that way.

Kevin

Ms. Senyak said...

Don't I get a little credit too for escorting him out that night? :-)
Thanks for your continued support Kevin, I really appreciate it.
Happy Holidays, too!

paz13 said...

Tamar: Forgot to give you credit for escorting the rodent out, which certainly wasn't easy to do.

Hopefully you will be able to tell rodent free stories in the future.

Kevin

devilinside said...

Good job Tamar

and you did it with such confidence

Hopefully the mouse let itself out
the building and went back to the subway

Ms. Senyak said...

kevin~ amen!

devil~ hey, what brings you to my blog? I bet you never had to contend with rats where you live- at least not rodent-y ones :-)
Hope you had a nice holiday, thanks for visiting.

devilinside said...

Tamar

the devil has to check in once in a while.

the rats were thinking about coming in until they heard the music selection... that kept them out.

there are other types of rats around here.

My holiday was good, thanks.
and yours?

Ms. Senyak said...

devil~ Yeah, rats likely don't appreciate good music when they hear it :-)
The hoidays are always weird, you know? Never what you want them to be. Now Halloween, Halloween is the exception. How can you go wrong with a sharp knife and something to stab? :-)

devilinside said...

lol!

Best Halloween comment I ever heard! I agree 100%
That holiday always goes right

Maybe if everyday was halloween those rats would never think about coming in...