" If it were a bedtime story, I’d call it A Rat’s Tale and begin something like this: "Once upon a time there was a curious cat who lived in front of a field filled with possibility. On one particularly perfect summer afternoon he surprised his about to turn 15-year-old owner with an early birthday present. Though appreciative of the gesture, the boy decided to bestow a gift of his own by returning it."

Anyway…

Z’s caught quite a few field mice in his time but this was the first real-deal rat I've seen him get. Not that he necessarily hasn't, considering how he roams around out back all by himself pretty much any time he feels like it. For all I know, he'd already eaten one for breakfast this morning and had his fill. Which might also explain why he set him free right next to me just as I was finishing up with my milkshake. With mixing it I mean.

He ‒ I mean it ‒ seemed pretty small as far as rats go but was still way bigger than a regular old field mouse. Actually, this’ll likely take a while as it is so I think I'll keep referring to it as he after all. Though I didn't exactly get a great look down there, I’m pretty sure that I saw a teeny-tiny ballsack. "

― ― Monte Souder (Rat Luck: Vol I)