The Rat Files, Part 2

THE RAT FILES, PART 2

When Margaret and I went to the East coast in the summer of 2000 for my grandmother's 90th birthday celebration, well, of course we took the rat with us! After all, what could be more apropos than to bring such an auspicious animal to meet his contemporaries at the National Zoo. (Not to mention his fellow rodentia in the Congress [rim shot]). We took him to Philly, Baltimore and DC, and I dare say he had a wonderful time (we certainly did). So without further ado, we present, "Mister Rat Goes to Washington."

My grandmother demurely agreed to pose with the rat for a picture during her 90th birthday celebration (you may be able to tell from her barely constrained grimace that she hates having her picture taken).

Rat posing for a "humor shot" with Margaret and a big concrete eagle at the National Zoo in DC.

We were fortunate enough to run into a distant cousin at the prairie dog exhibit.

When a gaggle of First Ladies ask you to pose for a photograph at the Smithsonian, how can you say no?

At the Robert A. Taft Memorial Carillon on Constitution Avenue.

Despite the somber surroundings, he couldn't resist clowning for the camera at Fort McHenry in Baltimore (that rustling sound is Francis Scott Key spinning in his grave).

Outside of the United States Mint in Philadelphia.

Rat poses with ceremonial fife & drum corps outside of the Christ Church Burial Ground in Philadelphia.

Chillin' with a new buddy at the Brandywine Battlefield Park in Chadds Ford, Pennsylvania.

Checking out the avian action (and the available cover) at the Hawk Mountain Bird Sanctuary.

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