Poncho Pança

When I was a senior in college, the day before Valentine's Day I walked into the pet store to get a hamster. There I met Poncho, then left to think about it. Hours later I brought home my first baby ratlet. At the store, they told me that a rat was a much better substitute for the ferret that I really wanted (but couldn't afford). 

They were spot on. He was one month old when I brought him home.

Not only did he have the cutest ears I'd ever seen, he was incredibly affectionate and clever. We lost him last night, exactly 23 months after I brought him home--his 2nd birthday, to general failure. 

Love you, Poncho Pança...my Little Mister. 

Here he is weeks ago, playing in the torn up Christmas wrappings.

And my favorite video--we'd take him and his brother Tito to play at the park. No leashes needed for either of them. They'd come when we whistled (which is exactly what he does at the end of the video). That is, if we could get them to wander away from us long enough to come back. They always liked to stay close.

"Well, first, I ride behind him. Then he fights. And then I pick him up off the ground." Sancho Pança, from Don Quixote.