Thanks, the little critters are interesting. I miss my cats, but I'll be retired and on the road in 3 years, so I can't commit to a cat. I'll keep my mind open to a hamster - or is it better to have two, will one get lonely?

I think we got fucked up when western philosophers looked upon critters as machines without feelings, because religious doctrine said they had no souls. Bullshit. Just like Descartes first deduction after, "I think, therefore, I am" was the existence of God. Why? Fear of execution!

Ever since I ran over that raccoon with a semi and saw its partner in the mirror looking at the remains, I've thought about the family life and feelings of "lesser" critters.

My friend Maggie would fuck Christians up, asking if dogs and cats went to heaven. When they said no, Maggie would say it couldn't be a very good place with no dogs and cats, and she wanted to go where the dogs and cats go, so forget Jesus and all that stuff.

You probably have a heightened sense of critterdom, too, after the hamster experiences.

-Chuck, Vegetarian fanboy