***CAUTION***BORING OLD GUY CONTENT***CAUTION***
When I was young.(see, I warned ya!) We had a flying squirrel get into the house.
My older brother captured the little monster and decided he would keep it as a pet. He nailed hardware cloth to an old bookcase, added some critter comforts and installed his new roommate in this rent free condo. He then announced that the squirrel's name was 'Rocky'.(Always original, my brother Charlie.)
All was well. Charlie and Rocky got along famously. I, being the youngest, was FORBIDDEN to enter his room under PAIN OF DEATH OR WORSE! ( There was a reason for this, that involved flash burns, loss of eyebrows and singed hair. That's another story.)
One fine morning we were awaken by a BLOOD CURDLING SCREAM.
My Mother.
SHE WHO MUST BE OBEYED!
We all, cautiously, made our way down stairs to inspect the latest disaster.
We found Mom pointing at the maple dinning room table.
It appeared that some small four legged something with Very sharp claws had landed and spun across the length of the table, taking Mom's Waterford crystal bowl along for the ride.
Mom, in her light and sweet voice (that could be clearly heard at a range of 500 yds,) said,"THAT FLYING RAT HAS GOT TO GO!"
We retreated to brother's room to fine Rocky sound asleep in his cage. After a quiet discussion, violence was averted.
Over the next 3 months, this strange event recurred. Twice!
One afternoon, we returned from school to find Rocky mysteriously missing.
Mother said nothing.