I don't know the gerbils' exact date of birth, but they were eight weeks old when I got them at the end of June 2005, so at some point recently they have had a third birthday.
I love to see their whiskery little muzzles poking through the bars for treats. I love talking to them and giving them cutesy nicknames like Chip-Ite and Pinniped and Fat Rat. I love the noise they make when they eat a tangerine segment. They're nice to come home to, nice to see in the morning, and nice to imagine going about their gerbilly business while I'm at work. Just knowing they're there in their corner of the living-room, these adorable pets who depend on me utterly, makes my life so much more pleasant.
Happy birthday, fatboys. You make a house a home.
