We've come to Mexico to escape the rats.

Neither of us was sleeping. I'd wake up in the middle of the night and Bao would be sitting up and staring into the darkness, growling softly. I guess he could hear them, or smell them. Or both. And then afterwards, I couldn't get back to sleep.

Bao has never chased anything -- much less attacked anything -- in his entire life. He is indifferent to lizards, and scared of rabbits. Birds puzzle him. And as far as he is concerned, cats do not exist. I cannot imagine him going after a rat, although I can imagine a rat coming after him! That's one of the reasons we've decided to spend the week here at Rocky Point.

The other reason is to give the exterminators a chance to set traps all over the condo, instead of just in the places where Bao can't go. I don't know how many rats there actually are, but even one rat is too many for me.

Bao loves it here, and has made himself comfortable on the banquette, in the sun. And don't you love the glittery little bow the groomer gave him?