Once again, Rasputin's front legs rose up, and Char gave him another nudge. "Back it up, broski," Char snapped. "Look, rat. You wanna pet him, go for the abdomen. He's just gonna chomp down on you if you keep gettin' in his face."

Char motioned to Rasputin, who reluctantly rolled over onto his back, still eyeing that tasty mousey thing the whole while. Gosh, surely there is no sight more precious than a billion long nasty legs waving in the air. What an endearing fellow that Rasputin was. "There. He likes tummy rubs, and he can't bite you if you're all the way down there."