We have a new family member floating around the house these days.  This is Hercule Poirot.  (Since the rat is named Miss Marple we thought we'd continue with the Agatha Christie theme.) He just came into the house one day and stood there looking at me.  I thought surely someone would be looking for him.  We put up signs, did Craiglist, took him to the vet to see if there was a micro-chip.  But to no avail.  The vet said a lot of pet owners have been simply turning their pets out when they are evicted from their homes, so I think that must be it.  He was well taken care of, nails trimmed, fixed, etc.

He's a very sweet little fellow.  The children just love him.  He just blends right in with them.  I wasn't too fond of daschunds and never would have thought of getting one, but I don't think I could have found a better dog for us if I'd gone out looking for one.  I'm glad he came.