Big mistake, because ratmondo (who subscribes to any Kijiji ad with the word "rat" in) mentions this one, extremely sad ad she saw a few days ago.
The ad was posted under the wrong section and had the most HORRIBLE spelling. It literally read:
"Wanted: I am seeling my male rat with id cage"
I was duped into clicking on the link and met with one of the saddest, most unhealthy looking rat and cage I've ever seen.
ratmondo said she desperately would like to take in the little guy, but that she had all females and didn't want to add a male to that mix. I immediately jumped in and said I would take him.
We immediately called this ad-poster and set up a pick up time for noon the very next day. She was asking for $50 for the rat and his disgustingly tiny cage. We managed to talk her down to $15 for just the rat (still an outrageous price considering rats are $9.99 in most places).
About 1 hour before the pick-up time, I receive a call at home from ratmondo. She's pissed, because the ad-poster could not be reached by phone, and then she suddenly sent a text message saying she wouldn't be home that day. We manage to text back, saying, how about 8:00pm the next day? So a new time is set. Again. We anxiously wait.
1 hour before the pick-up time, again, this woman cannot be reached. She texts back stating that her grandmother has died and that she will not be home. I'm livid at this point. ratmondo is calmer and immediately arranges yet ANOTHER pick up time: 4:00pm the next day.
4:00pm approaches and we are about to tear our hair out as the B*TCH (as we were caller her at that point), would not pick up her phone and didn't reply to texts. She texts back, FINALLY half an hour before the pick-up time telling us that "the rat is dead my cat ate him".
I could have committed bloody murder at that point, I think.
Thankfully, lilangel (again on the Rat Shack) who had been watching this entire ordeal from aside was the only one thinking clearly. She suspected that after all the delays and excuses, that the woman was lying. She contacted the ad poster via email this time, and asked one simple question: "I'm interested in the rat. Is he still available for sale?"
The answer came promptly: "Yes".
So finally, after 4 LONG days of anxiety and waiting and worry, ratmondo finally drove out to the B*TCH's home (an apartment downtown over a burger joint), and picked up Franklin.
We paid $50.
A worthwhile price, I think, to help a sweet and lovely rat get a second chance at life.
Franklin BEFORE (picture in the ad)
Franklin NOW :)
And with his new Family:
Don't buy when you can change a life!
