When I was a teenager, I had a pet gerbil named Herbie.  Herbie was an adorable little black gerbil who loved to run around on the floor.  We had one of those little balls they can run around in, but he preferred – not unreasonably – to be free to roam.

Herbie and I were good buddies, and when I got home from school I would go right to his cage to let him out for a while.  It made sense then, when I went to go stay with family across the state, I should bring Herbie with me.  I couldn’t stand the idea of parting with him indefinitely.  The only problem was, I was flying to my new home and wasn’t sure how to bring Herbie with me.

Being a typical rebellious teenager, I figured out a solution – a Pop Tart box in my carry-on bag.  Herbie didn’t seem to mind, and after we were in the air, I pulled him out and let him hang out in my pocket.  That pocket ride is what reminded me of the story to write here.  We almost got in trouble when a stewardess walked by and saw him in my hands.  She stopped, blinked at me, and then shook her head and walked away – whew!

Herbie’s adventure wasn’t over just then, however.  On the way to my new home, we stopped to buy Herbie a cage.  We left him in his Pop Tart box in the rental car, and when we got back out to the car, he was gone!  Pop Tart boxes are no match for munching gerbils and he ended up getting himself down under the gearshift lever in the center console.

After completely removing the center console, we were able to rescue Herbie and settle us both in our new home.  I haven’t thought about that cute little guy for many years, and now I think it might be time for my kids to enjoy the fun of their own pocket pet.