So I was sitting at my computer tonight surfing around, not really paying attention to anything, when suddenly I heard the cat going crazy. I turn around to see a huge bug flying around the room and the cat trying to catch it.

But then I realize that this thing is way too big to be a bug, and finally my brain parses it… its a bat!!! Not a huge bat…maybe 6 inches from wingtip to wingtip. And its flying around in circles looking for safety while the cat runs around under it.

Now, I live on the 3rd floor of a 6 story building. I’m sitting in a studio apartment with all the windows closed and the air conditioning blasting. I am at a loss as to how to explain how this little bat got into my apartment. My best guess is that it somehow worked its way though the sashes…coming in through a gap at the top of the window, dropping down, the flying up the other side and squirming through a crack at the top on the inside. Either that, or it was some supernatural event.

Anyway…it took me a while to catch the wee thing (I got a bath towel and used it as an improvised net) and so I got to watch it for a long time. I saw its face as it flew past me again and again. And its outstretched wings. And the only thing that came to mind was… “What a cute little creature!” I guess bats are supposed to be scary or ugly…but it just looked scared and cute.

Eventually I got the towel over it and bundled it up gently and took it outside and set it free. It flew off, seemingly no worse for wear. I wanted to check it out up close but I wasn’t sure where in the towel it was and it got free before I could see it. Just as well, I suppose. It was scared enough as is.

Now I’m wondering if there’s such a thing as a pet bat… 🙂