Nightmare! Total nightmare! I really don’t know how else to think or write about this. Rats in the toilet? Just the thought sends shivers down my spine, and honestly, I don’t even want to entertain the idea, let alone experience this scenario firsthand. After hearing a few urban legends, I was curious (and terrified), so I started asking around. My friends were just as skeptical and freaked out. “No way that can happen,” they laughed. But guess what? It’s not a myth.
Rats can, indeed, make their grand entrance right into your toilet, and just knowing this fact was enough for me to dive deep into a frenzy of worrying and researching. Like, what in the world would I do if I encountered a rat in my toilet? The first thing that pops into my mind is to run. But realistically, so would the rat—potentially after me! Clearly, I needed better solutions. So here’s the lowdown on what I discovered…
First Things First: Can Rats Really Swim Up Our Toilets?
Absolutely, yes. Rats in the toilet aren’t just some horror movie fiction; they’re a startling reality. These creatures are surprisingly adept swimmers. They can hold their breath for up to three minutes and tread water for as long as three days. They can even squeeze into spaces as tiny as a quarter. The usual route for these sewer-loving swimmers begins in your home’s main sewer line. They shimmy up, navigating through the narrow urban waterways, and presto, they pop up in your toilet like a grotesque surprise in a jack-in-the-box.
How Do They Do It?
Well, it turns out rats are attracted to the scents of food and waste that linger in our sewer lines. They explore these lines by squeezing through the smallest of cracks and climbing inside the vent stacks that lead to the roofs of buildings. Once they find a drainpipe that leads downward toward a toilet, it’s merely a matter of paddling upwards and making a grand entrance right into the porcelain throne.
Encounter of the Rodent Kind
Imagine this: it’s the dead of night, you’re groggily making your way to the bathroom, and as you flip on the light, there it is—a rat, casually lounging in your toilet bowl. What do you do? Well, after my initial instinct to sell the house and move to a rat-free island subsides, here’s the more rational action plan I put together after consulting with every expert source I could find:
Keep Your Cool: Panicking will likely scare the rat, potentially driving it to seek refuge in even less accessible parts of your home.
Contain the Situation: Quickly close the toilet lid to prevent its escape and place something heavy on top. Rats can be surprisingly strong, and the last thing you want is a chase scene in your bathroom.
Dial for Help: This is definitely a situation for the professionals. Pest control can manage the situation with the right equipment and safety protocols.
Handling a Deceased Visitor: If the rat isn’t alive, wear gloves to remove it from the bowl, place it in a sealed bag, and dispose of it properly. Don’t forget to disinfect every surface within a mile radius (okay, maybe just the bathroom).
Flushing is a No-Go: Whether it’s dead or alive, flushing the rat is a bad idea. It’s inhumane if it’s living, and could cause significant plumbing issues either way.
Prevent Future Uninvited Guests: After handling the immediate crisis, consider installing a non-return valve in your sewer system. This gadget allows waste to exit but prevents rodents from entering.
Regular Checks: Keep an eye on your plumbing to ensure there are no easy entry points for future intruders. Make sure all pipes and vents are secure and in good repair.
As for me, since learning all this, I’ve been extra vigilant. Maybe I’m checking the toilet a bit too obsessively before each use, but hey, can you blame me? And about that idea of moving out? Well, let’s just say my browsing history has seen a significant increase in real estate listings.
So, do you believe it now? —rats in your toilet aren’t just an urban myth but a potential reality. But with the right knowledge and precautions, you can prevent these terrifying scenarios and tackle them with confidence if they do arise. Stay alert, stay informed, and maybe keep a heavy book near the bathroom, just in case.
Entitled Guard Denied My Wife Entry to the Movie Theater – I Returned Days Later for Payback
When Grace, retired and full of life, was humiliated at the local movie theater, her husband Tom decided to take a stand. Armed with a recording and a determination to protect his wife’s dignity, Tom confronted the guard from their past, setting off a chain of events that neither of them expected.
Grace and I have been married for over 40 years. We grew up and have lived our entire lives in a little postcard town where everyone is like a big family. Running into your classmates at the grocery store or seeing your former teacher at the dentist is a usual occurrence.
Tom and Grace on a walk | Source: Midjourney
I’m still working as an engineer, while Grace enjoys her retirement. We’ve raised three wonderful children and now have five adorable grandchildren. Our days are filled with laughter and love, spending time with our family, gardening, and taking long walks together.
Grace has always loved movies. Since retiring, she’s been watching more than ever. She gets so excited about new releases, and it’s a joy to see her passion.
Grace in a movie theater | Source: Midjourney
One day, Grace was thrilled about a new movie. She had been talking about it for weeks. The day finally came, and she was all set to go. She picked out a nice outfit and even put on a bit of makeup. She left the house with a smile, eager for a relaxing evening.
At the theater, she approached the entrance with her ticket in hand. But just as she was about to walk in, the guard stopped her.
“You can’t come in. This movie isn’t for people like you,” he said, without any explanation. Grace was stunned. She didn’t know what to say. She felt humiliated and bewildered.
Guard forbids Grace to enter | Source: Midjourney
When she got home, she was in tears. “I don’t understand, they wouldn’t let me in,” she said, her voice trembling.
Seeing her like that broke my heart. “What do you mean they wouldn’t let you in?” I asked, trying to stay calm.
“The guard said the movie wasn’t for people like me,” she replied, wiping her tears. “He wouldn’t explain why.”
Tom comforts Grace | Source: Midjourney
My sadness quickly turned to anger. “No one has the right to treat you like that,” I said firmly. “I’m going to make sure he regrets it.”
I started thinking about who this guard could be. Grace hadn’t recognized him, but something in her description rang a bell. Then it hit me – Matt, from high school.
Tom picks a fight with Matt in high school | Source: Midjourney
He had asked Grace out once, and she had politely declined. He had been a bit of a troublemaker back then. Could he still be holding a grudge after all these years?
I decided to confront him. A few days later, I went to the theater, making sure he was there. I approached him, trying to keep my cool. “Hi there,” I said casually. “Nice evening for a movie, isn’t it?”
Tom approaches the movie theater | Source: Midjourney
Tom records his conversation with Matt | Source: Midjourney
His face turned pale. “I… I didn’t mean to kick her out…”
I cut him off. “Save it. I’ve got your confession on tape. I’ll be talking to your manager about this.”
He started to stammer, trying to apologize, but it was too late. I walked away, determined to see this through. Grace deserved better, and I wasn’t going to let anyone get away with treating her like that.
Tom calls the manager | Source: Midjourney
As soon as I left the theater, I knew I had to act quickly. Grace deserved justice. I went home and played the recording again to make sure I had everything. Matt’s admission was clear. There was no doubt about what he had done.
The next morning, I called the theater’s management. “Hello, my name is Tom. I need to report an incident involving one of your employees.”
The manager, a woman named Sarah, sounded concerned. “What happened, sir?”
Manager talks to Tom | Source: Midjourney
I explained everything, from Grace’s excitement about the movie to the humiliating encounter with Matt. “I have a recording of Matt admitting he refused her entry because of an old grudge,” I added.
“Could you send us the recording?” she asked.
“Of course,” I replied. I emailed it to her right away. Within an hour, I received a call back.
Tom waits for justice | Source: Midjourney
“Mr. Tom, we’ve listened to the recording, and we are deeply sorry for what happened to your wife. This behavior is completely unacceptable. Rest assured, we are taking immediate action.”
The next day, I got another call from Sarah. “Mr. Tom, I wanted to let you know that Matt has been dismissed from his position. We apologize for the distress this caused you and your wife. As a gesture of goodwill, we’d like to offer you both complimentary tickets to any movie of your choice.”
Happy Grace with free movie tickets | Source: Midjourney
I thanked her and shared the news with Grace. She looked relieved but still a bit shaken. “I can’t believe he held onto that grudge for so long,” she said softly.
“A lot of people can’t let go of the past,” I replied, hugging her. “But it’s over now. Let’s go enjoy that movie.”
A few days later, we returned to the theater. This time, a young, courteous guard greeted us with a warm smile. “Good evening, folks! Enjoy the movie!” he said cheerfully.
Tom and Grace at the movies | Source: Midjourney
We found our seats and settled in. As the lights dimmed and the movie began, I glanced over at Grace. She was smiling, fully immersed in the film. I reached over and held her hand. We had faced an ugly moment, but we stood up to it together.
After the movie, we walked out of the theater hand in hand. The night air was cool and refreshing. “That was a good movie,” Grace said, her eyes twinkling.
Tom strolls with Grace | Source: Midjourney
“It was,” I agreed. “But the best part was seeing you happy.”
Grace squeezed my hand. “Thank you for standing up for me,” she said. “I don’t know what I would have done without you.”
Grace and Tom together | Source: Midjourney
“You never have to find out,” I replied. “We’re a team, remember?”
We walked to our car, both feeling a sense of closure. Justice had been served, and the past was finally behind us.
Our Kids Accused Us of Spending Their Inheritance — The Audacity Shocked Us So Deeply We Decided to Teach Them a Lesson
When our kids accused us of spending their inheritance, we were stunned. But instead of getting angry, we decided to teach them an important lesson about life and money.
A pile of one dollar bills | Source: Pexels
My husband, Tom, and I have always prided ourselves on living a modest, yet fulfilling life. We worked hard, saved diligently, and now, in our golden years, we wanted to enjoy the fruits of our labor. Our doctor recently recommended that we take a little trip out of state for a vacation. It was a much-needed break for both of us. I planned a getaway to a cozy, inexpensive hotel by the beach.
A tented hotel room near the ocean | Source: Pexels
As soon as the reservations were confirmed, I couldn’t wait to share the happy news with our kids, Emma and Jake. I expected them to be happy for us, maybe even a little envious of our upcoming adventure. But their reaction left me utterly shocked.
A shocked senior woman | Source: Pexels
I showed Emma and Jake a picture of our cozy little hotel. Emma glanced at it and sighed.
“You know, you should think about us too,” she said. “Your money isn’t just yours; it’s also our inheritance. If you spend it all now, we’ll have nothing after you’re gone.”
Jake nodded in agreement. “Yeah, do you really need that vacation? People your age should stay home and keep it low-key. Why are you always spending money and doing things? Sometimes I feel like there’ll be nothing left for us.”
I felt tears welling up, but Tom squeezed my hand and shook his head. That’s when I knew he had a plan to handle this.
An upset senior woman being comforted by her husband | Source: Pexels
Later that evening, Tom and I sat down to talk about what happened. I was still hurt by what the kids had said, but Tom was calm and thoughtful.
“They think our money is already theirs,” Tom said. “We need to teach them a lesson.”
An angry senior man | Source: Pexels
We came up with a plan. Instead of just arguing with them, we decided to show them that our money was ours to use as we saw fit. We wrote letters to Emma and Jake, explaining that we were going to donate a big part of our savings to charities we cared about. We wanted to help make the world a better place rather than just leave money sitting in a bank.
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