Nobody near me here, but rats, and they are fine stealthy secret fellows

January 11, 2022 10:11 AM

(CW - rats) Dickens picked up on the qualities of HEROrats a while back, it seems. Magawa was a very fine fellow and even won a gold medal for being a fine stealthy and secret public servant. More about the organisation who trained Magawa. More about Magawa's folks.
posted by Martha My Dear Prudence (13 comments total)

Let’s say it: They’re good boys and girls.
posted by Hypatia at 10:16 AM on January 11, 2022 [7 favorites]

Look at those marvelous rats!
posted by GenjiandProust at 12:09 PM on January 11, 2022 [4 favorites]

Come on, people, this post has been up for almost 7 hours, and we only have 2 jokey comments (I will cop to that charge)? Come on? This is a tale of rodent heroism! They are attractive, pleasant animals sme of whom are doing the useful work of clearing landmines from countries plagued by years of war! These rodents deserve a rousing hurrah! Even if they apparently can carry monkeypox, so don't get too close to them unless you know what you are doing, and everyone has been tested. Look at that little face!
posted by GenjiandProust at 3:58 PM on January 11, 2022 [5 favorites]

.
posted by JoeXIII007 at 4:04 PM on January 11, 2022 [1 favorite]

The HEROrats do amazing work. Rest in power, Magawa.
posted by rrrrrrrrrt at 4:07 PM on January 11, 2022 [2 favorites]

.
posted by liminal_shadows at 5:05 PM on January 11, 2022

THE BESTEST RAT
posted by Stunt at 5:28 PM on January 11, 2022 [2 favorites]

I've got a bunch out back I'd be happy to send to a minefield.
posted by ChurchHatesTucker at 5:36 PM on January 11, 2022

.
posted by armeowda at 5:44 PM on January 11, 2022

Even rats can be heros.
It takes a special rat and a special ratty person to train the rat.

.
posted by BlueHorse at 8:39 PM on January 11, 2022 [1 favorite]

Magawa has discovered 39 landmines and 28 items of unexploded ordnance to date, making him the charity’s most successful HeroRAT and a more than worthy candidate for the PDSA Gold Medal. During his career he has helped clear over 141,000 square metres of land (the equivalent of twenty football pitches), making it safe for local people.

Amazing!
posted by oneirodynia at 9:43 PM on January 11, 2022 [1 favorite]

by the lunar reckoning I'm Rat so I mean.. yes, definitely showing up to pay my respects.
posted by elkevelvet at 7:16 AM on January 12, 2022 [1 favorite]

Pizza rat only wishes he was this cool.
posted by nofundy at 12:31 PM on January 12, 2022 [1 favorite]