I am not making this up. Being in an open plan office everyone's computer screen is open for viewing. Usually screens have a mix of work related stuff, with a website or two lurking in a small corner. Often people have their own photos on the desktops, usually showing family and/or pets. I, for example, have a shot of myself, Mrs M, JC and PB taken poolside at Disneyland. I like to think of it as a warning for people to stay from me. It doesn't work.

But the reason for the post was the one I walk past on the way to the bathroom. This is often because we have a free vending machine so I manage to plow through litres of water and Diet Coke all day. I figure the DC cleanses the system and the water makes up 110% of my body so I should top it up.

This lady has a photo of her pet hamster on her screen. A close-up photo. The hamster has red-eye. It has its claws (instinctively all people check pet hamsters for their claws). It is on her screen, looking back at her all day. All day. That unrelenting, red stare.

My brother had a pet mouse once. My Ma quite reasonably demanded it live in the garage as she didn't want vermin in the house (well, except her two boys I suppose). My brother was about 12. He named her Magenta. She was out of sight, so she was out of mind. She eventually become at one with nature and was buried next to a camellia bush, which was then concreted over when the new owners of the house built a Greek palazzo on the site. She was never replaced.

That hamster is bringing those memories back. I love animals, our dog Misti is the best, but I draw the line at vermin.