Bats

This morning I was walking up the steps to my dorm, while talking to my mom on my cell phone. As I got to the top step, out of the corner of my eye, I noticed something brown on the outside wall of the building by the door. At first, I thought it was a hornet nest or something like that. Then I looked a little closer. Much to my surprise, it was not a nest of any kind, but a bat. Not only do bats kinda creep me out a little, but since I have acquired some knowledge in the veterinary medical field....I now hate bats. Keep in mind, I am still on the phone with my mom, and I'm fumbling with my keys; frantically searching for the one that fits the door. During this whole ordeal, I was mumbling and making little screams at the volume of a whisper. Allow me to explain why...Here is a little piece of information for you if you don't already know: Bats carry rabies. (You probably know that much.) They carry a different strain of rabies than dogs, cats, horses, raccoons, etc. If you were to walk in a bat cave, which was inhabited by bats infected with rabies...you could become infected with the disease simply by breathing the air in the cave. The particular strain carried by bats is aerosolized in the cave. Pretty freaky, huh? Also, if you were to walk into an area and unexpectedly find bats, you should never scream. Noise will invite an attack from a rabid bat. And yes, bites will infect you with rabies also. This is why I was trying not to make a lot of noise...even though I was pretty freaked out. I have never been that close to a bat, and I have no desire to ever again. This afternoon, when I left campus, it was still there. Unfortunately. Since I am spending tonight in Knoxvegas, I am really hoping the bat will be gone when I return in the morning. Cross your fingers. And pray. And even do a little dance if you think it will help.