'My rotating rodent was ahead of his time'

When it comes to animals, I grew up making allowances for all cats, however grumpy, and dogs with smiley faces (I apologise unreservedly to 'resting dog face' breeds for my blatant prejudice).

- ZOE WEST

But I used to draw the line at anything smaller and furrier than my school pencil case, especially if it also moved, squeaked and displayed other signs of being more high-maintenance than said pencil case.

During my first flatshare at university, though, my flatmate brought home a pair of fawn dwarf hamsters, claiming she knew little about them beyond their names, Lenin and Trotsky.

Unfortunately, Lenin died unexpectedly soon after. But in a reverse ferret of historical parallels, comrade Trotsky seemed to thrive, running round his little wheel at night in his cage.

Up to this point, I'd tolerated his presence, but now, Trotsky's nocturnal trotting on a wheel that squeaked more than he did kept me up all night.