‘Buy a cookie, save a Cream’

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This article was published 19/10/2022 (1144 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Stuart Little or Remy from Ratatouille might come to mind when one thinks of memorable childhood rodents. Maybe Mr. Ratburn from the cartoon Arthur, or the timeless, yet obvious Mickey Mouse.

Even with so many rodents to consider, there’s slim chance any will leave more of a lasting impression on the students of Oak Bluff School than Cream, a classroom rat that recently escaped death thanks to a community effort.

Cream’s tail was damaged in an accident in September. It’s not uncommon for a rat’s tail to become degloved when injured. The ordeal caused Cream a great deal of pain, said Kerri Gaminek, Oak Bluff School’s Grade 5/6 homeroom teacher.

The tip of Cream’s tail had to be amputated. Afterwards, she would need medication three times a day for 10 days, at a price tag of $600.

“The kids had been contributing a little to the food and bedding and stuff,” Gaminek said. “I told the kids I was open to donations. I thought maybe half of it would be covered.”

The kids arrived at class the following Monday morning with an idea.

“We decided to do a little bake sale. When we did it all of us decided to bake a couple of things and bring them in. We made some posters and started from there,” Norah, a Grade 7 student, said. One of the posters read, “Buy a cookie, save a Cream”.

With the help of their families, the Grade 5-7 students gathered ingredients and made sweet treats like cupcakes, squares and bannock. Some community members donated baking to the cause after reading about it on social media. That Saturday, the kids set up shop on the corner of Benson Boulevard and Horizon Drive.

“Some people didn’t even want any baking, they just wanted to contribute to the donations,” Melia, said. Throughout Melia and the other students’ interviews, Cookies and Cream fluidly slunk amongst them, using their arms, heads and clothing as a jungle gym.

The students eclipsed their $600 goal within the first hour. In all, they raised over $900. One donor gave $100.

“Everything for this year is covered — amazing for a rat, I mean, she’s a very special rat. I was completely blown away,” Gaminek said, holding back tears.

The students’ parents were instrumental in the fundraiser, Gaminek said. Many have enthusiastically agreed to host the rats on the weekends. The duo spent the summer travelling from house to house.

Cream arrived at Oak Bluff in January with her sister, Cookies. Before the accident, the pair were only distinguishable by the fur on their noses. Cookies has a more white on her nose. But now Cream’s abbreviated appendage is a tell-tale sign.

Gaminek’s students begged her for a class pet at the start of last year. Gaminek had no problem with the idea, but the students had to earn the animals. The students had a number of writing assignments, including a persuasive letter, a financial plan and a document that compared and contrasted the possible pet species.

“I decided I wanted rats from the beginning,” Logan said. “It’s nice to have them in the classroom. During recess, you’ll just cuddle up with them. We kind of taught them a trick.”

Logan often has a rat in his pocket on his head during reading or quiet work time, Gaminek said. They have an affinity for pouches and hoods.

When it was time for the Cookies and Cream to return to their cage, the students raised their arms shoulder height, hand to hand, and made a human bridge upon which the rodents scurried home.