Richard Gere & gerbil?

Factual Questions
1

I’ve been curious about the origin and lasting urban legand about this topic - no particular reason, actually. It’s just that every time either one or the other comes up, there are snickers. I’ve been told what he did with the critter, but just wonder how all this came about.

2

Then perhaps you’d enjoy a few fun-filled and informational hours searching the archive of Cecil’s columns, which contain all important human information, including this tidbit.

3

wow, I get a chance to reveal one of my most embarassing moments since it’s related to this …

I was back in high school when the R. Gere rumor was floating around. Of course, there wasn’t much to base it on, but it was of course intriguing. Anyway, I happened to be at a friends house; said friend’s father subscribed to a certain Hugh Hefner magazine. I’m not often believed on this subject, but pornography doesn’t interest me much (I find it hard to just look at pictures that I know were produced for this purpose, sort of ruins it for me.) This magazine happened to have a brief article or column-length item on the Richard Gere story, basically making it clear that he was in no way connected with anything of the sort. It said he happened to be at a party where it was further rumored that somewhere in a back room someone was playing with the furry little pets. So I learned something.

Two days later, we’re in class, and it’s before the teacher comes in and everyone’s talking. I’m involved in an argument about Mr. Gere and the rodents. I’m replying to the insinuations with, “No, it isn’t true --” and just then the periodic conversational lull takes effect in the classroom and I shout, “didn’t you read that article in Playboy?!”

although I think Cecil might be more knowledgeable in this subject.

4

Ever visit http://www.snopes.com ??

6

OK, I work in a hospital lab. All objects removed from people have to go to the lab for examination. I believe that this is standard at all US hospitals. The objects do no have to be foreign. We get mostly body parts like legs, breasts, colon, etc…

We do occasionaly get foreign objects. Things that I have personally seen are—

  1. Double edged razor blades. These were wrapped in bread and swallowed by a convict.
  2. Bullets. These enter the body in the usual way.
  3. Can of hairspray. This was inserted up the rectum. The guy actually drove over 100 miles from his home, and into another state, just to be sure his neighbors didn’t find out.
  4. Assorted small items. Children often stick stuff up their ears or noses, and they often swallow or inhale buttons or small toys.
7

Those tireless folks at rotten.com have amassed quite a collection of pictures.

http://www.fuqqer.com/fotm/mousetrap.html

Nobody made you look at it!