One day, when I was looking after a friend's purebred Pomeranian, Ratbert, I had to run a few errands. I slipped Ratbert into my totebag, a proceeded to go to the grocery store and some other shops.

At one of the shops, the clerk who was ringing up my purchases leaned over and said sotto voce, "I don't want to alarm you, but there's an alien in your bag."

I replied, "Yes, I know. It's ok. He's a resident alien, and has papers."