Of Mice and Men (or Gerbils and Girls)

I'm always amazed by how differently my two girls have turned out.  Case in point:

My niece's gerbil, Larry, died over the weekend.  He had a proper funeral with just the immediate family and words and tears at graveside.  My daughters were acquainted with Larry, having spent some time in the summer and just this past Thanksgiving with him.  After I told them, my 11 year-old daughter gasped and asked the circumstances, his final resting place, and if she'd be able to pay her respects.  I swear she was on the verge of asking where donations could be made in his name when my 9 year-old broke in and said, "Eh, that's life."