Death of a Mouse ... perhaps the world's dumbest mouse, but still a mouse

[AmberLee]

My 'new' cottage is very near fields and vineyards and I was warned that autumn brings wild mice and rats to the homes around here. Last year, I saw nothing, and was a bit smug thinking that Cassy and Livvy, or at least the scent of them, was keeping the critters away.

Earlier this week, neighbors on every side were complaining of heavy infestations this year, and again, nada in the cottage that I could see. Then a couple hours ago I heard a freaky noise near the kitty litter pans and looked to see what the cats were up to this time. No cat in sight, but an athletic mouse was attempting a high wire act above the pans on a power cord for the kitty water fall! I shrieked and started planning an oh-dark-thirty raid on a hardware store to get mouse traps, dozens of them. Cassy strolled through, totally oblivious to my panic. Shortly thereafter Livvy had a little flurry of activity in the litter pan corner and, by George, came out with a mouse in her mouth. She was so very happy and thrilled with her 'toy'. Rather quickly the mouse quit moving and quit being fun. I scootched the body into a tin coffee can and threw a tuna feast for the kitties.

I apologize to mice lovers here, but I am proud of my tiny huntress' totally unexpected prowess.

[DJFyrewolf36]

Looks like you've got the best kind of mousetraps...ones that can cuddle with you too

[Laura's Babies]

They probably thought you got that rat just for THEM!! Mine would have a ball with one in my house! EEEEEEK!

[Maya & Inka's mommy]

ha ha, that sure was a "feasty meal"

poor mousie...

[Medusa]

Years ago when I had only 4 cats (seems like decades ago; wait, it was decades ago), I heard little paws scuffling frantically through the house and I knew that I had to get out of bed and see what the commotion was all about. Some brave but dumb little mouse had gotten into the house and my fur posse decided that it would be more fun to play w/it than eat it. When I found them all, they were gathered in a circle and batting that poor little thing around like a pin pall machine. Just as I stepped in to rescue it, Boo grabbed it and took off running. I trapped him in the upstairs bathroom but, boy, he wasn't willing to let that mouse go. I finally got him to drop it, then I took the mouse outdoors and after examining him to make sure he hadn't been fatally injured (there wasn't a mark on him; my fur posse is good), placed him on the ground so that he could scurry away but he was so petrified that he couldn't move. So there I was, in the middle of the night, sitting outdoors, holding a mouse telling him "it's ok, you're safe now, go home to mommy". So I can sympathize w/ya, believe me. At that time we lived on 5 acres in farm country, so mice were always around but they were at least smart enough not to venture into the cat hotel. Be prepared for more of the same.

[Freedom]

Livvy wants a new sign over her boudoir: MIGHTY WARRIOR!

Chestnut caught his first mouse out in the back yard last year -- on his EIGHTH birthday!!! He was so proud, strutting aroudn with that poor wriggly thing in his mouth. He tried to bring it in the house! We stopped him, but he let it go int he garage. The antics which followed involved 3 more cats getting into the garage and helping with the chase. We finally got them all back in the house, left the door open and let the mouse calm down and find his own way out.

Now, Chestnut routinely goes and sits where he caught the mouse,w aiting for another one. So don't be surprised if Livvy starts hanging out in that corner!

[momcat]

What a brave little girl you are, Livvy! Guarding your house and keeping things safe for Meowmie like that, you sure did a good job. A few years back Soncat went into his room to find Groucho sitting on his bed looking rather proud of himself. Apparently Groucho had caught a mouse and left it on Soncat's pillow as a gift. All Soncat could do was change the pillow case and dispose of Groucho's conquest.

[AmberLee]

Wow, Groucho is SUCH a generous fellow.

(And speaking as a mere hooman, I sympathize entirely with SonCat. Yeowza!)