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I really don’t like those little furry creatures mom calls mice. No matter how many we catch and let go, there always seems to be at least one more.

Yesterday we caught two, and Paul took them down to the creek; where all the others were let go. We were watching television last night, and guess what? One of them came from somewhere and sat on Hilde’s eating rug, and looked straight at me and mom while we were sitting on the couch. I stared right back not knowing what to do exactly; I was surprised to see one so blatantly out in the open–right in the television room. I stared at it, and it stared at me; I guess he wasn’t scared of us. He probably knows if we catch him that we’ll just let him go. After a few minutes, he ran out of the room and into the laundry room.

I got off the couch and searched for him, but I couldn’t find him–just his scent. He won’t catch me just staring at him next time he comes around. I don’t know why I bother; he won’t play with me.

Either one of the furry little creatures came back, never really left, or we have another one. Only this one likes to get into mom’s printer.

We were watching television when I heard the pecking noise–like somone was tapping a pencil on a tabletop with the lead tip. Mom didn’t hear it at first. But, when she did, she got Paul. Paul came up to mom’s computer room (which is really the breakfast room, but she uses one end of the table for her computer; it’s just the right height for mom. I think that is why she keeps it there. We all just stood stock still (even me; I was in my pointer position. You know, right front leg bent at the knee, and tail straight out while leaning kinda forward). I wish mom had taken my picture just then. Regardless of what I wish, Paul got his flashlight and gloves.

All at once, he shined the light into the computer paper tray. We all heard something scurrying around, and Paul said it must have run out the back (impossible!). There are no openings in the back of mom’s printer, so mom took the removable parts from the computer. Do you have any idea what mice are capable of?

Well, mom found a ballpoint pen in the back of the printer under where the paper tray would sit; it had little teeth marks (not mine!) on it. But, it was red, which is my favorite color. She found a half-eaten M & M in the front of the printer–also with teeth marks (also not mine). There were hundreds of tiny paper bits everywhere inside the printer. I guess he didn’t want to eat the paper but just tear it up and make a mess. And, that’s exactly what he did!!!

I feel sorry for whatever did this because mom sure got mad (unusual for mom). She got so mad that she had Paul set a mousetrap on the breakfast table with peanut butter on to tempt the little varmit (which she wouldn’t do if she were not really upset). I think I’ll be real nice and comforting the rest of the night.

I was after a mouse in our house when mom said “last call to go outside.” I couldn’t pass up that opportunity–the morning is a night away. So I went with mom and the others.

I may have missed the mouse in our house, but I caught one outside during “last call.” Sometimes I give mom a little bitty teeny tiny problem when she wants to go back inside before I’m ready to go–but not tonight. I went willingly.

I went straight to our bedroom, and mom never saw what I had in my mouth. She must have gotten suspicious; I bet it was my playing with the mouse that made her come in the bedroom and turn on the light. I guess I was making too much noise. All I was doing was throwing it a little ways from me and then grabbing it in my mouth and throwing it again. We were just playing.

When the light came on, mom caught me with it in my mouth. She didn’t yell at first, but when I wouldn’t drop it, she got that mean and angry tone in her voice; then she yelled. I knew better than not to mind her when I hear that voice. I dropped it immediately even though I was on the bed at the time. Mom got a tissue and picked up the little worse-for-wear creature. She took it outside; I think to the garbage can.

I can’t believe she took my little playmate away. She sure knows how to take the fun out of anything.

I wonder where these little creatures come from. They are furry like me, they run fast like me (not quite as fast, though), they are quiet like me (most of the time), and they like Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups like me.

That’s how mom catches them, you know. She gets a peanut butter cup, breaks in half, and then puts the pieces into a live-trap cage. This cage doesn’t hurt them; it just catches them. Mom checks the cage every morning, and if there’s a mouse in there, she calls Paul (another son), and he takes it down by the creek to let it go. He makes sure to leave the candy with the mouse so he won’t get too hungry.

This morning there was a chubby little mouse in the trap. Mom turned on the kitchen light, and he started squeaking like you wouldn’t believe; it was awful. I can imagine how he felt about being in a place where he couldn’t get out; it must be very disconcerting to say the least. But, I believe he shouldn’t be in our house anyway. I’m sure he has a home somewhere with his family, and he probably got in our house by mistake.

Mom says that living in the country is like asking other creatures to come see who we are. I can believe that. I know I would like to go next door and chase that goat if someone would open one of our gates and let me out.

I saw it last night when I was lying on the couch with mom.

I heard something; you know, my hearing is quite remarkable, being a dog and all. I looked around and spied it running under the love seat. I immediately alerted mom, who said for me to be quiet. I guess she wanted to watch The Closer on television. But when it comes right down to it, mom will choose me every time over the television. So, she said I should watch for it to come out. I placed myself right directly in front of the love seat and settled down to watch for it to come forth so I could catch it. I know, humans think house dogs can’t do anything, but they are wrong.

I heard that little sucker rustling around under there, and decided I should be in a position to pounce if I had the chance. I gingerly climbed onto the love seat being alert as well as quiet. I decided barking would scare it off, so I quit. I bet I waited for hours, but it seemed like days.

Finally, that little furry creature made a dash for it. I was on the job: I jumped right on it, but it squirmed away. That little maneuver didn’t stop me. He was fast, I’ll give him that, but I was faster. I caught that little rodent on the fly. By this time, mom had jumped up off the couch and was yelling for me to “DROP IT.”

I ran into the kitchen with it clutched in my mouth; it was still moving–I’m not a killer you know. Mom stormed into where I was, gave me that look she has perfected that makes someone want to cringe and stop whatever, and I immediately dropped it. She looked at it, saw it was still moving, and got Paul to come get it so he could take it down to the creek bottom and let it go. I guarded my prey while she was gone to make sure the others wouldn’t eat it.

Success!! Paul picked it up with his gloves and carried it to safety. And it better not come back; I won’t be as nice next time.