The Great Mousecapades of 2010

Many months have passed since our trip to Europe, and readers, I promise to update you soon on the rest of our trip... briefly, we didn't have access to the internet the majority of the trip, and just got busy with life upon our return. The fall semester is a busy, fast paced 15 weeks of fun for us at the Pater Household.... so needless to say, I haven't had "time" to post. One of my new year's resolutions (that hopefully I can keep) is to try to keep everyone more informed of the happenings of the household and the most recent occurrences are too hilarious not to share....

As the title of the today's entry might give away a bit too much, we have been in our new house now for over one and half years, and in that time, we have come to find that we share the home with an extended family of mice. Of our two Siamese that share our lives, Gretl (the smaller, more petite, tinier sibling - separated from Hansl by one litter) is the great mouse catcher. Several months ago, we were awakened at 3am by fast paced energy running across our bed. Upon rising we found that Gretl had caught a mouse, and at this point she was bringing her "prize" to share with her people. Without sharing too much detail, I was responsible for disposing of the tiny little carcass.

Needless to say, this was the beginning of the Mousecapades. In recent weeks, it has come to our attention that the Mice were back in full force. Whether it be the frigid cold driving the little rodents inside, or the fact that the mice like cheese - we decided to purchase a few "mice friendly" traps. If you have never seen these, they are actually quite neat - they trap the mouse inside without causing loss of life or limb, allowing you to let it go in the wild, if that be your preference. The cats have had quite good luck actually setting off the traps on their own, by merely knocking the traps over...up until this morning, we have not caught any mice in the traps.

Last week, a stomach virus visited our family. It started with Isabel, followed by myself, and finally Daddy... On the first night of the virus, I decided to stay up with Isabel in the family room.... about 1am, our great mouse catcher, Gretl, came running into the room with her most recent prized possession in her mouth. I thought to myself "oh, well.. I will get it later" as I didn't want to leave Isabel's side. Shortly thereafter, I hear Daddy paddling down the hall. Gretl had taken her prize to him. At this point, we were able to get the little "prize" from our great hunter and dispose of it. Two more traps were set.

Fast forward 4 days (to this morning)... Our traditionally lazy feline, not inclined in the least to hunt, Hansl is found on top of the counter in the kitchen poking at the mouse trap (which is hidden inside a drawer). Being early in the morning, and not quite being awake, I made an assumption (falsely, as I was soon to discover), that the trap had been sprung accidentally. I reset the trap, and out ran a mouse - Hansl quickly ran into action, but unfortunately, he didn't catch the little rodent. The mouse quickly leapt from the drawer and was on the move in the kitchen, running for the family room. Score one for Team Mouse.

We all went about our day as you would expect - Isabel to the babysitter, me to work, and Daddy to class. When we came home tonight, we found that the trap in the drawer had been sprung again.. this time, the culprit was inside. Score one for Team Pater. Shortly thereafter, we find Gretl intensely monitoring the corner chifferobe (and by the way, did you know there are 2 other ways to spell this word?). Daddy retrieves the flashlight to inspect, and low and behold, the morning mouse is still in the family room.... After what seemed like hours (and lots of screaming and laughing), Gretl finally caught the mouse. Sadly, we didn't wait long enough to get it from her, and it escaped. Where is Hansl? Sleeping like a lazy louse on the bed upstairs. I quickly scoop him up and wake him from his slumber, so that he may help in the great chase.

If I hadn't witnessed what happened next with my own eyes, I would never have believed it.... Hansl caught the mouse!!!!! But in his excitement, he ran from room to room looking for a "safe place" to put the little guy. He ran upstairs, let the mouse go in our room, and the chase began again. Unfortunately, our great mice catchers now are "retired" under the bed resting. Score Two for Team Mouse.

The chase is to be continued..........