Well, our nocturnal adventures continue. Yesterday we had about 3 inches of rain which probably caused great distress to the rodents that are resident in the outer margins of our estate, in what we refer to as "No Man's Land Jungle." Our two cats patrol the Jungle on a regular basis.

Late last night Tilahun, our black long-haired Bumese cross, brought in her catch for show-and-tell. We were awoken about 3 am to pouncing sounds alongside our bed, and sharp little squeaking sounds.

I leapt out of bed and dashed to the kitchen to procure a yogurt container to re-capture the mouse. I then turned on the light and locked out the very proud but indignant cat.

Judy reported that she had last seen the tail of said mouse disappearing into the pile of magazines, books and pillows that were resident in the corner between the bed and the wall. There's also a forced hot water baseboard running along that wall to add interest to the hunt.

Well, I didn't see anything under the first book I lifted up, nor the magazines, but then there appeared a small grey body, an old catnip mouse which I thoughtfully held up by its tail to show Judy who jumped about three feet (well, maybe only 2.5 feet) off the mattress.

I continued the search, removing all the rest of the pillows, books, magazines and dust bunnies, until I saw a live small brown mouse cowering behind the end of the baseboard heater. Fortunately for him, when I presented the yogurt contained he ran right in and I was able to complete the capture, take him out the front entrance door, and release him out into the night.

Then we let Tilahun back in, thanked her for her gift, and went back to sleep.

Cheerily,
Charley Noble