Regarding the little mouse standing on its hind legs in front of the cat, I have seen this many times. In our last house, the five cats we had then brought many poor creatures in to 'play' with, including field mice. They inevitably saved themselves by running into the dining room under the door, and I used a humane trap (plastic tube with bait) When I'd caught one, I'd carry the tube outside. The poor wee things would always stand up on their hind legs on the patio and look me in the eye before realising they were free to go.
It always brought tears to my eyes, so pitiful and sweet.