The Hunt

Oh, it's on.

For those of you who have somehow missed the weather channel entirely (something that I believe is impossible to do... I mean, with great programs such as "Local on the 8's," "Storm Watch," and "Wake Up with Al," what's not to love???), Kansas City has had plenty of below freezing temperatures. This is wonderful for those of us who love the winter and cold (like me) and bad for those who HATE the winter and cold (like Jeff). This has also been very bad for us as a new family with a new house. Why? Because we have had another family move in with us... a 4 legged, furry family seeking warmth and nibbles of our wooden kitchen spoons.

It began like this:
"Um, Jeff, I think we have a mouse; the toilet paper has been shredded in the laundry room and there are droppings in the - "
"WHAT?! WE NEED TO GO BUY TRAPS RIGHT NOW!"

Cut forward an hour, and our home looked about the same except for the 24 (not even kidding you) traps now being assembled military style in the kitchen and placed at various locations around the house. We were not messing around.

We searched carefully for other evidence of mice throughout the house and found none. Feeling somewhat secure they were safely contained in the basement area, we went to sleep and work the next day feeling somewhat normal (although there is now a smell of peanut butter mouse catching glue strips permeating our house... and interestingly enough, those traps are the ONE thing Duncan has shown absolutely no interest in and actively avoids).

The next evening I was cooking dinner and reached in a drawer for a wooden spoon, which had very neatly been nibbled on all along the edges. By the next hour, much of our kitchenware was running through the dishwasher and I was hand washing plastic containers to put clean utensils in. Needless to say, we knew we were outnumbered and called our handy exterminator. He found the entry point of the mice and quickly sealed our home from other intruders. In addition, he laid out traps that are guaranteed to rid our home from pests. They have their marching orders and should be gone within 24-48 hours. Jeff will be handling the ridding, as I reminded him if it were up to me, I would probably get rid of the carcasses and call someone to cleanse our home from the blood shed (you may see we have differing styles of approach).

Duncan, of course, has not appeared to be bothered by these creatures in front of us, other than a heightened fear of dark places (which he was already afraid of) and excess fur shed around his crate (we feel as though they are probably messing with him when we are not home). We also believe if given the chance, Duncan would probably try to make very good friends with them. He's just such a loving doggy.

Hope all is well with you and yours, and hopefully I will be posting next from a home with Duncan as our only 4 legged furry friend. :)