Keep your friends close and your enemies closer

My sewing room is my own special haven. It used to be the bedroom of our firstborn son but since he no longer resides at home, I gave it a new paint job,  a slight remodel and turned it into my little sanctuary. On an occasion if a wayward visitor should happen upon us, I will share it, it's the least I can do.

I purposely keep all animals out. I don't want cat hair on my fluffy white comforter or dog hair in the carpet, it is deemed a no animal zone. Every so often I might break my own rule an allow my Miniature Schnauzer in to keep me company while I sew, well because I can and because he doesn't shed.

The dogs have their own doggy haven. We gave them the downstairs family room after the boys left. They have access to the backyard and plenty of toys and blankets to keep them comfortable while we're gone. When we're home, they hang out with us.

The only other room they are not allowed in is the laundry room. It's where the kitty litter resides and since the dogs love to eat kitty roca, I use a gate to keep them out.

The cats are a different story. They do as they please and are a tough breed when it comes to reinforcing the rules. They too use the doggy door and it's not uncommon for them to bring us a live present. They have brought in birds to show us what good  hunters they are, except they are still alive when they release them in the house. The birds aren't so hard to catch as the mice are. I hate it when they bring us a mouse and then let it go to scamper off. The cats will look at us like, "Well aren't you going to catch it, we did our part, now you do yours." This has happened on more than one occasion.  

Which brings me to share this awful story. I happen to catch a glimpse of a furry brown mouse hiding in my sewing room closet. I quickly called for the husband and told him we have a mouse in the house. He grabbed some traps, smothered them with peanut butter, set them then closed the closet door. The next morning Mr. mouse was caught.

To my surprise I never saw any mice poopies. Everyone knows, where there are mice there are droppings so I just figured he was a new arrival.

I couldn't have been more wrong. Not only is the kitty litter in the laundry room but so is their food. Up on the highest self in the laundry room closet I found the mother load of mice poop and tucked in the corner of the closet is our water heater, where I'm sure Mr. mouse slept, was more droppings.

                                                                         
Unbelievable! Living in direct contact of the cats, no doubt eating out of their bowl, and a house full of dogs a little mouse was at large having the time of his life. I myself was appalled and grossed out. I tore into the closet, cleaned and sanitized.

I hate mice and pride myself on keeping a clean house...How this little mouse got away with coexisting with us for who knows how long I'll never know.

As for the cats, the mighty hunters, what were they doing you ask?

                                                                           
Makes me wonder if they were friend or foe.