a mouse note

I did mention that nice encounter with a mouse in the closet the other day.  There was no way even the most psychic person would know what was to happen next.  While I was vacuuming up all the dog dirt and hair, I noticed a small lump in the carpet I put down in front of the sliding door with a rope poking out from the edge.  I moved the vacuum, and bent over, lifted the carpet with my hand reached out to pick up the lump of cloth or whatever it was, and IT WAS A DEAD MOUSE!  It was flattened, but it did not pop the way that one I accidentally stepped on did.  Thank God!  But still, I freaked out, screamed like a banshee, and headed for the hills.  John was home, so he got to pick it up and dispose of it.

I used to like the fact that my next door neighbor has chickens, ducks and geese, even a rooster. They are cute and all the squawking does not bother me.  But John thinks the wild mice have discovered the chicken feed on the ground and have increased in numbers due to the bountiful food around.  Angel used to grab one, maybe two mice in a spring/summer season and bring it in to play, but this is completely out of control.  I have no idea of what to do, except sneak my dogs into the neighbor's yard and let them have a huge Thanksgiving feast a few months early. 

I am afraid to walk anywhere in my house now, you never know where a mouse, dead or alive, might be.  It is SO gross!