We have another mouse in the house, sigh… It turns out that one of the side benefits of living in a wooded area is the opportunity to try out different mouse traps and variations of bait. I’ve found that the mice that visit my house are partial to peanut butter and jelly, grape jelly works especially well.
I’ve discovered a mouse trap that is easy to set and it won’t injure the dogs if they accidentally trip it. Best of all when the mouse enters the trap to get to the tasty treat I’ve left for it the trap snaps shut and the mouse is trapped inside the black circle, which means I don’t get nearly as grossed out when it comes to disposing of said house-guest.
I’m fairly certain that this mouse had a nice little nest outside in a section of black plastic tubing at the bottom of the water spout. I would guess that he was also perfectly content in his outdoor home until Romeo discovered him and after that he took refuge in my basement.
Although I’ve seen the evidence that the mouse is in the house Romeo has yet to figure that out. He is a dog with a one track mind. For the past two weeks, rain or shine, he is determined to complete his seek and destroy mission. If he’s not outside with his head inside one of the ends or pushing the tubing with his head and nose he’s inside begging to go back out.
I don’t know if dogs dream, but the way he sometimes squeaks and flails his feet in the air while snoozing make me think they do. I’d swear that he’s chasing the mouse even in while he sleeps.
His routine never varies. He starts at the end closest to the house, lifts the tube a few inches off of the ground with the back of his paw and peers down the tube. Inch by inch his head disappears into the opening that is the perfect size for a miniature dachshunds head but not his body.
He shakes his head and the tube wiggles like a giant worm. This is always followed by a mad dash to the other end and a repeat performance. When nothing emerges, Romeo tries a different tactic and runs up one side and down the other nudging it with his nose. Every once in a while he’ll take a break to sniff out the surrounding area or pant in exhaustion and frustration. It’ll be interesting to see if he moves the tube back to where it belongs now that one end is butted up against the fence.
I’ve gone so far as to stand the tube on end and shake it out to show him there is nothing in there but it seems his obsession is not going to end any time soon. If only he turn his attention to the basement and actually catch it.
it's a whole new world 
My mom once thought it was sweet to have a pet mouse and she fed the dear little thing from a tiny dish on her kitchen floor. Soon the whole little mouse family had moved in, and we had to take care of the problem for her. She needed a canine pal like yours!
That is too funny! I can’t even imagine 🙂
We have a lot in common. One of our dogs, Blaze, looks exactly like your Romeo and we have a constant battle with mice in the house!
Does Blaze try and capture the mice as well?
Cheers!
No he is more keen on the rabbits!
Rabbits were Romeo’s last year’s passion – they seem to have avoided our yard this year 😉
Had quite a few guests that I could not get rid of…the only thing that worked (and this was after glue traps, snap traps and poison bait) was our now team of four cats: Sonora, Sebastian, Marlowe and Love. They are all siblings and about a year and a half old each and now it’s like having four teenagers in the house! 🙂
Four cats? Holy Buckets! 🙂
I have heard that cats are the best solution but I’m not sure how well they’d get along with my dogs.
Julius: Sounds like the beginnings of a hoarding situation to me. Keep that in mind if you get past 10 cats. Animal Planet’s reality show “Confessions: Pet Hoarding” is great to see the dark side. And as Bob Barker used to say on the Price is Right, “spay and neuter your pets.”
That’s hysterical! 🙂
If your serious, and I hope your not, we have four very well cared for housecats. Thanks for your concern.
Hi Julius,
I’m sure Steve was kidding and I hope I didn’t offend either. I have no doubt that your cats are very well cared for and lots of fun. You’ll have to give him a hard time at the writers group meeting on Saturday.
Hope to see you then.
Cheers
Beth
Oh, he’s so cute and dedicated!
People say dogs don’t think, they only act on instinct… I say bologna!
I’m with you! 🙂
I liked how you showed the dog that there was nothing in the pipe. But I bet there is still something in that pipe, some smell, a remnant of food, mouse part, or something to keep Romeo interested. Our dog, a not too bright one, has had these obsessions from time to time and you dismiss it, only to later find that there was something to it.
oh I have no doubt there’s something left in there as a fond reminder – just doubt that I’ll actually ever see it. 😉
Muchas gracias. ?Como puedo iniciar sesion?
Julius: Of course I am joking!
🙂
Romeo was a sweet boy that was a noisy sleeper but he was quite cuddly! I’m so sad to hear about your loss. He will be missed.
Thanks Sarah,
It’s so hard to believe he’s gone – I miss his cuddles