just witnessed a real game of cat and mouse!

bigredmonster · #1 (**permalink**) 09-18-2001, 01:18 AM

and it started about a foot from where my feet were touching the carpet, here in front of the computer...

One of my cats brought something in and crouched over it on the carpet. At first all I saw was a little brown string, then he moved his head and I saw a little brownish-grey mouse body. As I was leaning over to see if it was his old grey "mousie" toy - it bolted! With my feet *quickly* up out of the way, he retrieved it and carried it out into the living room. Then the kitten discovered it, and she still has all her claws! Oh, boy, playtime!

It was the best mousie toy ever, and she batted that little thing around for a good 30 minutes. I did feel a little sorry for it every time it squeaked, but I kept reminding myself of all the mouse droppings on my windowsills... Now I'm very glad I "practiced" with her, flicking the little mousie toys every which way so she could run after them. She is quite fast, and she did kill it. She's a good hunter, and got defensive when the 2 big cats came over to see what she was so interested in. I heard a big growl come out of her little body, and the big cats backed off.

I hope, I hope, I hope that the mice will figure out they're safer outside... I hate when they climb into my nightstand drawer and gnaw all night long...

In case anyone else out there previously had a figurative definition for "game of cat and mouse", it's cruel and unusual punishment for the mouse. But it's the natural thing for the cat. Maybe I should have my cat explain to a certain terrorist that he is about as big as a mouse, and the country he's picked on is as ruthless as a barn full of cats. Hmmm, tempting!