I thought I'd have to share with you all the happenings last Sunday
night...


About 1.30 in the morning, Jacks woke me up with 'what's that noise?'
Knowing that any noises for which I couldn't come up with a natural
explanation for, would entail imminent
lights-on,out-of-bed,investigative behaviour, I parried with 'what
noise?' However, a few moments later, I had to agree that there was
indeed a noise. 'Rain.' I tried firmly. But not firmly enough it would
seem, as the noise presisted in a very un-rain like fashion. In fact,
more of a scittery, scratchety, furry mammal type fashion. Hmm, the
worst-case scenario was getting worser by the minute, but I decided
that these scurrying noises were definitely not within the bounds of
our mammal-secure bedroom and so suggested that the mice in the loft
must have returned.

Another few minutes.  This time, a very loud (given we had both
involuntarily been holding our breathes to aid our aural abilities),
persistent, mousey scratching sound broke the silence in an 'I'm
definitely IN THE ROOM' kind of way! 

There was nothing else for it. The light went on, and - Ultimate
Horror realised - by the door - there it was!  The next thing we new,
this 1 inch long tormentress curtailed its scratching activities, no
doubt noticing that it was now centre stage, and hurtled (and I mean
hurtled!) right under the bed!

2.4 Micoseconds later, Jacks and I, replete with duvet-of-protection,
were both tippied-toed in the middle of the bed in a state of complete
terror! 'We've got to make a break for it!' I yelled, and in a fit of
unbridled bravery we both exited stage-left, abandoning the duvet for
the safety of the hall.

The next few minutes were spent standing in the hall trying to
rationalise the situation and come up with a plan of action. 
Thankfully, Jacks, being a highly-paid Andersen's power-solution-woman
came up with the plan: She would shut herself in the lounge, and sleep
on the sofa, unless I could get rid of the mouse.

Not being able to think of a better plan, I set forth. Now, this is
where we introduce the heros of the tail, formally 'Blackberry and
Dandelion', now 'Hunter and Mauler!'  I decided to get the 2 kittens
to earn their keep for once.  I scooped them up, realised I wasn't
wearing anything, dropped them agin, picked them up carefully, and
grabbed one of their kitten toys - a 12 inch stick with a tinsle ball
on the end.  So armed, I stealthily approached the bedroom...

Recounting this tail, I just can't believe how completely sqweemish I
was of this teeny,tiny,turbo-charged furry creature cowering under our
bed! Is it just blokes who imagine that these small creatures will, if
given any opportunity at all, make a heading straight for your legs,
and do their best to attack your privates? With this thought the most
prominent in my mind, I leapt on the bed, and proceeded to trail the
toy around the bottom of the bed, hoping that the kittens, whilst
trailing this toy, will pick up the scent of our quarry.

The bed produced no results, so I wondered if the meece had sought
better cover, so I tried under the dresser.  Suddenly, Dandelion,
(sorry - Mauler), started getting very interested in one side of the
dresser. And yes - there it was! It whipped out from under the
dresser, saw the kit, and whipped back in. Blackberry noticed what was
going on from the bed, and instantly froze.

The next 10 seconds were amazing. This meece must have a perception of
time utterly different from us.  In the space of time it took me to
even notice what was happening, the meece made a run for the door, but
the kittens had it surrounded, and I've never seen 3 things move round
in tight concentic circles so fast! It was amazing, from my relatively
genetalia-safe zone I could watch this poor meece being hounded, and
eventually the meece, and kittens hurtled out into the hall. - "COMING
THROUGH!" - I yelled to Jacks.

When we both felt brave enough (several minutes later!) we went to the
kitchen, and found Blackberry, complete with very-dead mouse. Our
kittens are completely ruthless killing machines! All we have to work
out is how to teach Blackberry to pick the mouse up in his mouth,
unharmed, and take it outside, without the actual killing part.  If
anyone has any suggestions, please mail!


Well, have a good ski all,

Jonniee and the incredible scribbling meece killers...