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#1
07-31-2012, 03:24 AM
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Please help! I am beyond terrified. There is a mouse in my apt.
Seriously, I am fucking scared as all shit.
I'll skip the boring details, but to give you an idea of just how completely freaking terrorized I am, I spent hours standing on top of my ottoman and sofa when I thought it was just the world's fastest and largest bug. I saw something dash across my floor, proceeded to Raid the shit out of the place, then saw it again and have since been unable to sleep. Having never seen a bug that large in my life, I stood watch with a Raid can ready to kill the shit out of it the moment it emerged. How long it would take was simply not a concern. I am scared out of my mind of all crawly things. Then I saw something poke its head from beneath my couch, I shrieked in horror, then it went back under. Then I was like... oh hell no. Is this the world's smartest beetle? And how big was that fucking thing? Was that a.... and then it poked its head out again. OH MY FUCKING GOD! HOLY FUCKING SHIT! IT'S A FUCKING MOUSE! HOLY FUCKING SHIT! A bug terrified me enough to consider getting a hotel for the night, so a goddamn mouse almost caused me to move out. So I screamed some more, then ran into my bedroom and put towels underneath my door. I'm now locked in my room and am scared to leave. Shit, I left my laptop charger out there. I just heard something crash in my living room. That must be it.  I'm sure the obvious answer might be a mouse trap, but is there some way to kill it that's fast and won't have to deal with me touching it? I'm afraid of dead spiders, for Christ's sake. Seriously, even if I watch someone kill it for me, I can't breathe until it's out of the room. I am seriously scared as all shit. I've been afraid to stand on the floor for hours. I have honestly been walking on top of my furniture since 11pm (it's 3:18am now). Jesus Christ, I was better off when I thought it was a bug. How does a mouse even get in here? Please, please, please help. Sincerely terrified, Mean Old Scared Lady Last edited by MeanOldLady; 07-31-2012 at 03:26 AM. 
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#3
07-31-2012, 03:32 AM
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Call your landlord, pack a bag, move out for a few days if you're that scared of a mouse. Make sure those towels are stuffed well and you don't have any holes in your walls AT ALL because a mouse can squeeze through the tiniest places. And they can climb up - up curtains and sheets and stuff. Finally, if there's one mouse, there may be mice. Mice are breeders. And some carry diseases. I don't know where you are, but you're sure it's a mouse and not a rat?
Oh, and...ROFLCOPTER.
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#4
07-31-2012, 03:33 AM
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Have your phone handy? Do you know anybody who owns a cat?
Also, your post made me giggle uncontrollably.
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#5
07-31-2012, 03:37 AM
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On preview: If it's a rat, it's a teeny tiny rat, so small it could pass for a bug from the corner of one's eye. It is "an itty bitty" mouse, but it is NOT -- repeat NOT -- cuddly. Maybe letting a cat run loose in the apt is a stand up idea. I need to steal someone's cat. I know plenty of people with cats. Edit: I'll call them in the morning. My friends know I'm a giant pussy (no pun intended) when it comes to pests, but they'd still be mighty pissed if I called them past 3:30am to ask them to borrow their cat. Last edited by MeanOldLady; 07-31-2012 at 03:38 AM.
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#6
07-31-2012, 03:51 AM
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Don't ask me why I'm up at this hour, but listen. You don't know any men who can come handle that? They can chase the damn thing so that it goes in the wall or something where you feel a bit safer. They can set out traps, and get your laptop charger and all that? This is when its good to have a lil' somethin' on the side who aint scerred of a mouse, you know what I mean?
ETA: FarmerJane is well and truly mean Last edited by Nzinga, Seated; 07-31-2012 at 03:52 AM.
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#8
07-31-2012, 03:56 AM
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Well right now it's 4am, and I'd feel like an asshole calling someone (who wouldn't answer anyway) to chase a mouse around for me. And I don't want it in the wall; I want it dead. Tomorrow I am hitting up everybody: friends with cats, guys who aren't afraid to pick up a mouse trap with a dead mouse in it, people who know things about killing mice, the mayor, and anyone else who will listen.
voltaire, I dunno. I'm not going to sleep tonight. That little mouse fucker is probably going to sleep like a baby. Underneath MY sofa, no less. 
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#9
07-31-2012, 04:24 AM
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Oh dear god, there is movement in my living room. What have I done to deserve this? Besides all of those horrible things to so many people.
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#10
07-31-2012, 04:31 AM
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If you see one mouse you reeeaaallly... {INSERT EVIL GRIN}
__________________
There's an Initiation Ceremony. It involves a Squid and a Goat. You're gonna be good friends with that Goat. The Squid will not exactly be a stranger, either. ~~Me, on the SDMB Initiation
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#11
07-31-2012, 05:03 AM
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I have no advice. But the whole thread has taken me mentally back to my last apartment where it the winter brought rats. I think I spent the night doing what you've done tonight, so I sympathize.
The important things: catch and/or kill mousie, and make sure the hole(s) that let them in are sealed - holes as small as a dime, iirc. I'd call an exterminator, myself. They're used to dealing with these things.
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#13
07-31-2012, 05:46 AM
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I had an infested house. They were average field mice. I used cedar bedding chips to basically exclude them from everywhere and I no longer have them in the house. I basically put sachets in my drawers (clothing, kitchen, every drawer and shelf) and then sprinkled cedar chips along the walls, closets and behind furniture, etc. It worked for the type of mouse that I had. Apparently, they don't like the smell of them and find somewhere else to live. When I vacuum them up, I just sprinkle more down.
ETA: Okay, oopsie... I may have killed them all off, here's a page about how they're toxic to rodents. No wonder they left so quickly: http://www.ratfanclub.org/litters.html Last edited by Enkel; 07-31-2012 at 05:48 AM.
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#14
07-31-2012, 05:48 AM
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You would so not survive at my house, Mean Old Lady, but I sympathize. I used to be that way about insects and especially arachnids. (Mice never bothered me much, I guess because we had assorted rodent pets when I was a kid.) I was working at my computer one day and a huge black spider ran across my chest and hopped onto my keyboard, where it secreted itself under the K. Every once in a while it would poke a leg out to see if the coast was clear. I had to keep working, too, spider or no spider. Later I tried to shake it out of the keyboard, but it had escaped at some point.
I'd second the cat idea, except cats have a nasty habit of presenting you with their kills, or parts of their kills, and that might be too much for you to bear. Pick up some of those traps where the mouse just dies inside an enclosure and all you have to do is toss it trap and all into the (neighbor's) trash. Then mention it to your landlord or super; maybe it's time for an exterminator.
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#15
07-31-2012, 05:50 AM
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#16
07-31-2012, 06:22 AM
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I feel like an asshole for completely losing my composure this way, but I can't help it. And I thought I turned into a complete moron when spiders were afoot. Dear Jesus in the manger, if you can make this mouse die today, I promise I will (try to my best to) not cry like a little fucking baby next time a spider comes around. Last edited by MeanOldLady; 07-31-2012 at 06:22 AM.
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#17
07-31-2012, 06:38 AM
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What could go wrong there?
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#18
07-31-2012, 07:06 AM
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Brb, posting to Craigslist.
Okay, I need to bite the bullet at some point and leave my bunker. I need to take a shower and will probably need to pee at some point, and I have things to do, and I have to go buy mouse traps and steal people's cats, and I can't stay in my bedroom for the rest of my life. I am functioning off 90 min of sleep. This stopped being pathetic 6 hours ago. I'm not even sure what the word is to describe how sad and silly this is now.
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#19
07-31-2012, 07:48 AM
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"That motherf*cker is going to die. It invaded my space. But I have to buy stuff that will let it die. Therefore I am going to clomp around as loud as I can so it hides while I'm leaving to go buy the stuff to take out that bastard." (even then I scooted out as quickly as I could. It didn't help that the only entrance to that apt was through the kitchen. Which was where I'd seen the thing). You can do this. We believe in you.
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#20
07-31-2012, 08:06 AM
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Man, MOL, you really are destroying my image of you.
 But, listen! You can do this! You can be tough, you know you can. Just a bit longer. If I was close I'd come over and put traps down for you and then we could wait for the telltale SNAP! together. Hugs!
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#21
07-31-2012, 08:11 AM
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Ask woman friends, too. You sure have plenty who are not afraid of mice, like me. My reaction at your mouse would be a squee of delight, and then, if I saw you disappearing into your bedroom, a mousefriendly method of removal and -prevention.
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#22
07-31-2012, 08:13 AM
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These work very well. Get the one's for a rat, one shot, one kill. Also, if you don't want to touch it, put a six inch or so loop of string on the end so you can carry it out at an arms length. But you'll be surprised that by the time you get to the garbage you might say 'hey, that's not so bad' and squeeze the trap open so the mouse falls in the garbage and you can reuse the trap for next time.
Anyways, here's the big trick, buy a Milky Way and load the trap with that. The mice are small enough that they might not trip it if you just put something like peanut butter on it, but if you wedge a piece of Milky Way into the little cup they have to tug at it and that'll trip it. This is straight from the Orkin Guy and I've done it a handful of times...but only in my (attached) garage. They've never made it into the house. Lastly. With this trap, the little bait cup comes out of the bottom, but I've found the easiest way is to just step on the back end with my foot and keep my foot there while I load the trap and make sure the tripping mechanism isn't hindered by the bait (you'll see what I mean). Then move you're foot and you're good to go. I bet you'll have you're mouse inside of an hour. ETA, I'd probably do this on the linoleum. There will be blood. Okay, there's sometimes blood. This trap snaps pretty hard. Last edited by Joey P; 07-31-2012 at 08:16 AM.
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#24
07-31-2012, 08:57 AM
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#25
07-31-2012, 09:22 AM
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The first time I did this, I had a string on it, but then I was like "it's soooo tiny, and I'd like to keep this trap" and it wasn't a big deal to just hold it over the garbage and squeeze the trap open. The mouse is small and the trap is big, you're pretty far removed from it.
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#26
07-31-2012, 09:38 AM
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I've been telling myself for 30 min that I'm going to take a shower and go to Ace. I have not taken a shower or gone to Ace. I'm going to take a shower and go to Ace now.
Paper bag seems good. A little squeamish about mouse blood. Also, friend is going to let me steal her cat. Traps + cat = this bastard had better die today, or else I am perfectly willing to set the whole damn place on fire.
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#27
07-31-2012, 09:45 AM
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a snap trap with just a little peanut butter on the trigger can get it with in minutes. better placed along a wall (near where you saw it and a few other places) and with you not near and the room dark. listen for that snap when it triggers. no blood.
reminds me of the time when i was helping move an old furnace that had been outside for a time. as the thing was being lifted and jolted a mouse that had been nesting inside ran for its life and up my leg and under my shirt. so standing on furniture will offer no protection. cats are slow. it could take a day or more depending on the critters. an indoor cat could be too dumb to get a mouse. Last edited by johnpost; 07-31-2012 at 09:46 AM.
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#29
07-31-2012, 09:46 AM
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Last edited by furryman; 07-31-2012 at 09:46 AM.
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#31
07-31-2012, 10:03 AM
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Seriously though, if there is enough activity that you see a mouse in the open, you probably have several mice - you need to set out multiple traps and leave them out for several weeks at least to be sure you got them all. We live behind some woods and get enough mice over the years that I've tried every trap type, and they all can work if done right. The standard wooden old school ones work best if you smash wet bread in them and let it dry before setting. The newer plastic snap traps put peanut butter on the top in the center, or in the little cup if it is that style. The glue traps you just set out along a wall. All traps should be the snapping/closing side pushed right up against a wall or object like a furnace, etc.
Last edited by jacobsta811; 07-31-2012 at 10:03 AM.
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#33
07-31-2012, 10:23 AM
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Shotgun. Double-ought buckshot. Put a dollop of peanut butter on a plate in the middle of the floor, then climb up on the counter and wait.
Failing that, one of these will do the job nicely.
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#34
07-31-2012, 11:46 AM
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Okay, I'm armed with five mouse traps and some Milky Way bars. Is that enough? I'm willing to blanket my floors in traps if that's what it takes.
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#35
07-31-2012, 11:56 AM
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Did you call your landlord yet? When I had a mouse in my apartment, I called the landlord ("THERE'S A MOUSE IN MY HOUSE!") crying and moved out for a week. I was terrified. So I sympathize, but only to the degree that I like you, which is minute.
Seriously, though, a mouse in the house nearly made me suicidal with fright and disgust. And those fuckers are creepers, too...they...scurry...and climb UP stuff. Like your curtains. So call your landlord, call a guy, pack a bag, and treat yourself to a few days away. And sleep with your mouth closed. 
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#36
07-31-2012, 12:01 PM
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No. I haven't even placed the traps yet, ha. First I took a deep breath before entering my apt, then hurriedly parked my bike and ran into my bedroom and set the traps. Now I'm working up the nerve to go leave my room and start placing the traps.
I do need to call my landlord, though, and will in two shakes. I'm good at letting things slide because I'm lazy, but when I'm too scared to sleep, it's time to get serious.
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#38
07-31-2012, 12:10 PM
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Your landlord has probably dealt with this before. Apartment complex? Your neighbors need to know - mice like to travel via walls.
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#39
07-31-2012, 12:13 PM
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Listen - here's an anti-mouse pro tip coming directly from the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine at the university I work at - there are 2 kinds of mice - those that are drawn to the smell of cat, and those that are repelled by the smell of cat. Regardless of what type of mouse you have, a cat is the solution.
Now, when I was in your situation (i.e. rotten mouse fiend in my house, traps ineffective, in fact, rotten mouse fiend actually eating the bait and turding on the top of the trap - seriously) I solved it by getting a cat. Not borrowing a cat, getting an actual pet cat. Given how redonkulously terrified of mice (and bugs, it seems) that you are, I think you seriously need to investigate the possibility of adopting a nice cat. Seriously, as troublesome as a cat can be (i.e litter pan, kitty fluff, etc) your mouse and bug problem will go away. The one ancient cat I adopted actually hunted moths (I HATE moths) - it was delightful! So, get a cat. You think you don't want a cat, but based on the hysterics in your posts YOU WANT A CAT. Good luck. FWIW, when I had my mouse issue, there was only one. People will say all sorts of shit about if you have one you have 20 but that's crap - it's perfectly possible to have one. Last edited by alice_in_wonderland; 07-31-2012 at 12:14 PM.
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#40
07-31-2012, 12:16 PM
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Good luck - a mouse can really ruin your life!
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#41
07-31-2012, 12:30 PM
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If you bring in the neighbor's cat, won't it hurt itself on the mouse traps?
Wish I could loan you my dog. I have a brussels griffon, they were bred as "ratters" and he has brought me several "gifts" throughout the years. (One my daughter's hamster which was a bit sad, especially for the hamster). So if you aren't a cat lover, get a dog. Affenpinschers are also great for this. I agree though that you may have more than one house guest. I don't know if one little mouse would be making so much noise.
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#42
07-31-2012, 12:39 PM
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I don't like cats, but I may very well need one. I am completely hysterical about bugs and mice, it's true. I didn't even realize how batshit I was over mice until last night, as I've never had to deal with one in my home until now. Okay, traps are set and laid out. Now need to bug landlord.
NOT clicking on any YouTube videos featuring mice doing creepy shit. Quote:
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#43
07-31-2012, 12:40 PM
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We discovered last night that my 12 year old cat is a terrific mouse-catcher (I suspect she's also a mouse-bringer-into-the-houser, too, but that's not important right now). Since I also suspect that she peed on the kitchen floor for no good reason, you can have her if you come and get her.
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#44
07-31-2012, 12:41 PM
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Are you against poison? I don't want to see dead mice. Or live mice. But I guess if you use the poison where it makes them all thirsty, there's the risk they die in your walls...mmm...smells like home!
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#46
07-31-2012, 01:07 PM
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1. Go to store, buy glue pads for mice.
2. Put newspaper down. 3. Put nuts or cheese in middle of glue pad. 4. Place glue pad atop newspaper. 5. Move out for a day or so. 6. Ask/Pay someone unafraid of mice to go in and see if mice is stuck on pad. Let them deal with the results.
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#47
07-31-2012, 01:10 PM
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#48
07-31-2012, 01:20 PM
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So we know you're not mean, are you old and a lady?
Methinks a name change may be in order.
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#49
07-31-2012, 01:24 PM
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Last year I was out at a friend's ranch, a house on a hill surrounded by miles of wilds. It was made of raw wood for the most part and had that wonderful earthy smell. The beds were natural too, cedar posts and slats. Sometime that first evening after I'd drifted off I was awakened by a sound. I'd never heard that particular sound before but there was absolutely no mistaking what it was. There's only one thing that could have sounded like that noise that came mere inches from my head. It was the sound of a mouse walking along the cedar bed headrail, losing it's balance and scratching to regain control as it fell off one side.
Since I was laying on my back, face to the ceiling and the mouse hadn't landed on my face, I assumed it fell off the back side. Since it had already fallen, there really wasn't much cause for me to spring to my feet, scream and become invested in a search that might have ended with bullet holes in my friend's cabin. And since I lay there hearing the sound in my mind over and over again and listening for it's repeat I ended up not getting much more sleep anyway. So the next morn' we set a snap trap up along the loft and retreated to the living room to watch Sunday football. Most of the time the TV sound was up or we were talking or carrying on some such way but by some weird coincidence the one time there was a lull in the action and things briefly fell quiet, off in the far distance we all heard the unmistakable sound of a tiny little "snap". Goodbye mouse in the house. Last edited by lieu; 07-31-2012 at 01:27 PM.
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#50
07-31-2012, 01:27 PM
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My favorite mice are the small round nearly-spherical kind. When they are running about, they look like a little tumbling dust bunny. So cute, squeeee!
It was especially funny because my cat would just ignore them. "There! Right there! Mouse, get it! It's sniffing your tail for gods sake, get it!"
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