The little guys were set free today.

In eight days they doubled in size and became very active, both physically and digestively. They actually looked a little plump from all the cheese, peanut butter, bread, banana and dried cat food they consumed.

I have done my good deed for the week and am proud of my contribution to the preservation of wildlife.

May they live long and prosper in all their mousey desires.

@Justice Gustin:

I raised an orphaned wild rodent once, but it was a squirrel, and that is a challenge on a whole different plane from raising mice. For starters, mice can't leap six feet horizontally and do the alien face-hugger thing.

Aww, those baby mouses are cute.

A duck through the cat door? That is something.

Here's something insane.

Saturday I got my Mustang out of the detached garage (dirt floor and not sealed) where it's been parked for two weeks. After I drove it about 150 feet to my house, I opened the door and a momma mouse with four babies clinging to her dropped to the ground. They were apparently living in the hinge area.

The momma was running around under the car dropping babies all over. She was trying to climb up the wheels to get back to her nest. At the same time, Dinky was doing his best to protect me from those dangerous little killers.

I finally grabbed Dinky (not an easy task when in attack mode) and went into the house to get a box. When I got back to the car, the momma had disappeared (probably back in her "mobile home" and the babies were huddled around the tires. So, I put the little guys in the box.

Then I went back in the house to get a more suitable cat-proof container. About five minutes later I had a big jug with holes drilled in the lid. This time when I went back out, one of the babies had escaped. I looked for him for awhile, but to no avail.

So cute and tiny, and their eyes were still closed. The proverbial Three Blind Mice.

Now they live in the living room in a good sized Rubbermaid® box with a locking lid. Their eyes are now open and they love swiss cheese and peanut butter. The floor of the box is contured so now they have a drinking/splashing pool to play in. My clowder of cats find all of this very intriguing.

I couldn’t just stomp them into the ground. That’s not my nature. Toys for my guys? No, that’s just too violent a way to die, and they would have probably died within hours if left on their own.

Am I bat-shit crazy or what? I only plan to keep them until they are big enough to be relocated to the woods.

Mayby I can make them a little leash with a length of dental floss.

Here are some pictures.

I don’t believe any animal should suffer an unnessesary death and do believe they should have a right to live. Within reason, of course.

@Brian: Perhaps Tiger needed a vacation.

Years ago I had a beautiful cat named Puff. She was an indoor/outdoor cat. One day she disappeared without a trace. Exactly one month later, to my surprise, she just walked back into the house. The first thing I noticed was how much her personality had changed. She was still nice, but acted like a different cat. My hunch was that a girlfriend of an acquaintance had taken her and either brought her back or somehow Puff escaped and managed to find her way back home. I will never know.

Unfortunately, one month after her return she got killed by a car.

Sunday I found Dinky playing with a snake. Monday I made him spit-out a chipmunk. Both of his "toys" were unharmed. The bloody cardinal carcass was an unusual deviation from the norm.

@Noelle: Cats typically want to train you (you are always an infant, in their eyes). They'll start by bringing in dead furry things. When you've shown that you can deal with them (ie, you usually pick them up to dispose of them), then they'll bring in the live ones for you to hone your killer instincts, chasing them around the house. Yay.

My girlfriend's cat used to bring home all sorts of furry or feathery things, including fully grown ducks and rabbits (also including neighbourhood pets). Getting a duck through the cat flap was no small feat. And the (fairly huge) rabbit that he left in the road, outside the front garden, was only kept away because the gaps in the fence posts were too small.

We were afraid that he had been lost to a car. Our neighborhood is very quiet, but...

The last "lost cat episode" in which I was involved was because I let my (now departed, RIP) Scobie, a collie mix, into the condo courtyard. He quickly chased down a neighbor's cat. I pried his jaw open, and the cat escaped, but disappeared for two weeks.

:(

@drax. Thanks, that made me laugh. I'd be pretty unhappy with anyone who brought a healthy mouse in my house and plopped it down to run around. I'm hoping you're right and my 2 at least gave the thing some chase before I discovered them. It was cornered and frozen in fear.

@ursa: does that mean I need to get a sprightly young cat if I want feline rodent control in my house? My 2 current cats would be very put out by a new-comer. Especially my female cat. She thinks she owns the place.

@brian: yay for kitty! I lost a cat once, and she never came back. I hope someone took her in and she wasn't run over by a car.

Good news on my home front...My landlady's semi-feral elderly cat Tiger had basically disappeared for two weeks. He was apprantly mad about something or other. We feared the worst.

HE is now back on his pad in the garage, as if nothing was ever wrong!

In my experience, even the most avid mousers slow down by the age of seven or eight, and become altogether blasé about rodents after the age of twelve or so.

I have two cats who have caught plenty of mice, but never killed any (that I know of). We used to have mice in our attached garage, but the cats got them all. We would let them in the garage and when we let them back in they would invariably spit out a healthy, and unharmed mouse that would then run around the sunken family room. Luckily the mice couldn't easily get into the other parts of the house. The cats would then chase them around a bit, but eventually lose interest. Much like you, it was then up to me to actually catch the mouse and let it go in the woods. We don't seem to have mice in the garage anymore. I think that mice that were let go have spread the legend of the killer cats in the garage.

Cats have the instinct to hunt, but it seems that if they are fed catfood they may not associate the things that they hunt with food. One of my cats regularly gets a hold of birds, but then just lets them go. Last year she came out of the woods dragging a rabbit that was bigger than she was. It was completely unharmed and when I picked it up to examine it for damage, it jumped out of my hands and ran back into the woods with my cat following after.

I guess it's not the kill, but the thrill of the chase. It seems that your cats had probably caught or cornered the mouse already, and once it stopped running they were only slightly interested.

I found my 2 cats at the bottom of the basement stairs this morning looking quizzically at a mouse. It was frightened, but unharmed. I put on some leather gloves, brought down a bucket, and it did a quick attempt at a scurry into my bucket. I then took it outside and deposited it in the woods behind my house.

What is wrong with my cats? Aren't cats supposed to have some sort of instinct to chase and attack mice? Are mine too old, lazy, and accustomed to an indoor life with all food placed in front of them in dishes? They are 12 and 13, and have never seen mice. Is it possible they didn't know what to do with it? They were interested in looking at it, but not at all agitated or excited. And they were happy to eat cat food after I sent the mouse away. When they were young, they'd stalk and attack things. But I haven't noticed this behavior now that they're older. There goes any delusion I might've had that I owned two mousers.

@Mark- It's been my experience that animals will gravitate towards certain people and not others. They seem to have a sense that tells them whether or not someone is an "animal person". Someone they can "relate" to.

Animals usually love me. (except for that copperhead that bit me after I stepped on it by accident) Maybe it's because I think more on their level, maybe it's my kind nature, but I think it's mostly because I'm not intimidated by them. It's all in the attitude. You must stand your ground and be the alpha leader.

I think I must have learned this when I was a kid going door-to-door selling stuff for one club or another, and approaching vicious dogs like they were nothing. My reasoning was that I was bigger and smarter than they were. Looking back, that was probably stupid reasoning, but it works and I've still never been bitten by a dog.

When I'm around any animal, I treat it with respect and expect the same from it. After all, I'm the one with the opposable thumbs.

Just remember, the more relaxed you are around most animals, the more relaxed they will be around you.

On a side note, I have never hunted anything. I don't like killing animals. I don't even like to fish. It stinks and it's boring. Plus, the hook has to hurt like a bitch. By no means am I a vegetarian, I just prefer some else to do the killing.

Maybe animals can sense that in me.

Not really much of a cat person. When I went to stay at my Grandfather's house when I was a kid, we had a cat that had recently given birth. It ran away sometime soon and took its kittens with it. I prefer dogs as they're more expressive. Plus they can do more things than a cat. I had a dog who pretty much was my best friend when I was a teenager. I miss that critter.

Last week was the first time a cat actually approached me on friendly terms. He came and rubbed its body against my leg. But most of the time I keep a respectful distance from the feline species. And vice versa.
I don't actually get the hype about them.

Thanks guys. Those made my day.

@Noelle- You could always sell that cat and then trade some gold for another one.

@ Len: thanks. Those are funny.

The cat that snuggles chose my husband tonight. The cat that doesn't is in her own chair alone. sigh. I am catless.

Thanks for the laugh, Len. This one also tickled my funnybone:

http://www.goodeatsfanpage.com/humor/otherhumor/dog_cat_diary.htm

Sorry if these have already been posted here (I couldn't find them), but I stumbled upon these and had a laugh :-)

1) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0M7ibPk37_U&feature=youtu.be

2) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q34z5dCmC4M&feature=player_embedded

Oh Mogg, you know... I was really concerned because I thought her blindness did make her a bit more insecure, but As you, and justice told me, that´s a normal behavior. I feel better now :)
And yes!! My two cats really like to stealing my seat when I get up also! Then I have to seat in the corner of the chair to not to importunate them :s
There´s a reality, the dog lives in the person´s house, but the person lives in the cat´s house.
They allow us to share a space with them! LOL
I die for love to those fluffy little things!!

Hey Caroline, it sounds like normal cat behaviour to me. My housemate thinks it's hilarious that wherever I go in the house, the two cats follow. Sometimes it's subtle and they just coincidentally seem to have some reason to be in the room I'm in at the same time I'm there, and sometimes they're right by me or trying to sit on me or stealing my seat when I get up. Both of them know their names and will sometimes come when called if it suits them. If I wanted I expect I could train a pretty good recall with Geordie, but I have a dog for that kind of thing.

WOW! It sounds like you have a life full of fun with your kittens!! They are your friends, no doubt! :)
I really can´t understand when some people say that the cats are selfish and they just get closer by interest for food! Those people have never seen a cat!

Sounds like normal behavior to me.

Some cats are "needy" like some people are and and will cling to the things that give them comfort, while others can be quite aloof. When Dinky's outside with me (the only one I let out) he follows me everywhere. I cleared about a half mile of walking trails around my house and he sticks right with me on our walks.

My late cat Taz used to love going to the park. He would climb the jungle jim and slide down the slide. He love to go for rides in the car, too. One time I noticed him starting to hurl so I whipped it into a driveway, opened the door and set him out just in time for him to lose his lunch. About the time he was done, I noticed we had an audience standing on the front porch watching us, so I casually waved at them, picked Taz up and hauled ass. Those people are probably still talking about that to this day.

I have long become accustomed to doing the kitty shuffle when in the house. I have to keep one eye on the floor at all times to avoid all the vertically challenged, mobile, furry obstacles while doing some fancy foot work to keep from accidentally punting someone into the next room.

When I want a cat to come to me, I use a clicking sound, and when I want a cat to move or go away, I snap my fingers and point in the direction for them to go. It works sometimes.

On a side note, Gabby, the self-proclaimed matriarch of the bunch, is the only cat I've ever seen with an entourage. Wherever she goes, she has followers.

Hi guys! I need to know if it is normal that a kitten I have (7 years old) follows me as a dog, I call her and she comes instantly like she were a dog! She live among 4 dogs in my backyard.
She´s also blind because of a mistaken advice from her doctor that gave her a Phosphorus compound collar for external parasites.

May be she feels alone while not seeing anything? She only responds to my voice and sleeps in my bed near my face (apparently she needs to hear my breath) and at midnight, when I go to the bathroom, she´s going behind my footsteps and comes back to the bed with me.
She talks to me and she expects I talk to her, and she kneads when we´re back at bed. She talks for so long (as if she needed a kind of "conversation")

There are a few moments when the sun is shining, she likes to stays alone in the grass for a couple of hours and washes her face and body.
But the rest of the time she´s stuck on me!

Is that a normal behavior?
I mean, that gives me a stron emotion of mingled love and sorrow... she´s purring all the time, but I wished to think she´s feeling happy...

Yeah... Nugget has swallowed an entire shoestring and the next day threw it up. I had to help him get it out. A terrible experience for him and me. Could have been a lot worse.

WOW! I knew that, but it´s so impressive to see it so closely! Those seem like scorpion stingers!!
Is known that they can even flesh off a bone just by using their tongue.
Nevertheless, I really love when my kitten licks me my nose, that´s a so particular sensation!!

As you can see here and here, a cats' tongue is designed to move stuff in. That's why it feels so rough when they lick.

Wow! Justice! Your cat could died by asphyxia! The cat wouldn´t be able to breath until he ended swallowing!!

I think you've just won the crazy cat person award!

Would that be- "crazy" cat person or "crazy cat" person? Either way I'll take it as a compliment. :-)

Watch the shoestrings. I was playing with a long sneaker lace once (yes, with a cat) and left for a few minutes. When I came back, Chester had about three inches of lace hanging out of his mouth. Thinking he chewed a few inches off the end, I took it from him. Imagine my surprise when the whole damn shoestring came out. Another minute and he would have swallowed all of it. Something like that can cause havoc on a digestive system.

On the other hand, I have pulled rubber bands out of their butts.

@Daniel Florien

I´m so sorry for your sentimental situation, really... I know that pets really comfort us in a so deep way when we´re alone... I´d dare to say they really love us . I believe in the pet´s love, I won´t be skeptic about love in animals never ever, as I feel their love so sincere and not selfish (even in cats)

@Caroline: They're just friends, actually. I found the first one, Hobbes, about 5 years ago as a stray kitten. Then about a year ago I adopted the 2nd, Nugget, from a shelter. Love them way too much. And your cats are beautiful! Looks like they have a fun home.

Hobbes is kind of a cat-dog and is always wanting affection and giving it. He's such a great cat. My other one, Nugget, is more aloof but always in the room with me. He doesn't really understand how to give affection except for coming up and giving a small meow. He's great too though and they're such good friends that I could never break them up. Hobbes is smart and Nugget is... less so. Hobbes eats ANYTHING (literally) and Nugget only eats a very small list of things (unless it's something he shouldn't, like a shoestring).

I went through a divorce recently and thankfully I was able to keep both cats. Can't imagine being without them.

@Ty: Mr. Orange? What a great name. Sorry for your loss :(

@LRA: Beautiful cats!

@Justice: "Currently there's twelve living with me." I think you've just won the crazy cat person award! ;) That's why I don't want to volunteer at the shelter... I just don't have enough self-control yet not to take all the damn things home. And my small apartment is full enough with 2. It sounds like you have more room and even more dedication... good for you!

RE training: Cats do train you, mostly. But Ty is right you can train cats. One of mine plays fetch and I've trained them to only scratch "the cat chair" (an old thing that once they use up I'll throw out). You can train them way better than I've trained mine, and there are many methods (the most successful seems to be a reward-based system with food and/or clicker).

It figures so many UF people are cat people, too. ;)