Release the HOUNDS!!!!!!

Apparently my dogs cannot see in the dark....that, or they are just lights out when lights go out. My nearest neighbors moved out the week of Christmas...and apparently their furry little friends moved in to find warmth, shelter and food in the closest place possible...my house.  Yes, I am speaking of another mouse (mice, I should say).   

I awoke a few days after their departure to find that something had been nibbling on the dog food bag stowed away in a cabinet in my dining room.  So, before I left for Christmas vacation in PA, I  set the old school traps and went on my merry way.  I came home to find a crushed little body in a trap but had a sneaking suspicion that there was another mouse still at large.  

So I set another trap and waited.  

Still at large

Sure enough, one of the Ziploc bags that I had used to reseal the dogs food had been nibblethrough...this mouse, however, was not to be caught.  While at Ikea - the most fabulous store on earth - I bought a huge rubbermaid container to stow the dog food in so it would be doubly protected and to drive my furry squatters out in desperation for food.  

The most fabulous store on Earth

For about a week, nothing.  Then, last night I heard from Erick - he was FINALLY getting a flight out of Afghanistan.  I was so excited that in my joy I left every single light on downstairs...something I don't do EVER.  Well at about 4:30 this morning I was awakened by Han wimpering at the stairs.  I rolled over to check the time and thought, "Gee whiz, dog, it's too early to go out" and rolled back over to get some more shut eye.   

Then the howling started.  Luke was bellowing so loud that I was quite happy I didn't have neighbors anymore.  I figured something must be up, so I grabbed my robe and my slippers and ran down the stairs.  My first thought was "Ooops, I left all the lights on!" After that initial shock, I noticed that the dogs were trying to get my attention.  They ran down the hall, through the kitchen and into the dining room....I then realized that they had cornered that elusive rodent.  As soon as I spoke the fateful words "Get it" - I saw a little streak come flying through the kitchen into the living room where I was standing.  Doing my pansy dance and screaming like a little girl, I jumped on the couch.  Luke and Han were on it though.  Before I knew it the mouse was dead - Luke poised over it in a triumphant stance, positioning himself between me and the carcass - Han, turning it over with his nose and his paw to make sure it was dead.

Han and Luke attacking a lollipop - but the attack on the mouse was much the same!!

I was never so proud of my puppies.  Then, I realized that I would have to somehow remove the dead thing off of my floor and discard of its little body.  Thoughts of thick yellow gloves, a dust pan and broom were sweeping through my brain.   As if reading my mind, Han scooped up the mouse from the floor with his mouth and stood at the door - I opened it and he promptly took it to the corner of the yard and dropped it running back in the house for a treat.  Quite obliging of him, I thought.

  

Killing machine

The dogs sleep downstairs, so why they never noticed the mouse before this time escapes me....I must only suppose that leaving the lights on downstairs was the key to their finally noticing our guest.  If there are any more furry little creatures roaming around - they best be warned.  My dogs are highly trained and capable killing machines!!!