Leona Helmsley has died and left 12 million dollar to her dog.

Tuesday:

Tuesday: I once dated a vegan.She was also a hardcore activist,she would join the groups of people who sprayed the coats of people wearing fur.One night after a few drinks I was having chicken wings back at her house,she asked for one so I gave it to her.The next day you would think I had violated her in the most dasterdly way.I didn't force it on her,she asked for the

Mousetrap: I still feel really, really bad about taking out the mices that year And I do try my best not to bother them, as long as they don't bother me - I had a mouse that lived (presumably all by themselves) in my kitchen exhaust fan all thru the winter last year, and it was okey by me, I just couldn't use the fan & in turn, they didn't poo in my stuff and went back outdoors when the spring came And they are more than welcome back this winter (on the same terms, of course)

srnity: I too had mice who lived in the exhaust of my kitchen stove area,some died,the stench was sickening not to mention the expense of removing the rotting carcases.Good luck with that

Tuesday: The battery-operated one I had REALLY worked, we stopped counting the deceased after a week, it worked so well. And no poison. I think the brand name was "Victor"(?) - it was a black box, 6"x4", and it even had a light that let you know when you got one. Best part was only a couple seconds and that was it, no noise, no long-term suffering - other than the "humane" ones, it was the best we could do

Jim Dandy: He/she/they must've had a direct-route to the great outdoors last winter.....they'd only be heard when the temps dropped way low (or we got a good bit of snow).....and they definately got out, the maintenance guys (I rent) cleaned out my exhaust fans earlier this summer and I asked em to check.....they didn't find anybody But I've also learned not to leave any food (including pet food) out at night, especially after my "mouse encampment" experience

srnity: We thought it was really cute,hearing them scury about now and again,and it gave us the warm and fuzzies feeling we were providing refuge from the cold.I guess they would need a way to get in and out.Then one day a terrible odour took over the kitchen.Mice don't pick what season they choose to expire,and if it's winter,and they are nesting in your pipes that'll be the place.It would be nice if they had more consideration,but they don't.Be forwarned,the smell is sickening

Jim Dandy: Been there before, we live in the woods, EVERYBODY comes to visit in the wintertime But not everybody can procreate like they can...For some reason some don't procreate tho...my Dad had two that lived under his fridge that never had babies (unlike the rats in the woodpile outback, but the dogs were in charge of them, so they behaved) - I think the trick is to keep an eye on em (but like I said we get everybody come to visit when the weather gets "brrr" cold, including a whole lot of stray cats that people keep leaving to live outdoors like they weren't meant to be pets - that I'll never understand

Tuesday: One other thought on the "mouse-in-the-house" problem.......supposedly if you have mice, that means you don't have rats, they don't co-exist, the rats would "off" the mice.......that's what I've been told anyway (by friends who were upset with me for taking out the mouse-encampment)

srnity: Cats are one thing,hopefully they don't invade your exhaust pipes.Mice are another story,they rarely say hello or goodbye.Even if they stay celebit and abstain from creating a family death is part of the cycle of life,it has no regard for season.It's your call,but when grandpa mouse meets his reward you'll know it,trust me

srnity: There is a simple explaination for that

Jim Dandy: We live in the woods, everybody comes to call in the winter months - groundhogs, snakes, possums, skunks, raccoons, rabbits, deer, feral cats that used to be somebody's pets (?) - you name it, we've had it come around, we even get an occasional black bear walking thru looking for food.....but what has always worked is never, ever give them a "food source" - if you feed them, they stay put.....maybe that's why the mice in your home died there, or maybe they were poisoned somehow? The only "wild" animal that I've had to bury because they passed away were three cats that actually froze to death from being left outdoors in sub-freezing temps by humankind - wild animals tend to know how to take care of themselves, I guess

Mousetrap: LMBO

wetware: ROFLMBO Years ago, my husband and I had a mouse that lived "in" our car for a winter. He/she was such a slob And the kids kept em fed with all their "fast-food" droppings :)

srnity: Yeah,that's why we don't feed racoons or leave grbage outside,it'll be all over the deck by morning and they always return.I know the drill.Feral cats are usually born from other feral cats,they have never been domesticated.Strays that were previosly raised in a home environment won't last long on the streets or in the wild.Feral cats will bolt if you come too close,it takes years to gain their trust,if ever.I don't know about the poison or feed theory,we only heard them,we never saw or interacted with them.I just know they stunk when dead,and we all die,but hoefully not in my exhaust pipes
I wish I could offer refuge to wild animals in my home,that's cool that you are able

srnity: That is so kind of you, if only more humans were like you!

Jim Dandy: Not necessarily "in" my home...the garage, the yard, or the woodpile outback works for me...but we don't feed anybody...they're on their own for meals It gets so cold in the mountains of PA sometimes, that people have actual heaters in their outdoor dog houses to keep them from freezing, so if they need a warm place to sleep, they're more than welcome to bed-down wherever, as long as they leave no "trace" behind.......sort of like what we do when we go tent camping in their backyard

Mousetrap: Not really, truth be told, we've had snakes as pets in my lifetime (not MY pets, but, still...) - I kind of "owe" a debt to "mousekind" & will always, always feel guilty

srnity: Good to know,next time things get dicey at home I'll pack some food and search you out

Jim Dandy: LMBO - Just watch out for the groundhogs and the possums - they are mean Even the dog knows she's got a better chance with a black bear - but I think that she thinks it's a human of some sort, plus the bear really doesn't seem to care, they just stand there and look at you like "What're you doing here?" - but if I ever saw a mother &/or cub, I'd disappear quick & the dog's on her own with that one

I used to have pet rats in my kindergarten class. They were the best. Very gentle and the only problem was they'd poop when you played with them.

Tigger: Maybe you scared the poop out of them

Jim Dandy: probably the 25 screaming kids did that. I was likely hiding in the closet!

Tigger: Want some pet rats??? I know somebody who is looking for a home for three females (raised together)??? I mices, and rats, and rabbits, but for some reason the "rodent" family can't ever stop that "pooping" thing

srnity: I don't teach kindergarten anymore and am not sure if these days they'd even let me have an animal in school. I let the kiddies take the rats out during play time. I had several rats (cuz at night the rats would fool around) ;) We had fish too...gold fish cuz they could survive the environment. I had some of them for over 5 years. Alas I haven't taught kindergarten for about 10 years. ;) (although I do have them come to me twice a week for art.

Tigger: Awwwww shucks - I thought I might've found em a home - people are always trying to give me their "exotic" pets, but they are expensive animals to care for, and right now it's just not financially possible. I forgot, your all the way on the other coast anyway

srnity: yep, The great Pacific NorthWest ;)

Tigger: I've been to Oregon & Northern Cali - beautiful country

srnity: Did you guys know that as mice and rats travel through out your house,they leave traces of urine behind along EVERYTHING that they touch? ALOT OF URINE TOO.. So even if you don't "see" evidence of them,if they have been out and about..in you kitchen,which,if they were living in the fan,I think they ventured out a few times to look for food,every surface they touched had urine on it.Thats why,as cute as Gus-Gus was..I knew he had to go.

anastasia: Ewwww, ewwww, ewwww, no Do they all have a bad prostrate, or urinary tract infection, or what? - LOL - I've never been told that by a Vet & trust me, I've taken just about every pet to one from snake to bunny and babies. I've had rabbits as pets (and they're in the lovely rodent family that has to "poo" like a machine), but one was actually litter-box trained & the other two got to live in the yard (till the neighborhood stray cats called them lunch). You've peeked my curiousity on this one, I've gotta go check it out. I know that male cats that aren't fixed leave urine traces everywhere they go, but I didn't know that rodents did that too.....Thank God I'm a "bleach-freak"

anastasia: As for this coming winter, one or two are welcome to set up camp, but no families, I've learned my lesson well with how quick they take over My kids did more homework that fall than I've ever seen them do, cause I was cleaning, re-organizing, and painting like a mad-woman after I took on the "mouse encampment" that year - never again

Mousetrap: Gee mouse,the way this conversation is going I wouldn't blame you if you left a "gift" on the doorstep of a few posters

anastasia: The link worked - ummmmm, there's no delicate way to say this - we've had snakes as pets in the past (not my choice) & since then I have a REALLY hard time killing anything (bugs included - I usually wait till they're too weak to argue, then put them outdoors to die, or trap em and let nature do it for me). I live in a very rural area where every winter morning before work, not only do you have to clear and warm up the car, but check to make sure nothing living is sleeping either under it or inside the hood, trying to stay warm (er). The one thing I know from living here is give no animal a "food source" and they don't stay. And I guess I'm blessed that as a family, things are kept clean, except my kids rooms, but nobody eats in bedrooms in my house, so, yeah, a mouse or two from time to time is okey.....they've never stayed for long anyway, they'd rather be outdoors

srnity: totally beautiful here. Even winter has its beauty.

Tigger: My three favorite states thus far - Pennsylvania (obviously), Oregon, and North Carolina - in that order.....but I've yet to see Alaska, I have a feeling that'd be high on my list too :)

srnity: The Oregon coast is quite beautiful. I've not been to far east or south but have managed Texas, Arizona, and Georgia. But I've been to Mt. Saint Helens.

And speaking of animals, we have some great wildlife here.

Tuesday: If I lived close I would bring my cat round, shes an excellent ratter & is litter trained!

 Tuesday: Yes I know what you mean, cat litter boxes stink!!! My other cat who has now died used to have a litter tray..YUK!! cleaning them out
My other cat doesnt have one, she digs neat little holes in one corner of the garden! Much better.

LOL yes Im with you there about the bathroom

Tuesday: I have a cat flap fitted into my back door so she just comes and goes at her own leisure

Tuesday: yes its great, no problem if Im out all day or through the night etc.
Its a little bit draughty in winter but not too bad as the flap is ridged plastic & fits flush.