According to Chinese astrology I believe last year was the year of the sheep.  However in our house it was the year of the mouse.  Meet Rosie Twinkletoes Murchison, officially and duly named by my little one when she turned four.  She doesn’t know this, but the inquisitive, smart, sweet little mouse was just about to be lunch for some punky teenage boy’s snake.  I just couldn’t bear it.  It was the best $4 I ever spent in my life and Rosie is a joyful addition to our family.  She loves to be held and rolls around in her clear ball deftly dodging cats.  Our little one was having her birthday party at Chuck E. Cheese and I adore a good theme.  I was pretty darn proud of myself coming up with “Ratatouille”.  When I was a kid Chuck E. Cheese was a cigar smoking rat.  They’ve changed his image over the years and now he’s supposed to be a mouse — a thin one of course.  But I digress.  My rodent theme went over the top after I presented my little one with Rosie.  I will never EVER forget how delighted she was as she kept asking, “Is she really mine, Mama?!”  Rosie Twinkletoes Murchison lives in Maris’ bathroom — with the door shut.  Once it was open and we found her surrounded on two sides plus on her roof by our cats; poor little thing.  She was chattering at them telling them to leave and not hiding at all.  All animals have value and I am so thankful I could at least save her.

Every animal has his or her story, his or her thoughts, daydreams, and interests.  All feel joy and love, pain and fear, as we now know beyond any shadow of a doubt.  All deserve that the human animal afford them the respect of being cared for with great consideration for those interests or left in peace. ~ President of People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals Ingrid Newkirk

There is a mouse in our house … and we couldn’t be happier.