Hating Meeces to Pieces

"Why does she just stare at it, why doesn't she kill it?" asked Mr. Ginley for the umpteenth time.

I explained once again that our cat is not a mouser or a bug killer. She will stare in the general direction of where her "prey" is located, like a lab technician stares at germs in a microscope. Never really engaging in the whole activity, just observing. She'll look at you, look at the prey, look back at you. Like she's done her job, and it's up to you to dispatch the offending critter.

So off I went to the store to acquire a mouse trap. On my first trip, I had a choice of two types. One was the traditional version you see in old cartoons. A little too graphic for me. The second, which I chose, was semi-covered. I went with that one.

I went home and set it up behind the stove, where the last-known sighting had occurred. Later in the evening, as we sat watching television, I heard a snap.

"What was that?" Mr. Ginley inquired.

And just like that, Mr. (or Mrs.) Mouse was dispatched to the great beyond. 

Unfortunately, given that the trap was somewhat exposed, I was witness to a pair of beady eyes, suspended in the throes of sudden death, that will haunt me for quite some time.

The mate to the now-deceased vermin turned up at 1:30 a.m. in a garbage can. Mr. was able to take care of him/her without using a device. But the next day, I went to a different store to look for a new set of traps.

This time, I found a model that's completely closed. So if any of these critters show up and take the peanut butter bait, I won't have to look into its accusing eyeballs. 

I'm knocking wood...so far, no more bodies. Given it had been several years between sightings, I hope we don't have to deal with this problem again for another 10 years or so (if ever). 

Critters are free to roam outside. But if they come in my house, all bets are off.

I'm a stone cold (rodent) killer. 

As long as I can't see their eyes.