Recently, the universe has sent us another animal companion of sorts! A rodent that keeps invading our house at night and doesn't shy away from daytime encounters either!
Before our journey started we were often visited by "Mr. Mouse" sneaking through the small living room and checking out the pantry for food. He became quite docile in a way - fearless and not hung up to run through our space even as we were awake and doing stuff, becoming more audacious by the day as noone would throw stones after him or shout at the guy. Hippie household. And so naturally I guess he felt sorta welcome...
But now, in the lovely house we are housesitting there is another rodent with us and has been for the past couple of days. An "edible dormouse" as it is called, apparently because it used to be a delicacy in ancient Rome and elsewhere.
He has been making quite the ruckus at night at times and we are wondering just how he got inside the house. Is there a hole somewhere? Can he fit through minute cracks? Either way, "George" as we have dubbed the dude has been showing up regularly, going through our pantry and trying to find something edible - most of which is in rodent-proof containers.
We really wouldn't mind the guy much but since he is not house-trained there will be problems. And so we have out up the trap that we found here, a live one mind you, trying to capture him and to release him into the wild - hopefully far enough away from the house that he won't find his way back here.
If he does I will be entertaining frying the dude, though I would prefer peaceful co-existence.
I also read that in many countries edible dormice are actually under legal protection. No issue with that as long as he keeps occupying his own home somewhere outside or learns to do his business in the garden at least ;)
So far he has not managed to get caught, ahahah. He even ate some apple from inside the trap cage without making it spring and lock, smart bastard. I do appreciate smart beings, but we'll see. Have laid out some walnut today and I have a feeling he will fall for it eventually.
Come on Georgie! There is nuts to be had so we can finally get rid of ya before you get too comfy living with us. Or start being a good pet and adapt some good old-fashion ed cleanliness guidelines ;)