October 23, 2004
I came back as a bag of groceries...
Meet Ralph
Ralph, everyone in the entire world who reads this. Everyone in the entire world who reads this, Ralph.
Now that we have that out of the way let me tell you why I just introduced you to a mouse. He's now living with us.
Now, I realize it's already to late to avoid the "what the fuck was dennis thinking" train of thought, so I'll just do my best to explain why it is we now have a mouse.
Yesterday, I walked out the front door to get the mail. It was about 4:30pm and a plesant 60 degrees or so out. Almost immediatly, I noticed a small creature on it's side lying on the concrete walkway leading to our door. Just laying there motionless as I walked up and hunched down to it. As I sat there croutched thinking to myself how sad the "circle of life" (yes Jen I stole that from you) was I saw it's tiny little body move as he took a breath. Seeing this garnered a "oh crap" expression and the rest is history.
I ran inside the house, got my work gloves, an old big gladware container and a paper towel. I then went out side, picked up the mouse and put him in it and took him inside, turning up the heat while I was at it. As I sat there watching him he was only breathing in short bursts every 30 seconds, and of course I wondered what the heck I was doing. Needless to say I pretty much expected him to die before Jen even got home from work. I even tried to hold him and help him drink to no avail.
So I put him in the bathroom, after drilling some holes in the gladware container so he could breath, and tried to leave him alone to see what happened (plus I had to do the dishes before Jen got home). So long story short, Jen got home, he was standing on his own (a little shakey) and then a few hours after that he was eating, zipping around, and pooping....a lot....
Now, today I spent 50 dollars at Petsmart, bought him a home, food, a little wheel, and even bed fluff. I can't just let him go because if I do I know he'll die.
God i'm a sucker.
Posted by Dennis Judd at October 23, 2004 08:16 PM | TrackBackHey D -- wow, just when I thought you were the biggest ass on the planet, you go and do something like this! :p J/K... Anyway, FYI -- if you haven't already done so, you might want to get a solid plastic wheel instead of a wire one -- mice and gerbils tend to get their tails caught and injured in the spaces between the metal ones. Good luck!
Posted by: Nora on October 24, 2004 10:29 AMCom'n now, let's be fair. I still am a pretty big ass.
Actualy we already bought him a wire wheel. I don't know if we can return it or not, but might try because the water bottle thingie we bought keeps dripping, and that's no good.
poor lil bastard has his own room right now, to afraid to put him anywere in the house considering the "hostiles".
Posted by: d on October 24, 2004 10:51 AMI two pet rats for a couple of years (their whole lives). THey made amazing pets, and the cats didn't bother with them too much.
Just make sure Ralph's home has a secure top when you decide to move him into cat territory.
Posted by: jena on October 24, 2004 07:27 PMI had two*
Posted by: jena on October 24, 2004 07:27 PMdon't worry, i knew what ya meant.
On a related note, jen insisted he be put in a 10 gallon fish tank with a wire mesh top, so we're hoping he'll be safe. As for now he is locked away in his special mouse room preparing on his mousie wheel
Dennis "no balls" judd :)
Posted by: d on October 24, 2004 09:56 PMBe careful with the fish tank and wire mesh set up. Sometimes cats like to lie on top of those set ups, so make sure the top is sturdy enough for your kitties to rest on (just in case).
Posted by: jessamine on October 24, 2004 10:58 PMAlso, if you need any rodent supplies (toys, dishes, tubes, fluff -- even a water bottle), I have plenty to spare. As a kid I had a zillion gerbils and now I have one very spoiled hamster, so I have plenty of donations for Ralph if he's in need of anything. :)
Posted by: Nora on October 24, 2004 11:55 PMOh sure, you tell me this after spending 50 bucks at petsmart :)
Posted by: d on October 25, 2004 07:44 AMI used rubbermaid containers :) My favourite set up was a clear plastic two story filing cabinet. I used a parrot ladder and pvc tubing to connect them (it was two set next to each other).
Make sure Ralph has plenty of things to chew on. His teeth won't stop growing, so keep an eye on them that they don't grow together!
Posted by: jena on October 25, 2004 09:56 PMOooh good point, Jenna. Baby carrots and apple slices always seemed to make good treats for my rodents to gnaw on. (Just remember to take the fruit/veggies out of the cage if he doesn't finish it -- otherwise it'll rot -- P.U.)
On a different note, isn't it funny that the post receiving the most comments is the one concerning a pet mouse??? :p
Posted by: Nora on October 26, 2004 02:06 PMyeah, he does seem to garner a lot of attention...of course he could just be more interesting than me....
i wonder if ralphjudd.com is taken....
Posted by: d on October 26, 2004 02:08 PM