My Mouse, Óðinn.
March 3rd, 2008
A few months ago my brother spotted a mouse at work. (Well, not at work, but rather at the location of where we work. Actually, he might have been working; I really don’t know.)Â After a 15 minute chase, he was cornered into an office, and frankly, his future didn’t look promising. I convinced my brother to let me do the humane (and possibly mousane) thing, and drop him off at a field on my way home from work.
On my way home, plans changed. It has just snowed 10″, and I became concerned he wouldn’t adapt to the harsh environment. That night, my wife and I bought some supplies to keep him comfortable though the winter. He immediately took residence in the Tiki Hut, and has rarely shown his face. We won’t see him for weeks at a time, and only then after long waits in silence.
When we do clean his cage, he’s forced to acknowledge us, which he does with a look of contempt I never thought possible from a mouse. He hates us with every ounce/gram of his being. He gives us a long, unblinking stare, while ever-so-slowly shaking his head.
We’ve grown quite attached to Óðinn, but don’t know if keeping him caged is in his best interest. Will he survive in the wild after being provided an endless supply of mouse food, sunflower seeds and yogurt treats? Would he be happier in a much larger cage (a “Mouse Valhalla”)?
By the way, we’re aware of the health issues concerning a feral mouse (specifically Hantavirus) and take precautions when cleaning his cage.
2 Responses to “My Mouse, Óðinn.”
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April 5th, 2008 at 1:06 pm
Let the mouse go. He was meant to be outside and will definitely be happier outside. Don’t mean to be harsh but it’s pretty selfish to think that he is better off with you in a little cage than free. Feel good that you saved a life from being snuffed out and now can be twice the good samaritan by letting him go live his life fully as intended.
One Ton Weasel
July 1st, 2008 at 6:58 pm
It’s all good - I set him free at the end of April. AND, if size is any indication of stature, he’s now the alpha mouse of eastern Minnesota. Truly, I have never seen a larger mouse in all my life.
Godspeed my furry lil’ Mus musculus!
Curiously, this last week I encountered 2 other mice in my tool shed. When we made eye contact, I SWEAR they both gave me a subtle “you’re one of us now” nod.