Adopting A Geriatric Special Needs Mouse
My daughter (Mini-Me) attended science camp last summer and fell in love with a Mouse named Esmerelda (AKA Mrs. Mouse). We didn't adopt Mrs. Mouse because Elsie was sick and the timing wasn't right. However, I promised that if Mrs. Mouse was still around we would bring her home next summer. Mrs. Mouse was older and overweight and truthfully, the chances of her living another year seemed unlikely.Mini-Me spent much of the last year planning her reunion with Mrs. Mouse, even saving toilet paper rolls for her future habitat. We discussed the possibility that Mrs. Mouse might not be there when she returned. She understood the odds, but remained hopeful just in case.
Earlier this month, on the drive to camp, we discussed Mrs. Mouse and how she probably had a great life with all her Mice friends. And if she wasn't there, it was OK.
But the next morning I received an over-the-moon email from Mini-Me: Mrs. Mouse was alive and well and even remembered her! How do you know she remembered you, I emailed back. Because she sat in my lap and didn't pee on me, she told me. And with that, it was official - we were adopting Mrs. Mouse.
The following Saturday we picked up Mini-Me, Mrs. Mouse and Pepper Jack (because female mice are very social and do better in pairs). It turns out mice usually live about three years. Mrs. Mouse is probably around two and will live out the rest of her life with us.
Mrs. Mouse is overweight, older and missing some fur on her face. She's definitely a special needs mouse (if that is even a thing). While some parents take pride in good grades or winning games, I am proud that my kid spent the last year worrying about a mouse that probably no one else in the world would have even noticed. Compassion matters!
And Then There Were Five ...
We are now a five species home - cat, dog, rabbit, mice, and humans.
We are still negotiating the whole cat and mouse sharing space peacefully thing. For now, the mice and Rosie are living separate lives with doors and walls between them. Rosie spotted them once and immediately got all big-eyed and panther-like. She was promptly removed and given a treat in the next room.
Ruby finds the mice fascinating and seems to think they might be mini-rockstars. She spends lots of time sitting beneath their habitat, watching them with stars in her eyes.
Mrs. Mouse is more reserved and somewhat of an emotional eater (we are working on that). She likes to rearrange her stuff at night and sleep in one of the toilet paper holders that Mini-Me saved for her. Pepper Jack is animated and likes to run on her wheel and dance around on her hind legs. Pretty sure if I could find a tiny guitar she would play it and give Ruby a real show.
Stay tuned for future multi-species mania updates.
