Lenny eats a mouse

Having pets around means they sometimes do what, to us, are disgusting things. I think Little Lenny, he of small stature and robust appetite, ate a mouse. Lenny was in Scout's crate, being very snarly, growlly and secretive to curious onlookers, a few of which, I am sure, wanted to relieve him of his prize. I wandered over to check out the reason for the commotion in time to see Lenny see me, note he had a furry thing in his mouth and then, gulp, in his gullet. Bleah.

My dear departed Emma did that once - very deliberately.

We were out walking, Emma, Oliver and the neighbor dog, Dakota. Dakota started playing with a mouse along the road, picking him up and tossing him around. The mouse got away enough to come near Emma. Emma was always on a leash except for the day she died :(. Emma was also a very good Beagle mix sight hound - I know, sounds like an oxymoron and she was a beautiful very intelligent one. She saw that mouse, picked him up, heard me say "Emma!" and swallowed. Live. I saw his tail go through her teeth like spaghetti.

We have had mice in the house this fall and now winter. Most are succumbing to the bait I have carefully laid out, making sure the dogs would not get it. I am not sure this mouse had bait or not. Lenny had his wild treat a couple days ago. He is no more worse for wear, so if the mouse had eaten bait, it did not affect Lenny aka Pirate enough to hurt him. Lucky.

When I called the vet after Emma ate her mouse, they enjoyed the laugh - thoroughly. I was then advised to watch for any intestinal upset or constipation. Like Lenny, Emma had no problem with her wild treat, either. I know mice are "vermin," but they are also cute and cunning. Sigh. Would we could better co-exist in the same house but no, I do want to eat without fear of intrusion or dread disease and I don't want the dog food shared with those on very, very small paws.