Oh, Rats!

Last weekend I was keeping official book for the district softball tournament that was being held in O’Neill. We were up in the crow’s nest and I see something scurry across the floor. It was a mouse. A cute adorable brown and white mouse. For the brief few minutes I knew her I called her Scout, after one of my favorite characters in “To Kill a Mockingbird.” Anyway, she crawled into someone’s shoe and I took her outside and set her free in the wild (i.e. the grassy area next to the playground) and watched her scurry away. I couldn’t believe the number of people that asked me if I had killed her! Of course I didn’t kill Scout, she was adorable and I believe we formed a lifelong friendship…. Oh my God, there is a good chance I am going to become a rat hoarder… I guess watch for me on A&E! ☺

There are several reasons that I couldn’t kill Scout.

1. I am not a farm Kid. Farms kids are, well, kids that grew up on a farm. They know that life comes and goes and have the ability to off cute little creatures such as Scout without thinking twice about it.
2. I learned nothing from “The Lion King” except for some awesome songs. I know that movie was meant to teach kids about the circle of life, but that lesson just didn’t sink in with me. I did learn however not to get trapped in a herd to wild animals with hooves, that wart hogs fart, and that hyenas think they are way more funny than they actually are.
3. I blame society for introducing some awesome rodents into my childhood which now prevents me from ever killing one. For Example…

Splinter from Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. What if Scout was on a mission to inform life sized turtles of the danger lurking in the sewers of O’Neill?? I was not going to be responsible for destroying that mission. You’re welcome O’Neill.


The Rescuers. Those beloved little mice who embark on a whirlwind adventure! How could you ever kill one of those little guys? Plus they have a leaf boat and a dragonfly escort. I can picture Scout cruising down 5th Street after a hard rain with her beloved in their leaf boat of love... yup I just couldnt ruin that for her.



Ground Hog day. As a child my hopes of an early spring all rested in the hands of a rodent! What up Phil! Scout and Phil dated I believe. He is sad they broke up, that is why he let himself go the way he did. Perk up Phil! You should come to Boot Camp with me!


And who could ever forget Gus Gus from Cinderella! Awwww Gus Gus… one of my favorite fictional characters of all time. Love his big heart. ☺ I bet Scout has a big heart too…



And Alf. I don’t know if he is really considered a rodent or not, but he kind of looks like one. He also kind of looks like something else...*ah hem*... and I believe he enjoyed eating cats, but we won’t go into that at this time. I don’t remember much of this show but I do remember that my family watched it when I was growing up.  I bet Scout has a family. I wonder what TV shows they watch?

So next time I find a mouse don’t count on this girl to be responsible for its death, I simply wasn’t raised that way ☺