3/23/25

 I DON’T LIKE MICE! They scare me. They poop out diseases as far as I am concerned. They are pests, they are gross and the only good one is a dead one. I secretly fear it will always come back to life to nibble out my eyeballs. 

Well I was down stairs today and I stumbled across one in a trap I don’t remember setting. I usually scan the traps from a far so I am not startled. If one is in a trap, I leave it for Paul and ALWAYS consider putting the house on the market. Dramatic, some may say yes! I maintain I am NOT dramatic (said dramatically).

I let out a god awful scream. A noise, I don’t like hearing myself make. What is that noise anyway? I immediately deviated to the flight response and ran right into our Amish laundry drying rack. I smashed my  head and eye into the corner of it.

Paul was so helpful telling me “you have to stop reacting that way.” Oh, is that it? That’s all? I must be an idiot for not thinking of that.  Of course I didn’t say that. I couldn’t even think it. When I get that massive epinephrine release and spike in cortisol, I barely function for a few minutes. 

So I laid down on the couch icing my face that a stupid, beady eyed mouse caused.

Paul was asking me questions. I still had not gained my ability to think or talk. “I can’t talk yet.” I sometimes how got out.

Then I was mad. I was mad at the dumb mouse for inviting itself in. Ugh! Gross! All I can think of is the poop aerosolizing and giving us the black plague. 

Paul went down and got the trap, knowing I will not do laundry if it is down there. Dead mice can still pop up alive and eat my eyeballs. I reminded him not to throw the trap and mouse (we DO NOT recycle the traps) in the outside garbage. It would most definitely come alive in the night if he didn’t.

I laid on the couch for a while with the ice pack on. I don’t even remember why I was in the basement. I had a pitty party for my head hurting and played some games on my phone as a reward for navigating the injury and incident without dying.

Of all the stressful situations I have been in over the past 47 years, it is a mouse (a dead mouse) that brings me to my knees. I am kind of mad about that too.

I was able to recover and get more things done around the house. I got some donations ready for the clothing closet at the local church. That way I know the clothes are helping someone right in the community.

I worked with Moe on trying to master the command, heel Stand. It is still not going well. In fact, it is pissing off my sciatic nerve. I asked Paul to help because I am supposed to be doing 100 a day, but Moe is not getting it and I keep having to lift up his butt to a stand position. My back is revolting.

Jenny, you are right, I think we will have to show up to class with our head hung low on this one. You were right saying we need what is best for the family. We will never use this command outside of class. Really the reason I signed up was to put Moe into a situation where he has to behave around other dogs and people. Thank you!!!! I want him to succeed though.

I had Paul help out. It was good that the two of them work together as Moe should listen to Paul too. We will still try to work on it. We have over a week to keep practicing daily. Will it be 100? Absolutely not.

Paul did a good job working with  Moe but Moe still has not learned this command.  Moe finally gave up and laid down. Paul said, “I think he is done.” And Paul was right. Moe tapped out and we needed to respect that. He doesn’t typically do this but has had a few training sessions today and this was the last one. 

Tomorrow I had someone schedule an interview at 7am. I told Paul and Ethan I would wake up early and make them a wonderful breakfast. My alarm is set for 5:30. I am going to get cracking on my Monday at the butt crack of dawn.