My wee Bella, No.2 cat, a demure two year old longhair, has many assets, so it turns out.

Being very bright, she has long since ago learned to open and shut cupboard doors and drawers. We accept this all at Chez Mason: it is not an abnormal activity, but now I sit up and take notice of the same cat.

She can get out her own play mouses!

I brought home 4 or 5, to be metered out, one by each, before being deposited behind the favorite couch, or chair in 15 seconds flat, from which I spend weeks fishing them out from under. One weeks Hoovering does not find them all. In fact, statistics show I generally find less than one in four.

Bella nosed the bag they were in when I bought them home, and instantaneously became excited. She saw the upper kitchen cabinet I put those mice in, and immediately, with no forethought, opened the cupboard door, and helped herself.

Yes, all of them. One by one. Taking each one out, dropping it from the counter to the floor, chasing it until under something. Then going back for the next one, dropping it on the floor, before off to play.

Times five.

Now she thinks there is always mice in there, and insists on opening the cupboard. She knows which way it opens, and needs no help.

I supply her with mice as often as I can.

The question is, where are the other 40 mice?

Copyright © Bill Mason
March 29, 2003