Ok, as a species, we have much in common with mice. Generally i get on fine with mice. But unlike the mice that lived in our Brooklyn apartment for a while, these Oregon mice have pissed me off.

In my experience New York mice tend to be very smart and very careful. They tend not to leave evidence of their presence, eat only what’s easily available, and usually don’t stay in once place longer than necessary. Ashland mice, on the other hand, are gangsta mice. They enter houses, even a house such as this with two cats, with impunity, eat with abandon, and poop like there’s no tomorrow. Everywhere. It’s like they’re leaving a damn calling card. They’ve never heard, or they don’t subscribe to, the old adage “don’t shit where you eat.”

And, what’s most annoying, they gnaw on water inlet hoses in one’s washing machine.

I’m declaring war.