It just requires a lot more time, energy and patience than with a dog. They're always thinking up new ways to foil your best laid plans, while dogs remain completely clueless. Mine come when I whistle -- of course they'll expect me to open a can right away, too.

As for the dead mouse, consider yourself fortunate. You have been accepted to the den.

Had a problem with rabbits once. We were raising them for a few years back in the 60s. Anyway, one had died, leaving behind her four unweaned young. We also had a cat who decided it was time for a new litter. She wet-nursed the bunnies.

Some day I might tell you about the raccoons, the snakes, the lizards, the goats, my older brother's pet crow, the pony (named Honeybun), my catfish aquarium, My 12.25-inch tall bullfrog, the family's pet sparrow -- none of which had a "job," they were just fun -- and the day we held a zoo in our yard and managed to raise $235 one weekend for the local Heart Fund drive.

Dan