Oh Amy, I feel so bad for you because I have been there so many times (only I have been dealing with baby bunny nests this year.)

But I keep thinking your story should be on prime time tonight. (Thinking The New adventures of Old Christine.) Your post has me laughing. I am sorry but so glad it isn't me this time.

Um...

that's touching and gross and a little bit hilarious all at the same time... "Covered with charcoal dust and trembling"...very visual image--the poor little guys.

The universe will love you for helping these vulnerable little dears grow so they can multiply and spread their little descendants all through your home :)

Mice can be kinda nice pets. Have you named them?

Every animal deserves a chance and I think it's nice you've even considered trying to save them. I bet when they grow up, they will be forever indebted to you for your kindness and know in their own mindless way that you saved them. As a result, they will personally reward you for your good deeds and spare you the demise of having a "bad" mouse problem again in the future. :c) One can always hope, positive thoughts go a long way.

"Oh gawd!" and then:...."why me?" I laughed out loud. But I am so sympathteic...poor you, indeed! I do understand and am touched at your care of the little critters of this world...you're a good'un Ms. Amy:>)

Oh, I can relate. Every year when we open up our grill in the spring, we find a mouse nest, usually with babies. My husband knows he has to wait until they move out before he can use the grill. He now checks the grill weekly to make sure no mama is moving in.

OMG!! I thought I was the only one looney enough to try to care for newborn rodents.

We were moving and as I was putting the first box into the U-haul, I noticed a squirming pink pile in the corner. 5 newborn...mice? rats? Naturally my kids and DH saw them right away. So what do I do? I put them in a box with a soft cloth and hot water bottle then proceed to go to the pet store to buy formula and try to feed these things. I managed to keep the last one alive for 2 days.

Two days.

We were in the middle of moving...we were staying in a flipping hotel, and I'm playing nursemaid to newborn rodents.

I still shake my head and wonder what the hell is wrong with me.

Yeesh!

I shared your story with DH. Bad idea, of course, as most of his solutions have to do with shovels.

I think he's more afraid of mice than I am. They don't bother me if they stay outside.

amy, had one thought on this overnight: hantavirus. Even though there may be nothing specific being reported in your area, hope you didn't inhale any charcoal mouse poop dust, and that you first wetted down and then cleaned up any mess. And wash those hands!

A mother worries :)

I honestly don't know what I would have done.

Mice have been a problem for me in the past; had them decaying under my sink. I had 2 dirty neighbors next to me but they choose to come into my clean house because they could get in some how. They ate so much stuff one summer; even getting into top cabinets.

amy I probably would have done the same thing even though I'd have no problem setting a trap (and have) IN my house if I found evidence of mice. Not sure how I compartmentalize these things but I do.

parma - you heard this one? See link below for what NOT to do with a shovel. My compassion goes out the window with people like this - makes me want to show her what the the working end of a shovel can do.

Here is a link that might be useful: Woman vs baby deer

Fly...thanks. Just thanks. I mean, I am already a germophobe. Whydja havta go and do that to me???

Actually, I picked up the one that was already inside the friggin' grill by his stubby little tail. The other three got scooped in the charcoal scooper. I am certain that the only one carrying hantavirus is the one I touched, right? Yippee.

Yes, yes, I did wash my hands. (see paragraph 1)

Hmmm....dust. Yeah, there was some of that. I didn't clean up yet. Just walked away. Nauseous. Is this like breaking a CFL? Do I need to call the EPA?

Deliver me.

I'm so glad you've tucked them in. It's hard to imagine some people think animals don't have feelings, and when such young ones can be trembling in fear.

Have you seen mamma come back yet?

Bless your heart, amy, you're a good soul. ;-)

Dlm, what a nasty old lady!

When we lived outside of Rockford, our back yard was a forest preserve. I had just finished putting in five gardens, to awake one morning and find that almost everything had been destroyed by the deer. I was quite distraught.

DH, in his misguided attempt to calm me down, was coming up with all sorts of ideas to *help* with the deer problem. When I settled down, I did a lot of research and replanted with specimens that weren't as tasty to them. Allium, interspersed among a lot to others, helped a bunch as they hate their smell.

I left their favorite cut leaf sumac for them to nibble on. :)

I can't quite wrap my head around people who want to live in a natural surrounding but aren't willing to make a place for nature. The neighborhood we live in now has all of these man-made lakes and as a result, geese. They have changed their migratory habits and don't even leave for the winter. Someone must have complained as there was a crew out working the other day and when they left, there was a warning sign posted that some sort of aquatic deterrent had been applied.

I just don't get it.

Amy, all I can say is...lucky mice. It was so kind of you to be sensitive to their plight. It's too early in the season to give up on grilling, so I hope this hasn't scarred you too badly.