Be aware that Jack Russells are No-Quit when it comes to being persistant. This will include both poor behaviour as well as rat killing. When a JR gets his mind set on something, you have a VERY hard time changing it. They are bred this way, what the breed is made to do. Folks often only see the cute face, not the devious mind of a killer, behind it. Terriers, big or small are bred to be varmint killers, no backing down, no matter how big or hard the varmints fight back. This mindset can make for a hard-to-live-with dog as a pet. They are often disobedient, get into things, just like to rip stuff up. They can be quite affectionate, but do have a "Dark Side." Know this before you get one for keeps. Maybe you could borrow one for a while? We see a lot of JRs in the pound, Humane Society, because folks can't deal with the non-stop busy-ness of a real working dog. They need jobs, can be quite destructive when expected to only be a pillow decoration. Another small varmint dog is a Dachshund. Hard to believe, but they can be EXCELLENT mice and rat dogs as well. Tough as nails in a fight. We have local Rat Terrier breeders, who sell a small black and white dog, smaller than JR. Supposed to be really good on barn rats, not quite as agressive or busy as the JRs. Not an AKC breed, but I do see them in lots of places. Happy owners seem to be mostly older folks. Kind of too sensitive for children, like bitty dogs can be. The rat suggestions given are good. Practice feeding them without setting traps, then set them. They get used to trap as food source, not harmful. I HATE rats!! Just creep me out, so I work hard at not attracting them. Keep things cleaned up, no places to hide. No spilled feed. Good luck with removal.

If it's any consolation, I have the same problem with my own puppies! And it's gotta be tougher when you have kids! I have fostered and treated many different pets over the years and it doesn't make any difference to me whether it is puppies, kittens, foals, or even baby birds, it is always tough to let them go! The only thing I can offer, other than to let you know that I know exactly how you feel, is to pass on my selftalk. I start repeating to myself, about a week before they go, all the reasons I decided to breed and why I foster in the first place. I love animals, I love being a mom, I love to be a part of this incredible chance to pass on this love to others who feel as I do and most of all to trust that another person or family needs this love in their lives as much as I have it to offer in the form of these beautiful little creatures. Most importantly, to trust myself that I have done my best and it is in their best interest to have a family of their own to love. Cry a while, hug the kids, and let them be a part of the offering, then get prepared to do it all over again knowing it will be repeated with the same care and emotion necessary to grow a life from the start. :) Thank you for being a foster mom! Ginny A poem from a breeder, when I question why I do this, as tough as it is. It makes me cry everytime but I'm gonna cry anyway. Tears are healing.:) It means they are loved! I Love My Little puppy..... I love my little puppy, she makes my house a home. She always is my best friend, I never feel alone. She makes me smile, she makes me laugh, She fills my heart with love ... Did some breeder breed her, or did she fall down from above? I've never been a breeder, seen life through their eyes, I hold my little puppy and just sit and criticize. I've never known their anguish, I've never felt their pain, The caring of their charges, through snow or wind and rain. I've never sat the whole night through, waiting for babies to be born, The stress and trepidation when they're still not there by dawn. I've never felt the heartache, of a little life in my hands, This darling little baby, who weighs but 50 grams. Should you do that instead of this ....or this instead of that, Alone you fight, and hope one day, he'll grow up big and strong, and bring joy to another being, and make a house a home, You know it's all just up to you, you'll fight this fight alone. Formula, bottles, heating pads, you've got to get this right, Hand feeding for this tiny guy, throughout the day and night. In your heart you know, you're almost sure to lose the fight, to save this little baby, but God willing ... you just MIGHT. Day one he's in there fighting, you say a silent prayer, Day two & three, he's doing well, with lots of love and care. Day four & five ... he's still alive, your hopes soar to the heavens, Day six he slips away again, dies in your hands day seven. You take this little angel, and bury him alone, With aching heart and burning tears, and an exhausted groan, You ask yourself "Why do this? ... why suffer all this pain?" But see the joy your puppies bring... it really self explains. So, when you think of breeders and label them with "greed", Think about what they endure to fill another's need. When you buy a puppy and with your precious dollars part, We only pay with money ... they pay with their hearts.

When we moved to our new house we had "1" cat his name was "Token" he was always an inside cat...he loved to sit on his window shelf and watch the birds and other wild life...we moved from the city to the country and live it...! We noticed a couple of other cats hanging around then they "we" all became friends. ..the other cats never left...! Then it started to get cold and colder outside. ...so we took a roll of clear plastic and small strips of wood and closed the whole back porch in with a lil' slit down one side of the steps so they can get in/out of....we made a nice lil' place for them to be warm and snuggly all winter....! We have done this for the past 4 years now.....and just bought the stuff this past weekend to do it again....! Soooo......I'm guessing the cats are happy and now "ours" Lol ♥

What is your location in the world? It looks more like a blister beetle to me, but one not of North America. Burying beetles have shortened elytra, leaving their behinds hanging out. They also have cute little knobs on their antennae, something that blister beetles do not have.