Adventures with a Mouse and a Kind Community

 

The greatness of a nation can be judged by the way

its animals are treated.

                                   ~ Mahatma Gandhi

 

This is a story of the kindness of strangers that demonstrates the power of community.

We believe that most people are kind, and our experiences continue to support that belief. Most people do care about each other and reach out to help someone in need.

We are fortunate to belong to the Nextdoor online platform that enables neighbors to communicate with each other. Membership is free. As people post information of interest or ask for assistance with a personal or community need, nearby members receive emails with links to the posts. If we click on a link, we can make a comment, and we receive updates as other people comment on that post.

This is a powerful tool for building community among people who do not usually have opportunities to meet otherwise. By following the thread of a post, we learn more about our neighbors, and we have the opportunity to help others or to participate in a community activity.

This week, we experienced the power of Nextdoor, and it is a wonderful example of the kindness of strangers. In order to demonstrate how deeply people get involved in helping a stranger solve a problem, I decided to share our experience with some detail.

A few days ago, we realized that we had an uninvited guest. After hearing unexplained noises during the day, we finally spotted a mouse scurrying across the floor. I posted a request for help on Nextdoor: “Does anyone know where we can get a live mouse trap in Asheville?”

Almost immediately, someone posted a helpful suggestion that peppermint oil on cotton balls would run them out. I thanked her and explained that, in our situation, we need to provide a way out. The mouse apparently came in through an open door to the house from the carport. It does not have a way to get out without our help. We intended to catch and release it outside

That exchange was followed by suggestions from several people about where to find humane mouse traps. One was from a couple who had taken the time to research for us and sent us a screen capture from the website of our local Home Depot with several choices.

Other people replied to posted suggestions, agreeing and sometimes offering their ideas as well. One woman wrote that her son was like a ninja and he would be able to catch our intruder and release it outside. It’s hard to turn down such appealing offer. I replied that I would enjoy meeting a ninja, but we think the humane mouse traps will do the trick.

We received several ideas for catching a mouse without a trap. One uses fish net. Another requires a bucket, newspaper and peanut butter. The simplest one uses the flexible hose from a vacuum cleaner. The fourth one calls for an empty cereal box, and the last one was fanciful, using a swinging-top trash can, a ruler and some peanut butter. It has been a serious – and amusing - education in mouse-catchery.

We also received words of wisdom – “A house isn’t a house without a mouse.”  And then came the inevitable suggestion that we borrow a cat.

Five people offered to loan us their humane catch and release mouse traps. We were willing to drive to pick up the traps, and one woman offered to bring them to us. At that point, we were overwhelmed by the kindness coming to us from all directions.

When Erin arrived, we all felt that we were meant to meet – and it took a wayward mouse to bring us together. We smile when we think about the unpredictable ways that synchronicity works in our lives.

Well, the traps were great, but our little mouse was just a tad too big to fit in the opening. She was frustrated and so were we. So back to Nextdoor to share an update on our on-going adventure. This time, Julie responded, and she also insisted on coming to our house to deliver her traps.

The mouse wouldn't go into another trap with peanut butter, apparently remembering her experience with the last one. When we realized that and replaced the peanut butter with cheese, she eventually went in and could not get back out.

Success feels so good after the twists and turns of the last few days. Larry released our visitor back to her home territory, and we are optimistic that she won’t want to come back inside. We are certainly going to be more careful about leaving doors open.

This entire journey was made possible by the Nextdoor platform. Yes, we would have resolved the issue sooner if we had just bought a trap, but we gained so much by involving our neighbors in our mouse adventure. We felt embraced by many people we now see as friends we have not yet met in persone

Nextdoor provides an easy way for people to express and to receive kindness. Given the opportunity, many people quickly respond to someone in need. We encourage anyone with a problem or a challenge to reach out to your neighbors for help. The experience will enrich your life and theirs.

Kindness abounds!

We wish you joy on your journey.

     Image by Here and Now on Pixabay 

 

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We’re grateful that you are on this journey with us.

 

With love from our hearts to yours,

Pat and Larry