Thursday, June 2, 2011

Smooch aspires to be a barn cat

Maybe it's the season, or the drought, or the lack of a barn cat. Whatever the reason, the population of varmints and vermin here is totally out of control. No unwanted creatures are getting in the house or the garage, so I'm going about my business trying to peacefully coexist. But they've got Smooch climbing the walls.

It was 5:00 Tuesday evening as I walked out the back door to start my feeding rounds. 
I saw Smooch climbing the wall, assessed the situation, told her not to move, and went to get my camera.



Had Smooch chased the mouse up the wall or was he already up there snacking on swallows? Hard to say.



What do you think, Smooch? Will he come down and tangle with you 
or stay up there and confront Mama Swallow when she flies back to feed her babies?



Apparently he'd rather take his chances with you. Little does he know he faces a formidable opponent.



Here's your big chance, Smooch. Focus! 
One of us has to and I'm not doing a very good job at it.



You've certainly got the moves of a barn cat...



... and you're faster than a speeding bullet and this shutter speed...



...but not fast enough to catch the mouse.



Me: Are you sure he went in there?



Smooch: Of course I'm sure! Would I risk getting my paw stuck in the snake pole if there were any doubt?



Me: Don't worry. The WD-40 is just inside the garage.



Smooch: Please come out, Mouse. My reputation is at stake here.



Me: I suppose I could try to shake him out. 
But if he comes crawling out the top of the pole and runs down my arm, there will be hell to pay!



*shake*shake*shake*shake*shake*



Mouse: Wheeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!



Me: He's under you, Smooch!



Me: To your right! To your right!



Mouse: And you all thought this stuff only happened in cartoons...




36 comments:

  1. Ha! You did not disappoint! A classic is right. Our Chula does the same thing with grey squirrels. In the 10 years we've had her, she's only managed to catch one. I bet Smooch's record is better than that.

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  2. Now that is what I call a "Wild mouse chase" eh ;-)
    I think it is time you get smooch a couple of cats to help with the rodent freeloaders!
    signed TheresaEH
    who google will not sign in for some strange reason

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  3. P.S.
    pretty spiffy new blog bling!
    TheresaEH

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  4. How exciting. I'm impressed you could take pictures with the excitement going on.

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  5. Never a dull moment at your place. Time to bring back the snake... he would have had mouse pie for dinner.

    Di

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  6. AND.... great header today!

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  7. Great photo sequence. Ya dun good, kid.

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  8. Awwww Smooch..... you gave it a good try, girl.

    Carson, you were right! Classic post!!

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  9. You managed to make me feel like I was sitting right there while all of this was happening. At first I thought it was a tarantula up there... and I was freaking out. So glad that it was a mouse instead.

    This is a classic for sure. :)

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  10. So the question is---did she get him? I hope so!

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  11. Great action sequence. Good for Smooch for his valient protection of the 7MSN Ranch!

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  12. No disrespect meant toward Smooch - maybe a couple of ranch hands (cat or two) could help out.

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  13. great photo story! Love that Smooch!

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  14. Smooch ... you get'em girl!
    Great action shots ... guess just another day at the old corral!

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  15. You really REALLY need to write a book about these things. Your photography is awesome and the situations can't be made up!

    Thanks so much for sharing!!

    (and I just read the WD-40 and snake story - I can't believe that I missed that one at some point! You should totally submit it to the WD-40 site...)

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  16. Carson - what can I say? Your blog just gets better and better... Smooch is SOooo intense...this is a classic!

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  17. Great series of photos. That is one determined dog!

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  18. Good dog, Smooch, a valiant effort! Do I see barn cats in your future? Mice can really mess up a barn.

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  19. Best. Post. Ever.

    Thanks for the laughs!

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  20. Hurrah for Smooch for the chasing...now she needs a sub committee to finish the details. The look of intensity on her face. She's a focused beastie. The only time our dogs look like that is when there are duck jerky treats involved.
    The Olde Broad

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  21. Yikes! I've never had a mouse climb our walls like that...at least I have never seen one! I can't believe you managed to get photos of all this. So did Smooch get her mouse?

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  22. I love a good chase scene, although you know who I was rooting for...That was wild, that little guy climbing up the wall. Very talented fellow. And, now he's famous, as well.

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  23. I was afraid throughout to reach a photo of Smooch crushing the mouse in her jaw...if that ever happens, please don't post that picture!

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  24. Carol in Colo6/2/11, 9:33 AM

    Sgt. Smooch on duty, Ma'am!! Nicely done Smooch. Great photos and captions. Smooch does a great job at ranch security but I think she needs help. Team 7MSN!!

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  25. This may well be my favorite post to date! It's fabulous! I snorted out loud when I saw the picture of the mouse falling out of the snake pole. Now I am blotting the tears of laughter out of my eyes and I am sitting at my desk at work! I am sure my co-workers are questioning either my sanity or my work ethic, probably both! Thanks so much for the laugh!

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  26. Great pictures! Who knew mice could climb walls like that?

    I think I would bring in some outdoor barn kitties to clean the place up. Feral cats who need homes would love to call 7MSN their headquarters.

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  27. LOL! Hank couldn't have done it better!

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  28. Ahhhh....I LOVE "Bleeding Cowboy"!

    And speaking of snake poles...any way you could send me the dimensions of your fine work of art so we could have an official one hanging out at our back door?

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  29. LOL!!! What a GREAT escapade!!! WHY did that swallow build there and not in a tree?!!! Sorry Smooch, maybe next time!!! Phew, in that one pic, I'm not sure Smooch is sure she wants to really catch it! The chase is enough FUN!!YOU did a TERRIFIC job capturing the Showdown at the 7MSN Ranch!! Thanks for the chuckles! I had to chuckle when I saw your new banner!!too!! CUTE as ever!!

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  30. That's so funny. Smooch is quick! Years ago I had cats that brought a mouse to the driveway to play with it. I had shorts on and when I tried to rescue it, it ran up my bare leg. I was dancing around shaking my leg and the cats eyes lit up -- this made it even better!!! Animals are wonderful!! :)

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  31. First I felt sorry for the swallows, then I felt sorry for Smooch. Then I felt sorry for the mouse (several times), and then I felt sorry for you in the middle of this lively drama with only one hand available to shake the mouse out of the snake pole. Glad it had a happy ending for everyone except Smooch, who I no longer feel sorry for because she lives on the MSN Ranch.

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  32. Looks like I'm in the minority, but have to say I liked the old blog format better. It was "warmer" looking, much more unique in appearance, and stood out from all the other bazillion blog pages out there. It was a very personal looking ‘design’. And I REALLY loved the header w/ the leather and 7MSN brand. That was truly unique looking.
    All in all – the page was a piece of art.

    On another note - you haven't had a contest in AGES!!! Really miss them (even tho I never was able to win one)

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  33. EEEEEK! I really didn't know critters like that could climb walls, never relly thought about it though. Gret camera action, and terrific "play by play". Thanks! Oh and google or blogger, who knows, won't let me sign in either, been going on all week. grrrr

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  34. had me laughing big time!!!

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