The Rat Trap and One Happy Girl

The Barn Rat is no longer among us thanks to a unique trap and a brave girl. You see, we've had a rat in our barn. The cats are too scared of it to have it for lunch - it's about as big as they are. The girls and I were watching one of our goats deliver her kids while this rat watched us. Very strange to actually see this big dude watch us...

Well, we had had it. How could we get rid of this creature? We didn't wish to use poisons for our dogs, cats or chickens could be effected by it. The dogs, cats or chickens could also get into a rat trap. Hmmm... We had the inexpensive idea of setting up one of our large trash cans with some grain at the bottom to attract the rat. Lo and behold, it worked! The critter let his stomach get him into trouble and couldn't get out of the trash can. 

Our 10 year old was so excited that our trap worked. She also really wanted to be the one to kill it. Now, you must understand, she is a very feminine young lady and derives no thrills from killing animals. After reading so many stories of pioneer women and farm women who were very much feminine, yet didn't hesitate to rise to the challenge of protecting their families or animals if need be, she was inspired to stretch herself beyond her comfort zone. So, she grabbed Daddy's shovel, set her lips in a firm line, squared up her shoulders and went to work. And that is the end of the story for that rascally Barn Rat!

12:19 - 2006-Mar-15 - post comment

Our daughter does this too

Abbey now 12 has always killed the mice, got them out of traps for me & tackes them off the cats when they bring their treasures inside.

Abbey is also a girlie girl who loves animals - but rodents as she calls them no way!!!

Wacko to your dd.

Love Leanne NZ

TheGoodLife - 12:46 - 2006-Mar-15

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