This is not a dramatization.

A short time ago, those guys I live with took off for two darks. It was nice to have the place to myself - I didn't have to be self-conscious about certain grooming tasks, and I could excitedly sprint through the place with no fear of getting laughed at, or running into anyone. Most of the time, those guys come back with little fanfare - they show up with more sacks full of stuff, all for them, give me a pat, and a scratch, and we're back to the routine. This time, however, they had a little treat for me: a New Mouse. And not just any ordinary mouse. Oh, no. This one was STUFFED with the good stuff. I nipped out. What follows is not a recreation of events: this is me freakin' out on that mouse the afternoon it showed up. So good!