Yep. This is a photo of precisely what you think it is—a young domestic mouse heading for the end zone. Did Peach (no jersey number necessary) achieve a touchdown?
Yes, and no.
Let me explain. Peach and Daisy are a pair of domestic mice who live with us. Quite distinct in appearance and personality, Daisy is gray with red eyes and a preference for napping. Peach has a cow’s markings and can’t keep still. She loves to run the wheel, climb, and explore.
A real rodent Houdini, she’s managed to escape the cage countless times, and despite our best efforts, Oreo the Cat will come to us with big eyes and a particular complaining meow (cat tattletale!) that alerts us to the fact that Peach is climbing the outside walls of the cage like Spiderman.
Last night she decided to run the length of the table on which the cage sits. The tabletop is patterned with the markings of a football field. Peach was elated. We were cracking up. Oreo was indignant. And I could not get a photo that wasn’t blurred by her rapid wiggling and the kind of excitement reflected in those guys commonly known at Squatch Watchers who feel they are snapping an image of the local, legendary Yeti.
Peach soon zipped back into the cage and we closed off yet another hole just wide enough for her to squeeze through—still marveling and giggling at the mouse who continually manages to get the best of us.
All except Oreo, that is.