Ah, Rats!

      We have new neighbors.   Well maybe neighbors is not the right word.  Squatters  would probably be a better  description.   They did not ask if they could move in.   A lease was not signed and they did not pay a deposit or any rent.
      Who are these new  neighbors?   How can they be so bold as to just move in that way?   And to top it off they have been stealing Pippa's dog toys!  The nerve!
        Not long ago I came face to face with one of our new neighbors.   As I was letting Pippa out the back door,  I looked down between the planks  on the deck.   Sticking up between the planks  was a wiggling little pink nose with long whiskers.   And behind those whiskers were two beady little brown eyes.
      A rat!   Now I have heard that rats can't see very well.   I have no idea if that is true or not.   But this ugly little guy seemed to be looking right at me.   As he turned to move away I saw his long snake like tail.   In fact I am pretty sure there are at least two of those creatures who have now made their home under our deck.  And no. I am not excited about it in the least.
       When Pippa goes outside to do her business she pretty much always takes a toy. Sometimes she forgets her toys outside. Those rats have started collecting them and taking them up under the deck where we can't get them back. So now I find myself going outside in the dark, wearing my pjs and skating socks, searching for dog toys that have gotten left outside so the rats won't get them!
      Rats. Seriously. I never would have thought it. There they are all snuggled up with Pippa's toys and nothing we can do about it.  I certainly hope they decide to move along soon. And yes.  They can take the toys with them!