Ralph Marvin LeBreck

This weekend we got a pet mouse. We had been talking about it for awhile. I think Zeek's interest was spurred on by his love for the Ralph S. Mouse books by Judy Bloom. We have taken turns reading them to him off and on for years. 
Since our hermit crabs died in December (the most boring pets ever), we certainly had room for something new.  

I figured a mouse is a mouse. It will live a short time, die, we will throw it away and move on. 
I've had mice before. No biggie. Much like hamsters.

So, on Saturday, we had plans. My brother Tony came in from Appleton to see the Lego movie with Greg and Zeek, who dropped me off at the mall across the parking lot so I could replenish our household pajama and sock inventory. After the movie, we all went to lunch together, and then we decided to hit the pet store and check out the mice. 
That's where we found Ralph. 

If it weren't for his good looks, we would have just gone to a different pet store. The other mice they had were pretty run of the mill, boring, and Zeek had an all white mouse in mind- of which there was not one. 

But we all noticed Ralph. He was in the wheel, just spinning away. SO pretty and there was just something about him. We ALL wanted him (an agreement like this on a specific pet is rare for us), and so we bought him. I had already purchased food, water bottle and salt block in preparation. We already had dishes, bedding and an aquarium. Greg bought Zeek a small wheel and a mouse fort building set. 

We honestly had no idea (nor did we really care) what Ralph's personality or behavior was. You buy a small rodent, you put it in it's home, you feed, water and clean it's bedding… you don't get to touch them much - they are all pretty nibbling and scurrying. AKA bite and run.

While we were driving home with Ralph, Zeek said so many sweet things we have not heard him say… ever? Like, "I can't believe this is really happening… is there actually a mouse on my lap right now? How can this be real? I'm the happiest kid in the world right now." 

We were pretty surprised by this. We have three of the cutest dogs to walk the planet, and he never got this excited about having them as puppies. 

Once home, we set everything up for Ralph while he chilled out in his cardboard carry-on. Finally, we were able to take him out and put him in his aquarium. From there we started to learn just what we had gotten ourselves into. 

Ralph is the nicest mouse I've ever heard of. He likes to be picked up, cuddled, pet… he is not worried or skittish about anything (including barking or sniffing dogs). He is playful, sweet and very calm. He took ZERO time transitioning. He doesn't run away when we put him down, or try to get away when we hold him in our open hands or on our laps. We can even leave him if we have to use the bathroom or get a snack, etc… 

Zeek has played with him, watched movies with him on his lap or at his side, and pretty much been inseparable from his new mouse since we brought him home. 

Ralph is amazing. He even lets me take his adorable picture… 

Welcome to the family, Ralph.

Somehow, we already love you.