When compassion comes back to bite ya...

Today I went to pick up Gracie from my x-inlaws. On my way to the side door I was surprised to be greeted by the cutest little mouse I've ever seen. We'll call this mouse Jerry. Jerry was so tiny, I questioned for a moment if he was even real. I quickly realized he was and then I realized how strange it was that I wasn't screaming or looking for a chair to stand on. (Isn't that what I was supposed to do)? He was in the cutest position, sitting on his hind legs with his wee little arms pulled up under his chin. As I looked closer I could see that he was shivering. Only then did I notice the cat. They were no more than a foot apart, just staring at each other. It struck me as so odd.

I realized immediately what was going on and my heart went out to poor little Jerry. I couldn't bear the thought of him being helplessly tossed about, and becoming a cat's favorite new chew toy. I knew at that moment that it was up to me to save him. Sure I could have just shoed the cat away, but that would have been far too easy. Instead, my compassion took over and I instinctively reached down to pick the little guy up, expecting that he would just hop into my hand and I could happily release him in the nearby field (I could already hear Chariots of Fire playing in the background). It now dawns on me that perhaps I've watched a few too many feel-good movies... because I quickly learned that that's not how it works. .... AT ALL!

In a split-second's time I was left startled and confounded as adorable little Jerry betrayed me. How did I not see it coming? He bit my finger and latched on for dear life as my reflexes flung him to the ground. "Little punk!" I yelled. I quickly went in the house, leaving him to fend for himself. That'll teach him.

As I was recounting the story to my x-inlaws I realized just how "smart" I had been... and I have the battle wounds to prove it. I have now asked my family to keep a watchful eye on me, incase I go into convulsions or start foaming at the mouth. What was I thinking?

I was telling a friend the story when he replied, "Women are blinded by compassion sometimes. Much more of a blessing than a curse. Sometimes it does come back to bite you though." Such wit!