mmmmmm goat milk soap is delicious

While preparing an order for delivery through the coop some tell tale signs that a 4 legged visitor had been in the shop appeared in the basket where the soap is displayed.  Fortunately, this was noticed before the product was shipped as the bottom of the bar of soap previously packaged which looked perfectly fine on top was already half eaten from the bottom.  Looking at the others in the basket, several of them had been sampled.  After searching and finding enough untouched ones to fill the orders, the remaining soap was removed from the shop with the exception of two bars which were already at least 1/3 gone.

Sure enough, upon checking again there were more signs of "tampering".  This stuff contains lye which one would think would kill the nasty creatures, but alas the effects of the pure goats milk obviously cancel out that effect.

After considering that a cat would catch the creature in no time, visions of products scattered all over the shop and broken jelly jars with their contents leaking and strewn around the floor caused that idea to be abandoned.  The answer was a mouse trap.  Previously there were 3 mice who met their demise in traps in the mobile home.  Unfortunately, those traps were put away in a safe, logical place and may be found in the future when someone does an archaeological dig but they are no where to be found now.  However, one trap was still available.  It was baited and carefully set beside the soap.  Next morning, the bait was gone but the trap was unsprung.   The creature had once again partaken of the buffet of soaps available as well as the bait in the trap.

Being aware of the effects caused when one of these traps spring shut, a pencil was used to set it off so new bait could be added.  Nothing happened.  It seems the plastic was too soft to trip the trigger and the trap would not slam shut.  After some adjustments it now works.  The trap was set between the two types of soap without any bait this time.  The following morning a customer came to buy eggs.  The stench in the shop was horrendous.  Immediately the cats were blamed however unfairly.  Upon checking the trap, the mouse was undoubtedly dead with his body nearly sliced in half in the trap with bodily fluids oozing.  It was a very large male field mouse.  If there are Sumo Wrestlers in the mouse world, this guy could have been one.  With the judicious use of tongs, the trap and the mouse were removed from the shop.  The mouse was so nasty the cats declined to have anything to do with it when offered to them.  Picky cats.

Oh, by the way, I prefer the goat milk soap with tea tree oil.  It makes my skin feel wonderful.  The mouse, however, had no preference whatsoever and was delighted to dine on either kind.