Cuddling

I've been trying to find ways to enjoy my mice that aren't too
annoying (or worse, frightening) for them. I think I'm getting a
pretty decent system together. Of primary importance is getting a
mouse to the point where it's willing to crawl into my hand on its
own (with treats and the like). Then the fun begins.

One of the oddest things I've found is that some mice - not all,
but some - seem to enjoy it when you scrape your fingertip along
the bottom edge of their upper teeth. Some of them really don't
care for it, but some of them will just sit there and let me scrape
away for minutes, at least (That's hours and hours and hours in
mouse time). It helps if I use another finger to help steady their
head. I didn't get it at first, but now I think I understand -
mice like to chew. They nibble and bite at anything. I really
doubt they're thinking, "Now, I must sharpen and shorten my ever-
growing teeth!" No, not at all. They probably do it because it
_feels_ good. So, some of them I guess are comfortable enough with
a giant finger at their face to let themselves enjoy it, and some
aren't.

Another thing I've found with some of my mice is that they enjoy
having their cheeks scratched right near the ear, kind of like a
dog or a cat. Only you have to go lightly, and with just barely a
fingertip. I get a response from more mice with this than with the
teeth-scraping thing.

I'm curious as to what methods some of you might have found to
"cuddle" with your mice. My family has always had cats, and we've
always been a very affectionate bunch, so I'm used to cuddling up
to my pets from time to time and just want to know what my options
are with regard to mice. :-)

Thanks fer yer time. :-)

I tend to just put them up to my face and ruffle their fur with my upper
lip. They seem to like "some" time in my hand and I don't grab them
usually but let them climb aboard themselves.

Bren

--


"On a withered branch,
a crow has now alighted.
Nightfall in autumn."
-- Basho, 1679