Mouse in da House

Quite a stir around la casa last night, as we trapped/killed a mouse in our kitchen. Julie discovered the mouse a few days ago (yes, she shrieked, but didn't dance on a chair in high heels like in the old cartoons) when it popped out from behind the microwave, ran along the counter and disappeared into a heating vent that's built into the countertop just above the old radiator. Julie bought some traps, and I put one of them down behind the counter, on the floor next to the radiator. One night later, our quarry was snared. (We're hoping he was a bachelor with no progeny.)

Lest any members of PETA or some other animal-rights group decry my inhumane treatment of said rodent, let me point out the following:

1) He enjoyed a savory taste of peanut butter immediately before his demise.
2) His death appears to have been instantaneous (broken neck), since the trap was barely moved and there was no blood. Hence, no suffering.
3) Had I live-trapped him, what exactly would I have done with him? If I released him outside he would undoubtedly have found his way right back inside again.
4) During the winter, I'm more than happy to let mice have the run of our detached garage (we park our cars outside anyway), but once they've come inside my house, they've crossed the line.

(Incidentally, if I really wanted to stretch the truth and justify my actions, I could further claim that using a trap gave the mouse a much better fate than succumbing to the teeth of our two ferocious predator cats. But that would be a lie, since neither cat is particularly cat-like with respect to mouse-hunting. Our older cat Mud (who bagged two mice in her youth, to Julie's undying appreciation) showed no interest in this mouse whatsoever, while our younger cat Spike, who was very interested in the mouse (he spent hours in the kitchen, staring at the cabinets, undoubtedly intrigued by the scratching sounds emanating from underneath) is quite the pacifist. He doesn't even eat bugs, but just stares at them and occassionally pats them playfully with his paw.)

Anybody who has any qualms with our decision is welcome, should another mouse invade our house, to come to Joliet, live-trap the mouse and take it home with them as a cherished family pet. But if you're not willing to do so, then keep your objections to yourself.