When my cats passed away after nearly 20 years of companionship, I couldn’t bring myself to adopt another cat right away. I needed time to grieve their loss. Yet, the emptiness of my flat was undeniable. Living with animals brings a unique energy and inspiration that I deeply missed.

Eventually, I decided it was time for new four-legged friends. Cats had always made keeping smaller pets impossible, but now the circumstances were different. That’s when I thought of mice. Yes, mice!

The awesome thing about mice is that they’re afraid of heights, which means you don’t need a traditional cage as long as their home is perched high up. Plus, this was the perfect excuse to unleash my creativity. I’m always up for a building project, and this was a fun challenge—a double win!

After some research, I found a local mouse breeder (yes, that’s a thing!) with the most adorable mice. They had sleek, shiny fur and ears like mini Mickey Mouses. I couldn’t resist. Before Fred and Paul moved in (or rather, Frederike and Pauline, since I later learned male mice can be a bit… aromatic), I built them a custom mouse mansion. Perched on top of an Ikea cupboard, it was a tiny castle complete with climbing structures and hiding spots.

Fred and Paul quickly settled into their cozy, elevated palace. They seemed to enjoy every moment in their sprawling, adventurous home. While mice only live for about 1.5 to 2 years, I’m glad their short lives were filled with fun and exploration.

Switching from cats to mice was a bit unusual, but it turned out to be a delightful experience. Even the smallest creatures can bring joy and inspiration to our lives.