Tracks in the Snow

I was puzzled by seeing these tracks in my backyard this morning after a foot deep snow storm.

I didn't know what it could be -- such an odd pattern, which went to the edge of the house and then disappeared in a spot where the snow had melted. My only thought was a mouse, because I've had mice in my house recently. But would a mouse be moving through snow when it could be inside the house?

I posted this photo on my neighborhood's website and one person guessed a bunny, but the tracks were too shallow for even a tiny bunny Others said a mouse, and an experienced exterminator verified that it was indeed made by a mouse.

As though to emphasize the point, my 8-lb Yorkie Poo, Fergie, was carrying around a dead wet mouse this morning. It's the third she's killed in the past couple of weeks.

I'm just amazed that a mouse would be willing to be out in the snow.