By: MrsMojo

Mouse balls are now available as FRU (Field Replacement Unit.) Therefore, if a mouse fails to operate or should it perform erratically, it may need a ball replacement.

Because of the delicate nature of this procedure, replacement of mouse balls should only be attempted by properly trained personnel. Before proceeding, determine the type of mouse balls by examining the underside of the mouse. Domestic balls will be larger and harder than foreign balls.

Ball removal procedures differ depending upon the manufacture of the mouse. Foreign balls can be replaced using the pop-off method. Domestic balls are replaced by using the twist-off method.

Mouse balls are not usually static-sensitive. However, excessive handling can result in sudden discharge.

Upon completion of ball replacement, the mouse may be used immediately.

It is recommended that each replacer have a pair of spare balls for maintaining optimum customer satisfaction.

Any customer missing his balls should contact the local personnel in charge of removing and replacing these necessary items.

I met Pumpkin in 1996. Some people would say he was a “stray” cat, but I’ve come to understand that he is actually a “wandering minister” who chooses certain people or families who need a special gift of love. Folks who live on my street, Chickamauga Lane, know Mr. Pumpkin the cat because he is a very friendly fellow. He stops by regularly to visit anyone who welcomes him, sometimes even when they don’t!

One summer, Pumpkin sauntered inside my neighbor’s house for a “visit” and no one saw him enter. They were packing up and leaving for a 10 day vacation! After a week of searching for him, we thought he had disappeared. When our neighbors returned they found Pumpkin inside their house and he was okay! He’d survived on left-over dog bones and got water from the toilet to drink! Thankfully, they’d left the toilet seat up! Pumpkin revealed his impeccable manners by using only ONE bathroom rug on which he’d relieved himself. My kind-hearted neighbors were happy to only have that one rug to toss in the garbage and we were all delighted that Pumpkin was safe and unharmed!

Pumpkin appeared in my life six years ago just when I needed a “furry friend”. It was the winter of 1995/1996, and a very sad time for me. My dear dog Pepsi, died on February 10th, 1996. For the first time in 16 years I was returning home from work with no one waiting “just for me.” However, there was this big orange cat visiting in my cul-de-sac that winter. He would “hang out” in my garden and my neighbor’s children named him Pumpkin.

After Pepsi died, a friend mentioned to me that the sweet orange cat at the top of my hill was “much too skinny under all that hair for a cat his size.” Since I had never had a cat in my life before, I knew very little about them. I had been distracted by my grief and hadn’t even noticed how skinny he was or that he never seemed to “go home”. Then the light bulb went off in my head! This darling cat didn’t have a home! I hurried to the store to buy cat food!

The charming, gentle Pumpkin quickly became part of our family. We appreciated his intelligence, gracious manners and funny antics. I began to look forward to coming home from work, because Pumpkin was always right there waiting for me. I also feel Pumpkin helped me get through one the most difficult times of my life.

A year later, my neighbor Sally’s beloved dog died. She told me that Pumpkin began to visit her more often and she believes that Pumpkin also helped her during her time of grief.

During the summer of 1998, my step-daughter, Savannah, found a kitten and brought him home. Pumpkin was not pleased with Pippin, the new boy cat. Pippin is a bit aggressive to say the least! We tried everything we could think of to help the two cats get along in the same home, but nothing worked.

It broke my heart when Pumpkin went in search of a new home. He found Tom and Sandy, who lived at the other end of Chickamauga Lane. Perhaps not coincidentally, Tom and Sandy had also recently lost their family dog and they too had never had a cat of their own! I think it must have been “time” for Pumpkin to find Tom and Sandy. He was great joy to them for the three years they lived here.

Last year Tom and Sandy had to move out of state and we all decided together that it would be best not take Pumpkin with them, since ministering to the folks on Chickamauga Lane appears to be Pumpkin’s chosen vocation in life. After Tom and Sandy moved away, Pumpkin picked the Muskgrove’s to be his newest “home base” family where he is welcomed, fed, and offered laps to nap on.

I can’t extend enough praise and thanks to them for caring for this beautiful, magical, marvelous cat. He also visits Helen who lives a few houses down from the Muskgroves’. Helen has said, “I think that cat has ESP!” The Muskgroves and many of my friends have made this comment about Pumpkin:

“There is something very special about him… his eyes, his face… he just looks so wise. And he seemes to always know what we’re thinking and saying!”

I take walks down the street with chicken treats for Pumpkin. He gets along perfectly with my new dog Abby. (Abby was “trained” by Pippin to respect ALL cats, which Pumpkin appreciates, I’m sure.) Even though it’s been many years since he lived with me, he knows my whistle, and will come running to greet me, talking and “chirping” the whole way to my feet where he immediately flops down and rolls over for a scratch.

I send my thanks to ALL the kind folks on our street who stop to speak to Pumpkin, who invite him in for visits and offer him special treats. He is a missionary to human beings, the “Cat of Consolation” on Chickamauga Lane, a furry friend who blesses all who have the opportunity to know him.

I have a goldfish, but we originally had two. The bigger one (Shiner) was always bullying the other one (Tigger).

When we had had them about 1 1/2 years, Tigger developed a tumour, but kept his friendly cheerful personality! To help you picture them, the Shiner has the personality of a killer whale and Tigger was more like a dolphin (coming out of the water to be fed etc.)

When the tumour started getting bigger, I noticed that Shiner would let Tigger get the food first and she stopped bossing and pushing him around! I found this strange, as fish will usually attack weaker fish!

I should note that Shiner is bossy and demanding and will find various ways to get my attention, including splashing or making noises with her mouth at the top of the water.

Anyways, one time I noticed that she was desperately trying to get my attention by swimming very fast back and forth across the front of the tank. I thought that she wanted shrimp treats and it was too soon after feeding them supper, so I made a point of ignoring her!

She kept this up for about 15 minutes before I actually looked at her and I was going to ask her what she wanted. This is when I noticed that I couldn’t see Tigger! I went up to the tank (20 gallon) and still couldn’t see him. This was strange since he was approx. 6 inches long and very round! This is when Shiner went to the back corner and I saw Tigger had somehow gotten up and behind the tube and was stuck upside down! Shiner was “kissing him” (they were always touching each other and very close).

I opened the lid and pulled out the tube so Tigger could get free. He swam away just like nothing had happened! The really funny part, is that Shiner wouldn’t let him near that corner for the rest of the evening! If she saw him going towards it, she would swim quickly and cut him off or push him back across the tank!

Don’t believe people when they say that fish have no feelings, thoughts, or memory! It took two little goldfish to teach me that! (I’m a dog person).

I’m sad to say that Tigger’s cancer got worse and the vet said that he wouldn’t survive surgery. I had to put him to sleep when he was about 2 years old. Despite the size of his tumour, he kept his cheerful and playful personality right until the end! Even in the vet’s office, whenever I called him, he would poke his head out of the water and do his little dolphin act!

My goal in life is to see how many years I can keep Shiner alive! They can have very long life spans so we’ll see. Until then, she is one very special and spoiled goldfish! (I think she knows it!)