Shell, a dead mouse is a very kind gift indeed, because it's dead. Mine have a tendency to just mutilate and continue to torture them in the garden or bring them in the house (remind me why do we love them again?!) if poor mouse (or baby bird, or a bird bigger can the cat 
) is beyond saving, I have to quickly and kindly dispatch them, as DH is too squeamish to do it, unless I'm not available. He will however dig such a deep grave for them that the cats can't dig them back up. I think we are all as bonkers as each other 
Why we still love them - TimidCat crawled up our bed last night and slept between us, it was like co-sleeping with babies decades ago - okay, it would have been nicer if she had been the right way round with her head in between ours, not her arse and giant fluffy tail (and her feet on my pillow 
) but she's not that bright. It only increases my love for her .
We are amazingly permitted to pet and stroke all furry tummies, the only reason we are cautious is because they never want us to stop! When we stop, they try and grab our hands/wrists to insist we continue but we have tattooed hands and wrists and don't like to risk claws near them 
Same with giving treats directly from our hands. Literally, DO NOT bite the hand that feeds you!
Shell, a cottage on the beach sounds heaven. Have you agreed a "safe word" with your DS so he can let you know if he is being held hostage in the bathroom or any other dangerous situation?