Marilyn, Your description would rule out weasels, minks, martens, fishers, and otters - all of who have furry tails. Muskrats do not have pointy faces. Methinks perhaps what puss brought home for dinner, but not as dinner - was either a brown or black rat. Although initially introduced into New England they have established themselves fairly well. Some thought that the black rat has been eradicated but their are reports of it still being sighted. These critters can develop furry pelts in the winter months. Does this look like your dinner guest: <http://seminars.torontoghosts.org/blog/media/blogs/new/giantrat416.jpg> "Let me tell you what it was. It was big, as big as a 10 month old kitten - it had a pointy face, soft dark eyes, had a tail like a rat only fatter. It was quiet - did not make a noise." What amazes me is that your cat did not kill it - whatever it was. Or that the critter tolerated being carried by a cat without attacking the cat. If you ever get a chance, next time take a picture of it so that someone can identify it for certain. Certainly an interesting mystery. Tressie Tressie A. Dutchyn, MA ID PhD student, Dalhousie University Research Associate, Community Health & Epidemiology http://port.mcgill.ca/dutchyn.htm [Posted in FML 5898]