As someone who deals with the threat of zoonotic diseases on a daily basis, I would suggest a bit of caution when adopting any wild rodent ...but Deer mice in particular!
Throughout it's range, approx 10% of deer mice populations are infected with Hantavirus. And I'm not talking just the desert southwest, either. Hantavirus infections (from infected rodents and their excreta) have occured from Arizona and the Four Corners region, to Illinois and Indiana. In 2004, there were two cases in West Virginia. Both involved handling deer mice without gloves.
There are other hazards to be aware of too...
Throughout much of the western United states, rodent populations and the fleas on them are the natural reservior of Bubonic Plague....deer mice are part of this complex.
In 2002, there were cases of Tickborne Relapsing Fever. Rodents (possibly deer mice) were considered as the source.
You may have a sweet healthy animal there, but.... Just be aware that some of the most serious diseases in this country are associated with that particular animal. Anytime you take in
wild animals, there is a risk. With deer mice ...it's a big one..
People die of these diseases...
Bob
i have little wild brown mice living somewhere on my balcony that i feed every night. i don't know what kind they are but i love to watch them run around and gather their seeds and cheerios. =) i can't imagine being able to pet them and/or hold them! that would be so cool- you're so lucky! out of curiosity- how are you catching all of these mice? are they getting stuck in your house somewhere or are you setting humane traps? just curious. 
