I had a similar sighting (sans pups) about a week ago.
The Victor mouse traps baited with PB went on watch the same day plus a rat trap baited with sunflower seeds, in case of chipmunks, which usually are an issue all summer long but this year not so much. But just in case...
This has been a very dry year here in southern Maine, more garter snakes than usual may be keeping the Mickey and Alvin population in check.
The furball I spotted found one of the traps the first night they were set. I dumped the carcass off my deck for the coyotes.
Just to hedge the bets though I have a five gallon bucket trap containing two gallons of water (with inclined ramp) and an empty Go-Jo can that spins on a length of welding rod with peanut butter on it to spin Mickey off to mousie eternity. No takers yet.
Indeed it is mousie time again.