I was rearranging some stuff in
the back of my car late this afternoon, wearing sandals, when I felt a tickling
sensation on one foot. I instinctively whipped my foot away thinking it was maybe
a spider. It’s been my experience that usually one shake will suffice for such
an encounter.
But it happened again. Same
tickling, same outrageous reflex.
This time I looked under the
car. You’d never guess what caused the disruption; a baby squirrel!
Just then my neighbours were
walking past with their small daughter on their way to get ice cream on the
first warm summer-like evening we’ve had this cold Spring. Needless to say
their daughter was thrilled, but a bit cautious as well, at seeing such an
inquisitive little creature up close. The squirrel was either disoriented,
hungry, or simply was too young to have developed a fear of humans. It seemed
intent on nibbling human feet or shoes, so a volunteer went into the house to
get some sunflower seeds.
After a few photos, and more
neighbours arriving to “ooh and ahh” it was decided after a quick phone call to
animal services that the little squirrel would be better served in care of an
animal shelter close by. We surmised by the lack of any angry chattering from the trees from adult squirrels that the parents were not anywhere close by. I supplied a shoe box (with a handy air hole already
provided; thanks “un-named” shoe company!) and my neighbor chauffeured the
curious squirrel to the animal shelter, along with his curious daughter in tow trying her best not to lift the lid of the box lest her new furry friend
escape.
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