Bullwinkle

Here is the squirrel I have been yakking about. I was working in the woods and had cut a large hickory tree. While the saw was still idling and I was looking at the next tree I heard I high pitched squeal, and then another, and then together I heard two. I turned off the saw and it was evident that there was some little furry babies somewhere, who knows where, close to me on the ground. I followed the sound for a minute or so and located them next to a extremely rotten box elder tree that had broken over in the wind. They were laying on the ground next to the tree sprawled out as in shock. I got them together and folded my shirt up and brought them to the truck. I had a box and a spare shirt I put in there with them.

This isn't the first time I have found various animals in the woods out of their nests. Sometimes it's my fault but if you walk in the woods day after day you will see babies kicked out of the nest, or they possibly fell out. Birds, rabbits, snakes, and among others, squirrels can be found lurking around or crying out on any given day in the woods of the south. It's like a dinner bell for predatory animals as you can imagine. I do occasionally see that happen too. There are some things I have learned. There is nothing you can do to save any animal if the conditions aren't just right. First off they have to be old enough to live without their mother but young enough not to be totally wild. They also cannot be hurt much. Any little problem turns into a battle for their survival. I suppose that is the way God intended it. That's good enough for me. Save the ones you can and realize you can't save them all.

So these two squirrels were obviously beside themselves and were a little scared at first. I went by the local Dollar General Store, a great little store, and bought a big plastic tub with a top, some cashews, almonds, and some bird seed just in case that was the ticket. Got home and the kids came running out to greet me as usual. There have been enough times that I had a surprise for them that they are ever anxious to see what daddy has hidden in the truck. Much to their amazement I had two li'l bitty squirrels. They were very excited and had names spewing forth like formula from a bottle fed baby. Somewhere along the way I mentioned "Rocky" from "Rocky and Bullwinkle". It was a hit. So that was their names and the competition began for which belonged to who. At any rate the appetite and general behavior of the smaller Rocky made me think he wouldn't make it. He did take in a good bit of liquid nourishment but wasn't too excited about eating. We tried several different types of food for him but nothing really got him going. One day, when I got home, the kids came out to tell me Rocky had suddenly kicked the thimble. That seems to be the way it always happens.

In the meantime, Bullwinkle was living large, and still is. That is one fat and spoiled squirrel! He rips up those cashews, almonds, various other nuts, and even the occasional Cinnamon Toast Crunch or Peanut M&M. Don't worry, we don't give him much chocolate. He has this mansion of a cage meant for a ferret complete with tubes, slides, ladders and even a freaking hammock! That jerk. He sure does make a good little indoor pet and the kids are thrilled every time they see him or hold him. If you ever get to hold him yourself be sure to take a little advice. Tuck in your shirt. Otherwise you will be bothered worse than a Toys R Us display of Tickle Me Elmo.

Enjoy