AlisonH
I hoped for a picture, but not so much so as to disturb it just at that moment. Having established myself as the meanie who must be run from and whose birdfeeder boundaries must be respected, I have to live with that.
I saw one of the black squirrel babies climbing over the edge of something on the patio that made no sense to me–and then I watched as it gagged. Squirrel CPR being beyond me (oh, yeah, that’ll go over well), I held my breath till it was fine again.
I braved the sun time to go see what that was about: it was some water from last week’s brief rain, dripped from the awning and collected in a container with some potting soil in it and thoroughly rottingly gross by now. Mosquito heaven no more–over and out you go.
If it was thirsty enough to drink something that rank… I filled a small clear plastic cup with clean water and set it out at the edge of the porch, wedging it upright.
And was rewarded later to see a baby, the smallest of the litter, holding the lip of the cup in one paw as she lapped up the water; I could see tiny ripples moving in steady rhythm across the top. So much dark fur on a hot day–I bet that drink really hit the spot.
I wonder if providing water will help keep them from the last of my tomatoes; I have no idea. But the satisfaction of watching that tiny animal finding physical relief, a subject near to me, meant much.
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Doesn’t Jesus say, in the New Testament, that anyone who gives a little one a cup of water shall in no wise lose his reward? And if He pays attention to the sparrows, I’m sure He knows all the baby squirrils.
Comment by LauraN 09.26.09 @ 7:14 amYour words paint a beautiful picture, but Sissy says that she doubts it will spare your plants. (She’s been restless and thus, in a lot of trouble this morning.)
Comment by Channon 09.26.09 @ 7:31 amI would have loved to see a photo of that baby squirrel drinking from the cup. That must have been adorable.
Humor:
FUNNY STORE SIGNS
Inside a bowling alley; “Please be quiet. we need to hear a pin drop.â€
In the front yard of funeral home: “Drive carefully; we’ll wait.â€
In a counselor’s office. Growing old is mandatory. Growing wise is optional.â€
Comment by Don Meyer 09.26.09 @ 10:18 amI love watching the squirrels in my yard and actually recognize several individuals. There are two that appear to be mates as they are always together, a black one and a grey one with a big fluffy tail. There is also another, loner grey one that is a little different in size.
I leave them alone unless they decide to raid the bird feeder. Not much fear of that at this time of the year though. . . . the filbert tree is dropping ripe nuts and they find the easy pickings more to their liking.
Comment by Marlene 09.26.09 @ 12:36 pmYeah, right–it will probably give them just enough energy to raid the tomato patch!
Comment by sherry in idaho 09.26.09 @ 12:43 pmHow sweet! I know how you feel. Today, I was eating an apple in the car and threw the core as far as I could out the window over an embankment (out of site) with the thought some wild animal would enjoy eating it and telling myself I was not really littering.
Comment by Joansie 09.26.09 @ 3:27 pmBless you for caring for the poor thing!
Comment by TripletMom 09.26.09 @ 8:34 pmA friend posted this on her Facebook page, and it reminded me of you and the squirrels:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1jByfWOLmjo&feature=player_embedded
WARNING: The camera work is VERY shaky.
Comment by Margo Lynn 10.01.09 @ 2:41 pmLeave a comment
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