While doing yard work on a Saturday morning several years ago I spied a small, indistinct lump on the lawn. To my dismay, it proved to be a baby gray squirrel, so young that it's eyes hadn't opened yet. With the mother nowhere within sight or hearing, I realized the pup was doomed to a slow, unpleasant death. More disturbing yet, it might be killed and eaten by one of the many raccoons or foxes that frequent our yard. I knew keeping native wildlife as pets was illegal but abandonment was a mitigating circumstance here. Fate was generous that day. Our cat dropped a litter of young a week earlier. Upon introduction, the little orphan was immediately accepted and soon began to nurse. Before long he began to gain weight and see the world through newly opened eyes. We decided to name him Sparky. Within a few weeks he was weaned onto solid food. He had the run of the house and never grew tired of exploring it. To facilitate tracking, I fitted Sparky's collar with a bell. A favorite game involved scampering to the top of the living room curtains, then sliding down them to the floor. The rescue and nurturing of Sparky has been one of the most rewarding experiences of my life. Visitors describe him as "adorable." Intelligent, curious, affectionate and playful, he became a cherished member of our household.
Top left: Sparky mugs for the camera.
Bottom left: A curious squirrel perambulates my head. He has indeed found one of the biggest nuts in the world.
While doing yard work on a Saturday morning several years ago I spied a small, indistinct lump on the lawn. To my dismay, it proved to be a baby gray squirrel, so young that it's eyes hadn't opened yet. With the mother nowhere within sight or hearing, I realized the pup was doomed to a slow, unpleasant death. More disturbing yet, it might be killed and eaten by one of the many raccoons or foxes that frequent our yard. I knew keeping native wildlife as pets was illegal but abandonment was a mitigating circumstance here. Fate was generous that day. Our cat dropped a litter of young a week earlier. Upon introduction, the little orphan was immediately accepted and soon began to nurse. Before long he began to gain weight and see the world through newly opened eyes. We decided to name him Sparky. Within a few weeks he was weaned onto solid food. He had the run of the house and never grew tired of exploring it. To facilitate tracking, I fitted Sparky's collar with a bell. A favorite game involved scampering to the top of the living room curtains, then sliding down them to the floor. The rescue and nurturing of Sparky has been one of the most rewarding experiences of my life. Visitors describe him as "adorable." Intelligent, curious, affectionate and playful, he became a cherished member of our household. Top left: Sparky mugs for the camera. Bottom left: A curious squirrel perambulates my head. He has indeed found one of the biggest nuts in the world.
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