Wednesday, September 15, 2010

Farm Council Saves Squirrel

This past Sunday morning my husband Richie was out fiddling in the barn when he noticed an unusual gathering in the middle of the pasture. Gathered  in a circle were a group of our chickens staring at the ground. Our Great Pyrenees, Shep, doesn't let "unusual" activity occur without his approval, so he also joined the circle of chickens. 

Perplexed, Richie started to contemplate the reasons for this activity. It was Sunday, so perhaps they were holding their own church service. Maybe it was a hazing of some new unfortunate chicken recently new to the free range gang. Or, maybe they were having a council meeting of sorts to discuss how to take down that peacock that was trying to rule the roost and making their lives miserable. He decided it was best to go check it out for himself.

Shep met him on his way to the pasture, urging him to join the chickens. Shep does this when he finds things he thinks we should check out. As Richie approached the group, he feared the worst. Something was dead or harmed. In the middle of the group laid a small, baby, red squirrel, barely breathing.

He took off his over shirt and picked it up, wrapping it in the denim cloth. He quickly ran to the house to show me. I was quite surprised to see what he was bringing in this time. He never ceases to amaze in this way. The squirrel was precious but traumatized and weak. We immediately googled "caring for an abandoned squirrel." Every site said to find a wildlife rehabber as a first step. It was Sunday and odds were slim anyone would be available. We found hydration and heat to be the two most important recommendations. We went to work. Richie got a cage from the barn and filled it with hay. I heated the doggie bed warmer in the microwave and we mixed 1/2 teaspoon of salt, 1/2 tablespoon of sugar and two cups of water. Richie found a small dropper and attempted to give it to the squirrel. Luckily, the baby quickly responded and drank the fluid.  

The next 24 hours passed with my husband "mothering" this little creature. Fluid intake increased and you could see life returning to the orphan. It was even holding onto its dropper. First thing Monday morning, Richie was able to reach one of two wildlife rehabbers in our state. She was only 20 minutes from our home and had another baby squirrel she was rehabilitating. They met around lunch time and our little squirrel was passed on to the expert. "It's a girl," she said. She was quite pleased with the condition and health of the squirrel. She also gave us kudos on rehydrating and warming the little girl. Her plan was to introduce it to the other squirrel she was working with and release them both, as friends, to the woods behind her house. She is going to text us with the progress and we will keep you posted as well.


17 comments:

Farm Girl said...

So sweet, I love the picture of the squirrel holding the dropper. I am surprised you could give it away. I think I would have wanted to keep it. It is nice the gal lived so close to you. I always have had a thing for wild animals. I think that is the sweetest story. When you left your comment, the lady I linked to that used tissue paper used white to get a mummy look. Hers look neat with tissue paper. I bet you could could use a bit of white paint in the Mod Podge. It has been years since I use that stuff, it was pretty amazing.
Have fun. I love this post.

Mom L said...

What a sweet post! Your sheep were obviously having a confab about how to feed the little thing. I'm sure one of them would have been sent to get you sooner or later!

Nancy in Iowa

Maura @ Kisiwa Creek Photography said...

Hello Amy!
What a wonderful post...that little girl was very fortunate that your hubby took such and interest in what was happening with the 'farm counsil' that day. I love the photo's...she's just adorable and I love the way she's holding onto the dropper! I hope you're having a good day....Maura :)

Karen Thomason/Gordon Setter Crossing said...

Nice, heartwarming, read. Thanks for being a friend to wild animals! So many aren't.

Coon Hollow Farm said...

Amy, good save! I have been a Wildlife Rehabber for over 10 years. It looks like you have an Eastern Grey Squirrel there. Glad you got in touch with someone to raise it and probably over winter it until Spring. I currently have 2 flying squirrels and I also work at a Nature Center where we rehab tons of wildlife...Dawn @ Coon Hollow Farm ;)

Beth said...

awww that's too precious!

Anita said...

Dear Amy, first of all, I am glad you found me! Thank you so much on your appreciative words that you left on my blog!

Oh my, living on a farm would be one of my dreams. I just read your story on the squirrel -- all my best wishes to this little one!

Blessings,
Anita from Germany

John Going Gently said...

delightful photos and delightful blog

Pams Fiber from Dream Come True Farm said...

What a wonderful heart warming experience.

Dog Trot Farm said...

Finally a heart warming story with a happy ending. Hats off to the two of you, isn't farm life grand!

Lady Farmer said...

That was just too cute! The only squirrels I have found on our farm have been ones the cats bring in! They did keep bringing me the same poor little baby several times. I kept releasing it in the nearby woods, but I think the home was in the attic of our house and it kept trying to return.
Thanks for visiting me! I will be back when I have a little more time to peruse your *farm*! ;~P
Blessings!

Teri said...

How sweet of your husband to save that cute little baby! Such a nice thing to do!
I just love the photos! Thanks for sharing that great story.
Teri♥♥♥

Janet, said...

That is so sweet. I'm so glad you were able to help the little squirrel. It's such a cute little squirrel.

Carla said...

Hey, thanks for visiting my blog. I plan on wandering around in yours today.
As a former squirrel rehabber, I'd say that baby was lucky it fell in your pasture.

Mary, Windy Meadows Farm said...

What luck she found your home...and what tender hearts to take her in. We had a similar incident this summer with a nestling falcon. It's an amazing experience...my hat's off to you!

Kent Island Red said...

Hi Amy,
Thanks for becoming my latest follower and thanks very more for rescuing that baby squirrel. I love hearing stories like this!

TexWisGirl said...

So glad you were able to save her! How Cute!!!

You have a wonderful place and a wonderful blog! I'm going to enjoy following you and yours! LOVE all your animals!

Thanks for finding my blog so I could find yours!!!

Blessings to you!