As I type, something in the wall is yelling at me. Technically, our walls are solid log but, through a gap between the logs and the fireplace mortar, something can see me. And it’s not happy.
I guessed these were squirrels at the start. In fact, in late March I made a video named “Squirrel Hunt” showing our kittens taking curious note of the noise which was probably nest building. It’s now May and the cats are as curious as ever about being reprimanded by a wall. After 2 months I have to ask, how much longer will this go on?
GROWING BIGGER
As the scritching of nest building gave way to the near-silent baby squeaks, my thoughts dubiously turned to mice. The kittens had caught a few at the time (by caught, I mean Jed sat proudly above the Have-a-Heart trap as if he had herded the mice in and slammed the door shut himself) and several folks who entered the house said they thought mice were a possibility.
As our kittens grew, so did the chimney critters. The gnawing grew louder too. Tiny squeakers turned to bullhorns – with a slight growl. If these were mice, they were BIG freaking mice.
When our house was sprayed for bees on Wednesday, I told Robert, our exterminator, about the rent-free slackers. I was sure by now that these were red squirrels. (The sound grays make is slightly different.) Robert called a trapper to broadcast the chirping and hissing over the phone. The only confirmation from the other end was, “Those aren’t mice, I can tell you that.”
Right.
THE BIG REVEAL
Outside, to the left of the chimney, my husband Tim had applied hardening foam to a hole where the mortar had broken away. That was still sealed. As Robert looked to the other side, a 6 inch gap in the wood led behind the brick.
“When Tim was armed with a ladder and foam, I had faith he’d seal the buggar out.” I said this laughing, revealing how enamored I was with our new little friends. (As Tim later reminded me, we left this gap because we feared sealing the buggar in.)
Looking at the hole, Robert said, “We can’t do anything until the babies are gone for good.”
Just then, four tiny white-rimmed eyes peered out from the darkness. We were being watched.
I finally saw the red momma squirrel on the ladder after Robert left. When she scurried off to rustle up some seed from the feeders, I too climbed up. Hiding carefully behind the brick with one arm extended to film, the camera saw what I could not…
httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QJgPbGPm05o
These babies won’t be here long. The adventurous one took his first steps beyond the chimney as I held my breath in awe. I may have caught one of the last chances to see the kits before they leave?our happy nest.
Happy Mother’s Day Weekend, momma squirrel.
Your children look mighty fine.
Job well done.
I just loved your story and especially love how moms were honoured with mother's day this weekend. Squirrels… Miss Kodee loves her squirrels
Stopping by from Blog Hop Miss Kodee & Miz Becky
Thanks for dropping by, Miss Kodee! I'm making the blog hop rounds myself and look forward to reaching yours very soon. 🙂
This is a great blog and we want to come back often. I am so glad they had the blog hop today. We loved the story of the baby squirrels and watching the cats trying to figure out the noise. Those kittens sure look like twins. They are too cute.
Thanks for visiting our blog too.
Have a very Happy Mother's Day.
Hi Marg! We hope you do come back, and often! There's always something going on around here.
As for the cats, they are fraternal twins born 3 weeks apart to the same mother. Crazy, right? Now that's a mother to honor, a feral queen who was able to keep that last baby inside so he wasn't born premature.
On that note, happy Mothers Day to you too. 🙂
Thanks for visiting us! We love squirrels! Let us know if yoo need any help chasing them! MOL!
If my cats were outdoors, I'm sure we'd have this nesting habit under control. For now, the fact they're indoors is a good thing. The next critters I worry for are the chipmunks…
Coming over from the hop! Your writing is wonderful and i loved the videos! Can't wait to read more!
Thanks, Amanda. I look forward to more from "For the Love of Dogs" too! That Pink Pooh post killed me!
Stopping by to say hello from Pet Blogger Hop! I am so excited to meet new Pet Bloggers thank you for linking up.
Two Little Cavaliers,
Davinia & Indiana
Davinia and Indiana would have been clawing at the wall trying to get to the squirrels. I would have probably had to have some help to relocate momma and her babies because the contant barking would not have been good for them. 🙁 Thank you for keeping them safe until they are old enough to venture out on their own.
I know what you mean about pets going crazy for these critters. While my cats don't bark, they did try to get a closer look/sniff/listen from the mantle and smashed a glass vase. I ran through the glass to stop one from walking through it while the other was still fixated. What a mess… and dangerous at that. Luckily we're almost at the end of this adventure.
How cute! I know they're pesty but squirrels are so adorable. It's so lucky that you caught them on camera! I love your videos too, are you a professional video editor? They are great!
I feel pretty lucky too, Michelle. I was just out there again today and caught three little faces for a split second. At that same moment, another was gnawing at the other side. With all four feeling energetic around lunch time, I could swear they were rearranging furniture.
It's funny you should mention professional editing. While I don't sell my services yet, it is a very real goal. I've been learning all I can over the past year and would love to put pet, children and events together for people. These videos are my most precious memories and, because they involve motion and sound as well as sight, they conjure memories stronger than that of photographs.
wait…let me get this straight. You have SQUIRRELS??? IN YOUR HOUSE? Or well, almost in your house? Ohmidog! It's like a dream come true. Do you need some help chasing them out? Cuz I can help. You just let me know.
My mom says to tell you they're cute. Sheesh! Cute. Whatever.
Wiggles & Wags,
Mayzie
Came From blog hop – Awesome blog, look forward to following you!
Toby's Raiser
Glad to meet you through blog hop. love the squirrel adventure.
Hi,
Thank you so much for hopping by our blog. And heaps of thanks for the nice words you left there. We hope you will come by again.
Squirrels did you say? Oh! Can we come and help you when you think about chasing them? It is of course very smart the way you can differentiate red from gray ones.
Mummy loves the picture of the cats watching the wall. So 'frameable' she says.
WAGS, Bud N Gin
mummy likes your blog a lot and has added it on her reading list.
have a nice week ahead
You left such a nice comment on Pru's Blog I had to come over and visit 🙂
Squirrels are such fun little critters. I'm glad you got the kits on video before they left.
Looking forward to following you!
What a great story! (I apologize if this comes over in all caps, I promise my caps lock is not on)
I think they know something you don't know. We cats do have extraordinary senses:)