A squirrelly tale

Our backyard swimming pool remained open late this year, due to the beautiful fall weather we enjoyed. Louie, our resident Labrador, swims every day when the weather permits – and this fall the days were very conducive to his favorite pastime.

But last week was another story, and the setting for this tale. I looked outside on a cold day and saw a squirrel swimming in the pool. After he jumped out he lay on the deck, shivering from the cold water and exhaustion. My dad and I covered him with a towel for warmth. I called the Lake Erie Nature & Science Center for suggestions. They said to bring him to the Center, if possible.

We lifted him in the towel to a box and my little Nissan became a squirrel ambulance. I left him in good hands at the Nature Center.

To my delight and surprise, the Nature Center folks brought HER (now identified as a lady squirrel) back to my home the next day as good as new and released her in our backyard, explaining that she should be released in the same area from which she came.

I had originally named him Rocket J. Squirrel, after my mom's favorite childhood TV show character. But, now that I have learned he is a she, her new name is Rockette J. Squirrel. She does live in the land of the Bay Rockettes after all, but she should definitely resign from the swim team.

Nicole Chakirelis

Nicole Chakirelis is a lifelong resident of Bay Village.  She is a graduate of St. Raphael's School and Magnificat High School, and attended the University of Toledo.  She resides with her family at 249 Bradley Road.

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Volume 9, Issue 22, Posted 9:57 AM, 11.21.2017