Animal antics

We can’t be good all the time, I suppose

It rained in the night, and this morning it is foggy. We’re expecting temperatures close to 90F. Weather changes quickly around here.

I’m sitting by the window watching a mama squirrel and her babies. This is the second year I’ve noticed them nesting at the broken top of a tree, where they are silhouetted perfectly against the sky. Mama has a damaged tail, so she is always identifiable. I haven’t watched long enough to tell how many babies there are, but they are just before the happy hijinks stage: tiny, fully furred, but still shyly peeking out from the nest. Soon they will be like a circus troupe, dashing about the tree, leaping, hanging upside down, and practicing other death-defying activities.

Last night, when I threw some stale rolls out the door, I saw another little squirrel face peeking out from a different hollow tree. It’s the tree where we first spotted the flying squirrels, when we had to take down a dead tree hovering over the house. Since they’re nocturnal, I’m wondering whether they’ve returned to this perfect spot now that all the tree cutting activity is over. Unless they’re fully visible, flying squirrels can be difficult to differentiate from regular grey squirrels. They are smaller, and their eyes are bigger and placed someone differently. Last year they were inhabiting a tree over the terrace, and they were a lot of fun to watch during cocktail hour.

I got a text from a neighbor yesterday that Auggie was in the road. This, so far as I know, he has never done alone,¹ and I was shocked. I called my husband, who was at home, and Auggie came obediently trotting back when called. But I’m puzzled as to why he ventured off. Was he looking for me? Did he think he’d heard my car? Or was he simply bored? It’s so completely unlike him. Whatever the reason, we will have to be more vigilant. There are a garbage truck driver and a teenaged boy in the neighborhood who drive too fast to stop quickly. If they’d even bother.

Auggie has been feeling a bit neglected lately, I think, because my husband has had a dreadful cold, and I’ve been so busy. Maybe that’s the reason. But it is surprising behavior from my very good dog.

Last night we finally got him to use the steps we got him so he can get up on the bed with us. That may help him to feel happier. If he continues to use them, I’ll get a second set for the library couch.

Today he will go to the chiropractor, and tomorrow to the holistic vet to see if we can alleviate his arthritis pain without some of the more damaging anti-inflammatory drugs. He’s really going through a rough patch. Eli was at the vet on Monday with an ear infection. It’s always something.

The rest of the week will be for writing.

Oh, and playing ball with Auggie. He needs that.

”And all shall be well, and all shall be well, and all manner of thing shall be well.”~Julian of Norwich

These posts are about finding the beauty in daily life, even amid the craziness, uncertainty, and anxiety. Reality is not going away, but these are the only days we get, so we have to relish their small beauties while we have them. If you are a paid subscriber, please know how deeply grateful I am for your support. The kindness and enthusiasm of your comments buoy me and keep me writing, but the paid subscriptions are an extra vote of confidence I truly appreciate. These posts will always be free, however, so if all you can do is share, that is helpful, too. Whatever you decide, I’m glad you’re here.

And now for your gratuitous dog photos:

1. Famously, on the day after we learned that Pete had lungs full of tumors and not long to live, he took both his brothers on a merry jaunt down the road. All three came flying back when I realized and ran down the driveway in my pajamas, whistling for them: Auggie racing in the lead, Eli loping behind, and Pete taking up the rear, ears flapping, tongue hanging out, running as fast as he could. It was his last big adventure, and the Germans, plainly, were all in. This, so far as I know, is the only time since Moses that they took to the road. Moses was naughtier than my current crew, and enjoyed adventuring.