Yesterday we were all outside playing [me, my sister, my niece, nephew, my 3 kids & the dog] & I heard a frantic sound coming from within my gutter. We all [dog & kids especially] became obsessed with figuring out what the scurrying sound of distress was. My sister suggested the kids get a flashlight, so they started sticking their faces up to the end of the gutter looking up in there with their weak kiddie flashlights. [Again, her idea, not mine. I was certain all they'd see was a rabies shot in their near future]
The problem was ... the animal was stuck between this area of the gutter that had previously been squashed by Brett jumping on it weeks ago [he fessed up yesterday] & a 10 foot vertical climb. Oh & if the creature successfully squeezed past the tight, squashed place in the horizontal part of the gutter it was going to be met by a Siberian Husky. Rock. Hard place And another rock.
I wanted to let nature run its course [I was about to leave to take Brett to therapy], but decided for my own selfish reasons I really didn't want a dead animal in my gutter. So we ordered the dog inside & the kids to the patio. Leah guarded the kids just in case the animal took a hard left to the patio after being freed [we knew it was not going to be sane or happy]. All the while, the creature was frantic; it's nails clawing at the metal grooves trying to climb all the way to the top. I could tell it was about 2 feet up its vertical climb. We all took guesses as to what it was ... Bird? Squirrel? Chipmunk? Mouse? Rat? Anticipation grew as I tried a couple techniques before realizing all I needed to do was separate the gutter pieces with a flat head screwdriver.
Separation was a success, but the animal was still scared to death of losing the 2 of 10 feet it had worked so hard to climb. I had to bang on the gutter with a screwdriver a few times [running away to the patio like a sissy each time]. Finally, we all watched a little brown striped chipmunk high-tail it out of there, making a hard right [not left] & not looking back. We all cheered & clapped, Leah sang a a little song about saving the day, then she said "That chipmunk has never been happier ... he's probably going home to see his family, thinking 'I never thought I'd see you again'." That's what I like to think, too. :) Bless his little heart.
5 comments:
I discovered a bird has made a nest in our gutter the other day. Hope we don't have to perform any rescues...
Aw, this is such a sweet story! Glad the little chipmunk got out safe and sound.
Just had to add that we capped the day off by watching "Alvin and the Chipmunks" : ) Libby was disappointed the next day at the park that the chipmunks didn't sing and talk.
I've got nothing to add but that Rachel isn't just a "sissy" over a little chipmunk---she never was able to pick up her pet guinea pig Cinda---hold her, walk her on a leash, talk to her, but couldn't pick her up. . .
lol!!! that is so sweet of you rachel!! poor little guy...or girl! love those animal prints!!! they are wonderful...hm...thinking i might need to get one! lol.
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