Ah, Such Sweetness!

The newest baby squirrel, who I've had for about 8 days, is a little girl Gray. Half her tail and half her left foot was cut off by a lawnmower when she was just past the pinkie stage... barely an infant. I just had to show you her sweet little face... I can tell you how much she looks like a little puppy but this one shows it I think. A tad blurred, as she's so small I couldn't even get my macro setting to fully focus!


And my blog pal, commenter Margo, sent me a stuffed dog toy that made a realistic squirrel mommy for this orphaned little one to snuggle up to. Since she's so small and has these injuries, I don't want to take a chance putting her in a box on a heating pad as you can with little critters. I am keeping her in a tank that's got an expensive heat regulated top, but that leaves a REALLY big space for her to fumble around in. NOT the secure, warm, cuddly feeling squirrels like. And with no little squirrel sibs or buddies to curl up to, I'm telling you this was the perfect thing. Every time I look now, she's curled up to the squirrel you sent me Margo. Thank you so much.


Here she is with her nose tucked under "Mom's" tail.


And kind of spooning against "Mom's" belly. Just two of the many ways I've peeked in and seen her curled up to this toy. As she's gotten a little stronger, she's crawled up and over and even completely under it. You can see these are later pictures because she is certainly bigger and has the start of white fur on her chest.

But here's how small she was when I got her. Notice the wide smooth baby belly, pink skin, no fur on her arms or tummy at all. And that white stuff is wound medicine on her tail and foot. This is one to click to enlarge. :-)She made little kicking motions with her feet and tiny little squeaks and noises of content when I fed her. It amazes me how much she resembles human babies in this way. I don't have any kids, but boy, I think I am getting my fill of all those maternal, I'm-in-love-with-my-baby feelings.

It's been so much fun watching her grow every day, and develop the ability to suck, attempt to crawl and see her ears pop off her head, then develop. First her chin got some fur, then the littlest coating of it covered her little arms and legs, then her some sprouted on her tail, and finally, I am seeing a little white fur coming up on her chest. The tummy gets fur last. She smells so sweet, she's warm, and so incredibly soft -- really, there are no words to describe it. And she is completely innocent and vulnerable. How can you not be in love with all that?

Sleep tight little girl, you are safe, and warm, and cared for. Sleep and heal and grow.

Proof

....that Avocado is like CRACK to Squirrels...


I fed this one little Fox/Red some and he devoured it with all the attendant snorts and wild grabbing at it with his little paws. When it was over, this is what I saw:

Notice the green, sticky fingers. This could be any kid with chocolate ice cream all over them.
YOU MUST CLICK ON THIS PIC TO ENLARGE IT TO GET THE FULL MONTY!!!
After this, I learned to buy the ones that are less ripe and give it to them in cubes that were not so messy.

It's the tail end of baby squirrel season, and my new role as a temporary in-home rehabber, officially sub licensed, has been both a joy and a privilege. It has also hijacked my life and worn on me the way only motherhood can. *taking a moment to bow to all mothers*

I at least would have posted more pictures with short little hellos but I ran into some technical difficulties that I have now solved.

I will write more soon.