- The Tragedy

Just when I was almost sure this was over, something new happens. As I was walking to work today, I saw it. There on the road. A dead squirrel. It wasn't squished, so I can only assume one of three things:

1. It fell from an overhanging tree


2. It was hit by a car and thrown by the impact


3. It wasn't really dead, but feigning death

It wasn't a small squirrel, so I know it wasn't the regular one that was visiting/spying on me. But that third option brings up an interesting possibility. Why would a squirrel be feigning death? I think there's more than meets the eye. That maybe something is really going on, and I'm merely the "fly on the wall" to it. Not directly involved, but in the midst of all that is going on.

Is there some kind of rodent war going on? With all these small animals NOT hibernating, it's possible. There's certainly not enough errant cats and dogs roaming to be a nuisance to them, so I don't think it's a "safety/for our protection" thing. Could there be some kind of internal power struggle? After years of being united, is it possible that the skunks, possums, squirrels, even the birds are now fighting for dominance among each other? Could that squirrel I found this morning have been *pushed* in front of a moving vehicle (or off a branch) as an act of retribution? The proverbial horses head when you wake up, so to speak. Is there a squirrel mafia? Is there a Rod(ent)-Father? And what kind of nicknames do small animals use? Vinnie the Human?

I might just have to hire some hamster mercenaries to infiltrate the organization...

- The Reckoning

I know it's been a bit since I last posted. I had to go covert. You know, study them as they spied on me. I've seen that small squirrel a few times since my last post. Once even, while walking to work. It ran across the street not 20 feet from me. Suspicious, maybe, but I'm still here, so no traps where laid (or set off at least). But the last few days have been quite pleasant. Sunny, or only partly cloudy, and above freezing temps. Today though, for the first time in a few weeks, I saw two squirrels frolicking. It made me somewhat happy, to know that they are getting back to business, and ignoring me.

However, you may be wondering why there's now a skunk in the logo and a new title. Well, aside from the fact that I have a bad habit of illustrating points with pictures (hey, it's the italian in me), the other night (saturday, the 14th, valentines day to be exact), I was packing up store merchandise to take to a convention the next day. At 11:30pm at night, I see something outside the double window of the store. It was kind of fluffy, and mostly white, and it wasn't a cat. It was a skunk, foraging. It had a mostly white coat, so I knew it was in it's "winter duds", otherwise I'd probably have thought it even wierder to see the skunk out in the middle of winter than the squirrels. Still, I thought skunks were more prone to hibernating than squirrels. On top of that, last week my friends dog had a possum dead ended in the back yard (luckily the dog is a big ole coward, or the possum might have been in actual trouble. The dog is a 100+ pound Golden Retriever).

In light of those two revelations, I'm inclined to point back to the post that started all this. Why are these small mammals not hibernating (despite the title, I am aware that skunks are not actually rodents)? I have done a little research, and found that skunks will hibernate when the weather conditions are severe. Somehow weeks worth of sub zero temps and 2-3 feet of snow and ice on the ground aren't severe enough?

Still, maybe it's just time for me to get back to my usually exciting and telltale life, and let sleeping squirrels lie. Or forage. Or frolick, or whatever they deem worthy enough to confuse me in these cold winter months...

- Day Something or Other

The Squirrel Crisis is starting to get interesting. The weather has been a little warmer over the past couple of days, and I've seen a squirrel on both days. But only one, and they weren't playing. Maybe they're having trouble finding food (I can't imagine how it was any easier a few weeks ago, when they were frollicking). Maybe they're sending out scouts. The one I saw this morning was quite small (a stealth squirrel, mayhaps?), and was signalling frantically with his tail. Even on our side of the fence, which I know was quite clear of danger, he was signalling. He also ran away after looking towards the bathroom window. I don't know if he saw me, but you have to admit it seems oddly coincidental. I'm starting to come to the conclusion that they don't have any specific plans against me, but they certainly don't want me to know what they are planning irregardless. Maybe to them, *I'm* the spy, so they have moved their base of operations?
I walked my friends dog yesterday, and believe you me, if there was a squirrel in sight he would have chased it. As was, he was extremely well behaved (despite my friends kids goading him, trying to make him run and pull me), so it's hard to say where they've relocated. If their plans are noble, and for the good of all, then I wish good fortune upon my squirrelly, nut-hoarding brethren. If they intend something more sinister, then I may have to take up arms with the chipmunks and unite against the squirrel invasion, or lack thereof.

Vive la la révolution de rongeur!

- Day 3

Still no signs of squirrels. Granted, the weather was crappy and it snowed like another 12 inches, but still. They're up to something. I just know it.