I’ve always loved animals and wanted quite a few to live with me. Could I have a bear cub, Mom? No! How about a bobcat? Absolutely not! I begged my parents for a horse. Mom and Dad said horses are too big, upkeep too expensive, care too time consuming and they live in a barn which we don’t have. What about a raccoon? Nice compact size. No. What about a de-scented skunk like the fifth-grade teacher had as a pet. Good for her. No and don’t even think about finding one.
One summer we headed north and ended up at the Oregon Caves. There were cute squirrels everywhere. I wanted one, of course, but knew better than to ask Mom and Dad who would say no.
Sometimes you must take things into your own hands, and now I had my chance. Everyone around us stupidly tossed their peanuts to the squirrels and went away empty-handed. I, however, kept my peanuts in hand and froze like a statue. A squirrel came closer, nose twitching at the tempting treat. I didn’t move. I barely took a breath. I waited, heart pounding. Oh, I could feel those adorable little claws on my fingers, inching forward. When the squirrel climbed onto my palm to feast, I closed both hands swiftly around it. Trapped, the feisty little critter squirmed to get free. Unable to escape, it screamed LOUDLY! I assured the little guy I had a better home than a hole in a tree and would give it all the peanuts it could eat. Chocolate covered if he wanted.
Tourists turned in awe of my inventive scheme. A park ranger headed our way to congratulate me on my cunning and success. My mother told me to give it to her. No way! “This one’s mine. Go get your own!” I already had a name for the little guy – “Squeaky.” Seemed appropriate under the circumstances. After more arguing, and a firm hand on my shoulder and command from my dad, I tearfully released my captive pet, watched him dash along the railing and leap into a tree, never to be seen by me again. Oh, how I grieved the loss.
Now that I’m grown up, I do have several squirrels vying for my attention, all free and freeloading in our backyard. I’ve bought enough peanuts and sunflower seeds to pay for a round-the-world cruise just so I can watch them fight, frolic, and have fun. Ah, but I still think of that adorable Oregon Cave squirrel that refused the love and bountiful life I offered. My brother, witness to the event, claims it told generations of offspring the tale of its close encounter with that little female human. “Never, never ever go near a little girl with peanuts in her hand!! Had I to live through that horrifying experience again I wouldn’t scream! I’d sink my teeth into her grasping little fingers!!” Thankfully Squeaky didn’t have the presence of mind to think of that at the time.