Walk with the Animals

Back in our last apartment, we had our share of animals. A hawk out by the garden who would regularly get his butt kicked by sparrows, three wild turkeys who did not get along with the crows, raccoons with attitude. So we’re accustomed to the wildlife.

Since moving to our new place, we’ve seen


3 deer (only one pictured here), by playground equipment, garbage dumpsters and the major road leading to our complex


A flock of geese outside our kitchen window

2 woodchucks (not pictured)


And the overly-friendly squirrel

As exciting as it was to see the deer just feet away from our apartment, the overly-friendly squirrel has been the most heart stopping encounter.

We met overly-friendly squirrel (OFS) on our way to the grocery store. We were about to walk out the door when we noticed OFS inches away from the screen. Instead of being afraid of us, OFS just stared. That wasn’t too unexpected, lots of animals in the area understand doors and windows as barriers between humans and them, so aren’t concerned that you try to scare them through the window.

We waited a moment for OFS to scamper off. He ran part way to a tree, and we walked outside. As soon as our feet touched the pavement, OFS stopped. He turned to look at us and sat up on his hind feet. I said “shoo!”

OFS did not shoo.

OFS came closer to us. OFS wanted to love us.

I did not want to love OFS and booked it to the car instead.

We haven’t seen OFS since, but every time I see a squirrel that does not immediately run away from me, I get ready to run away from OFS.