We Welcome Scratchy into our family

Let's call this Squirrels, Part 2. After writing my last post, I went outside and found no squirrels, dead or alive. Later that day we were outside working in my veggie garden. It was such a nice day, but we knew it was going to rain later, so we were preparing the garden soil to plant in April. Austin, my second oldest boy, was walking around the yard when he found a baby squirrel. It turned out to be the first baby we had found the day before (Wednesday). I told him I didn't want anything to do with it. Unbeknownst to me, he went in, got some warm milk, and began feeding the baby with a dropper. It was eating, and letting Austin hold it!

My dh's theory is that the daddy squirrel, our resident Crazy Squirrel, carried each of the babies down from the nest after their mama was hit. The other three died of dehydration. So we named him Scratchy and brought him in. It has been a matter of guessing how old he is, what he needs to drink and what he needs to eat. The first day he slept mostly. Later that night he was up moving around, feeling much better.

Now he is able to crawl out of a large box. We have been feeding him puppy formula, nuts, and fruit. Yesterday we took him out for "rehabilitation and excersise." He was able to crawl up a three-foot log, he had a fun time out in the yard until he heard a couple of geese flying over head. Then it was "hit the deck," as he got low to the ground and started shivering. When he is scared he makes a high-pitched screeching call.

The most frustrating thing is the lack of consistency in what should be done with him. Between my friends, a vet, the conservation department, and the internet, everyone contradicts what others say. So far the most help I've gotten is from www.orphanedwildlifecare.com. I have pictures of him, but am having difficulty installing my photo software on our new computer. So I'll have to get those to you later.

Until then,
Joyful Jenn