A Squirrel In The
Chimney
A bunch of
years ago I had a squirrel visit me inside the house. I don’t like watching squirrels inside the
house.
I was
minding my own business watching a Yankee game when I heard a thump in my chimney. Then I heard scrapping as if something was
trying to climb up the chimney.
This couldn’t
be good.
I slowly
went to the fireplace, gingerly opened the flue and jammed closed the fireplace
screen. A minute later, a small squirrel,
clinging to the flue peered head first right at me.
This was not
good.
The squirrel
was going nowhere, but neither was I. I
knew that left alone a squirrel would quickly find a way through the fire
screen and I would have a climbing screeching scratching biting creature in my
home.
That would
not be good.
Using
chairs, cushions, pillows and whatever I could find to use as a barrier, I
formed a path from the fireplace imprisoned squirrel to the back door. I opened the door, and I crept to the
fireplace, where the squirrel was getting…well squirrelly. Using the fire poker, I reached out and pulled
the screen back.
If this
worked it would be good.
The squirrel
cautiously peeked though the open screen, looked at me, looked at the open
door, paused some more and then made a mad dash to freedom. I followed him to the door and slammed it
shut right behind him.
That was
good.
The Yankees
lost.
That was
bad.
Squirrels can cary Rabies. good thing you like to look at them from a distance. They are cute and curios from a distance, like you said.
ReplyDeleteHow ingenious. I probably would have blocked the whole thing and let figure out how to go back the way it came in.
ReplyDeleteFunny. Lucky you. Would not want a squirrel in my home as they are worse than rats!!
ReplyDeleteGlad you got the squirrel out of your house! Surprisingly we don't have them here in Prescott; not sure about that. I do remember a neighbor where we used to live. He fed birds and the squirrels invaded. He would capture the squirrels and relocate them. Not soon after they would return. It was a vicious cycle of relocating, returning, etc. (If I told this story before, forgive me, senior moments)
ReplyDeletebetty
What a bittersweet day. Bwahahahahahaha.
ReplyDeleteHave a fabulous day Cranky. ☺
Funny. I love to watch what Lawdog calls "tree rats" One was completely inside a slender bird feeder except for the tail. They come for the black walnuts in my yard and squeal at my cats.
ReplyDeleteA blogger friend from many years ago used to write the best posts about his battles with squirrels in his attic. They were epic!
ReplyDeleteI can't believe your squirrel was smart enough to take your pre-made path. I picture him scampering up the drapes and watching you from the top of a window!
Are squirrels worse to have in your home than Jehovah's Witnesses?
ReplyDeleteThat was funny,
ReplyDeleteNow that was really clever but I am still surprised it worked so well. You lucked out on that one.
ReplyDeleteI too love to watch them. They are nature's cleverest athletes.
What an ingenious solution.
ReplyDeleteExcellent work. We had a pet squirrel for a while. Don't do that.
ReplyDeleteSorry the Yankees lost, that's never good.
Did you know that squirrels bark just like dogs? I didn't but my sisters cat brought one in and let it go in the downstairs loo where it hid behind the pedestal and barked at her. Eventually her 13 year old son just picked it up by it's scruff and carried it outside. I think the squirrel was too surprised to do anything.
ReplyDeleteYou're such a softy, making an exit tunnel for him.
ReplyDeleteThat squirrel for fortunate to have encountered YOU and not some guy wielding a bat.
ReplyDeleteThank goodness it was during a Yankees game, and not during your Christmas party.
ReplyDeletehttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jdyo4evwMxU
What a clever and kind-hearted thing to do!
ReplyDeleteI once had a co-worker who encountered a squirrel that had been killed in a parking lot accident. It turned out the dead squirrel had four squirrel babies, so the co-worker scooped up the babies and brought them to work. Turned out the babies had fleas, so some other co-workers complained. She had to leave work early and took them home and for a few weeks we got daily updates on how the babies were doing (not all of them survived).
We have floor to ceiling windows in our living room and squirrel feeders outside. Each morning it's like watching a circus. But having one inside the house would not be something I'd enjoy:)
ReplyDeleteGlad you got it out successfully! I can't imagine the mayhem a squirrel loose in the house could cause.
ReplyDelete