One fine autumn day I went to the wood shed for an armful for the house heater. After returning I was standing in front of the wood stove, armful of wood on one side and a fire poker in my free hand. longer available.) was off and I was arranging the partially burnt fuel in preparation to add the load of wood I carried. At this point my dog Tica, a rather stupid black lab (excellent nose - no brains), became aware that there was a squirrel in the house. The dog went to where her nose told her the squirrel was. The Squirrel wisely went the other way. The other way was towards the stove where the smoke pipe resembled a tree (tree = safety in squirrel world). The squirrel went up the pipe - almost to the ceiling before the reality that it offered no claw-hold sunk in. "Aha, thought the squirrel, there is a dark hole at the base of this 'slippery' tree." I watched, transfixed and helpless as the squirrel dove into the stove. The stove with a fire in it! At the last possible instant a little hand latched onto the rim of the open hatch and the squirrel popped back out of the hole. By this time the dog was back at the stove frantically seeking the rodent. Left with little choice the squirrel lept from the stove to my shoulder. Tica started to circle me trying to get a bead on the squirrel and the squirrel just switched shoulders to stay out of sight. I did have that poker but any attempt to hit the squirrel had a good chance of dealing myself a painful blow. After a few moments of high drama I just walked out the door with the squirrel still on my shoulder. Once outside the rodent high-tailed it for the real trees. A few days later, despite my best efforts this tree rat again got into the house. Now I am a peaceful man but enough is enough! Out came the 22 and (several holes in the walls later) the problem was solved. As long as they stay in the forest I have no issue. Otherwise...........BLAM!
Regards. Ken.
