April 17, 2010
Animal Rescue
Last night we found a baby squirrel laying at the base of a tall pine tree in our front yard. We had just gotten home from having the kids’ pictures taken when Dawson spotted the little thing on the grass.
“Mom! I see a rat! On the ground! I think he’s dead!”
I immediately turned on my Mom Voice.
“DON’T touch it. It might be full of germs. Or rabies!”
When I got a closer look, this is what I saw:
Ugly, but cute at the same time.
“Dawson, that is not a rat. That is a little baby squirrel. He must have fallen out of the tree.”
It was very windy yesterday and I assumed one strong gust tossed the little thing to the ground.
“Oh, Mom, he’s dead!” Dawson began to cry.
My heart melted as I witnessed my son’s innocence and compassion toward this helpless little animal.
Then the wind blew and we saw the squirrel’s legs move. His tail twitched. His body curled slightly.
“HE’S ALIVE!” Dawson shouted. His sadness was replaced with happiness, then he became distraught. ”Mommy! We have to save it! We have to bring him in the house and warm him up and feed him and help him!”
I didn’t know what to do, but I was not about to nurse a squirrel back to health. I mean, it’s a rodent. Rodentia and I do NOT get along. I’m terrified of the creepy, scurrying little things. (When I was very young I found a dead mouse in the garage and it scared me silly. Still have this phobia about it, all these years later.)
I tried to explain to Dawson why we could not bring the animal in the house.
“Call Daddy! Daddy will save him!”
Doug was at a friend’s Trivia party and I called his cell phone and told him the news. He assured me he’d be home soon to help me with this situation.
When Doug arrived he got on the computer and Googled “baby squirrel fell out of tree” and found a wildlife site that gave detailed directions on how to help the squirrel. Next, he found a cardboard box, lined it with an old towel and tucked a heated water bottle underneath. Using gloves and a paper towel he picked up the little squirrel and tucked him inside the box. It was like a baby squirrel crib. My husband was my hero. I knew I couldn’t have done what he did. Little Dawson was so happy that his father rescued the squirrel.
The website said that the mama squirrel would most likely retrieve her baby as long as he hadn’t been severely injured. Since we weren’t sure of his condition we didn’t know what to expect. Doug told Dawson that all we could do was hope the squirrel would survive the cold night and that his mother would get him in the morning.
Dawson awoke at 7:45 and was eager to check on his little friend. We went outside and looked in the box but didn’t see the baby squirrel. I told Dawson that his mother probably retrieved him.
Ater the Doodlebug went back in the house, I moved the towel a little and saw that the baby squirrel was still tucked inside, but he had died. I touched his leg with a twig. No movement. No breathing. I cried. I knew I couldn’t tell Dawson the truth. It would break his heart.
I feel very sad. I don’t like that I’ve lied to a 5-year-old. I know he’s old enough to understand the truth, but I do not want to upset him. On the other hand, lessons on life and death could be learned. But is Dawson ready for that? I don’t know.
What would you do?
Posted by Dana @ 9:01 AM • Bedlam,Hometown Happenings
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May 20th, 2010 at 1:45 PM, Wisconsin Mommy Says:
I’m with you – I would have lied too. I see no point in subjecting kids to life’s cruel lessons unless it’s really necessary. That happens early enough as it is.
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