If you’re squeamish, or if you have a particular affinity for squirrels, please quickly scroll down past this post ~ you probably don’t want to see these pictures. They’re not gross by any means, but if you like squirrels or are very sensitive, you might just need to skip this post.
We have 2 little squirrels who play in our yard. I’m not sure exactly where they live, but I think they probably make their homes in one of our trees. Just about any time of day we can sit on the deck in our backyard and watch these 2 squirrels chase each other around, running all over the yard, chasing each other up and down trees, jumping from one tree to the next. Jake (our black Lab) has gotten to the point where he actually ignores these 2 squirrels ~ they’re always around, and he just doesn’t seem to notice them anymore. We’ve named them Chip and Dale (yes, I know the real Chip & Dale are chipmunks, but they’re always together, and they’re the only funny rodents we know of).
Roger went out to mow the yard yesterday, and he discovered that our little squirrels had finally met their match. Apparently they have been chewing on a power box on one of the telephone poles.
At some point, they managed to come in contact with a live wire and were zapped. The really sad thing (or funny thing, depending on your point of view) is it wasn’t just one of them, it was BOTH of them! Ok, so, imagine you’re a squirrel. You’re standing around watching your buddy gnaw away on something ~ you’ve been there a couple of times already, and you know that whatever it is your squirrel buddy is chewing on really doesn’t taste all that good. But, you keep coming back for a few more gnaws now and then, hoping maybe there’s something really yummy stored inside.
Then, all of a sudden, your squirrel buddy starts shaking, and he lights up like a Christmas tree for a second or two. Then ~ WOW!~ he does the best jump he’s ever made, except he’s not jumping to another tree ~ he’s just flying through the air. When he finally hits the ground, he just lies there. You chitter at him, but he doesn’t move. Then, curiosity gets the best of you. You’re thinking something along the lines of, "Hmmm ~ Dale must’ve found something really awesome to jump that far then immediately go to sleep! I think I’ll have a taste, too!"
That thought, unfortunately, is the last and final thought that ever passes through your pea-sized brain.
Both squirrels, BOTH squirrels, are lying dead about 4 feet from the telephone pole! I must admit, when Roger told me about finding the chewed-on box and the dead squirrels, I laughed. I mean, come on! Honestly, how can you NOT chuckle at the thought of 2 squirrels ending up dead after chewing on a power box on the telephone pole! One dead squirrel would be a bit sad ~ but two, together, at the same time?! It really makes you wonder, what in the world was the second squirrel thinking?!
