Squirrels Getting Around Town

Yesterday I was out and about, and saw a few dead squirrels on the road. One I didn’t even recognize because he was on his side just his furry white belly was visible. My friend and I both said awww and I asked what it was. She said it was a squirrel, and it was his white belly I saw. We saw a number of “roadkill” on this particular day. I mentioned the coyotes would be eating good that night, one was a big raccoon. Then again they may not. Some people think it’s fun to run over dead critters, and will even swerve over on the road to run over it again, after it’s already dead. That’s why we see the really flat dead critters.

You may already know this but for those of you who don’t, I will explain how squirrels get around. The trees are their means of transportation. Imagine a thick forest with trees galore. A squirrel can travel very long distances and cover a huge area without touching the ground. In fact, many will come down to forage for food and that’s about it. A tad different when they live among us humans and there are many roads. It is really rare when they can cross a street by way of the trees so they have to actually run across the street.

Although squirrels are intelligent, they are limited, just like us. Maybe you are the type of person that thinks you know everything; I would not be so inclined to challenge you. Others would I’m sure. Anyway this isn’t about you, or I, it’s about squirrels. Too damn many dead ones. There I said it. Used a swear word too, for emphasis. It bothers me, a great deal.

A squirrel needs to cross the street, doesn’t look both ways but I think some have learned to listen for the cars, trucks and other vehicles. I have no idea why they do this and it puzzles me to this day. I’ve never been able to figure it out. Often times they will stop right in the middle of the street and just sit there or take a look see. Maybe they forgot which way they were going. Maybe they like the feel of the warm or hot pavement. I have no idea. But there they are sitting in the middle of the road. SPLAT! Another dead squirrel. What I wonder is, could the squirrel have been avoided? Or did the driver actually go out of their way to run it over? My brother saw a car load of people actually do this back in Michigan to a raccoon. He could hear them laughing, while driving behind them. Was the person driving way too fast because they were in a hurry to get somewhere and didn’t see it in a timely manner?

Hurts to admit this, but I am guilty of this very thing. I was late for an appointment and driving too fast down a side street. A squirrel darted out in the street and I hit him. I slammed on the brakes and looked in my rear view mirror. His tail was sticking straight up, twitching, then it went down. I sat there and cried, wanting to go look at it, see if it was still alive, suffering. I didn’t, I just couldn’t. I love squirrels. I was late for my appointment; it was at the Women’s Center for counseling. When I told my counselor what had happened she made some calls and we learned a couple of things. One place said, a coyote will get him off the road eventually. And another place, if you want to go back and check on it, touch the eyelid for a response.

They’re just squirrels after all. We have lots of them where I live. There is something else to think about though. Slowing down. If you are always in a hurry, always driving fast, are you enjoying life at all? When I see people in the spring flying down 50, either coming or going off the hill. Did they see one of the many waterfalls that are flowing this time of year? If you’re hiking in the woods, jamming up or down the trail, are you feeling Blessed by the beauty all around you? Are you scaring away any critters that just might bring a smile to your face? There is nothing wrong with taking time out for ourselves. We need to replenish. We can’t serve Him well without doing this. Think about slowing down. Enjoy life and remember to Thank God for all His Blessings. Oh and one final thing, children also dart across the street! Just some food for thought.