Wildlife Wednesday - Tiny Dancer

The story I will tell you today is true.  But I will admit, it seems unlikely.  When I told each of my daughters (they of course believed me), each one said – You know, if someone we didn’t know told that story we probably wouldn’t believe it.  They are right.

Let me set the stage.  I had been way behind on my gardening chores, primarily weeding, because of knee trouble and really hot temperatures here in Southern Illinois.  Last week we had some beautiful weather.  On Wednesday I made a lot of headway.  Then on Thursday I was at it again.  It was afternoon and I was down to my last big flower bed.   Sometimes when I am weeding, I am listening to the sounds of Nature – the birds, the cicadas, etc.  But sometimes, especially if I’ll be at it for several hours, I put in my ear buds and listen to the music on my phone.  When I do this, I sing or hum along.  I live way out in the country so I don’t have to worry about distressing neighbors with potentially off-key performances.  Anyway – I was busily pulling weeds from between iris rhizomes, humming along softly when I suddenly became aware of something very small and furry in my field of vision.  It was definitely moving towards me through the irises.  My first thought was that it was a chipmunk, but my brain couldn’t quite wrap around why it would be moving in my direction instead of away from me.  I stood up and focused and saw that it was a very tiny squirrel.  And it kept coming towards me.  I started backing away from it as I pulled my phone to call Older Daughter for advice.  I was pretty sure I needed to find the nest it had fallen from and try to get it back home.  I couldn’t get enough of a signal to get a call through.  I was slowly walking away from the squirrel holding my phone in the air looking for signal.  And this little baby was continuing to follow me.  I could see that it looked too thin and it seemed wobbly (weak).  But what I became more and more shocked by was that it continued to try to get TO me instead of AWAY from me.  I realized that I was going to have to go up closer to the house to be able to get a call through to Older Daughter.  Just as I was thinking that I shouldn’t leave the little thing alone (since it didn’t seem quite right), it wobbled over to directly in front of my feet, rose up on its back legs and literally reached up to me.  I instinctively reached down for it.  My brain was fried.  I could NOT imagine any wild animal, especially a baby, going towards a human – trying to get picked up!  If I had been a predator, this would have been the end.

 

 

I was dumbfounded as I reached down and picked up this helpless little creature.  As soon as I held it against my body, it immediately started trying to find a place to nurse.  My heart broke as my brain fell deeper into bewilderment.  I started walking towards the house and finally got a call through to Older Daughter.  Hey I need you up here at my house.  I have a baby squirrel and it doesn’t seem to be in good shape.  I was so lucky that this was on Thursday, Older Daughter’s day off.  She was there within five minutes.  She immediately examined the little thing.  Older told me that this little baby girl was too thin and massively dehydrated.  She checked her gums and found that she was anemic.  Then she showed me why.  She was COVERED with deer ticks and mites.  Clearly, these parasites knew this was an animal who was dying.  And they were taking over.  Older left with her and told me not to get my hopes up.  I told her to keep me posted.

I know (from Older educating me) that you cannot start feeding a starving dehydrated animal immediately.  She would need to receive fluids and a bit of sugar water and be placed on a heating pad or in the incubator to bring her body temperature to where it should be for a baby squirrel.  First she had to bathe her to remove as many mites and ticks as possible and then try to pick off the remaining ticks.  Hours later I heard from Older Daughter.

Well, she’s had a bath and fluids and some sugar water.  She is warming.  She is asleep.  She will receive formula a little later.  Mom, you know I never name the wildlife that come  to me.  But I’m calling this one Tiny Dancer – I believe she came to you because you were singing.  I believe she felt like you were not a threat and that you might be help.

Older told me that of course the chances of her living were slim because she was in such poor shape.  I guess I wasn’t surprised.  I mean, she looked pretty normal when I took that first picture of her.  But that was before I felt how thin she was and before Older showed me all of her other issues.  I needed to try not to get my hopes up.

 

covered in ticks and mites

 

 

only tiny amounts of sugar water initially

 

 

finally comfortable and sleeping

 

The next day Tiny Dancer showed signs of pneumonia.  Older added antibiotic and we kept our fingers crossed.  Older told me that with that level of starvation and dehydration it was likely she had already suffered organ damage and that her lungs probably weren’t up to the battle.  But of course Older Daughter would do everything possible to save this special baby.   On Monday and Tuesday of this week, Tiny Dancer was doing better.  Her breathing was less labored.  Today is Wednesday.  And she is doing really well.  I don’t know what the final outcome will be, but I’m SO hoping that this little angel (Wild Angel) will survive and thrive.

 

enjoying formula

 

 

Things are looking up!

 

 

See you next week.

 

Comments

[John Bellen]

I believe it. Tiny Dancer came to you because she knew you weren't a predator, knew you weren't a threat. She must have reasoned it, against all her instinct. I of course hope she thrives but even if she doesn't, she'll have known nights and days of peace and security, feeling better than she has in all her short life.

[Ginny& the Fur Family]

I cried when I read this story. I love and feed the squirrels. It is so hard to help little wild ones to survive. She must have been trying to get to food and somehow knew you would help her. Tiny Dancer is a great name and prayers she lives.

[Maria in FL]

Chrystal, this could only happen to you!! What animal wouldn't instinctively know that if there is any human who could help, it would be Chrystal Parker! Plus, she has a daughter who is a wildlife rehabber. This was one smart little squirrel. PLEASE let us know how Tiny Dancer is doing...we're all pulling for her!!

[Timmy Tomcat]

What a wonderful story and a job well done by you and older. We are purring hard for Tiny Dancer

[Cynthia]

What a wonderful story! Lots of prayers that Tiny Dancer will be alright.
Cynthia xoxo

[Fr. Tom Fish]

There's nothing we want more than to see Tiny Dancer get better and better. How wonderful you were able to help!

[Andrea and the Celestial Kitties]

Music (singing) hath charms to soothe the savage (baby) beasts! You must have sounded like a happy squirrel! Praying for Tiny Dancer!

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