Chip & Gayle {a squirrel story}

I have a story for you. A squirrel one. You may remember when we got Rocky the squirrel about three years ago. If not, click here. It seems that, in raising Rocky, we inadvertently became the people you call when you have an orphaned baby squirrel. We currently have a full-grown squirrel named Bullwinkle, who was found by a lawn service guy a few months ago and given to Jamal. Bullwinkle has yet to be released because Trish adores him. We also acquired another newborn squirrel around the time we got Bullwinkle, but after getting her hydrated and eating, we turned her over to be raised by some neighbors.

Avery and Bullwinkle during Camp Granna last month

So two weeks ago tonight, a tree was stuck by lightning in our friends' backyard. In the tree was a squirrel eating a nut. Sadly, the squirrel did not make it.

Fried nut. Fried squirrel.

Three days later, two dead baby squirrels were discovered in our friends' backyard, courtesy of a missing mama squirrel and the family dog. The next day, our friend Brian rescued another baby squirrel from the family dog and found yet another one making her way down a nearby tree (screaming all the way).

And then he did the only thing he knew to do. He called squirrel people.

That would be us, apparently. 

And so, meet Chip and Gayle.

Chip is a boy and Gayle is a girl, of course. We think they're about 6-7 weeks old (5 weeks when we got them). They're very tiny and adorable and love to snuggle up together under a towel or blanket. Having been without their mom for four days, they were both very sick and dehydrated when they came to us. Poor Chip's hind legs and tail appeared to be paralyzed for the first few days, probably a result of his encounter with the dog. But after a steroid shot from the vet and some TLC, Pedialyte, puppy formula, and "squirrel PT" from us, both Chip and Gayle are doing great now and Chip is using his hind legs and tail!
  

Chip

Gayle

Trish says she's going to release Bullwinkle sometime soon - not because she wants to but because the babies need his cage. He's been practicing in some trees. I'll keep you posted. ;-)