He scrambled up beside me to give me his input...
While he nibbled peanuts and I sipped coffee...
We looked out over the garden and talked about all the possibilities... More flowers? If so, what kind? What colors? How about some vegetables? And maybe some herbs?
After much discussion and throwing ideas back and forth, he looked up at me with his big brown eyes and told me...
...that as long as I make sure he has a never-ending supply of peanuts, he doesn't care what I plant in the garden!
Today was magical... Our first Chip joined me on the patio this morning. Unlike other years, where Chips have been abundant, I'm sad to report this year is quite different. We've had a few new neighbors move in, and they are LOVELY and so are their KITTIES. I just wish their kitties lived indoors like ours. After being cooped up all winter I love spending time in our little yard, and one of the things I enjoy most are the birds, squirrels, and chipmunks that visit our feeders and birdbaths. Sadly, I've seen several Chips being stalked and/or carried off by well fed housecats in the past month, so I'm afraid we won't have as many wildlife visitors as we have in past years. I gave Chip a serious talking to this morning and told him to be extra careful while scurrying around for food in the yard...
Hoping you are all enjoying beautiful spring weather like we are in New England!!
COMMENT UPDATE: Thanks to all of you who have offered suggestions. I actually did have a nice chat with one of the neighbors (the one with 3 cats who love to hang out in my yard) and she told me to feel free to squirt them with the hose. We just turned on the water outside this past week, so I've not been able to do any squirting thus far, and to be honest, when the cats see me they usually take off running since whenever I spot them in the yard I clap my hands and "shooo shoooo" them. Of course the same cat(s) are right back an hour later, laying in wait next to the Chip holes, so I'm afraid it's a losing battle. And no, Claudia, I haven't been able to get any cats to drop a Chip once they've caught one. Obviously if I'm in the house and happen to see it through the window there's nothing I can do but rap on the window, which does no good. When I've been out in the yard, the clapping and shooing just causes them to run off with the poor Chip rather than drop them. You would think our fenced-in yard would be a deterrent for cats, but they they easily jump the fence or come in through the holes at ground level, not to mention that our backyard gate pickets are spaced quite far apart. So my Chips and Sammies are just going to have to be very careful this summer, and for those who aren't, my heart is going to break a bit every time I see one of them being carried off, I'm afraid.
Donna
13 comments:
Hi Donna~ ~ ~Your chippy is so sweet and tame too. Anything for food even garden advise. Cute.
Your photos of your chipmunk are so very sweet! I wish all cats were indoor cats - for their health and for the health of other animals. Our neighbors have outdoor cats as well.
I've seen one chipmunk this year on our property. I got very excited when I saw it.
Is there anyway you can get the kitties to drop the chipmunk when you see them?
xo
Claudia
What a cutie! Folks with cats should NOT let them wander. Leash laws apply to them too! (leashing the cats, not the owners, hahaha; maybe on 2nd thought...)
What darling photos. I think you need to talk to your new neighbors and explain that their cats are going after your beloved chips!
However, I'm sure all the chips will learn very fast how to make it safely into your yard. They may even check in and never leave!
I can hear it now, people will go by your house slowly and whisper "that is where that crazy lady with a million chips live".
LOL
Hugs,
Joanne
awwww....what a love! I used to have little squirrels come up to my window and peer in and jump around trying to get my attention and a cracker. Then we moved and I haven't seen any squirrels here at all. :-/
Awww, you sure captured some great photos of him. So glad he came to visit while you were having coffee and glad you had your camera with you. laurie
Cute little chip, Donna. Nice photos. Sincerely, Susan
How cute. I have never known a chipmunk to get so close before. You are very lucky to have a friend like him. Carla
Hi Donna, Oh the little chipmonk is too sweet! We had one for a day a couple years ago... I guess he was passing through and stopped for a snack. I am with you I get so frustrated with cats at my birdfeeders.. I wanna sneak up and them and tie bells to them:-)
Bella
Absolutely precious.
I adore them despite the fact that they love to eat my sunflowers and cherry tomatoes.
Thanks!
Sharon Lovejoy Writes from Sunflower House and a Little Green Island
The little chipmunk, one of my stuffed animals from childhood! They are cute! Yes, when the cats are around little creatures disappear.
OH Donna;; I so Love those photos,, how sweet he looks... and to be so cooperative,, sitting and letting you take his photo,,,,,how sad that they leave their cats outside like that... maybe you should plant some catnip for them maybe that would help keep them away from them..... they do love catnip just a thought,,,,,sure hope he listen's to you and looks out for the kitties...... we have been enjoying some really warm day here in N.C.
Have a great tomorrow..
Hugs;
Alaura
I love chipmunks too. We bought a summer place on a small lake in the woods. Unfortunately my closest neighbor has decided to grow flowers that chipmunks love, so she traps them and then hauls them away to an undisclosed location, as she puts it. Now I hardly ever see a chipmunk. It is very upsetting to me.
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