Trying not to habituate squirrels...

[Runestonez]

I love my little kermudgins...:Love_Icon
But I have been trying to be alot more hands off so they learn to be outdoor squirrels!
Especially after Webby and Clivey getting sick...I was handling everyone constantly for about a week giving them fluids and monitoring them.

I used to clean their cage at about 8am (they like to sleep in) but they started coming out to see me...so I started sneaking out at7am instead...that worked once or twice...then they caught on...so I went to 6am...then 5am...
As soon as they hear me they come out to goof around!
I only clean the cage every other day now...

I give them their food through the kitchen window so they don't see me too much...they started hanging off the cage staring in the window...so I closed the curtains...so they climbed up and started string through the 2 inch gap in the curtains instead!
Now whenever the curtains twitch they come flying to the window and have a rolicking squirrel battle waiting for the BooBalls to be handed out.:shakehead

I tried ignoring them and they got even worse!
I had all three attacking me and Malli kept grabbing my cheeks and staring into my face like they were trying to figure out what was wrong with ME!:shakehead
Apparently squirrels gage human illnes by stuffing their cold wee noses into ones ear canal...:shakehead

I was bent over yesterday cleaning the cage and Gordo wormed his way up the back of my shirt...so the other two followed of course...I swear to god it felt like they were warming their feet on my back...no claws...just prancing around back there.

I don't want them to be tame...I want to be able to release them without risking them approaching other humans...
What am I doing wrong here?:dono
They like to climb me...I'm not allowed to pet or touch them...
<sigh>
Goons!:tilt

[Pierre]

Great questions! I look forward to the answers.

I am also wondering if my single boy, who at 15 1/2 weeks is still very focused on and lovey with me, will get too bonded if I overwinter him?

We'd have to play everyday and such and I worry he'll not really release well after 8 months or so together. ???

[Kristal]

I know that they bond to one human, normally, so maybe this is not as big a risk as it might appear? :dono The concern is more whether they will do it to someone else. If they pop around to eat or if they need help, that can't be a bad thing, can it?

[mugzeezma]

I know that they bond to one human, normally, so maybe this is not as big a risk as it might appear? :dono The concern is more whether they will do it to someone else. If they pop around to eat or if they need help, that can't be a bad thing, can it?
I was also wondering about this.
I have 2 diametrically opposed Squee personalities. I gave them both the same attention and Ani is ready to rock ...won't let me near her. I finally have to keep them in the outdoor cage. THeir winter coats are finally coming in...FINALLY!
Finnagin is a lover boy. he love to do the cold paw inside my shirt and damp nose in the ear. He is still working on my left earring.
when I walk in the cage they both run around me in a squirrel storm. they think this is pretty funny! If someone else goes in there it's a different story. I'm the only handler.
At WWC the only time we handle babies is to feed and clean...period.
They are always with others so there is no real risk of complete imprinting. They do need enrichment provided. I think that in the future when we do more babies the novelty of having the sweet fuzzies will wear off and we will be able to do the right thing. Of course there will always be a FInnagin in the bunch to melt your heart.
I think you got four


Before the time comes to open the door I think you need to start banging on the door to clear them away and take care of business quickly. NO handfeeding. NO talking. NO contact.
Hardest thing you will ever be able to do I swear.
these are your children and you have to do right by them. :grouphug

[Runestonez]

<snort>
When I bang the door I go from one squirrel to three!
Banging door =squirrel mulitplication!

I wonder if it is a thing with females...because of the three squirrels...Malli is the hands off squirrel...most times she wants very little to do with me...its the boys who just won't get lost!

Webby likes to climb me but NO touchy touchy thank you very much!
Gordo likes to squiggle into my arms and hide from Webster...:shakehead

I was wondering...if you have a single (I don't) and you don't have a conspecific available...could you use a mirror for them?
Can they see in 2D or 3D?:thinking

[Kristal]

My squees are perplexed by my hand mirror. They are always trying to figure out where the other squirrel went when they pull it down in my hands. Perhaps if I placed one in the cage they would eventually pass the mirror test for self awareness.

I would not be in the least bit surprised...

And, as to girls, Rifa is very likely my smartest by quite a bit, was very precocious and also started wild behaviours young. Yet she is also the most gentle and conscientious. She likes to groom my hair, and so on, and seems very bonded despite being my most capable squirrel. So I guess it just depends on the girl :)

[mugzeezma]

<snort>
When I bang the door I go from one squirrel to three!
Banging door =squirrel mulitplication!

I wonder if it is a thing with females...because of the three squirrels...Malli is the hands off squirrel...most times she wants very little to do with me...its the boys who just won't get lost!

Webby likes to climb me but NO touchy touchy thank you very much!
Gordo likes to squiggle into my arms and hide from Webster...:shakehead

I was wondering...if you have a single (I don't) and you don't have a conspecific available...could you use a mirror for them?
Can they see in 2D or 3D?:thinking
Being sighted in two separate eyes gives us the capability to see distance.
They have to see in 3D or they would never hit those tiny branches they leap for! Ever see their heads bob before they jump? They are judging the distance and taking aim.
When Ani was little she liked to run around on my dresser and purrrr at herself in the mirror. I don't think they have self recognition however. Ani has also tried to jump THROUGH the mirror! Not just once either. You would think that hitting that hard surface would dissuade her from future attempts but NOOoo not Ani. Ornery little fart that one!
If the cage were not that big that they could wind up and smack into it a may be ok. They can't really interact with it though. Ani became disinterested in herself after 3 weeks. She couldn't roll with the squirrel in the mirror.

[Kristal]

Of course there will always be a FInnagin in the bunch to melt your heart.
I think you got four


LOL Do you mean that I have four Finnagans? Well, that is entirely possible. But I cannot imagine a nicer introduction to the world of squirrel rehabilitation ;)

[Best Life]

...back to the release issue...I am having a similar dilemma with my 2, Remus and Rickey. They are young, probably 8 and 10 weeks respectively. I'm concerned that they will be too comfortable here if I overwinter them. I will be needing assistance with a location for a soft release after winter anyway, as I can no longer do this in my neighborhood. It used to be okay, all neighbors were cool with it, (we've been here 20 yrs) but now odd, squirrel-live-trapping people have moved in next door. :skwredup
I had originally thought I could overwinter the kids here, acclimating them a bit by moving their cage back and forth from the enclosed (heated) porch to the deck depending on the weather, then find a release site after the bitter cold is over. Now I'm thinking that if I get them used to all the sights, sounds and smells of here, it might be too stressful to suddenly be outside in a totally new location.:dono Any thoughts? I want them to be as strong and independent as possible so they will be successful when released. Linda

[mugzeezma]

LOL Do you mean that I have four Finnagans? Well, that is entirely possible. But I cannot imagine a nicer introduction to the world of squirrel rehabilitation ;)
You know how i love those squirrelies! I adore Ani and I'm so happy that she will be a a good wild. I worry like crazy about Finnagin.
They may be sweet and adorable but in the long run they MUST be free of us.
That's real love.

[pappy1264]

Let me tell you about Secret (yes, original...lol) Secret's mom was killed by a car in front of my brother in law (he had been feeding her for a long time, she lived in his roof and he knew she had a baby...yes, she only had one, that was Secret.) He came to me a day before his eyes opened. He was very attached to me, and I felt the same way, (was I making him like people too much? Would he jump on strangers?) We drove to PA to release him on a friends property (she runs a dog rescue on 40+ acres, all her land). She had planned to keep him for a couple of weeks, seeing how 'tame' he was. Ummm, he had other plans. The minute we left, he turned into a growling, clawing maniac....feeding him was very difficult. She released him into one of her barns on her property. Within 10 mins, he was with another squirrel. She fed them, they came back for about 2 weeks, but they always kept their distance, until she fed them and walked away. Secret loved my whole family, even though my hubby hardly had any exposure to him. I was terrified of his 'tameness'....but he wasn't really tame, just trusted us. Strangers were just that. I think your guys will be the same. They KNOW you. I don't believe your being around them will cause them to go up to strangers. They are probably just confused why 'mom' is avoiding them. JMHO.

[mugzeezma]

...back to the release issue...I am having a similar dilemma with my 2, Remus and Rickey. They are young, probably 8 and 10 weeks respectively. I'm concerned that they will be too comfortable here if I overwinter them. I will be needing assistance with a location for a soft release after winter anyway, as I can no longer do this in my neighborhood. It used to be okay, all neighbors were cool with it, (we've been here 20 yrs) but now odd, squirrel-live-trapping people have moved in next door. :skwredup
I had originally thought I could overwinter the kids here, acclimating them a bit by moving their cage back and forth from the enclosed (heated) porch to the deck depending on the weather, then find a release site after the bitter cold is over. Now I'm thinking that if I get them used to all the sights, sounds and smells of here, it might be too stressful to suddenly be outside in a totally new location.:dono Any thoughts? I want them to be as strong and independent as possible so they will be successful when released. Linda
The method of release at the wildlife centers is pretty much just what you are saying. The orphan animals are raised at a facility and when mature they are released at another site. I have been on these releases where they are packed into a nestbox and then hung up on a tree. The cover is removed and the kids are left with a shelter and a whole lot of forest to explore. They are hardwired for survival and actually do vey well. Last spring I saw nest boxes that had been placed in the fall. Some were still in use and the squirrels were fat and happy. How did I now they were ours? Ear tags. When I opened a box there were two inside. One with ear tag one without. I'm very lucky I wasn't hit in the face by exploding squee!

[Squirrelis]

How do they act when strangers come around?-do they run and hide or are they friendly to others.
I too was worried about my Squirrelis being too tame and going up to other people-ha:D -she is a free squirrel (11moths old) and she runs and hides when she sees a stranger-:multi so no worries, they can be the most cuddly squirrel to you but I think they somehow know other people are off limits.

[Scooterzmom]

The trouble with Scooter was that he loved EVERYBODY. He was my 2nd one, but in a way my 1st one - my real 1st one, Chipper, doesn't count in terms of rehabbing experience since he was with me only 2 weeks before I had to turn him over to a rehabber when I injured myself.

I overtamed Scooter, maybe, but I also think he really was exceptional. We say that 99% of them will turn wild as adults but I think Scooter was that 1% who never knew what wild was supposed to mean. He never even showed any sign of wanting to go out. Other squirrels would come to the window and he'd completely ignore them. He would turn around instead and come to me, insisting I'd be the one to play with him instead. He never did get aggressive, possessive or growled at ANYONE, and yet I'm the only one who handled and fed him. Once in a blue moon hubby would go up and give him his breakfast through the bars of the cage. That's it, and yet he loved my husband, my sons... everybody. He had no idea he was a squirrel it seems; I think he believed he was a kitten. That is why I kept him as a pet. He wouldn't have made it a day out there. My other protégés would all give him hell, poor thing and he wouldnèt even fight for himself. Poor sweet darling was a submissive.

All the other six(6) I had all of them had a change of character when approaching adulthood. The females turned into what seemed like little witches (not to put a "b" on that word) at one point in the spring. Then later in the spring they would be calmer again, but still wild, did not want to be touched. The boys were always the ones who were more curious about me and would sometimes try to come sniff me or try to climb on me. I didn't let them.

I had one pair - little black brother and sister - overwinter last year and they remained wild throughout... soon as they were weaned they did not want to be touched.

In short, whenever I had more than one overwinter I had no problem with them being wild enough for release. They have been released and from the news I got, seemed to be doing fine. Now I'm afraid that with Hami being male, and by himself like Scooter was (and quite gentle too by nature), it will be harder to wild him up :(

The one salvation may be that I can't release them here because of this neighborhood. So I'll have to bring them to a rehabber like I did the others. I just have to try and make sure he won't need too long to learn how to get wild again. I know myself, I cannot resist him when now he's the only one I have left. I keep trying to remind myself to keep some distance but it's so easy to forget when you've been used to a cuddlebug like Scooter.

[Scooterzmom]

I meant release HIM, not them... I only have one now... lilttle Hami :) The one in the picture with me is my dear departed Scooter.

[Best Life]

I meant release HIM, not them... I only have one now... lilttle Hami :) The one in the picture with me is my dear departed Scooter.
Oh my goodness, the looks on both your faces say it all. What a gorgeous boy! My sincere condolences on his passing.
Thank you for sharing your experiences. I, too, find that the females have more of an edge than the males and I don't worry about them so much. I have never been left with a single squirrel, but have twice acquired a single orphan and immediately located another one (or more) of a similar age from a rehabber to keep it squirrely company. (I foster) Do you think there's any chance of Hami accepting a buddy, or is it too late?

[Scooterzmom]

Oh my goodness, the looks on both your faces say it all. What a gorgeous boy! My sincere condolences on his passing.
Thank you for sharing your experiences. I, too, find that the females have more of an edge than the males and I don't worry about them so much. I have never been left with a single squirrel, but have twice acquired a single orphan and immediately located another one (or more) of a similar age from a rehabber to keep it squirrely company. (I foster) Do you think there's any chance of Hami accepting a buddy, or is it too late?

I think Hami could accept a buddy, if need be in a separate cage, he'd still learn to squirrel up I believe. Thing is, I'm in Montreal Canada... I would so love to help but I don't see how we can work this out :(

BTW I'm not a rehabber either, I too foster them. Fell into the role quite by accident (found a baby at foot of my pinetree and nobody to take care of him). I wasn't going to let the poor little thing die.... so I took him in, went online and everywhere I could to get help... soeone heloped me via phone from Florida and he pulled through, thrived and I gave him to a rehabber when I injured myself; that rehabber finished the process and released him. I fell in love with the little critter... Chipper his name was and I've been 'rehabbing' tutored long distance by people to do it but am not licensed.

[Scooterzmom]

Oh my goodness, the looks on both your faces say it all. What a gorgeous boy! My sincere condolences on his passing.
Thank you for sharing your experiences. I, too, find that the females have more of an edge than the males and I don't worry about them so much. I have never been left with a single squirrel, but have twice acquired a single orphan and immediately located another one (or more) of a similar age from a rehabber to keep it squirrely company. (I foster) Do you think there's any chance of Hami accepting a buddy, or is it too late?

If you want to see and know more about Hami and how he's being cared for, check in General, Pet Squirrels, Pet squirrel forum... I have a thread going there with many pics.

[PDXErik]

I know that they bond to one human, normally, so maybe this is not as big a risk as it might appear? :dono The concern is more whether they will do it to someone else. If they pop around to eat or if they need help, that can't be a bad thing, can it?

My little girl is in <3 with me, but is very hesitant with my roommate. I'm not too worried about her being all lovey with other humans, she's very tense around anyone other than me.

Gonna suck to be her when I go to Costa Rica for 2 weeks in January.

[Runestonez]

HOLY CRAP!!!!!!!!
I made the mistake of going in the squirrel cage this morning...but I wasn't wearing my usual "squirrel outfit" and I was wearing a different toque too.
I got ATTACKED! Seriously...

It ended with me kneeling on the floor, with my hands over my head protecting my face yelling "IT's ME...for gods sake...it's ME!" I had to take off my toque and wait for them to settle and come check me out...habituation be damned!:sanp3
They were a maelstrom of squirrels...I was sure I was getting seriously bitten and scratched.
They were p*ssed!

I never really thought about it before...the clothes I wear in the cage are always the same because they are the thickest ones I have and keep me from getting scratched! I did laundry yesterday and forgot to move the wash over to the dryer...so I had to find something else to wear this morning...

Yeah...like I'm EVER going to do that again!
My heart is still lodged somewhere up around my sinus passages!

Just a note:
I don't think habituation is going to be an issue!
Although Malli came down and gave me a kiss afterwards.:shakehead

[mugzeezma]

HOLY CRAP!!!!!!!!
I made the mistake of going in the squirrel cage this morning...but I wasn't wearing my usual "squirrel outfit" and I was wearing a different toque too.
I got ATTACKED! Seriously...

It ended with me kneeling on the floor, with my hands over my head protecting my face yelling "IT's ME...for gods sake...it's ME!" I had to take off my toque and wait for them to settle and come check me out...habituation be damned!:sanp3
They were a maelstrom of squirrels...I was sure I was getting seriously bitten and scratched.
They were p*ssed!

I never really thought about it before...the clothes I wear in the cage are always the same because they are the thickest ones I have and keep me from getting scratched! I did laundry yesterday and forgot to move the wash over to the dryer...so I had to find something else to wear this morning...

Yeah...like I'm EVER going to do that again!
My heart is still lodged somewhere up around my sinus passages!

Just a note:
I don't think habituation is going to be an issue!
Although Malli came down and gave me a kiss afterwards.:shakehead

A good sign!!!
I'm glad you got out alive! I have to tell you about a conversation I had with Shirley Casey about the Willowbrook Squirrel pen. I have never been overtly attacked unless the SQ was cornered. I told her that I was strafed by a runner and got a scalped.
I will PM the highlights of the conversation and give you her info for future reference.

[CritterMom]

That is odd. I can go into P's cage and play with him regardless of my appearance - hair tied back, hanging down, different clothes, heck, if you read his thread, I had to interact with him for a while with a spaghetti strainer tied over my face like a spaceman to prevent him from climbing it and he NEVER reacted as though it was anyone but me. He has only seen a very few people in his life - less than 5 and 4 of them only for a brief moment, and has reacted in an extremely wary manner every time.

[Runestonez]

Just finished emailing hubby...
Going out tonight to buy 2 or 3 sets of overalls...
1 for use...1 for the laundry...1 in reserve...
I'm almost 40! My heart is still pounding!

Next time I'm at physio and they ask what I do for cardio...
"Well let me tell you..."
tinfoil

[Pierre]

HOLY CRAP!!!!!!!!
I made the mistake of going in the squirrel cage this morning...but I wasn't wearing my usual "squirrel outfit" and I was wearing a different toque too.
I got ATTACKED! Seriously...

It ended with me kneeling on the floor, with my hands over my head protecting my face yelling "IT's ME...for gods sake...it's ME!" I had to take off my toque and wait for them to settle and come check me out...habituation be damned!:sanp3
They were a maelstrom of squirrels...I was sure I was getting seriously bitten and scratched.
They were p*ssed!

I never really thought about it before...the clothes I wear in the cage are always the same because they are the thickest ones I have and keep me from getting scratched! I did laundry yesterday and forgot to move the wash over to the dryer...so I had to find something else to wear this morning...

Yeah...like I'm EVER going to do that again!
My heart is still lodged somewhere up around my sinus passages!

Just a note:
I don't think habituation is going to be an issue!
Although Malli came down and gave me a kiss afterwards.:shakehead


Oh no!!! I hope you're ok and no blood was drawn. Goof balls.

I've heard at some point they won't "recognize" you right after a shower either [the fresh soap and shampoo smell]. My boy, Grayson, still doesn't care about this, or about what clothes I wear. When about does this change?? I'd love to be forewarned on an approximate general age that this could happen!!

Yes, Krystal, I'd actually love a free squirrely that came around for visits and snackies! That would be ideal. I just don't want him to be too attached, though I don't know if that happens. He is a single boy....

Also, the other night about 1 1/2 weeks ago, my brother, whom Grayson has only seen once or twice before, came over. Grayson ran happily up his arm. ??? I was quite surprised he was friendly. Is that odd or typical??

[Pierre]

PS Grayson is almost 16 wks old now.

:thankyou

[Runestonez]

:D CritterMom-Our squirrels have only ever seen hubby and myself...
and once we moved them outside...hubby only interacts in the sense he puts food out for them through the kitchen window. So they don't have any contact with him and barely see him now...

OK and they saw the one (insert expletive here) neighbour who decided to bull a-- his way into our carport to see what we were building...they hid and he got dragged out by the scruff of the neck. :soapbox

They see me all the time because I clean, feed, fill dishes and check on them...

Well hubby wanted to train them to protect the house and steal valuables!:D

I can honestly say that if I was robbing a place...I would def run like heck if confronted by that!:D

[Jackie in Tampa]

I know...I am terrible...but I kiss my soon to be releases every day...
still and even after they are released!
Sorry dudes, I cheat and love them for as long as they let me...
95% of them stop me when they are ready to be big sqs...
and then they move away and only come back for treats...
hey most still come inside...they know what they need to do!:thumbsup
I'm bad:tilt

[Runestonez]

LOL:nono Bad sqammy! :DLOL

I wish I could smooch kisses on our kids...
ours are past that point though... :(
I was watching video of them as young sqee's last night!
It was so funny!
They look so tiny!
But you can already see their personalities developing!

Hubby and I were talking about men and mid-life crisis'...he says his will be unique because we won't be able to afford something shiney and red...so he'll just end up stomping around with a squirrel or rabbit perched on his shoulder instead!:D

[Runestonez]

CritterMom-I was just thinking about your post...
I had almost forgotten!:D
I went into the squirrel cage a few weeks ago with my bangs pinned up with a barrette.
They had never seen that before since I usually wear a hat of some sort...usually a toque.
Malli was fascinated!
She kept standing up and patting at the part of my hair that was pulled back...and kept fiddling in my hair! :D
It was too funny!:D
Even nicer because she pretty much ignores me now! <sigh>
I miss my baby squirrels!
When they actually wanted and needed me! lol :)
You know if we weren't over wintering the Knuck-Nuks...I think I'd be suffering from empty nest syndrome! (literally!) LOL:crazy

[Runestonez]

:jump :rotfl :jump :rotfl :jump

Hubby just sent this to me!
It's his mid-life crisis pic!:rotfl
http://i125.photobucket.com/albums/p68/runestonez/mid-lifecrisis.jpg

[mugzeezma]

:jump :rotfl :jump :rotfl :jump

Hubby just sent this to me!
It's his mid-life crisis pic!:rotfl
http://i125.photobucket.com/albums/p68/runestonez/mid-lifecrisis.jpg
OMG!!!!
I think I'm in love with your man!!!! :rotfl :rotfl :rotfl
does he have a twin???:rotfl :rotfl :rotfl

[Runestonez]

Actually he does!:D
There is a guy here looks so much like my hubby...I can't tell them apart! Seriously!
We have been together for 21 years and I cannot tell the two apart except the other guy has a bit more grey at his temples!:D
No idea if hubby's clone likes squirrels or not!:D

[mugzeezma]

Actually he does!:D
There is a guy here looks so much like my hubby...I can't tell them apart! Seriously!
We have been together for 21 years and I cannot tell the two apart except the other guy has a bit more grey at his temples!:D
No idea if hubby's clone likes squirrels or not!:D

I don't care WHAT they look(ok maybe a wee little bit) as long as they love kids and critters and are as handy or handier around the house as I am.

are over 6' (i'm tall)
don't snore
have hair
can play a bad a** guitar
sing
dance
and have more power tools than I do
aren't fatty
have all their teeth
know which fork to use
can keep up with me walking (I'm leggy)
don't smoke
like sushi
appreciate art
not republican
literate
well spoken
have a JOB!
not whiny
know how to cook or at least can do the dishes
aren't all broke down from sports injuries
aren't sports fanatics (grrrr)
give good back rubs
don't mind dirt
love the outdoors

Is that really asking so much?

[Runestonez]

<snort>
Are you sure you don't just want to marry me? LOL :D
I refuse to do dishes however!

I had a shopping list in high school...what I wanted in a man!
Tall
blonde
blue eyes
had own car
decent parents
full head of hair...

Got nothing on the list! lol :D

Hubby added the rabbit in on the other shoulder! :D
I've been laughing so hard I hurt my sides! :D
http://i125.photobucket.com/albums/p68/runestonez/mid-lifecrisis2.jpg

[mugzeezma]

<snort>
Are you sure you don't just want to marry me? LOL :D
I refuse to do dishes however!

I had a shopping list in high school...what I wanted in a man!
Tall
blonde
blue eyes
had own car
decent parents
full head of hair...

Got nothing on the list! lol :D

Hubby added the rabbit in on the other shoulder! :D
I've been laughing so hard I hurt my sides! :D
http://i125.photobucket.com/albums/p68/runestonez/mid-lifecrisis2.jpg
OH MAN !!!
My stomach hurts!!!
That's Love baby!!!!!!!


Ummm

I MARRIED your wish list
He had a horse too.
My horse was better
for that matter
so am I
Know what i got from that marriage?
An abusive, egocentric, passive aggressive martyr
I had to support emotionally, scholastically, and physically
I was
abandoned with 3 kids
2 disabled
a pile o debt
the prime of my life robbed
I do have my health
I will not be broken

I'm not bitter or hateful
I'm not settling for anything less than what's good for myself and my kids
I'm moving on
life is good

[Runestonez]

Yeah...I think I lucked out with my hubby! :)
He knew I was nuts before he married me...and he was still OK with it!

I was dating my shopping list around the time that hubby and I became friends.
My bf at the time sounds alot like your husband. He was 18, I was 17.
I was lucky because when I broke up with the melodrama king...hubby was my bff at the time and helped me pick up my poor broken teenage heart and ego! He was only 14 at the time! :D
Things always seem so BIG when you're young...nothing small ever happens to a teenager!

Hubby was told since he was a kid that everything bites!
He grew up in a nice Italian household...he is a clean fanatic!
THEN he ends up with me...I grew up on a small farm...I am not a tidy person!
Having animals running rampant around the house is not ususal to me!

All I wore till I was old enough to start school was overalls and pigtails. Totally neked...with just my overalls! No shoes either! :D
Get up in the morning throw on overalls...my gramma would toss me out the backdoor and I would wander back in time for dinner each night!
As long as I didn't get killed on the highway...no one was particularly worried where I was! lol The neighbours would feed me if I happened to be on or around their property at lunchtime! :)
I will drag everything home...I never met a bug I didn't like...I draw the line at spiders however! Nasty things!
I'd say hubby has adapted pretty well! :D
He kills my spiders for me...I save him from earwigs!

I doubt very much most people would be able to put up with me!:crazy

I never had a horse...man did I ever want one!
Of course not a normal horse! I wanted a Clydesdale! :D The biggest one I could find! :D <sigh> <daydreaming> :)

[mugzeezma]

He kills my spiders for me...I save him from earwigs!


You're livin the dream!
That's so wonderful that you've been together that long. The history you share is so priceless. It comes from living and growing up in one place. It's rare now days with family values and morals being devalued, corporate transfers and all that other $#!+
At this age anyone I meet will only be a blip on the radar. The wealth of experience shared will be small.
Best friends make the best life partners. You are very blessed
You will be one of those couples that when you get old people will see you together and smile.
I love the image of you as a kid too. free spirit.

I too was raised like a wild pony but not on a farm, rather a a small town North of Pittsburgh.
It's actually hardwired in me
I'm NOT making this up...these are direct quotes from people who know me)
"a wild horse"
"spirited"
"a handful"

maybe that's why I get along so well with the wilds
we know each other

[Best Life]

HOLY CRAP!!!!!!!!
I made the mistake of going in the squirrel cage this morning...but I wasn't wearing my usual "squirrel outfit" and I was wearing a different toque too.
I got ATTACKED! Seriously...

It ended with me kneeling on the floor, with my hands over my head protecting my face yelling "IT's ME...for gods sake...it's ME!" I had to take off my toque and wait for them to settle and come check me out...habituation be damned!:sanp3
They were a maelstrom of squirrels...I was sure I was getting seriously bitten and scratched.
They were p*ssed!

I never really thought about it before...the clothes I wear in the cage are always the same because they are the thickest ones I have and keep me from getting scratched! I did laundry yesterday and forgot to move the wash over to the dryer...so I had to find something else to wear this morning...

Yeah...like I'm EVER going to do that again!
My heart is still lodged somewhere up around my sinus passages!

Just a note:
I don't think habituation is going to be an issue!
Although Malli came down and gave me a kiss afterwards.:shakehead
Runestonez, so sorry for your horrifying experience :eek: , but I did nearly pee my pants :rotfl when I read your first, touching post and compared it to your last. I actually had to double and triple check to make sure those two posts came from the same person! I do hope you were not too seriously injured. Precious as they are, you may still need to coat yourself head to toe with neosporin for a while. Guess you can rest assured now that they can hold their own. Congratulations! You've successfully raised a band of Wild Hooligans, I tell ya! :thumbsup This is what we all hope for!

[Runestonez]

LOL :D
I may have posted a little too soon!
If I'd waited a day or so I wouldn't have had to worry so much! :D

I mentioned in a PM to Mugzeezma...I did find a squirrel stash beside where I was standing...they had made a stash in their fleece sleeping cube...so mom in strange clothes, smells different, near their stuff...so basically my own fault! <blush> :shakehead
Either that or they have decided to become fashion critics! :tilt

I am allergic to neosporin...so my weapon of choice...Benzalkonium chloride...doesn't sting like alcohol! :D