Released squirrel missing

[sandycheeks]

Hey guys,
As you can see in the post above, my wife thinks that our squirrel Sandy is back. It is living in the big squirrel box in our tree just out at the edge of the deck. You can see pics of the box by going back a page. This squirrel is definitely a girland may have babies in the box. I'm not entirely convinced that this is Sandy so I told her to post her collage here to see what the experts think. The new "Sandy" is the squirrel in the middle of the picture.

[HRT4SQRLS]

Wouldn't that just be awesome!

I have limited experience with this but this is my take. I have a girl (Susie) in the yard that has been outside for almost 4 years. I can go months without seeing her. There have been times when I thought, maybe she's gone. More time will pass and BAM she just shows up. In her first year of release she acquired a cut on her ear. When it healed it left a notch in her ear so she has a clearly identifiable mark.

I'm not sure I would recognize her as far as appearance if not for the ear notch. The thing that I DO recognize is her behavior. Her personality is intact. She will still climb to my shoulder and she has an odd sound she makes with her mouth. She did it as a baby and she still does it. She always was a biter and that hasn't changed either. Everything is on her terms. I have called her near her place and she won't come for anything... unless she wants to. When she had babies, she didn't come at all. When she weaned the kids, she came home again.

I think your best bet is to sit outside and see if she shows 'some' interest in you. She might approach... she might not but there could be subtle signs that she knows you.

I sure hope so. That would be a great news.

[sandycheeks]

Hi everyone,

After having this squirrel around for a while now I must say that I am 99% sure that this is in fact Sandy that came back after couple of years missing. She had a baby in the box in our tree in the early spring and has been hanging around getting more and more friendly now that the baby has gone off on its own.
Here's some pics.

[HRT4SQRLS]

That makes me so happy. I remember so well your heartbreak when she went missing. Keeping hope alive in those first days was manageable but as the weeks became months and the months became years it was nearly impossible to hold on to hope.

Sandy is back!!! She never forgot you. Isn't that just awesome!

[SammysMom]

This is just too wonderful for words...<3

[Mel1959]

I'm very happy for you.....and Sandy.

[lennysmom]

Oh what WONDERFUL news! Reading that little Sandy is back after SO long being gone, having a baby in your tree, and becoming more and more friendly again - doesn't get much better then that!

[sandycheeks]

It's absolutely unbelievable. 2 1/2 years away and she came back. She waits for me to come out. She came when my parents were here and they're convinced it's her too. She just looks and acts just like Sandy. She isn't jumping on me which I'm okay with.

[Chickenlegs]

Wow! What a great story! They certainly do have their own ways don't they. Too bad she can't tell you where she's been--or maybe you just don't want to know!

[SammysMom]

Wow! What a great story! They certainly do have their own ways don't they. Too bad she can't tell you where she's been--or maybe you just don't want to know!

Typical...out getting knocked up and bringing the kid home to mom...

[island rehabber]

Typical...out getting knocked up and bringing the kid home to mom...

And, like nearly every good mother since time began, gramma sandycheeks welcomes the little brat with open arms and hands full of treats!

[sandycheeks]

Um just so you know I'm a 36 year old man. I would even say a masculine man in fact. I always was told by my mom that strong men are gentle towards those who are weaker like children and of course squirrels.

[sandycheeks]

And yes I would do anything for my baby Sandy. I tormented for so long I just can't believe she came back.

[island rehabber]

Um just so you know I'm a 36 year old man. I would even say a masculine man in fact. I always was told by my mom that strong men are gentle towards those who are weaker like children and of course squirrels.

My apologies! The analogy fits even better as the loving, forgiving papa who will always welcome his princess back, nomatter what! (And you're so right about strong men. I've got an alpha male here who I share my life with, who saved a duck on our first date. Yep. )

[Mel1959]

Um just so you know I'm a 36 year old man. I would even say a masculine man in fact. I always was told by my mom that strong men are gentle towards those who are weaker like children and of course squirrels.

You have a VERY smart mom!