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Salute to a friend, squeaky the chipmunk:
It’s been many seasons since my friend and I shared time. Squeaky wasn’t your average chipmunk, he wasn’t my pet we were true pals. Days or weeks could go by before I returned to the cabin deep in the wood, but he would be their to greet me always. He knew the sound of my truck, he knew me at a glance, even before I was in visual range I could hear his squeaking welcome. He would wait patently atop his vantage point, a stack of flat granite rocks at the corner of the cabin not wanting to be exposed to birds of prey. Once I got close enough to the safety of cabin he would climb me like a tree, nuzzle my neck and dart in and out of my shirt pockets.
We shared many good times, eating lunch together was a routine, squeaky even had this own dish and favorite spot at the picnic table, he was also selfless, I would often find returned nuts in my hiking boots as a surprise in the morning. His absolute favorite was the walks we took, he understood the gesture of me tapping my pocket and would climb in. He would chirp with joy as we walked, this also made the other rival chipmunks rather angry as we pasted thru their territories. I got to understand his different vocalizations, rival threat, danger, or just the curious alert but the best was the squeaking which was directed at me.
I’m convinced he was looking out for me, he would stand guard at his vantage point atop the stacked rocks at the corner of the cabin and alert until I acknowledged him. Once done he would seek safety and stop. He and I sort of became deep woods lore, the occasional appalachian trail hiker slightly of compass would notice my furry pocket pal upon meeting. I certainly got some strange looks, some even asked If they could give my pal a treat, he grew rather fond of the stale bagels most hikers carry.
Sadly, after three years with my pal I returned to the cabin and their was no greeting, I placed his favorite snack, planters peanuts, atop his vantage point and called to him, my calls went unanswered.
True story:
It’s been many seasons since my friend and I shared time. Squeaky wasn’t your average chipmunk, he wasn’t my pet we were true pals. Days or weeks could go by before I returned to the cabin deep in the wood, but he would be their to greet me always. He knew the sound of my truck, he knew me at a glance, even before I was in visual range I could hear his squeaking welcome. He would wait patently atop his vantage point, a stack of flat granite rocks at the corner of the cabin not wanting to be exposed to birds of prey. Once I got close enough to the safety of cabin he would climb me like a tree, nuzzle my neck and dart in and out of my shirt pockets.
We shared many good times, eating lunch together was a routine, squeaky even had this own dish and favorite spot at the picnic table, he was also selfless, I would often find returned nuts in my hiking boots as a surprise in the morning. His absolute favorite was the walks we took, he understood the gesture of me tapping my pocket and would climb in. He would chirp with joy as we walked, this also made the other rival chipmunks rather angry as we pasted thru their territories. I got to understand his different vocalizations, rival threat, danger, or just the curious alert but the best was the squeaking which was directed at me.
I’m convinced he was looking out for me, he would stand guard at his vantage point atop the stacked rocks at the corner of the cabin and alert until I acknowledged him. Once done he would seek safety and stop. He and I sort of became deep woods lore, the occasional appalachian trail hiker slightly of compass would notice my furry pocket pal upon meeting. I certainly got some strange looks, some even asked If they could give my pal a treat, he grew rather fond of the stale bagels most hikers carry.
Sadly, after three years with my pal I returned to the cabin and their was no greeting, I placed his favorite snack, planters peanuts, atop his vantage point and called to him, my calls went unanswered.
True story: