Orphans
Simon/Simone
For three years in a row I have helped along orphan squirrels on my back deck. Whether it was a late litter or the laws of nature-survival of the fittest, I could not ignore the ones who bravely came to me, guards down for assistance.
This is the first year I was not needed, yet I still leave cashews and fruit out just in case and my hopeful thoughts they are thriving. I named each with a male & female name because it is almost impossible to figure out their sex when they are so young. Even my husky knew which ones they were amongst the heavy traffic of squirrels who raided my garden and deck, she'd leave the orphans alone and be the good little guard dog with the others, sending them on their way with a little snarl or bark.