Sunday, July 11, 2010

Swim Buddy


The hot, humid weather is making its way back to Ontario and when I went out to the pool this afternoon I discovered this little guy dog paddling like crazy in the water. At first I thought it was a mouse then noticed the stripes on its fur. I fished him out with the skimmer thinking he would take off immediately, however he lie draped over the side for at least 20 minutes.


I think he was exhausted (don't know how long he had been trying to navigate around the pool with his little head above water and his little front paws paddling like mad). After approx. 10 minutes he started to shiver. The sun was beating down on him quite hot so maybe he was in shock? Would love to know how animals think.


Chipmunks around here are not overly friendly with people, however this little guy let me stroke his back without moving. Funnily enough, after stroking his back, his shivering seemed to settle down. After about 20 minutes I moved the skimmer abit and he seemed to come out of whatever trance state he was in.


Very wobbly, he clung to the sides of the skimmer and eventually at one end...


....pulled himself up on the edge, and (I guess) got up the nerve to leave his safety net.



He stayed in this position in the grass for quite awhile and finally I went in the house for lunch. I came out later, thinking I may find him still there with a nice, fluffy, dry coat but he had gone off (maybe to bigger adventures?).

I'm glad I was able to rescue this little fella. We often get small wildlife in the pool (last week it was a mouse and also a baby rabbit). Unfortunately by the time we see them, it is usually too late.





16 comments:

pinkglitterfae said...

Sue the chipmunk whisperer, lol!

awww, the poor little baby! I thought it was a mouse too. So happy that you were able to save the wee guy. Now what on earth possesses them to jump in the pool?

Today was such a gorgeous sunny day, but if you check the forecast, we are heading back towards the humidity we had last week. I love the heat, but not the stickiness, and I hate to turn my air conditioner on again....
Oh well, anything is better than last summer, lol!

yoborobo said...

Aw, Sue - what a cute little guy. He must have been so happy to see you with your net. :) I'm glad you saved him! Good on ya! xox!

Pearl said...

Awwh poor baby glad you saved him. Some animals will totally freeze out of fright, but usually once you touch them they turn with lightening speed and bite ya! He must have liked you, or maybe you are the squirel whisperer like your friend said?

Anonymous said...

Aw Sue good for you rescuing a chipmunk! One of my most favorite little creatures...even tho they are not known to like humans.... I love them! We don't have them here so it was fun to see one again!

Yes I'm very excited to show up in Chicago! I will try to take tons of photos!!! Jacqui from Odd dollz is going to be my roommate since Gail Lackey can't go this year~: (

Aw well it will be fun!!!
Hugs to you ~Pattee

Ayala Art said...

That has to be quite a crazy adventure for the poor little guy! Good thing he made it!

Julia @ Vintage with Laces said...

I'm glad you could rescue that cute little guy, Sue! He must have been in shock and exhausted. Hopefully he won't try again to take a bath in a pool.
Have a wonderful week and stay cool,
Julia

julie campbell said...

Bless his little cotton socks, he must have been so relieved to see you coming with your net :0)
Maybe he was just trying to cool off ,trouble with "human" pools is they have steep sides unlike natural ponds where they can probably scramble out easily. We have a little pond in our garden and keep a strip of plastic net in one side which acts as a little ladder for any wild life that dive in !
julie xxx

Lynn Stevens said...

Awwwe, that poor little thing, at first glance I thought it was a rat, but glad it was only a chupmunk. So happy you could come to his rescue. I bet he won't be doing any more swimming for awhile!

Evelyn's Wonderland said...

Awwwh poor little baby! at first glance I thought it was a rat, then I thought it was a squirrel. We have many squirrels here in Florida, I've never seen a chipmunk. I am so glad you were able to rescue him. Hopefully he won't attempt that again! Have a lovely day!
Evelyn

3rdEyeMuse said...

that's one of the all time very best rescue stories ... ever! :) well done.

Tracy Nuskey Dodson said...

Poor little thing was swimming for his life! I think you get extra Heaven points for every little life you save:)

C. said...

Oh, you had me at "dog" I'm a sucker for a good animal story! Although I really did think it was a dog at first....

Nun of a Kind! said...

With the weather we have been having, no wonder he wanted to be in the pool! A little mouse was not so lucky in our pool the other day....
Great pictures, as usual!!

Denise said...

that is just toooo cute! im so glad you saved him. how adorable! I loved that story. poor little guy.

Marcie Hart - A Work Of Hart said...

Ohhh....poor little thing! I am so happy that you saved him! You were his angel!!! ;-)

julietk said...

Glad you saved him :-D