We don't have squirrels in our neighborhood. It was one of the things that first charmed us about life in ABQ after leaving a midwestern garden annually savaged by the bush-tailed tree vermin...no squirrels. We have lived here now nearly 18 years and the closest we have come to face-to-face experiences has been the black ones we see when we hike mountain trails.
"No, it was a Chicago squirrel, I swear! If he is still around I will take a photo to prove it!" With that he set up his cell phone to camera and went back into the office...followed by the WDA. "Aha! He's still there. Posing even. Bold as the ones back East." And my triumphant husband returned to thrust his phone under my nose to see the beast. He was right, it was a squirrel.
"So, Army, we have a SQUIRREL! What are you going to do about it?" WD looked at Steve, then hopped up next to me on the chair and curled up. Yo stretched and refound his spot at the hearth. Nuka was already asleep. Oso took a long drink of water. Quinn followed Steve as he paced. Puff looked game for a chase but when everyone else lost interest, she, too, curled up in a cool spot. "Let the rodent have the hot sunny place on the wall," she muttered. "It is cool, comfortable, and nearly treat time here."