We Found a Drowning Chipmunk in Our Pond
Have you ever had one of those days where you know you just did a good thing? A couple of weeks ago, we found a drowning chipmunk in our pond in the front yard.
Actually, Jon found it, and he immediately brought it into the house to me because that’s just the way things are around here. I’m like an animal whisperer. I’m the one who gets to hold the injured, the hurt, the dying.
It’s been that way for years. Animals just seem to feel safe and calm around me. But I won’t get into that too much right now, … but, oh boy, the stories I could (and should) tell …
The poor little thing was trembling uncontrollably, and it’s heart was thundering. It was cold, and no doubt exhausted from trying to stay afloat. Who knows how long he was in that water? His eyes were glazed over. He was definitely traumatized.
I put him down on the floor for a minute on a paper towel and he started “swimming.” His little legs were working so hard. So cute, but aww … what a precious little critter. Here’s a video of him still swimming.
Adorable, isn’t he?
We took him outside right away, into the sun so he could get warm and dry out faster. As he started to warm up, he stopped shaking, little by little. His eyes became clearer. He was recuperating.
I held him for a half hour or so, holding my hand flat and open so he wouldn’t feel scared or trapped. He could have run off at any moment if he wanted. He was free to go, but he decided to stay for a while longer.
He even tucked his little face into my hand and stayed like that for about 10 minutes. I LOVE that. ♥
He had orange paint on his tail.
After he was fully dry, warm and rested up, he was ready to leave. He jumped out of my hand, down onto the grass. He ran across the front porch to where Jon was sitting and his fur brushed up against Jon’s leg on his way past. Then he was gone, into the hostas, and we haven’t seen that orange tail since. We were hoping we would.
So there you have it. The day we found a drowning chipmunk in our pond. We did a good thing.
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We Found a Drowning Chipmunk in Our Pond. And then what? #animals #wildlife Click To Tweet
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A QUESTION FOR YOU:
Do you have rescue stories you’d like to share in the comments below?
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♥ PEACE ♥
Her own animal experience is vast, having raised and rescued Alpine Goats, Chickens, Turkeys, Vietnamese Pot Bellied Pigs, Turtles, Raccoons, Cats, Dogs, and even an Opossum and Bearded Dragon.
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I’d left a five-gallon bucket with perhaps a gallon of water here at my job site. I was stunned at how many flies it was killing (hundreds) so I left it there without emptying it. This morning, I came back from staying at a hotel to find not one but two drowned chipmunks. So, I’m glad you were able to save yours.
Oh wow, what a cute little guy! You really have to be careful, especially if there are trees overhead of a pond, where these guys can fall from. Glad to hear you caught him just in time!
I’m glad you got to him in time. That’s a pretty iffy deal I think and I am glad he made it. We don’t have chipmunks here, only red squirrels.
Thanks for visiting my blog today, Terri. Your first time, I think, and hopefully not your last. 🙂 Yes, we found that chipmunk just in time. Much longer and I think he would have exhausted himself. Good timing, all the way around. Thanks for your comment. Hope to see you here again sometime. 🙂
What a sweet little chipmunk! I’m so glad you were able to rescue him and the story has a happy ending.
Hey, Beth! Thanks for stopping by this evening. Yes, it sure was a pleasure to rescue the little chipmunk. It certainly made my day. I was so glad I took the video of him still ‘swimming’. So sweet. Take care, and come back soon!
I checked out your post, Neighborhood Pests, Beth, and left a comment on your blog about what that ugly bug is. It’s a cicada. Thanks!
I am so glad this story has such a happy ending! Bless you for saving this poor little guy! 😀
Thanks for visiting my blog, Chelsea! I do appreciate it. Saving this little chipmunk was the highlight of my week. My pleasure. 🙂
What a sweet story! The video was amazing and it must have been an incredible feeling to help the little guy and watch him recover. Beautiful! 🙂
Thanks, Elaine. Yes, it was a great feeling to watch that little chipmunk take off. I often wonder if he’s still around. 🙂 Thanks for your comment. Take care.
What a wonderful story! I am animal rescuer as well and know that animals truly recognize and appreciate kindness & love. & I’m so looking forward to reading more of your wonderful stories. Thank You for having this wonderful site?
Hey, Jillian! Nice to have you visit my site today. Welcome. It’s great to hear from a fellow animal rescuer. Isn’t it a wonderful feeling, when you’ve managed to help an animal in need? They know. They know your heart. Thanks for all that you do. Do come back soon for another visit. Peace. 🙂
Hi Jeanne, That story and especially the video brought tears to my eyes. I am SO happy that the little baby is safe because of you and your husband. I have a rescue story to share as well. Last October, I went in the back yard and saw one of the feral (now domesticated) cats I feed, laying in the grass next to something. As I went closer, I could see it was some kind of bird. I immediately put my hands over my eyes because I was scared to see what it was and how bad it was hurt. To my surprise, when I put my hands down, it was still alive. It was a mourning dove. She was pretty beat up. She was missing a lot of feathers and she had no tail. One of her wings was pretty damaged. I picked her up and brought her inside to my mom, who is an extraordinary nurse/vet. She looked her over and told me she was pretty banged up but would most likely be ok. She gave her a penicillin shot in her back leg. I got a cage I had and fixed it up with newspapers on the bottom and lined it with hamster shavings and timothy hay. I got a small bowl of water and put bird seed in the bottom. I also had a perch that I added to the cage. I later went to the store where I bought her some molting seed and canary seed that was loaded with vitamins and other good stuff. She began to peck at the seeds. I was very happy to see her eat so fast. After about a week, I started taking her out on the screened-in back porch where she would be safe to stretch her legs and maybe fly around some. She tried to fly but couldn’t really get off the ground. I continued doing this for her everyday and she would stay in the cage in my room the rest of the time. About a month into her healing process , she began to take flight around the porch better and better. At 6 weeks, she was flying everywhere on the porch. At this time, her wing had fully recovered , her feathers were growing back in and her tail was almost completely grown in. I was just so overwhelmed by the success of this rescue. You could tell she was so happy and feeling much better. We named her Victoria because she had victory over death and was a true survivor! At that 6 week period, it was time to let her fly outside. I set the cage down, and she darted out. She looked straight at me and then turned her head to the side. I knew she was thanking me for saving her life and I was so amazed of that look she gave me. She then walked around the tree some and then took off flying in the air. I was sad to see her go but so happy that she was strong and well again. She was free! I will never forget that amazing dove. I still look for her and wonder if she is among all of the mourning doves that visit my bird feeders. I will never stop rescuing those in need. It’s an incredible feeling. Maybe the best feeling in the world to me.
What a wonderful about the mourning dove, Amy. Thank you for doing that. It is an amazing feeling, isn’t it? To connect to an animal, a heart connection like that IS the best feeling in the world. Especially a wild animal, I think. I’ve had that experience many times as well, and it leaves me feeling so happy and at peace. Thank goodness your mom is who she is too, and she was so understanding and helpful. Again, great story, and thank you for sharing. Take care. 🙂
I am glad you rescued him. One time I left a watering can outside half full and one drowned in there- I still feel guilty. I had no idea one would go in and not be able to get out.
Aww, I’m sure you did feel bad about the chipmunk drowning in the watering can. I hate when things like that happen. Or when you hit something with your car. I grieve for them. Thank you for sharing, Ellen. Peace to you.
So cute, Love the happy ending
Thanks, Daphne. I love the happy ending too. 🙂
How adorable!
He really was adorable, Kim. I was so happy when he recovered and ran off. Thanks for your comment. 🙂