tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31803386.post9073570149012847468..comments2023-10-09T19:22:45.696+02:00Comments on The Balcony Garden: Death of a SquirrelSue Swifthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16053188212601918182noreply@blogger.comBlogger9125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31803386.post-71854885127833359872011-01-13T04:08:17.325+01:002011-01-13T04:08:17.325+01:00When my dogs were younger they were always getting...When my dogs were younger they were always getting hold of critters and it always made me mad and sad, even though at the same time i knew it was just nature. <br />You did your absolute best, and it wasn't your fault. As hard as it is, just let it go...Dawnhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14873738272799176944noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31803386.post-15582017554079887342010-09-29T16:46:14.342+02:002010-09-29T16:46:14.342+02:00Dammit Sue...I'm crying now. I love squirrels...Dammit Sue...I'm crying now. I love squirrels! The one that used to hang out in the chestnut tree fronting our house took off...probably not liking the fact that there are so many dogs in the area.Rowenahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15335673619430109527noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31803386.post-9068025969073999412010-09-28T02:11:11.197+02:002010-09-28T02:11:11.197+02:00Oh Sue, I'm so sorry the poor squirrel was hit...Oh Sue, I'm so sorry the poor squirrel was hit. It's very hard to watch an animal, especially one that has been hit by a car, and left severely injured like that. A car in front of me hit a raccoon one night. I slammed on my brakes, with no regard for any traffic behind me, and watched the poor thing, unable to help, for what felt like forever. Cervical dislocation is very difficult in mammals (easier in birds) and likely to cause more pain if you haven't been trained how to do it properly. You did the right thing, retrieving Mr. Squirrel from the road, and finding a quiet shaded spot for him, but I know it was hard to watch. Do keep yourself safe though. I recommend keeping gloves and an old towel in the car for just occasions.Curbstone Valley Farmhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06714297348566721344noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31803386.post-76753128470601718792010-09-27T00:08:08.625+02:002010-09-27T00:08:08.625+02:00Not much you can do.
They always seem to get out o...Not much you can do.<br />They always seem to get out of the way when when driving. So far...Patsihttp://pseewald.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31803386.post-67346685002772737022010-09-26T23:17:41.937+02:002010-09-26T23:17:41.937+02:00I am so saddened by this story. I had an episode l...I am so saddened by this story. I had an episode like that with a squirrel too. My dog got a hold of one, and broke its back. I could not bring myself to end the misery, but like you, I put it where it could die in peace. I never want to go through that again. I can feel your pain over this. Bless you for you caring for it to the end.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31803386.post-40559779757514938372010-09-26T22:44:23.250+02:002010-09-26T22:44:23.250+02:00What a sad story - My heart goes out you being in ...What a sad story - My heart goes out you being in such a positiion. I think its easy for anyone to say that they'd be able to kill an animal if they needed to but its quite another thing feeling a life in your hands. I think you did the best that you could.freerangegirlhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14535925508133692539noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31803386.post-8892025586779567982010-09-26T21:12:13.109+02:002010-09-26T21:12:13.109+02:00Oh goodness how awful, for the squirrel and for yo...Oh goodness how awful, for the squirrel and for you, but you did what you could. Don't feel guilty.Janhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11430236104525571846noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31803386.post-89527475563130897322010-09-26T20:16:15.180+02:002010-09-26T20:16:15.180+02:00You did the best that you could do. I've been...You did the best that you could do. I've been in several of those situations and your heart just bleeds in those moments. Sometimes no matter what you do won't matter as it will just happen...but the important part is that you tried to do something which is something most people don't do.:)Rohrerbothttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02136631378931478644noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31803386.post-51653553193930648982010-09-26T20:15:33.370+02:002010-09-26T20:15:33.370+02:00Well, I certainly do hope that you'll never ha...Well, I certainly do hope that you'll never have to be in such a position again, but since you asked... I had to put down an injured rabbit before, which was probably substantially larger than a squirrel. Same basic idea, though -- using one hand, pull on the neck to stretch it while snapping the chin upwards and backwards very sharply. Use the other hand to anchor the rest of the body (grabbing the rear quarters). Or, if you need a bit more help, put a stick against the back of its neck and snap backwards while firmly pushing into the neck with the stick. You'll feel the pop.<br /><br />I responded to this mostly because I felt exactly the same way when it happened to me, and was also shocked by how much force was needed for such a small animal. But really, the only proper and humane way to do it is swiftly and with a LOT of strength behind it. <br /><br />I promise the next time I comment, it won't be for so grim a purpose :-) I've enjoyed reading your blog, especially since you're on our side of the Atlantic!Angelahttp://food.velvetkerfuffle.netnoreply@blogger.com