It
feels like we’ve had a very long winter.
Spring continues to stall. Early
this morning, my little dog Phoebe and I took a walk in the bush and we were
able to walk on the crust. This is
unusual for April; however the temperature was -5 degrees C.
Although,
there is still a lot of snow in the bush, we are seeing slow signs of spring;
the ice on the pond blackening, the cooing of a mourning dove and five Canada
geese flying V formation to the marsh on Peace Valley Road. During our walk, we came across a saucy red
squirrel running for cover.
Yesterday,
Phoebe and I spotted a chipmunk in my back yard, one of Chippy’s babies. I called to the chipmunk, as he sat on the
bricks watching us with interest.
Chippy
Short-tail as I called her, was a curious little soul that first introduced
herself five summers ago by jumping into my lap one spring afternoon as I was
outside sketching. She came by her name
as most of her tail was missing. I
presumed bitten off, or caught on something.
 |
| Sketches of Chippy Short-tail. ©Eleanor Thorel |
She
became a constant companion each spring, summer and fall, looking for treats
such as sunflower seeds and peanuts. Rambunctious
and daring, she thought nothing of climbing onto our laps, running along an
outstretched hand and onto a shoulder.
Two
summers ago Chippy brought her two babies whom I nicknamed Percy and Chippy
Long-tail to visit with us. These little
rascals were constantly running into the house and then getting frantic trying
to find a way out. Last spring was the
last time we saw Chippy Short-tail.
 |
Sketch of one of the chippies in the garden.
©Eleanor Thorel
|
She
had lived to be a good age; greying and silver backed her coat still shining
and healthy. We won’t see her this
spring, but she will always be remembered.
Posts
