 Danny & Daisy raid the carrots Who can forget the naughty groundhog sisters, Danny and Daisy? They were released a few months ago and I wanted to give their fans an update on their story. It is really hard to find a place to release groundhogs as so many people think that they are a nuisance and will trap and kill them. Lucky for me I have a great friend, Joshua, who knew a place on state land far away from any roads and people's gardens. Not only did Joshua find a great place for the girls, but he and his friend Matt helped me carry them about a mile to a quiet spot where we let them go. This was no small feat as they were weighing in at about 3kilos each, so with the kennel it was about 20lbs to carry!  Joshua & Matt carry the girls to their new home! I was definitely a bit sad to see them go and left lots of carrots and yummies for them. I also worry so much when I do a "hard release," which is when you release animals directly into the wild and they can't come and go back to their cage as they wish until they are ready to live out in the wilds on their own. But they had gotten so big and healthy that I think they will do great!   One last hug! I want to point out here that Joshua and Matt are both hunters. All too often animal lovers bash hunters and what they do. However I have come across few people who have as much knowledge and respect for animals as Joshua; and he hunts with this same knowledge and respect. He has been a great resource for me in these kinds of situations where I am looking for locations for the Wild Things' babies to live. I have a lot of admiration for him and his fellow responsible hunters. They eat what they kill and they kill fast and clean without causing the animal any undo pain, harm or fear. I've told him that the only meat I could think about eating was something that he brought to the table as I know that that animal lived and died well and never suffered the indignity, emotional nor physical pain that goes on with so much of animal farming. Thank you Joshua!  Clockwise from top right: stealing dandelion greens out of the shopping bag, finishing off a Dunkin Doughnuts iced coffee, plying with a shiny toy, eating delicious kale, stealing carrots, sneaking into the bag of dog food for a snack, sneaking around the piles of towels after some formula (you can see the milk moustache!), enjoying baby carrots together  Goodbye girls & enjoy your new home! We miss you!! Danny & Daisy & Kiely! 06/07/2009
 What's cuter than a baby groundhog? Not a lot! But this picture of Kiely and baby groundhog certainly qualifies! Kiely is my #1 assistant at WTS and comes everyday after school and during the weekends. She is great with the two baby groundhog sisters who were orphaned after their mother was trapped and relocated. A few days after the mother was taken away one little baby emerged looking for mum. The next day another one emerged. There are usually at least 4 in a litter which means that 2 probably didn't make it, but these two little darlings are super healthy and are growing with leaps and bounds!  Groundhogs are also called Woodchucks & Whistle Pigs. They do NOT chuck wood, but they DO whistle, especially when they know it is feeding time or they are playing. They eat a LOT as they have a lot of growing to d before the cold weather and hibernation. They also often use their blanket as a pacifier as seen in the below upper right photo. ADORABLE!   One of the neighbours informed me & Kieley that if I let the little groundhog sisters go in the Wild Things woods she would trap them and kill them. We were speechless!! So I will be finding a good place to let them go. I prefer doing "soft releases"- when you let animals go near you so they can come back if there is any trouble, but hopefully I will find a place where they can thrive and perhaps where someone can keep an eye on them. I love this picture of Danny nursing- they have such cute tails! Their names are Danny & Daisy (all those who watched any Sidney Sheldon made for TV movies in the 80s will understand!).  | CategoriesAll |
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