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!
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!!
