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On Fri, 7 Oct 2005 22:21:52 -0600, Rebecca Root
wrote: On 2005-10-06 21:45:55 -0600, Brian Link said: big snip On the other hand, maybe he could move in :-) My last winter in Minnesota, I had a chipmunk living in my house. My cat Thackeray brought him in and then lost interest. The chipmunk liked it inside and wouldn't leave even when he had a chance. So we just all coexited. Hm.. Becky the harpist? BLink Yep, it's me What a small world - I think I even remember that chipmunk story. Hope all is going well. Send some triple-harpists up north, we're out of em. BLink |
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On 2005-10-06 21:45:55 -0600, Brian Link said:
big snip On the other hand, maybe he could move in :-) My last winter in Minnesota, I had a chipmunk living in my house. My cat Thackeray brought him in and then lost interest. The chipmunk liked it inside and wouldn't leave even when he had a chance. So we just all coexited. Hm.. Becky the harpist? BLink Yep, it's me |
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On Sat, 08 Oct 2005 00:09:43 GMT, Diane
wrote: In article , "Lumpy" wrote: "Diane" wrote in message ... In article , Charlie Wilkes wrote: Trap and cage it. Check with the zoo, but I don't think gray squirrels resist captivity one bit if they are well fed and cared for. The zoo people are going to tell you wild animals belong in the wild. -- But .. would the zoo people at least feel hypocritical if indeed they did? No, the zoo people generally don't take animals out of the wild (and haven't for years) unless there is an urgent conservation need and it's approved by a governing body. They also have expertise in the nutrition, management, husbandry, and enrichment of animals. Most people who take in perfectly happy wild (and common animals) end up wondering why their "pet" became aggressive or died. There's quite a bit of difference. Well, Diane, that is why I suggested that Brian contact the zoo and talk to an expert. Are you an expert? I don't think so. There's a difference between a know-it-all and a real expert, and it's not that hard to spot. I'm not an expert either, but I had a reason for making the suggestion I did. I have had a lot of interaction with biologists who rehabilitate wild animals at Wolf Hollow Wildlife Rehabilitation Center in Friday Harbor WA. Baby seals get swept up in the current and separated from their mothers at a tender age, and it is unpleasant to watch them slowly dehydrate and starve so I take them in. These people stress the importance of not taming any wild animals. An animal trained to accept food from human hands is thereby rendered less likely to survive in the wild. Squirrels tend to be unwelcome at bird-feeders, and plenty of folks have a pellet gun to deal with them. Brian cares about this squirrel, but he has trained it to be suicidal in its quest for human handouts. That is why I suggested he capture it. Gray squirrels are charming and friendly as pets but highly destructive if given a chance. This I have seen first-hand. However, it may be unlawful in the state of Minnesota to capture any wild animal for the purpose of making a pet out of it. Charlie |
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On Sat, 08 Oct 2005 23:37:09 GMT, Diane
wrote: In article , Charlie Wilkes wrote: Well, Diane, that is why I suggested that Brian contact the zoo and talk to an expert. Are you an expert? I don't think so. There's a difference between a know-it-all and a real expert, and it's not that hard to spot. Well, Charlie, I worked with experts for several years, and we had this discussion many times. And I told the OP exactly what the experts told me. Bah. Who are these experts? Do a little research on the web. Squirrels in captivity can live 20 years, but they are lucky to make it four or five in the wild. They are up against mites, bott flies, infected wounds, guns, dogs, cats, cars, poisons, electricity... a slew of lethal forces, many of which involve a lingering and painful death. Another thing that escapes your attention (apparently) is the fact that squirrels are vermin, an undesirable species. They clog up rain gutters and chimneys. They get into outbuildings and make a mess. They keep birds away from bird-feeders. People kill them indiscriminately for these reasons, usually with air guns. Here are a couple of links to educate your naive and sheltered mind: http://home.comcast.net/~pelletgunn/sqr.htm http://www.antisquirrel.com/ I get the feeling you just like to argue for the sake of it. Your loss. You took issue with my suggestion, but you gave no reason. That invites a skeptical response. You also ignored the reasons why I think it might be a good idea to make a pet out of this particular animal. I call that "snip and snarl." It is the recourse of shallow-minded people who don't know what they are talking about. Charlie |
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On Sun, 09 Oct 2005 10:50:43 GMT, Diane
wrote: In article , Charlie Wilkes wrote: You also ignored the reasons why I think it might be a good idea to make a pet out of this particular animal. No, I didn't. I don't like to argue for the sake of arguing as you apparently do. But those reasons weren't particularly good reasons. Animals can be taught aversion -- I've seen wildlife experts do it when it needs to be done. Besides, squirrels in urban/suburban areas are all Yeah, it's easy. Scare your little friend away after he's gotten used to visiting and getting food. That may be good stewardship, but it's pretty darn cold. Have you ever had an orgasm, Diane? Probably not. I'll bet that is why you have this attitude of wanting to inflict suffering on the world in the name of some higher morality. It is a tendency I have observed in quite a few nuns, especially old ones. used to humans to varying degrees. I've had them crawl in my lap, on my shoulder, on my knee. But I didn't turn them into "pets," nor did anyone else. No one else? Who put up all these web pages about pet squirrels? Why does some guy sell supplies especially for pet squirrels? Was I hallucinating pet squirrels as a kid when I played with them at a friend's house??? I don't think so, Diane. You are entirely ignorant about this subject, and it's inexcusable when good information is just a few clicks away. You also selectively ignore the dozens of reasons not to turn wild animals into pets, but they don't fit your argument. List the first three dozen. Whatever, Charlie. You keep telling people to take in "pets" that don't need to be taken in to your heart's content. I will do so. This discussion has convinced me it's not even necessary to call the zoo. Who really cares? It's a goddamn gray squirrel. For a few bucks you can get a hunting license in Minnesota that allows you to bag seven a day, every day. So cry me a river about tampering with nature or whatever your thinking is on this subject. You have proven you are ignorant and want to stay that way. Brian, trap that squirrel and make a pet out of him. You'll be doing him and the world a favor. Charlie |
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