Baby Squirrels

And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness: and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air; and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth. Genesis 1:26 (KJV)

I got the call Friday morning. My nephew found three orphaned squirrels. Would I take the babies? "Of course," I responded. An hour later my nephew handed me a small box with three sleeping baby squirrels inside.

I hunted all over and finally found the pet nurser bottle. Having no pet formula handy, I mixed some evaporated milk, water, and corn syrup, warming it on the stove. Two of the babies wrapped their paws around the bottle cap and sucked hungrily. The runt was sluggish but he drank a little. I settled them in a box and covered them to keep them warm.

It felt good to care for the babies, but I had disposed of the necessary equipment long ago, that I needed to raise them. They needed more help than I could give. I called Phoenix Wildlife Company and spoke to a long-time friend, Kathy Woods. She was a wildlife rehabilitator and said she would take them.

In the few hours I cared for the baby squirrels, I felt an old, familiar closeness to nature and to God. I was doing God's will, taking care of His creatures. I could imagine His smile of approval. It felt good!

Father, thank You for the opportunity to serve in the same capacity that You instructed Adam, to care for Your creatures. Amen.

© 2010 E. Bonnie Ryan