Cheeky Chipmunk

This is my deck...

It was early June this year when I finally convinced a chipmunk in our yard to take peanuts from my hand. We have had three chipmunk regulars, each distinguishable by looks and mannerisms. Chippy Half-a-Tail approaches from the front yard, and Timid Chippy peeks out between the slats of the fence and quickly runs back to the neighbour's yard behind us. Timid was caught in our garage overnight and was paralyzed with fear when I found it under an old paint sheet. No damage was done as there was plenty of bird seed there for food.

...and my picnic table...

Cheeky Chippy is sassy, demanding, ever so cute and knows well that I am wrapped around its little "finger". It has a burrow in the raspberry patch which opens again in another neighbour's yard under the fence. When I am outside, it appears with a bouncy step and confidence that it will be fed. If I don't pay attention, it will tickle my toes or appear at the arm of my chair looking for a treat.

My husband was talking to the neighbour across the fence and heard about a chipmunk who was disturbing the potted flowers of the missus, planting peanuts under her geraniums. Oh my! We were enabling the undesired behaviour. The peanut buffet was not replenished as frequently after that and the other two chipmunks disappeared.

...and my servant!

But Cheeky is incorrigible and I am unable to resist its chipmunk charms. My sister-in-law was sitting out on the deck with me earlier this month and thoroughly enjoyed hand feeding peanuts to our little pet. We have to leave the peanuts in the shell as it can fit far too many shelled nuts in its cheeks. It will not leave until it cannot fit another morsel in its mouth.

I know this is a wild animal who can bite and carry disease, but in spite of its rascally ways, Cheeky is gentle, mannerly and always leaves a smile on my face.