Which is the Squirrel and Which is the Nut?

A couple days ago, DB called me out to the front porch.  A very young squirrel was under a chair. He could barely move and his eye was sealed shut.   We could not figure out where he came from as all trees near the house were removed a few months ago.   After a while, when it appeared his mommy was not going to come claim him, DB took it upon himself to care for the squirrel, which he named Millie, after our granddaughter, even though Millie the Squirrel is a male.   Tending to Millie--the squirrel, not the girl-- included the use of a beautiful box in which I had received a Vera Bradley bag; recycling of the paper in the paper shredder for bedding; pilfering a bag of raw walnuts from the kitchen pantry; tapping the supply of sunflower seeds we keep for feeding the birds; and the use of a peanut butter jar lid for a water container.  Later, the use of a small animal carrier would also become necessary.  

Now DB is a sucker for squirrels.  He has always enjoyed them and they enjoy our pecan trees and all the birdfood DB puts out.  Millie is no exception.  DB has been feeding him, bringing him into the house out of the extreme heat and away from neigborhood cats when DB cannot directly supervise him.  This morning, DB was outside playing with Millie the Squirrel and Millie, who has been thriving on his diet of nuts, sunflowers and water, followed DB across the yard.   This afternoon, DB took Millie to work with him so he could tend to him (feed and pet him). 

Meanwhile, I managed to contact a wildlife rehabilitation specialist who is coming by to pick up Millie.  DB brought Millie home and said his goodbyes.  He is a bit sad to give up Millie.  If I thought Millie could learn without professional help whatever it is squirrels need to know in order to thrive on their own , I would say for DB to keep him and let him live happily in our pecan trees.  But I am not sure that we are capable of  giving Millie what he needs.  He does not need to be dependent upon us, but independent and able to hold his own with other squirrels.  DB agrees and knows it would never do to make a pet out of a wild animal.  So Millie the Squirrel is off to a new home.

I guess what I get out of this story is that I have the sweetest husband in the world.  No wonder his daughters love him.  He fed them, cared for them and saw to it that they knew how to hold their own in the world.   He could do no less for Millie the Squirrel.