I plucked the egg out of the chicken coop then almost dropped it when Bud rushed the fence from the other side. I heard the squeak then saw the chipmunk leap from the top of the vine covered fence on to the side of the barn.
And there it stayed, just a few feet above the fence, gripping the red wood siding, frozen in fear. Bud jumped and barked but the chipmunk was out of reach.
I brought the egg and Bud into the house thinking the chipmunk would be gone by the time I got back, but it was still stuck onto the side of the barn.
So I got a pair of gloves and the ladder to try and put the chipmunk in a safer place. But as I reached up for him, he jumped back into the tangle of leaves and vines on the top of the fence. When Zip sauntered over, I knew it was time for me to leave and take the cat with me.
Zip showed no sign of seeing the chipmunk and followed me over to the chairs under the apple tree. We sat together for a while and when I left Zip was curled up and dozing.
I haven’t seen many chipmunks this spring. I thought maybe Zip had scared them all away. But it looks like they’re back.
I hope this one has learned to keep his distance from both Bud and Zip. Maybe even find another place to live.
