Close Encounters of the Tree Rat kind

Earlier in the week I received a text from my wife that a pair of Tree Rats
(Squirrels) were gambolling along our back fence leading the dog a merry
dance. Very nice I thought, wildlife in our garden after 3
years.....Niiiiiiice.

Daily visits to the bird table and the stealth stealing of the peanuts from
the feeder suggested that Tree Rats were up to their usual antics and giving
the dog a hard time.

Early A.M we were awoken by a frantic scrambling around complete with loud
crashes, bangs and squealing coming from our dining room.
It transpires, upon me investigating the commotion by using the first four
stairs down as an arse support, that Tree Rat 1 had decided that venturing
INTO the house might be a way of providing itself with more food, problem
was that as my Wife had been up a little earlier and left the door open to
the garden for the dog to wander, Tree Rat 1 was unaware that the dog was
now behind him and a Tail/Dog mouth interface ensued with Tree Rat 1 having
a clear advantage of being able to use smaller gaps through furniture than a
4 stone dog!

Grab of dog and despatch to other room, shut door. Tree Rat 1 decides to
make a bid for freedom to the kitchen, entirely bypassing the open door to
the garden and to hide behind the cooker.

Plan A: Adrenalin rush in me says grab Tree Rat 1 and despatch to garden.
Plan A Tree Rat1: Bite the bugger!

Plan B: Bleed profusely from 3 tooth marks in longest finger while
attempting to extract Tree Rat 1 from finger. Dangling 5ft in the air from
my finger DID NOT faze the bugger at all, in fact upon reaching BONE in my
finger resolutely refused to let go.
Plan B Tree Rat 1: Bite harder until flying lessons ensue.

It appears that Plan B in both camps was effective.

Lessons Learned:

1 Don't let Tree Rat 1 be cornered.
2 Pick up using thick towel next time if he is
3 Learn Tree Rat language as swearing in human form isn't understood.
4 4 stone dogs are NOT good at Furniture avoidance in small spaces.

All this before 07.30...........so went to work to chill out.
one.two [ Sa, 08 Juli 2006 13:10 ] [ ID #138326 ]

Re: Close Encounters of the Tree Rat kind

"Mr Alun Davies" <one.two [at] three.org> wrote in message
news:4h9i5eF1qjgm6U1 [at] individual.net...
> Earlier in the week I received a text from my wife that a pair of Tree
> Rats (Squirrels) were gambolling along our back fence leading the dog a
> merry dance. Very nice I thought, wildlife in our garden after 3
> years.....Niiiiiiice.
>
> Daily visits to the bird table and the stealth stealing of the peanuts
> from the feeder suggested that Tree Rats were up to their usual antics and
> giving the dog a hard time.
>
> Early A.M we were awoken by a frantic scrambling around complete with loud
> crashes, bangs and squealing coming from our dining room.
> It transpires, upon me investigating the commotion by using the first four
> stairs down as an arse support, that Tree Rat 1 had decided that venturing
> INTO the house might be a way of providing itself with more food, problem
> was that as my Wife had been up a little earlier and left the door open to
> the garden for the dog to wander, Tree Rat 1 was unaware that the dog was
> now behind him and a Tail/Dog mouth interface ensued with Tree Rat 1
> having a clear advantage of being able to use smaller gaps through
> furniture than a 4 stone dog!
>
> Grab of dog and despatch to other room, shut door. Tree Rat 1 decides to
> make a bid for freedom to the kitchen, entirely bypassing the open door to
> the garden and to hide behind the cooker.
>
> Plan A: Adrenalin rush in me says grab Tree Rat 1 and despatch to garden.
> Plan A Tree Rat1: Bite the bugger!
>
> Plan B: Bleed profusely from 3 tooth marks in longest finger while
> attempting to extract Tree Rat 1 from finger. Dangling 5ft in the air from
> my finger DID NOT faze the bugger at all, in fact upon reaching BONE in my
> finger resolutely refused to let go.
> Plan B Tree Rat 1: Bite harder until flying lessons ensue.
>
> It appears that Plan B in both camps was effective.
>
> Lessons Learned:
>
> 1 Don't let Tree Rat 1 be cornered.
> 2 Pick up using thick towel next time if he is
> 3 Learn Tree Rat language as swearing in human form isn't understood.
> 4 4 stone dogs are NOT good at Furniture avoidance in small spaces.
>
> All this before 07.30...........so went to work to chill out.
>
You're lucky, a friend of mine seeing what he thought was a dead "Tree Rat",
on the grass at the side of the road, picked it up and had to attend
hospital for some weeks after they stitched back the skin on his hand (like
a patchwork quilt). Those claws are powerful and sharp just like the teeth.

--
Regards
Bob Hobden
17mls W. of London.UK
Robert Fuchs [ Sa, 08 Juli 2006 17:49 ] [ ID #138342 ]

Re: Close Encounters of the Tree Rat kind

On Sat, 8 Jul 2006 12:10:37 +0100, "Mr Alun Davies"
<one.two [at] three.org> wrote:

>Earlier in the week I received a text from my wife that a pair of Tree Rats
>(Squirrels) were gambolling along our back fence leading the dog a merry
>dance. Very nice I thought, wildlife in our garden after 3
>years.....Niiiiiiice.
>
>Daily visits to the bird table and the stealth stealing of the peanuts from
>the feeder suggested that Tree Rats were up to their usual antics and giving
>the dog a hard time.
>
>Early A.M we were awoken by a frantic scrambling around complete with loud
>crashes, bangs and squealing coming from our dining room.
>It transpires, upon me investigating the commotion by using the first four
>stairs down as an arse support, that Tree Rat 1 had decided that venturing
>INTO the house might be a way of providing itself with more food, problem
>was that as my Wife had been up a little earlier and left the door open to
>the garden for the dog to wander, Tree Rat 1 was unaware that the dog was
>now behind him and a Tail/Dog mouth interface ensued with Tree Rat 1 having
>a clear advantage of being able to use smaller gaps through furniture than a
>4 stone dog!
>
>Grab of dog and despatch to other room, shut door. Tree Rat 1 decides to
>make a bid for freedom to the kitchen, entirely bypassing the open door to
>the garden and to hide behind the cooker.
>
>Plan A: Adrenalin rush in me says grab Tree Rat 1 and despatch to garden.
>Plan A Tree Rat1: Bite the bugger!
>
>Plan B: Bleed profusely from 3 tooth marks in longest finger while
>attempting to extract Tree Rat 1 from finger. Dangling 5ft in the air from
>my finger DID NOT faze the bugger at all, in fact upon reaching BONE in my
>finger resolutely refused to let go.
>Plan B Tree Rat 1: Bite harder until flying lessons ensue.
>
>It appears that Plan B in both camps was effective.
>
>Lessons Learned:
>
>1 Don't let Tree Rat 1 be cornered.
>2 Pick up using thick towel next time if he is
>3 Learn Tree Rat language as swearing in human form isn't understood.
>4 4 stone dogs are NOT good at Furniture avoidance in small spaces.
>
>All this before 07.30...........so went to work to chill out.
>
>
>
Hope you went to A&E ( or local GP if you could get ti see them ! )
for an anti-tetanus injection ?



Elizabeth in Renfrewshire, Scotland.
Removex to reply
elizabeth [ Sa, 08 Juli 2006 18:37 ] [ ID #138344 ]

Re: Close Encounters of the Tree Rat kind

"Mr Alun Davies" <one.two [at] three.org> wrote in message
news:4h9i5eF1qjgm6U1 [at] individual.net...
> Earlier in the week I received a text from my wife that a pair of Tree
> Rats (Squirrels) were gambolling along our back fence leading the dog a
> merry dance. Very nice I thought, wildlife in our garden after 3
> years.....Niiiiiiice.
>
> Daily visits to the bird table and the stealth stealing of the peanuts
> from the feeder suggested that Tree Rats were up to their usual antics and
> giving the dog a hard time.
>
> Early A.M we were awoken by a frantic scrambling around complete with loud
> crashes, bangs and squealing coming from our dining room.
> It transpires, upon me investigating the commotion by using the first four
> stairs down as an arse support, that Tree Rat 1 had decided that venturing
> INTO the house might be a way of providing itself with more food, problem
> was that as my Wife had been up a little earlier and left the door open to
> the garden for the dog to wander, Tree Rat 1 was unaware that the dog was
> now behind him and a Tail/Dog mouth interface ensued with Tree Rat 1
> having a clear advantage of being able to use smaller gaps through
> furniture than a 4 stone dog!
>
> Grab of dog and despatch to other room, shut door. Tree Rat 1 decides to
> make a bid for freedom to the kitchen, entirely bypassing the open door to
> the garden and to hide behind the cooker.
>
> Plan A: Adrenalin rush in me says grab Tree Rat 1 and despatch to garden.
> Plan A Tree Rat1: Bite the bugger!
>
> Plan B: Bleed profusely from 3 tooth marks in longest finger while
> attempting to extract Tree Rat 1 from finger. Dangling 5ft in the air from
> my finger DID NOT faze the bugger at all, in fact upon reaching BONE in my
> finger resolutely refused to let go.
> Plan B Tree Rat 1: Bite harder until flying lessons ensue.

At this point you should have tried to dump the pest in a bucket of water,
making sure it could not get away.

Alan
Alan Holmes [ Sa, 08 Juli 2006 20:59 ] [ ID #138359 ]

Re: Close Encounters of the Tree Rat kind

"Alan Holmes" <alan.holmes [at] virgin.net> wrote in message
news:DgTrg.25450$eQ.13954 [at] newsfe7-win.ntli.net...
>
> "Mr Alun Davies" <one.two [at] three.org> wrote in message
> news:4h9i5eF1qjgm6U1 [at] individual.net...
>> Earlier in the week I received a text from my wife that a pair of Tree
>> Rats (Squirrels) were gambolling along our back fence leading the dog a
>> merry dance. Very nice I thought, wildlife in our garden after 3
>> years.....Niiiiiiice.
>>
>> Daily visits to the bird table and the stealth stealing of the peanuts
>> from the feeder suggested that Tree Rats were up to their usual antics
>> and giving the dog a hard time.
>>
>> Early A.M we were awoken by a frantic scrambling around complete with
>> loud crashes, bangs and squealing coming from our dining room.
>> It transpires, upon me investigating the commotion by using the first
>> four stairs down as an arse support, that Tree Rat 1 had decided that
>> venturing INTO the house might be a way of providing itself with more
>> food, problem was that as my Wife had been up a little earlier and left
>> the door open to the garden for the dog to wander, Tree Rat 1 was unaware
>> that the dog was now behind him and a Tail/Dog mouth interface ensued
>> with Tree Rat 1 having a clear advantage of being able to use smaller
>> gaps through furniture than a 4 stone dog!
>>
>> Grab of dog and despatch to other room, shut door. Tree Rat 1 decides to
>> make a bid for freedom to the kitchen, entirely bypassing the open door
>> to the garden and to hide behind the cooker.
>>
>> Plan A: Adrenalin rush in me says grab Tree Rat 1 and despatch to garden.
>> Plan A Tree Rat1: Bite the bugger!
>>
>> Plan B: Bleed profusely from 3 tooth marks in longest finger while
>> attempting to extract Tree Rat 1 from finger. Dangling 5ft in the air
>> from my finger DID NOT faze the bugger at all, in fact upon reaching BONE
>> in my finger resolutely refused to let go.
>> Plan B Tree Rat 1: Bite harder until flying lessons ensue.
>
> At this point you should have tried to dump the pest in a bucket of water,
> making sure it could not get away.

What a good idea!

Find a bucket and take it to kitchen or outside tap and fill it. It doesn't
take long.

Of course it might SEEM like a long time with TR1 dangling from extremity
....

Mary
Mary Fisher [ So, 09 Juli 2006 17:17 ] [ ID #138453 ]

Re: Close Encounters of the Tree Rat kind

On Sun, 9 Jul 2006 16:17:11 +0100, Mary Fisher wrote:

>> At this point you should have tried to dump the pest in a bucket of
>> water, making sure it could not get away.
>
> What a good idea!
>
> Find a bucket and take it to kitchen ...

We are in the kitchen...

> or outside tap and fill it. It doesn't take long.

Quite. One has free hand, the teeth of TR1 are currently safely engaged
in severing a finger. Grab the little bar steward tightly round the neck
until it lets go, remember to continue grabbing the little bar steward
tightly round the neck for several minutes just to make sure the little
bar steward doesn't get a second chance at finger severing.

Finally take ones self off to the local Casualty department for the bite
to be properly cleaned and tidied up. And requisite injections given,
tetanus and possibly some antibiotics.

--
Cheers new5pam [at] howhill.com
Dave. pam is missing e-mail
Dave Liquorice [ So, 09 Juli 2006 19:10 ] [ ID #138475 ]

Re: Close Encounters of the Tree Rat kind

"Dave Liquorice" <new5pam [at] howhill.com> wrote in message
news:nyyfbegfubjuvyypbz.j25pku0.pminews [at] srv1.howhill.com...
> On Sun, 9 Jul 2006 16:17:11 +0100, Mary Fisher wrote:
>
>>> At this point you should have tried to dump the pest in a bucket of
>>> water, making sure it could not get away.
>>
>> What a good idea!
>>
>> Find a bucket and take it to kitchen ...
>
> We are in the kitchen...

Easy then!
>
>> or outside tap and fill it. It doesn't take long.
>
> Quite. One has free hand, the teeth of TR1 are currently safely engaged
> in severing a finger. Grab the little bar steward tightly round the neck
> until it lets go, remember to continue grabbing the little bar steward
> tightly round the neck for several minutes just to make sure the little
> bar steward doesn't get a second chance at finger severing.

Well, yes, but Alan was suggesting an alternative solution :-)

Mary
Mary Fisher [ So, 09 Juli 2006 19:29 ] [ ID #138479 ]

Re: Close Encounters of the Tree Rat kind

Post removed (X-No-Archive: yes)
Notifier Deamon [ So, 09 Juli 2006 21:43 ] [ ID #138497 ]

Re: Close Encounters of the Tree Rat kind

"Janet Baraclough" <janet.and.john [at] zetnet.co.uk> wrote in message
news:313030303930323944B16A6805 [at] zetnet.co.uk...
> The message <nyyfbegfubjuvyypbz.j25pku0.pminews [at] srv1.howhill.com>
> from "Dave Liquorice" <new5pam [at] howhill.com> contains these words:
>
>> On Sun, 9 Jul 2006 16:17:11 +0100, Mary Fisher wrote:
>
>> >> At this point you should have tried to dump the pest in a bucket of
>> >> water, making sure it could not get away.
>> >
>> > What a good idea!
>> >
>> > Find a bucket and take it to kitchen ...
>
>> We are in the kitchen...
>
>> > or outside tap and fill it. It doesn't take long.
>
>> Quite. One has free hand, the teeth of TR1 are currently safely engaged
>> in severing a finger.
>
> All you needed to do, was lower the extremity + rotating squirrel
> attachment into the washing up bowl filled with hot soapy water and
> dirty dishes. In about five seconds, all the dishes and the bite area
> woulod be spotlessly clean and the squirrel would either have drowned,
> or suffocated in an excess of bubbles.

Oh what an excellent suggestion!

For folk who, unlike me, have washing up in the sink.

Mary
who last night did because of a phone call reminding us of a party when we'd
forgotten and had to rush out ... :-(
Mary Fisher [ So, 09 Juli 2006 21:53 ] [ ID #138498 ]

Re: Close Encounters of the Tree Rat kind..Follow up

"Mr Alun Davies" <one.two [at] three.org> wrote in message
news:4h9i5eF1qjgm6U1 [at] individual.net...
> Earlier in the week I received a text from my wife that a pair of Tree
> Rats (Squirrels) were gambolling along our back fence leading the dog a
> merry dance. Very nice I thought, wildlife in our garden after 3
> years.....Niiiiiiice.
<snip>

You'll all be pleased to know that TR1 is alive and (unfortunately) well.
My finger swelled up and the bubble burst after I "disinfected" it with 8
year old Irish whisky, much of which was drunk also.
Last nights outing to the restaurant for our anniversary wasn't marred in
the slightest by SWMBO telling all and sundry I was a tree rat victim !
and lastly my finger has gone down and I don't have any lasting effects
other than a craving for Kent Cob nuts...
one.two [ So, 09 Juli 2006 22:45 ] [ ID #138504 ]

Re: Close Encounters of the Tree Rat kind..Follow up

"Mr Alun Davies" <one.two [at] three.org> wrote in message
news:4hd86mF1rfalrU1 [at] individual.net...
>
>
> You'll all be pleased to know that TR1 is alive and (unfortunately) well.
> My finger swelled up and the bubble burst after I "disinfected" it with 8
> year old Irish whisky, much of which was drunk also.

Most Irish whiskey, to me, tastes like I imagine paint stripper smells
:-( I'm sure it would do a great job of disinfecting and in distress could
be drunk.

> Last nights outing to the restaurant for our anniversary wasn't marred in
> the slightest by SWMBO telling all and sundry I was a tree rat victim !

Of course not. You were a hero!

> and lastly my finger has gone down

er - gone down where?

> and I don't have any lasting effects other than a craving for Kent Cob
> nuts...

LOL!

Thanks for instigating an amusing thread :-)

Mary
>
>
>
Mary Fisher [ So, 09 Juli 2006 23:00 ] [ ID #138505 ]

Re: Close Encounters of the Tree Rat kind

On Sun, 9 Jul 2006 20:53:04 +0100, Mary Fisher wrote:

>> All you needed to do, was lower the extremity + rotating squirrel
>> attachment into the washing up bowl filled with hot soapy water and
>> dirty dishes. in about five seconds, all the dishes and the bite area
>> woulod be spotlessly clean and the squirrel would either have drowned,
>> or suffocated in an excess of bubbles.
>
> Oh what an excellent suggestion!
>
> For folk who, unlike me, have washing up in the sink.

Agreed Mary there is something really gross about a sink or bowl full of
washing up just sitting there festering and the oils/fats gongealing on
the surface of the water. urgh...

I somehow think that it would take somewaht longer than 5s for TR1 to
drown as well. You'll need a good string grip on the little bar steward
so it might as well be round it's neck. The other thing to mention is
claws and powerful legs, the little bar stewards won't be following the
Queensbury Rules...

--
Cheers new5pam [at] howhill.com
Dave. pam is missing e-mail
Dave Liquorice [ So, 09 Juli 2006 23:28 ] [ ID #138510 ]

Re: Close Encounters of the Tree Rat kind

"Dave Liquorice" <new5pam [at] howhill.com> wrote in message
news:nyyfbegfubjuvyypbz.j261k58.pminews [at] srv1.howhill.com...
....
>
> Agreed Mary there is something really gross about a sink or bowl full of
> washing up just sitting there festering and the oils/fats gongealing on
> the surface of the water. urgh...

I bow to your greater experience :-)

We never have fats and oils in washing up water anyway, it's easy to wipe
any off with a paper towel. Yorkshire Water spent more than £3m last year
unblocking pipes clogged with fats.

And somehow that hot meaty succulence is disgusting when it's cold and
greasy :-(
>
> I somehow think that it would take somewaht longer than 5s for TR1 to
> drown as well. You'll need a good string grip on the little bar steward
> so it might as well be round it's neck. The other thing to mention is
> claws and powerful legs, the little bar stewards won't be following the
> Queensbury Rules...

Sounds as though you wouldn't be either :-)

Do they have fleas?

Mary
>
Mary Fisher [ Mo, 10 Juli 2006 10:33 ] [ ID #138532 ]

Re: Close Encounters of the Tree Rat kind

"Dave Liquorice" <new5pam [at] howhill.com> wrote in message
news:nyyfbegfubjuvyypbz.j25pku0.pminews [at] srv1.howhill.com...
> On Sun, 9 Jul 2006 16:17:11 +0100, Mary Fisher wrote:
>
> >> At this point you should have tried to dump the pest in a bucket of
> >> water, making sure it could not get away.
> >
> > What a good idea!
> >
> > Find a bucket and take it to kitchen ...
>
> We are in the kitchen...
>
> > or outside tap and fill it. It doesn't take long.
>
> Quite. One has free hand, the teeth of TR1 are currently safely engaged
> in severing a finger. Grab the little bar steward tightly round the neck
> until it lets go, remember to continue grabbing the little bar steward
> tightly round the neck for several minutes just to make sure the little
> bar steward doesn't get a second chance at finger severing.
>

You're forgetting it can probably do more damage with its claws than its
teeth. The moral of the tale is not to try to pick up wild animals without
taking sensible precautions in the first place.
BAC [ Mo, 10 Juli 2006 10:31 ] [ ID #138534 ]

Re: Close Encounters of the Tree Rat kind

"BAC" <casswalk [at] NOSPAMdircon.co.uk> wrote in message
news:1152521818.26731.0 [at] proxy00.news.clara.net...
>
>>
>
> You're forgetting it can probably do more damage with its claws than its
> teeth. The moral of the tale is not to try to pick up wild animals without
> taking sensible precautions in the first place.

The OP did say that he grabbed the animal during an adrenalin rush. Can you
be certain that in the same circumstances you'd take sensible precautions?

I suspect I'd have backed off but none of us knows how we'd deal with such
an unusual situation unless we were highly trained. Thankfully, dealing with
squirrels at close quarters isn't a normal part of our lives.

The theory is fine until you have to face the problem.

For instance, dealing with bees and wasps is easy for me because I did a lot
of it but most people panic and don't take sensible precautions - or what
they think are sensible precautions are not sensible.

Mary
Mary Fisher [ Mo, 10 Juli 2006 11:40 ] [ ID #138537 ]

Re: Close Encounters of the Tree Rat kind

"Mary Fisher" <mary.fisher [at] zetnet.co.uk> wrote in message
news:44b220a3$0$908$4c56ba96 [at] master.news.zetnet.net...
>
> "BAC" <casswalk [at] NOSPAMdircon.co.uk> wrote in message
> news:1152521818.26731.0 [at] proxy00.news.clara.net...
> >
> >>
> >
> > You're forgetting it can probably do more damage with its claws than its
> > teeth. The moral of the tale is not to try to pick up wild animals
without
> > taking sensible precautions in the first place.
>
> The OP did say that he grabbed the animal during an adrenalin rush. Can
you
> be certain that in the same circumstances you'd take sensible precautions?

Yes, 100% certain. I'd no more grab a (scared) wild squirrel with my bare
hands than I'd grab a rat or a feral cat or a stray dog or a mink or
whatever in similar circumstances. If its got teeth and claws and its
scared, it shouldn't surprise people if it uses them.

>
> I suspect I'd have backed off but none of us knows how we'd deal with such
> an unusual situation unless we were highly trained.

I can't agree with that. You don't have to be highly trained, you just have
to exercise sensible caution.

Thankfully, dealing with
> squirrels at close quarters isn't a normal part of our lives.
>
> The theory is fine until you have to face the problem.

I expect the OP would wish others to benefit from his experience, and that
he would advise them not to try and grab a squirrel with their bare hands -
as I said, that's the moral of the tale, and hopefully people will pick up
on that.

>
> For instance, dealing with bees and wasps is easy for me because I did a
lot
> of it but most people panic and don't take sensible precautions - or what
> they think are sensible precautions are not sensible.
>

I doubt many people would think grabbing hold of a 'trapped' wasp with their
bare hand was particularly sensible :-)
BAC [ Mo, 10 Juli 2006 13:30 ] [ ID #138542 ]

Re: Close Encounters of the Tree Rat kind

"Mary Fisher" <mary.fisher [at] zetnet.co.uk> wrote in message
news:44b11df9$0$911$4c56ba96 [at] master.news.zetnet.net...
>
> "Alan Holmes" <alan.holmes [at] virgin.net> wrote in message
> news:DgTrg.25450$eQ.13954 [at] newsfe7-win.ntli.net...
>>
>> "Mr Alun Davies" <one.two [at] three.org> wrote in message
>> news:4h9i5eF1qjgm6U1 [at] individual.net...
>>> Earlier in the week I received a text from my wife that a pair of Tree
>>> Rats (Squirrels) were gambolling along our back fence leading the dog a
>>> merry dance. Very nice I thought, wildlife in our garden after 3
>>> years.....Niiiiiiice.
>>>
>>> Daily visits to the bird table and the stealth stealing of the peanuts
>>> from the feeder suggested that Tree Rats were up to their usual antics
>>> and giving the dog a hard time.
>>>
>>> Early A.M we were awoken by a frantic scrambling around complete with
>>> loud crashes, bangs and squealing coming from our dining room.
>>> It transpires, upon me investigating the commotion by using the first
>>> four stairs down as an arse support, that Tree Rat 1 had decided that
>>> venturing INTO the house might be a way of providing itself with more
>>> food, problem was that as my Wife had been up a little earlier and left
>>> the door open to the garden for the dog to wander, Tree Rat 1 was
>>> unaware that the dog was now behind him and a Tail/Dog mouth interface
>>> ensued with Tree Rat 1 having a clear advantage of being able to use
>>> smaller gaps through furniture than a 4 stone dog!
>>>
>>> Grab of dog and despatch to other room, shut door. Tree Rat 1 decides to
>>> make a bid for freedom to the kitchen, entirely bypassing the open door
>>> to the garden and to hide behind the cooker.
>>>
>>> Plan A: Adrenalin rush in me says grab Tree Rat 1 and despatch to
>>> garden.
>>> Plan A Tree Rat1: Bite the bugger!
>>>
>>> Plan B: Bleed profusely from 3 tooth marks in longest finger while
>>> attempting to extract Tree Rat 1 from finger. Dangling 5ft in the air
>>> from my finger DID NOT faze the bugger at all, in fact upon reaching
>>> BONE in my finger resolutely refused to let go.
>>> Plan B Tree Rat 1: Bite harder until flying lessons ensue.
>>
>> At this point you should have tried to dump the pest in a bucket of
>> water, making sure it could not get away.
>
> What a good idea!
>
> Find a bucket and take it to kitchen or outside tap and fill it. It
> doesn't take long.
>
> Of course it might SEEM like a long time with TR1 dangling from extremity
> ...

Had another thought, just try to gouge it's eyes out, that would make it let
go and hopefully blind the thing completely.

Alan

>
> Mary
>
Alan Holmes [ Mo, 10 Juli 2006 23:47 ] [ ID #138592 ]

Re: Close Encounters of the Tree Rat kind

"Mary Fisher" <mary.fisher [at] zetnet.co.uk> wrote in message
news:44b13d15$0$913$4c56ba96 [at] master.news.zetnet.net...
>
> "Dave Liquorice" <new5pam [at] howhill.com> wrote in message
> news:nyyfbegfubjuvyypbz.j25pku0.pminews [at] srv1.howhill.com...
>> On Sun, 9 Jul 2006 16:17:11 +0100, Mary Fisher wrote:
>>
>>>> At this point you should have tried to dump the pest in a bucket of
>>>> water, making sure it could not get away.
>>>
>>> What a good idea!
>>>
>>> Find a bucket and take it to kitchen ...
>>
>> We are in the kitchen...
>
> Easy then!
>>
>>> or outside tap and fill it. It doesn't take long.
>>
>> Quite. One has free hand, the teeth of TR1 are currently safely engaged
>> in severing a finger. Grab the little bar steward tightly round the neck
>> until it lets go, remember to continue grabbing the little bar steward
>> tightly round the neck for several minutes just to make sure the little
>> bar steward doesn't get a second chance at finger severing.
>
> Well, yes, but Alan was suggesting an alternative solution :-)

Either method would do, but I wonder if the bar steward would have a go at
slashing the hand with it's claws.

Alan

>
> Mary
>
Alan Holmes [ Mo, 10 Juli 2006 23:49 ] [ ID #138594 ]

Re: Close Encounters of the Tree Rat kind

"Dave Liquorice" <new5pam [at] howhill.com> wrote in message
news:nyyfbegfubjuvyypbz.j261k58.pminews [at] srv1.howhill.com...
> On Sun, 9 Jul 2006 20:53:04 +0100, Mary Fisher wrote:
>
>>> All you needed to do, was lower the extremity + rotating squirrel
>>> attachment into the washing up bowl filled with hot soapy water and
>>> dirty dishes. in about five seconds, all the dishes and the bite area
>>> woulod be spotlessly clean and the squirrel would either have drowned,
>>> or suffocated in an excess of bubbles.
>>
>> Oh what an excellent suggestion!
>>
>> For folk who, unlike me, have washing up in the sink.
>
> Agreed Mary there is something really gross about a sink or bowl full of
> washing up just sitting there festering and the oils/fats gongealing on
> the surface of the water. urgh...
>
> I somehow think that it would take somewaht longer than 5s for TR1 to
> drown as well. You'll need a good string grip on the little bar steward
> so it might as well be round it's neck.

It takes 8 seconds.

I have timed it on several occassions!

The other thing to mention is
> claws and powerful legs, the little bar stewards won't be following the
> Queensbury Rules...

Yes that could be a slight problem!

Alan

>
> --
> Cheers new5pam [at] howhill.com
> Dave. pam is missing e-mail
>
>
>
Alan Holmes [ Mo, 10 Juli 2006 23:51 ] [ ID #138595 ]

Re: Close Encounters of the Tree Rat kind

"Mary Fisher" <mary.fisher [at] zetnet.co.uk> wrote in message
news:44b220a3$0$908$4c56ba96 [at] master.news.zetnet.net...
>
> "BAC" <casswalk [at] NOSPAMdircon.co.uk> wrote in message
> news:1152521818.26731.0 [at] proxy00.news.clara.net...
>>
>>>
>>
>> You're forgetting it can probably do more damage with its claws than its
>> teeth. The moral of the tale is not to try to pick up wild animals
>> without
>> taking sensible precautions in the first place.
>
> The OP did say that he grabbed the animal during an adrenalin rush. Can
> you be certain that in the same circumstances you'd take sensible
> precautions?
>
> I suspect I'd have backed off but none of us knows how we'd deal with such
> an unusual situation unless we were highly trained. Thankfully, dealing
> with squirrels at close quarters isn't a normal part of our lives.

I would have got a net and trapped the thing in that, you could then either
smash the buggers head in with a hammer, or drown it.

Alan
Alan Holmes [ Mo, 10 Juli 2006 23:53 ] [ ID #138596 ]

Re: Close Encounters of the Tree Rat kind

"Alan Holmes" <alan.holmes [at] virgin.net> wrote in message
news:DXzsg.95069$uP.17874 [at] newsfe2-gui.ntli.net...
>
> "Mary Fisher" <mary.fisher [at] zetnet.co.uk> wrote in message
> news:44b13d15$0$913$4c56ba96 [at] master.news.zetnet.net...
>>
>> "Dave Liquorice" <new5pam [at] howhill.com> wrote in message
>> news:nyyfbegfubjuvyypbz.j25pku0.pminews [at] srv1.howhill.com...
>>> On Sun, 9 Jul 2006 16:17:11 +0100, Mary Fisher wrote:
>>>
>>>>> At this point you should have tried to dump the pest in a bucket of
>>>>> water, making sure it could not get away.
>>>>
>>>> What a good idea!
>>>>
>>>> Find a bucket and take it to kitchen ...
>>>
>>> We are in the kitchen...
>>
>> Easy then!
>>>
>>>> or outside tap and fill it. It doesn't take long.
>>>
>>> Quite. One has free hand, the teeth of TR1 are currently safely engaged
>>> in severing a finger. Grab the little bar steward tightly round the neck
>>> until it lets go, remember to continue grabbing the little bar steward
>>> tightly round the neck for several minutes just to make sure the little
>>> bar steward doesn't get a second chance at finger severing.
>>
>> Well, yes, but Alan was suggesting an alternative solution :-)
>
> Either method would do, but I wonder if the bar steward would have a go at
> slashing the hand with it's claws.

Didn't need to, it had a firm grip with its gnashers, apparently.

Mary
Mary Fisher [ Di, 11 Juli 2006 00:00 ] [ ID #138601 ]

Re: Close Encounters of the Tree Rat kind

"Alan Holmes" <alan.holmes [at] virgin.net> wrote in message
news:E%zsg.95096$uP.840 [at] newsfe2-gui.ntli.net...
>

>
> I would have got a net and trapped the thing in that, you could then
> either smash the buggers head in with a hammer, or drown it.

Not all of us have a squirrel net to hand ... that is one which will
withstand the teeth.
>
> Alan
>
>
Mary Fisher [ Di, 11 Juli 2006 00:01 ] [ ID #138602 ]

Re: Close Encounters of the Tree Rat kind

"Alan Holmes" <alan.holmes [at] virgin.net> wrote in message
news:oVzsg.95054$uP.49928 [at] newsfe2-gui.ntli.net...
>
>
> Had another thought, just try to gouge it's eyes out, that would make it
> let go and hopefully blind the thing completely.

This could develop into an interesting thread ...

Mary
Mary Fisher [ Di, 11 Juli 2006 00:02 ] [ ID #138603 ]

Re: Close Encounters of the Tree Rat kind

On Sat, 8 Jul 2006 12:10:37 +0100, "Mr Alun Davies" <one.two [at] three.org> wrote:

>Earlier in the week I received a text from my wife that a pair of Tree Rats
>(Squirrels) were gambolling along our back fence leading the dog a merry
>dance. Very nice I thought, wildlife in our garden after 3
>years.....Niiiiiiice.
>
>Daily visits to the bird table and the stealth stealing of the peanuts from
>the feeder suggested that Tree Rats were up to their usual antics and giving
>the dog a hard time.
>
>Early A.M we were awoken by a frantic scrambling around complete with loud
>crashes, bangs and squealing coming from our dining room.
>It transpires, upon me investigating the commotion by using the first four
>stairs down as an arse support, that Tree Rat 1 had decided that venturing
>INTO the house might be a way of providing itself with more food, problem
>was that as my Wife had been up a little earlier and left the door open to
>the garden for the dog to wander, Tree Rat 1 was unaware that the dog was
>now behind him and a Tail/Dog mouth interface ensued with Tree Rat 1 having
>a clear advantage of being able to use smaller gaps through furniture than a
>4 stone dog!
>
>Grab of dog and despatch to other room, shut door. Tree Rat 1 decides to
>make a bid for freedom to the kitchen, entirely bypassing the open door to
>the garden and to hide behind the cooker.
>
>Plan A: Adrenalin rush in me says grab Tree Rat 1 and despatch to garden.
>Plan A Tree Rat1: Bite the bugger!
>
>Plan B: Bleed profusely from 3 tooth marks in longest finger while
>attempting to extract Tree Rat 1 from finger. Dangling 5ft in the air from
>my finger DID NOT faze the bugger at all, in fact upon reaching BONE in my
>finger resolutely refused to let go.
>Plan B Tree Rat 1: Bite harder until flying lessons ensue.
>
>It appears that Plan B in both camps was effective.
>
>Lessons Learned:
>
>1 Don't let Tree Rat 1 be cornered.
>2 Pick up using thick towel next time if he is
>3 Learn Tree Rat language as swearing in human form isn't understood.
>4 4 stone dogs are NOT good at Furniture avoidance in small spaces.
>
>All this before 07.30...........so went to work to chill out.
>
>
>


Thank you for the story.
Also it reminded me of this one http://www.vtwinmama.com/demonic_squirrel_riding_story.htm
The first time I read it I nearly PMSL.

I hope the finger heals ok :)

Rick... (The other Rick)
rick [ Di, 11 Juli 2006 11:55 ] [ ID #138626 ]

Re: Close Encounters of the Tree Rat kind

"Rick" <You [at] must.be.joking> wrote in message
news:t9t6b25hunr66h7s88fmot3aqa2j0sl0sk [at] 4ax.com...
>
> Thank you for the story.
> Also it reminded me of this one
> http://www.vtwinmama.com/demonic_squirrel_riding_story.htm

Ah yes, I'd forgotten that one. Brilliant!

Mary
Mary Fisher [ Di, 11 Juli 2006 11:58 ] [ ID #138628 ]

Re: Close Encounters of the Tree Rat kind

alan.holmes [at] virgin.net said...
> I would have got a net and trapped the thing in that, you could then either
> smash the buggers head in with a hammer, or drown it.
>
Are we to take it you don't like squirrels?

--
To reply see 'from' in headers; lose the domain, and insert dots and [at]
where common sense dictates.
Sena [ Di, 11 Juli 2006 14:38 ] [ ID #138639 ]

Re: Close Encounters of the Tree Rat kind

You [at] must.be.joking said...
> Also it reminded me of this one http://www.vtwinmama.com/demonic_squirrel_riding_story.htm
> The first time I read it I nearly PMSL.
>
ROFL!! Oh, splendid! I'd post it elsewhere, except that they've
probably seen it already. Hmm, I wonder if the National Assembly for
Wales would appreciate it? I happen to know a few bods concerned with
environmental matters....

--
To reply see 'from' in headers; lose the domain, and insert dots and [at]
where common sense dictates.
Sena [ Di, 11 Juli 2006 14:44 ] [ ID #138640 ]

Re: Close Encounters of the Tree Rat kind

"Sena" <arjfatcymoeddorguk [at] privacy.net> wrote in message
news:MPG.1f1dada29bb86e9c98b848 [at] news.individual.net...
> You [at] must.be.joking said...
>> Also it reminded me of this one
>> http://www.vtwinmama.com/demonic_squirrel_riding_story.htm
>> The first time I read it I nearly PMSL.
>>
> ROFL!! Oh, splendid! I'd post it elsewhere, except that they've
> probably seen it already. Hmm, I wonder if the National Assembly for
> Wales would appreciate it? I happen to know a few bods concerned with
> environmental matters....

Are you in Wales?

Mary
>
> --
> To reply see 'from' in headers; lose the domain, and insert dots and [at]
> where common sense dictates.
Mary Fisher [ Di, 11 Juli 2006 18:10 ] [ ID #138662 ]

Re: Close Encounters of the Tree Rat kind

Mary Fisher <mary.fisher [at] zetnet.co.uk> writes
>
>"Alan Holmes" <alan.holmes [at] virgin.net> wrote in message
>news:oVzsg.95054$uP.49928 [at] newsfe2-gui.ntli.net...
>>
>>
>> Had another thought, just try to gouge it's eyes out, that would make it
>> let go and hopefully blind the thing completely.
>
>This could develop into an interesting thread ...
>
Am I the only one who feels this thread is getting a long way from being
remotely entertaining?
--
Kay
K [ Di, 11 Juli 2006 21:39 ] [ ID #138697 ]

Re: Close Encounters of the Tree Rat kind

In article <JTcVEcAw5$sEFwam [at] scarboro.demon.co.uk>,
K <k [at] scarboro.demon.co.uk> writes:
|> >
|> Am I the only one who feels this thread is getting a long way from being
|> remotely entertaining?

No.


Regards,
Nick Maclaren.
nmm1 [ Di, 11 Juli 2006 22:45 ] [ ID #138699 ]

Re: Close Encounters of the Tree Rat kind

Post removed (X-No-Archive: yes)
Notifier Deamon [ Di, 11 Juli 2006 22:52 ] [ ID #138701 ]

Re: Close Encounters of the Tree Rat kind

"Janet Baraclough" <janet.and.john [at] zetnet.co.uk> wrote in message
news:313030303930323944B41DB036 [at] zetnet.co.uk...
> The message <JTcVEcAw5$sEFwam [at] scarboro.demon.co.uk>
> from K <k [at] scarboro.demon.co.uk> contains these words:
>
>
>> Am I the only one who feels this thread is getting a long way from being
>> remotely entertaining?
>
> Maybe it would improve if we widen the discussion.
>
> "I have squirrels in the garden, so should I fill in the pond?
> "..discuss.
>
> Janet.
>
Naughty!

Although I once saw a squirrel fall in our pond. It got out very quickly and
I've never seen anything so thin and miserable! With wet fur there's nothing
to them!

Mary
Mary Fisher [ Di, 11 Juli 2006 22:57 ] [ ID #138703 ]

Re: Close Encounters of the Tree Rat kind

In article <313030303930323944B41DB036 [at] zetnet.co.uk>,
Janet Baraclough <janet.and.john [at] zetnet.co.uk> writes:
|> The message <JTcVEcAw5$sEFwam [at] scarboro.demon.co.uk>
|> from K <k [at] scarboro.demon.co.uk> contains these words:
|>
|> > Am I the only one who feels this thread is getting a long way from being
|> > remotely entertaining?
|>
|> Maybe it would improve if we widen the discussion.
|>
|> "I have squirrels in the garden, so should I fill in the pond? "..discuss.

By filling it full of nettles and peeing on it, clearly.


Regards,
Nick Maclaren.
nmm1 [ Di, 11 Juli 2006 22:57 ] [ ID #138704 ]

Re: Close Encounters of the Tree Rat kind

On 11/7/06 20:39, in article JTcVEcAw5$sEFwam [at] scarboro.demon.co.uk, "K"
<k [at] scarboro.demon.co.uk> wrote:
<snip>
>>
> Am I the only one who feels this thread is getting a long way from being
> remotely entertaining?

No.

--
Sacha
www.hillhousenursery.co.uk
South Devon
(email address on website)
Sacha [ Di, 11 Juli 2006 23:56 ] [ ID #138712 ]

Re: Close Encounters of the Tree Rat kind

mary.fisher [at] zetnet.co.uk said...
>
> "Sena" <arjfatcymoeddorguk [at] privacy.net> wrote in message
> news:MPG.1f1dada29bb86e9c98b848 [at] news.individual.net...
> > You [at] must.be.joking said...
> >> Also it reminded me of this one
> >> http://www.vtwinmama.com/demonic_squirrel_riding_story.htm
> >> The first time I read it I nearly PMSL.
> >>
> > ROFL!! Oh, splendid! I'd post it elsewhere, except that they've
> > probably seen it already. Hmm, I wonder if the National Assembly for
> > Wales would appreciate it? I happen to know a few bods concerned with
> > environmental matters....
>
> Are you in Wales?
>
How did you guess? :-)

--
To reply see 'from' in headers; lose the domain, and insert dots and [at]
where common sense dictates.
Sena [ Mi, 12 Juli 2006 00:32 ] [ ID #138716 ]

Re: Close Encounters of the Tree Rat kind

"K" <k [at] scarboro.demon.co.uk> wrote in message
news:JTcVEcAw5$sEFwam [at] scarboro.demon.co.uk...
> Mary Fisher <mary.fisher [at] zetnet.co.uk> writes
> >
> >"Alan Holmes" <alan.holmes [at] virgin.net> wrote in message
> >news:oVzsg.95054$uP.49928 [at] newsfe2-gui.ntli.net...
> >>
> >>
> >> Had another thought, just try to gouge it's eyes out, that would make
it
> >> let go and hopefully blind the thing completely.
> >
> >This could develop into an interesting thread ...
> >
> Am I the only one who feels this thread is getting a long way from being
> remotely entertaining?

No, but I didn't find it 'entertaining' in the first place.
BAC [ Mi, 12 Juli 2006 10:21 ] [ ID #138733 ]

Re: Close Encounters of the Tree Rat kind

"Sena" <arjfatcymoeddorguk [at] privacy.net> wrote in message
news:MPG.1f1e3744fb64faed98b85b [at] news.individual.net...
> mary.fisher [at] zetnet.co.uk said...
>>
>> "Sena" <arjfatcymoeddorguk [at] privacy.net> wrote in message
>> news:MPG.1f1dada29bb86e9c98b848 [at] news.individual.net...
>> > You [at] must.be.joking said...
>> >> Also it reminded me of this one
>> >> http://www.vtwinmama.com/demonic_squirrel_riding_story.htm
>> >> The first time I read it I nearly PMSL.
>> >>
>> > ROFL!! Oh, splendid! I'd post it elsewhere, except that they've
>> > probably seen it already. Hmm, I wonder if the National Assembly for
>> > Wales would appreciate it? I happen to know a few bods concerned with
>> > environmental matters....
>>
>> Are you in Wales?
>>
> How did you guess? :-)
>
> --
> To reply see 'from' in headers; lose the domain, and insert dots and [at]
> where common sense dictates.

I can't work that out. Can you mail me?

Mary
Mary Fisher [ Mi, 12 Juli 2006 10:40 ] [ ID #138736 ]

Re: Close Encounters of the Tree Rat kind

mary.fisher [at] zetnet.co.uk said...
> I can't work that out. Can you mail me?
>
You have email...
--
To reply see 'from' in headers; lose the domain, and insert dots and [at]
where common sense dictates.
Sena [ Mi, 12 Juli 2006 16:12 ] [ ID #138756 ]
Garden / Garten » uk.rec.gardening » Close Encounters of the Tree Rat kind

Vorheriges Thema: metrosideros umbellata seedlimgs, what next?
Nächstes Thema: Syd Barret dies