A quick glance at my roly-poly pal Parker the Fox Squirrel may have you murmuring to yourself “that squirrel looks like he’s been in the eggnog and cookies and doesn’t need any treats!”
In my recent post “Season’s Eatings” I wrote about treats left for my furry and feathered friends for the holiday, so I hope you will smile after reading about the shameless begging by my chubby buddy Parker.
On a recent Saturday morning, I planned a two-park agenda – first to Council Point Park, then a five-mile drive to Heritage Park to see their holiday décor. In the early morning weather report, the meteorologist said it was foggy, so I figured the fog would put the kibosh on the latter trip. When I looked out the front door, there was no sign of fog; I shook my head and off I went.
I arrived at Council Point Park, one mere mile away, where I discovered a few slick white patches in the parking lot – hmm. Temps were just at the freezing mark. The walking path had similar icy patches, but what struck me was the fallen leaves which had a thin coating of ice. Aah – it was freezing fog! The leaves looked a little like “Frosted Flakes” and the grass was similarly slick, so I decided to gingerly walk a couple of miles and take my time getting up to Heritage Park where surely their flooded pathways would be treacherous right now. I left droppings of peanuts in the shell and sunflower seeds at the usual three spots, entirely depleting my stash and unbelievably never saw a bird or a squirrel.
To kill some time, I took pictures of the frozen leaves, then I stopped at this decorated memorial tree to take a few shots since I’ve featured this tree before in my blog.
My peanut pal Parker was on the prowl.
The colossal blunder of being without a single peanut in my pocket, would soon be realized. There I stood taking photos of the tree, when suddenly I felt a tug on the back of my sweatpants. I didn’t have to have eyes at the back of my head to realize Parker had appeared on the scene and placed one clawed paw on the back of my sweatpants and gave a little tug.
I whirled around and once he was assured I saw him, Parker crept over to my right side. I burst out laughing and said “Honey, I’m all out … here, let me take you to where the nuts and seeds are down the path a little bit – follow me, okay?” But Parker, being Parker, endearing but sometimes stubborn, would have none of that. He wanted some peanuts NOW, dropped before his front paws, like he was a little prince.
Who could resist that pleading face?
Then there was another subtle reminder, for good measure, as I felt the pressure of a tiny paw on the side of my sweat pants.
Even the little “kiss” he planted on my hiking boot, still wouldn’t guarantee peanuts would magically appear.
He looked crestfallen and went up to a nearby tree. With crossed paws, he proceeded to pout …
… and glare at me for this food faux pas.
So how did those tactics work out Parker? Well, not so good. Since all I did was take photos of him, a persistent and impatient Parker exited the tree and circled around me to try again, sniffing the grass in case I’d tossed a peanut or two his way when he blinked and might have missed them.
One last steely gaze at me seemed to say “thanks a lot for nothing Linda” and Parker scurried off.
Oops. Well this was a Christmastime conundrum to be sure. I had broken my own cardinal rule to never give out all the peanuts without holding a few in reserve. That’s because a few years ago I did just that … I ran out of peanuts, produced the empty bag, yet one squirrel persisted in following me and/or running ahead of me. I gestured again to the empty bag, but that didn’t deter him one iota from following me. I had driven that particular day, only to arrive back at the car at the end of my walk, to see that same Fox Squirrel “parked” next to the car awaiting my return. He sat on his haunches, in begging stance, with pleading eyes, while swishing that tail. Perhaps he thought I had peanuts in the car. I christened that little bugger “Parker” that day.
P.S. – Not only was I happy to see my furry friend again, but it gave me an opportunity to grab a few shots to show you just how chubby the squirrels get in late Fall. It’s not the peanuts that make them fat. Mother Nature provides him and the other squirrels an extra fat layer and thicker fur to withstand the sometimes brutal Michigan Winter. So, no … I’m not fat shaming Parker at all!
Linda Schaub
WALKIN', WRITIN', WIT & WHIMSY 
Parker, is a tubby looking little thing. I love squirrels. They are fun to watch, and can be very friendly. I have had some as pets. Those are really outstanding photos of Parker!
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Thanks Ron – I was pleased Parker was posing so nicely and just a few feet from me. The gray and black squirrels are a little skittish, but so cute and all the Fox Squirrels will beg, but Parker is like a pet with his antics. I used to follow a few squirrel sites, but there were too many daily posts, so I stopped – so many people had squirrels as pet, mostly rescues they had found that fell out of a nest and became another member of the family.
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Yes, ours have all been rescues, and were babies. Usually from someone finding them on the ground, or a tree surgeon finding them.
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Occasionally I’ll look at the Jill the Squirrel photos … such a sweet little soul. You were lucky to raise them and have them be like pets.
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Let’s hope he doesn’t order a hit job on you. Keepa an extra close eye on your car now. 🙂
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Ha ha – yes, you’re right JP! Did you see those crossed arms, er paws and steely gaze My days at the Park are numbered now.
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How cute. Such friendly little squirrels. Parker looks well fed without his expected peanuts.
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Yes, he is very cute Peggy and full of personality, that’s for sure. And he’s not shy and has climbed up my pant leg before trying to reach the peanut bag if I’m not fast enough. I was glad to get some chubby pictures of him as some people have never seen how squirrels gain weight for the Winter months (courtesy of Mother Nature).
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These photos turned out great Linda, it is so cute to see Parker touch your shoe like that. What a gift you have with animals. 🙂 Happy New year also 🙂
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Thank you Sandra – Parker was right there so I was lucky I had the camera out and could get some close-ups. My favorite is the picture up top of him sitting up begging. Such a cutie pie.
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That Parker is BOLD! I enjoyed reading about how he got his name.
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Isn’t he? Jus tugging on my pants to get my attention – one time he climbed up my sweatpants leg to reach the peanut bag as someone was talking to me and I wasn’t quick enough for him. Yes, he was literally parked by the car and I had to wait for another walker to come along to distract him so I could pull out and not roll over him – he didn’t want to move. So I usually a small bag with peanuts now – I dropped the ball that day.
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Perhaps you need to leave a bag in your car for emergencies!
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I usually have a few tucked away in a pocket (out of sight) for that reason, especially when I walk. But I dropped the ball that day and I had given every last peanut and seed on my walk around – no one showed up as it was really cold (they wait til it warms up sometimes), so I tried to guide him there. He was obstinate.
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A fat squirrel is a happy squirrel!
Could you of not gone and got Parker peanuts from that other location and brought them back for him?
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Yes – I hated to fat shame him like that because doesn’t he really look chubby in the tree pictures? Well, I knew there were nuts and seeds in the three locations (two were a little bit away – the walking loop is one mile) and one place I put treats was not far away … maybe 100 feet. No, he wouldn’t follow me there. I don’t want to pick up anything from the path – lots of goose poop. I don’t put the treats near goose poop, but there is lots of it. Once stuff is on the path, it stays on the path.
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Parker is your adopted furry son! You need to always keep treats around for your son!
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Well, believe it or not, I pass a squirrel in the neighborhood (not my own neighborhood) and he begs so I have a ziploc bag of seeds/peanuts I keep on hand for him, but I didn’t have them because I was driving and going straight to another park and didn’t want to leave anything in the car.
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Those are very sweet photos of Parker, Linda. I especially like the first photo and, also, the pleading face photo! Very well done. It is so cool that you have such a good rapport with a wonderful creature of nature!
Yes, i am sure that very cold and brutal weather is on the way. Not exactly Floridians here… are we? I’m glad that Parker is plump and ready for any Siberian climate! 🌲🌲🐿🐿🌲🌲
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Glad you liked the photos Tom – that was my favorite as he was posing so nicely and about three feet away from me. He’s not shy, that’s for sure. Parker has mastered the pleading face routine perfectly. 🙂 I was hoping to get some photos showing how Mother Nature helps out squirrels in the Winter and the photos in the tree certainly show that. 🙂
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Yes, Parker is a real character. How old is he? … and how long do squirrels live? (It’s not the length that counts, by the way.) Happy Holidays! 🌲🌲😁🌲🌲
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I’ve read that it varies Tom – anywhere from six to ten years. I’ve been walking here at this Park since 2013 and have seen Parker for about the five years. Maybe time to take him home with me to guarantee a spoiled and long life.
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What a charming and funny post, Linda. No, we can’t fat-shame the squirrels or other critters who don’t have the pleasure of central heating! They need all they can get. You’re such a caring soul to provide them with special delights. Your photos really “take the cake!”
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Glad you liked this post Eilene. Parker is a special squirrel at this park and I’ve been interacting with him for several years now – he has a mind of his own sometimes, but I was lucky to get some cute, up-close photos of him.
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The “kissing my shoe” one was especially priceless!
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Yes he does that quite often, putting his paw on my pants leg I allow too, but discourage it in Summer, in case he scratches my bare leg instead pawing the sock. He is quite a character Eilene.
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I’m sure they never mean to hurt intentionally, but they do have sharp claws and teeth. I just related earlier today an ill-fated attempted to feed a squirrel by hand, resulting in a deep bite to my finger. Oops!
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Maybe I’d better not do that anymore Eilene. It is just a few I do it with … the others are timid if you try to put your hand out. I didn’t always do it either, just the last few years. I hope you did not have to undergo the rabies shots regimen?
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Nope, just a tetanus shot.
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You were lucky!
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Nice to see Parker again! He does look roly-poly. Do you think he knows where to look to get the food you left in the usual spots? Or does he think he’s special and gets extra?
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Yes, he sure is roly-poly Joni. I tried to get him to follow me to one of the three spots, just down the path from where he came over to me, but he followed a few steps, the turned around. I think he thinks he is special and gets extra. I packed a big bag today as we’re having crummy weather (you too likely) the next three days. Left and got one block and came back home as it was freezing fog and too slippery to walk and feel comfortable, even in lug-soled boots.
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Yea, it’s snowing out here tonight too….it looks pretty but I’m glad I cancelled my car appointment until next week….just hope there isn’t more COVID around as our stats are getting scary – there was a 300 number jump over Xmas weekend….where will it end.
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They gave the stats yesterday or today for five days and we had almost 300 deaths. Scared to venture out anymore and now we have bad weather to contend with.
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You created a wonderful post out of having no peanuts for Parker.
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Thank you Anne – glad you enjoyed it. Parker sure is a cutie and has my heart (and he knows it). I know I disappointed him, so I’ve been taking an extra Ziploc bag with me in case I see him alone – I won’t make that mistake again.
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Aw, Parker, what a charmer! That’s so sweet that he comes right up to you to beg. I’m guessing he’ll hold you to the ‘never go without a spare peanut’ rule again? You captured such adorable shots of him. PS – glad to hear that his plumpness is naturally occurring and not due to an overabundance of Nutter Butters! 😉 Such a fun post, Linda!!
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Glad you liked this post Shelley – it was one of my favorites as I got him up close in all his chubbiness. Especially the two shots in the tree, he looks extra plump. No Nutter Butters this past Christmas – I cut my finger badly, trying to get the lid off the icing tube (klutzy move on my part). I’ve already started ensuring I didn’t forget a special bag just for Parker. He is quite the charmer!
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So sweet!!!
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Miss Linda………………………….animals are smart especially one that know Miss Peanut Lady…………..and……………….I love the “pouting” picture up in the tree
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Yes they are smart Ann Marie and no doubt looking for me this morning. I walked one block and went home as it was way too icy – black ice. Did you get a walk in this morning?
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That little face! Parker can really tug at one’s heart! I’m so glad you got a chance to see him again, even if you had to disappoint him. I love the picture of him with his paw on your sweatpants. 💕
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Yes, he is just the cutest squirrel Barbara – how could you resist giving him peanuts? I felt so badly and he would not let it go – I think he thought it was a game and I’d produce peanuts for him eventually. He was really trying to get my attention with his paw. 🙂
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