Tuesday, June 30, 2009

A Groundhog Up an Ash Tree?

I had no idea that groundhogs could climb trees; actually for a second there I thought this chubby guy was a koala bear, then I remembered there aren't wild koalas in Ohio!



The poor thing was terrified because our brute of a dog, Sofie, had it on a run for its life. This groundhog has lived under our storage shed for a couple of years now. We see it eating from our garden periodically, usually minding its own business. I guess it made the mistake and wondered into Sofie's territory today! I grabbed Sofie and dragged her inside to give the groundhog peace and hope it would leave the tree on its own. After about an hour frozen in the same position, it finally awkwardly made it to the ground and bolted to its home under our shed.
Sofie is a great family dog. But be forewarned mammals of the smaller variety (chipmunks, raccoons, skunks, bunnies, moles and cats), she'll get you if she can. You'd be lucky to live through it.


Bummer that the Little Ladies missed out in the excitement; they are at the aquarium today with my dad.

13 comments:

Jessica said...

I love groundhogs--my mom has a baby ground hog in her yard right now & it is absolutely adorable--just a fat little brown blob of fur!

Poor guy--I bet Sophie scared him nearly to death!

Joy said...

Poor little groundhog! I'm glad he made it home safely. :)

Anonymous said...

What an adorable inhabitant!! :-) Glad Sofie didn't get him!

Amy Perrotti said...

I never would have thought it possibe! I didn't know groundhogs could climb trees! Glad your stepped in and saved it from becoming lunch for your pup. :)

Toni said...

we see a lot of groundhogs around here and they are so funny to watch how they look so lumpy walking along.

I had no idea they could climb trees, but I quess if your running for your life you will try anything:-)

Your dog is so beautiful, my hubby loves sheperds.

kyndale said...

poor little guy! He was probably suprised himself that he could climb a tree!

dawn klinge said...

Your dog is beautiful! I'm glad the poor groundhog made it out of the tree safely. I didn't know they could climb trees either.

Annie said...

Whoa! That's crazy and wild to see! My dog would have done the same sadly. He's all about the killing.

Tara said...

Mr. groundhog won't be venturing out from under your house anytime soon...

Sofie is beautiful.

Jodi said...

totally funny!!!! while walking last week my dog and I totally snuck up on one. Scared us all.. funny!

Toni said...

Hi LIsa thanks for stopping to see me:-)

Actually they have no idea how she did it, my stepdad had it as a child and then it was something he was born with and he was wrapped up so it would grow together, I would think if this was a birth defect seh would have had tourble before now. Honestly and I wuld not say it to my family, her ex boyfriend has slapped her, an it makes me wonder if ..but I can;t ask her she gets so upset about the whole thing.My dh does martial arts and he said a kick or sharp punch there could crack it.

Crescent Moon said...

That is so funny! I would have never guessed they could climb. It's obviously a good survival trait, though. I'm glad it's o.k.
Pretty dog!

Cate said...

i've never even seen a groundhog in real life-how sad is that? so cool that your little guy was tree-hugging!