Dorothy is a fierce defender of parks and land set aside for natural areas. Her knowledge of native plants and animals is vast. There's very little she hasn't seen or done. She's been a great mentor for me.
The other night we were at a naturalist meeting and she said, "I've just got to tell you this story. Only a group like this would appreciate it."
Tuesday was garbage day and at 9:30 AM Dorothy set out the garbage. She left her kitchen and went out the passage door of the garage. Of course, she left both doors open. Her neighbors have been complaining about mice. As Dorothy entered her kitchen she saw something flash and thought "Oh boy, I've got a mouse." A second look showed her that the flash in her house was a least weasel. These are little guys about 4 in long.
The weasel scampered into her bedroom. Dorothy quickly closed the door to isolate him while she thought of something to do.
She had an appointment right away so decided to leave the weasel locked in the bedroom , so she thought, while away on her appointment.
When Dorothy came back she peaked in the bedroom to see if her visitor was still there. Well, yes he was , curled up in her blankets and looking out at her. So the door was closed again for Dorothy to think some more.
A few hours later , she thought she'd look again. This time the weasel scampered off the bed into the closet. Dorothy grabbed all the bedding and took it outside hoping the weasel was in the bedding and would stay outside. No way.
Well, maybe the weasel could be chased out. In her words. "The darn thing would come in and out of the closet." Dorothy sat on the bed to think. The cheeky little beggar jumped up on the bed and came over beside her and looked up at her. The weasel would actually sit on her lap. Every time Dorothy moved the weasel took off. This plan was going nowhere.
Dorothy decided to get a bag and her leg brace. The curious weasel inspected the bag and finally went in whereupon Dorothy quickly stamped on the bag opening trapping the weasel inside. The knee brace was to secure the top of the bag and off she went outside with her little friend. It was midnight and Dorothy started at nine.
Dorothy could hardly tell her story as she was so amused by what had happened with the little weasel.
Now weasels have a bit of a reputation. They are fierce with their prey and people are afraid of them. With humans they are very curious and do no harm. I'm afraid I could not do what dorothy did even if I know the weasel is friendly
I would be a afraid of a weasel. Dorothy is very brave! :)
ReplyDeleteThey seem to be very curious and friendly
DeleteThis is a wonderful story. I'm going to copy the link to a friend who has been busy escorting baby opossums out of her house.
ReplyDeleteThanks for following Hiawatha House.
DeleteAmazing! You have such presence of mind to keep calm like that! I have several baby possums living under one of our decks! They love to visit and since we keep our French doors open in good weather, they assume they are very welcome! And it could be worse! Possums eat a ton of pesky insects and are good to have on our property! I'm glad Linda sent me your link! I'm going to love reading your blog and keeping up with you!
ReplyDeleteThanks for visiting.
DeleteAlmost like reading a suspense thriller.
ReplyDeleteThe weasel is cute.
Yes you feel that animals can be unpredictable.
DeleteThat wouldn't have occurred to me!
ReplyDeleteDorothy is a very different character.
DeleteWhat a neat story. :)
ReplyDeleteThanks. It's much better if you listen to dDrothy
DeleteThat's a great story and what a treat, to be that close to a beautiful little wild animal. Glad it didn't bite.
ReplyDeleteWe are always chasing anoles, little 4 inch lizards, that sneak into our house. They often clamp onto my hands when I am trying to escort them out. It hurts like heck and it is hard to get them to let loose but I always feel privileged to hold them and see them up close.
The least weasel is very scarce so it was a great experience.
DeleteI especially enjoyed this story, Red, not only because your friend, Dorothy, is certainly a feisty and brave woman to play cat and mouse with a easel. But, also because my given name is the same.
ReplyDeleteNow for more coincidence...my Mom was a Dorothy
DeleteThat was a fun story! Your friend Dorothy sounds like a spunky lady. I think I would have been okay with the weasel. My daughter had ferrets and they are in the same family; they even look very much alike with weasels, too. They are indeed very curious and playful.
ReplyDeleteWell I wouldn't recommend picking these up as they are wild. At one time ferrets were very popular.
Deletejust made me SMILE! to think of that little imp sitting on her lap!!!
ReplyDeleteThat's a great story! What a cute little beast. It obviously made itself right at home, curled up on the bed. And in her lap?!
ReplyDeleteAnd yet I'm afraid it might bite if you tried to grab it. Well done, Dorothy!
Dorothy is a brave woman! Even as cute as that little weasel is, I would have been afraid to sit on the bed with it. Would like to have a tame one for a pet though. I love the story!
ReplyDeleteI was smiling the entire time reading this :) maybe the weasel will come back and visit her someday!
ReplyDeleteGood for her for rescuing it! I've never seen a weasel. They don't seem very scary, I must say.
ReplyDeleteYour Dorothy is an awfully brave, amazing woman! A weasel? Sheesh!
ReplyDeleteYour Dorthy is a brave lady indeed . A weasel. Wow!
ReplyDeleteI am scared of a mouse. That was a awesome story to be told. Thanks Red. You have so much to tell us. I wish I had things to share like you do.