[Magdalen] The Great Groundhog Caper

[Grace Cangialosi]

Just a tale to add to the recent conversation...
Yesterday I was getting ready to leave and was looking around for my dog. (Not that she ever comes when I call her, but hope springs eternal!)
She was nosing around in front of the open building that holds the tractor and assorted equipment. All of a sudden she took off running in a circle around the outside of the building. She went in all of a sudden and raced up the stairs to what is an unfinished attic space.  
And then came the most awful squealing and barking--and I had no idea what was up there.  There would be brief silences, then ferocious barking and this very weird squealing/whistling sound.  I thought it was some kind of large bird.
I went to get the leash, hoping I could entice Gracie (don't ask!) down with the prospect of a car ride--usually a sure thing,  but she was having none of it. Why, you ask, didn't I just go up the stairs and grab her by the collar?!
Well, the stairway is open with no railing, and because the action was taking place about three feet ahead of the top of the stairs--and because I still didn't know what I was dealing with--I was afraid that either the dog or the unknown antagonist might lung and knock me down the stairs.

I finally started up the stars until I could see--and there was a huge (probably 30-40lb) groundhog, backed into a corner, snarling and squealing, as he and the dog alternated lunges at each other.
There was a large can of something at the top, so I heaved it in their general direction, hoping it would prove a distraction. The groundhog pushed it right back!
Finally I took a few steps forward and got the leash attached and started the dog down the stairs.
It was a very long struggle getting her to the house, but we finally made it and I kept her in until it got dark.
Apparently the groundhog has moved on into its burrow. And I now know why one of their names is "Whistle Pig"!