[Magdalen] The Great Groundhog Caper

[Charles Wohlers]

A groundhog in *the attic*?!?!?! Whatever was s/he doing there?

Speaking of those delightful creatures, we've had a pair (one big, one 
smaller) around, but, three days ago I put a bag of used kitty litter down 
their hole. Haven't seen them since.

Chad Wohlers
Woodbury, VT USA
chadwohl at satucket.com



-----Original Message----- 
From: Grace Cangialosi
Sent: Friday, May 13, 2016 5:28 PM
To: Magdalen
Subject: [Magdalen] The Great Groundhog Caper

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"!