Yep, that’s right – squirrels ruined my truck. Granted, it was an old truck (1995 F150), but it was MY old truck, and I really liked it. I bought it several years ago so that I could use it for hauling rock, dirt, mulch, and building materials. The truck has helped me turn my suburban yard into a wildlife-friendly space. I used it to take the boat to the lake and make wonderful memories with family and friends. My S.O. and I have loaded our two beagles into the truck on many a summer night for a trip to Sonic for a diet cherry limeade and a bite to eat. Good times.

I recently hopped into the truck to run to the Home Depot for yet another yard project, but I barely made it down the street. Immediately recognizing a problem with the engine, I turned around and drove right back home. I have since learned that some of the spark plug wires and distributor cap wires have been chewed to pieces. There were acorns stuffed in the manifold, where apparently  some squirrels had chosen to spend a few cold nights. I had noticed acorns in the driveway and thought it was strange because there were no trees within range to simply drop the acorns there.

The cost to repair the truck is way more than I can reasonably spend, given its value, how much money I’ve already spent on it over the years, and how infrequently I’ve been driving it these days. You’d think I’d be furious at the darn squirrels. But I’m not – and here’s why:

Squirrels, in their furry, tail-snapping cuteness, were the first creatures to coax a smile onto my face at a time when I knew only tears. I watched them scurry amid the trees, chasing one another in obvious play, and I actually smiled. The very first feeder of any kind to ever exist in my yard was a 2×4, through which I placed three long screws. I cut the ends of the 2×4 at 45° angles and  secured it in the corner of my backyard fence. After the corn feeder went up, I was able to enjoy “my” squirrels even more. I looked forward to seeing them every day and I made sure that the corn feeder was always stocked with ears of corn.

It wasn’t long before I noticed that the corn was attracting birds too. Soon, I noticed the many different kinds of birds…something I had never really noticed before. I grew more and more excited about this whole new world of squirrels and birds and… life. Wildlife. And so began my journey back to myself, my new self.

Though I wish my squirrels had not ruined my truck, I could never be mad at them. Truth be told, it is a little bit of a relief to now have such an easy decision as to the fate of my truck. I will donate it to Wildlife Rescue & Rehabilitation, if they can use it. I have already sent them a message and am simply waiting to hear back.

To end my story on a humorous note, I will admit that one of the first photos I posted on Birder’s Lounge was of a squirrel eating corn off the cob on my home-made feeder. It wasn’t until months later that I found out that Birder’s Lounge had more than a few visitors because of this picture. Really and truly, I can honestly say that I never thought twice about the fact this picture showed a male squirrel’s private parts. I just thought he was really cute and was delighted to have captured a picture of him enjoying the corn I’d offered him.

So, with this picture, I say farewell to my good ‘ol truck, and profess my enduring love for the squirrels who stopped my tears, led me to birds, and made this donation to wildlife possible.

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