This time of year we seem to have a higher number of wildlife "rescues". Usually it involves baby birds that have launched themselves out of their nest. Last night we had a rescue that was a bit out of the ordinary! Alan was outside checking on things before we turned in for the night. One of our dogs was in the front yard barking, and when Alan went to see what was so exciting, he found this itty bitty skunk standing in front of the dog.
It is about the age in which the babies start following their mothers around, learning how to forage for food. We can only assume that the mother wandered off a little too quickly when the dog came into the yard, leaving the little one behind. The baby is lucky that we have friendly dogs!
While I stayed with the little one taking photos, Alan gathered an opened top box out of our recycling, some kitty food, and the "grabbers" (you know, those arm extension squeezy things). It was quite simple to "grab" the baby with the grabbers (no human/skunk contact was made), place it in the box with a bit of kitty food, and leave the box in the yard where Alan first saw the baby. With the dog out of the yard, we were confidant the mother would return looking for her wee one.
This morning, baby, and kitty food, were gone. And we are comfortable assuming there was a successful reuniting.
And, thankfully, there was no "stinking" involved!
Maybe, someday, if you cross paths when it's older, it will remember your kindness and not give you a spray ;)
Posted by: MicheleP | July 29, 2013 at 12:33 PM
My BIL brought home 5 ( then 2 more) baby skunks when the mother was hit on the road in front of is place of employment. They are so darn cute at that age. They have e=been delivered to a wildlife rehab. (And doing well.)
Posted by: Carol Dee | July 12, 2013 at 07:16 PM
Hmmm, I dunno. That pretty much just looks like a squirrel all painted up PePe LePew style, haha! :)
Sure am glad mama skunk didn't spray y'all or the dogs.
Posted by: renee m | July 11, 2013 at 09:26 AM
Oh Anna that baby skunk is so cute! You guys always have such fun things happening on the farm. I'm happy that the outcome was good for the baby and that no "stinking" was involved!
Posted by: Ida P. Krause | July 11, 2013 at 08:19 AM
CUTE!! Before I got to the end of the post, my mind was already picturing him perched on your desk as you were crafting this morning...he did look like he'd be a good stamping companion! Glad he was reuninted with this mother. Love your blog!!
Posted by: Lisa Thompson | July 11, 2013 at 06:30 AM
Anna, I'm not sure I would have picked up a baby skunk. I'm glad there was no stinking involved with your rescue. He/she is a cute little bugger, huh. It's great that you and your husband took the time to care for little skunky until mama returned. Has the experience inspired any thoughts about a card?
Have a great day on the homestead.
Posted by: Nebraska Dave | July 11, 2013 at 05:33 AM
With my goofyness, I would have called it into the house thinking it was Tippy the cat who disappeared.....Love MOM
Posted by: Mom | July 10, 2013 at 09:51 PM
I've never seen a baby skunk, either! :) In fact, until last year, I'd never seen a wild skunk out toodleing around. One of the boys and I were near a lake and one was up ahead of us on the road, and when we got up there, he just kind of hung out in a stubble field. Thanks for these photos!
Posted by: Shala | July 10, 2013 at 07:44 PM
Oh how sweet! From a distance of course ;)
Posted by: Danielle | July 10, 2013 at 07:03 PM
Aw, we had a skunk event this summer too!!! A momma and 3-4 little ones just wandered out across our yard, sniffed our trash cans and continued on to the field. My friend & I stood a few feet away, dumbfounded! They were totally oblivious to us! Your little one is a cutie and thankfully your story had a happy ending!
Posted by: LeAnne | July 10, 2013 at 05:58 PM
I love sharing all these stories with my daughter! What a great learning experience we "experience" through you. Thanks!
Posted by: Lynne | July 10, 2013 at 05:28 PM
Oh how funny. Sure glad it wasn't us that had the skunk. I would have called animal control. lol. Hopefully "mama skunk" came to get it.
Posted by: Lora Lauhoff | July 10, 2013 at 05:27 PM
Oh, what a wee baby! I have never seen one that young! Hurray for you and Alan rescuing it!
Posted by: Michelle | July 10, 2013 at 05:23 PM
I love this story. I probably would have shooed it away.
Posted by: Sandy Young | July 10, 2013 at 04:26 PM
Oh my gosh, what a story! So glad it all worked out without anyone needing a tomato juice bath.
Posted by: Troy Louise | July 10, 2013 at 04:23 PM